2023 CMA Winners

International Chapter of the Year: IABC London

IABC London had the highest total score in winning entries of the 2023 CMAs, making them the 2023 International Chapter of the Year. IABC London will serve as the judges for the 2024 CMA program. Congratulations IABC London!

Jordan Nagel, MBA was the 2022-2023 Chair of the IABC Southern Region. Jordan Nagel, has worked closely with struggling chapters to revitalize them and has supported initiatives to merge and strengthen existing chapters. Jordan has been a valuable member of the Council of Regions this term, and we are happy to recognize her as the 2023 Region Leader of the Year. Congratulations, Jordan! 

Elizabeth Bunney was the President of the IABC Edmonton chapter during the 2022-2023 term. Elizabeth fosters the development of early career communications professionals through her mentorship and positive reinforcement of the IABC values and ethics. As President, Elizabeth developed a new marketing communications process; held joint events with other chapters; co-created the budget with the entire team as a learning experience for budget development but also to create accountability and transparency for their respective areas and; and more! Way to go, Elizabeth!

Rizalyn (Reese) Reyes was the President of the IABC Calgary chapter during the 2022-2023 term. In her role as Vice President and President, she brings historical knowledge about IABC from her previous participation on the board. One of the areas that Rizalyn is very passionate (and educated in) is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Very early in the board term, IABC/Calgary did a partnership event with IABC/Edmonton and pipikwan pêhtâkwan, an Indigenous-led public relations agency. The Calgary board had also previously spoken quite a bit about wanting to take a meaningful approach to our land acknowledgment. It was through these experiences that she led Reese led the way in creating our own land acknowledgment. She reads it at the beginning of each of our meetings, including at public events and it is available on our website. Congratulations, Reese!

Robert DeLaet was the President of the IABC London chapter during the 2021-2022 term. Robert’s work ethic and strategic leadership have had an immense impact on IABC London, its members, past and present board members and volunteers. His deep history with our Awards program, his guidance and influence have kept this program and portfolio going and thriving. Robert’s vision and direction for the chapter to offer strategic and valuable programs inspired the board to think differently and critically and develop offerings that met that. Congratulations, Robert!

Andrea Blessum was the 2022-2023 President Elect for the IABC Great Plains chapter. When Andrea first began serving on the board, she agreed to a role that she knew would be challenging and that needed innovation. She took the role with the heaviest workload – our Professional Development Chair – and sought to create documentation, plans, and a repeatable process to improve the role's success moving forward. Traditionally, this role always held significant burnout and led to a lack of involvement. Knowing this, she worked with the rest of our board to provide the documentation, systems, and plans necessary to split this cumbersome role into two separate board positions – an Event Chair and Professional Development Chair. Congratulations, Andrea!

Karen Matthews was the Region Chair of the IABC EMENA Region during the 2022-2023 term. She started her tenure by planning the EMENA Board hybrid retreat in Barcelona and by establishing specific goals and portfolios for each Board member, including member retention and engagement, quality communications on behalf of the region, recognition in the profession, development opportunities, and partnerships with impact. Karen also led a website refresh for the EMENA Region and hosted multiple podcasts and webinars. Congratulations on an incredible year, Karen!

2023 Small Chapter of the Year: IABC Newfoundland & Labrador

IABC Newfoundland & Labrador had the highest total score of CMA entries in 2023, making them the 2023 Small Chapter of the Year. IABC Newfoundland & Labrador received Awards of Merit in the categories of Mentoring and Chapter Events.

2023 Large Chapter of the Year: IABC London

IABC London received Awards of Merit in the categories of Communication Management and Membership Marketing. The chapter received an Award of Excellence in the category of  Financial Management and Professional Development & Chapter Events. The total score of winning entries earned them the award of 2023 Large Chapter of the Year, in addition to the 2023 International Chapter of the Year.