September28,2017 TheInternationalAssociationofBusinessCommunicatorsCanadaRegions(IABCCanada)havenamedLindaAndross,ABCofToronto,andLaurieDawkins,ABCofVancouver,asthisyear’srecipientsoftheprestigiousMasterCommunicator(MC)designation.TheIABCMasterCommunicatordesignationistheAssociation’shighesthonourinCanada.ItrecognizesoutstandingCanadiancommunicationprofessionalswhosecareerachievementshaveraisedthestandardsoforganizationalcommunicationinCanada.Criteriaincludethoughtleadership,teachingandwritingincommunications,servicesandleadershipinIABC,andoverallcontributionstotheprofession.

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Passionateaboutwhatshedoesandaboutgivingbacktotheindustry,LindaisaPastPresidentofIABC/Toronto,acurrentIABC/TorontoboardmemberandamemberofthePeerAdvisoryCommitteeforCentennialCollege’sPRprogram.Sheisdedicatedtonurturingthenextgenerationofcommunicationprofessionals,havinginformallyandformallymentoredothersthroughouthercareer.Shebalancesherfamily,workandvolunteerlifetogiveherbesttoeach.

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Laurie’scareerhascoveredallaspectsofcommunications,fromissuesmanagement,mediaandgovernmentrelations,tocorporatecommunicationsandemployeeengagement.Herdiversecareerhasalsospannedseveralindustries,includingmining,technology,advancededucationandhealthcare.Shehasbuiltareputationasaninsightful,strategicandcompassionatecommunicationprofessional.LaurieisanactivememberofIABClocally,nationallyandinternationally,andafrequentmentortonewcommunicationprofessionals.Shehasearnedmorethan20industryawardsandhonoursforherprofessionalworkandvolunteerism.

-----Onbehalfofthe2017MasterCommunicatorSelectionCommittee,comprisedofMasterCommunicatorsfromacrossCanada,chairAnnaWilley,ABC,MC,IABCFellow,welcomedLindaandLaurienotingallareproudtohonourtheseworthyrecipientswiththisIABCCanadalifetimecredential.ApresentationwillbeheldattheIABCCanadaWestRegionalconferenceinKelownaonOctober24,2017.FormoreinformationabouttheMasterCommunicatorprogramvisittheIABCCanadawebsite.

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LindaAndross,ABC,MCIABC/Toronto

LindaAndrossisanAccreditedBusinessCommunicator(ABC)withmorethan26years’experiencewithinthecommunicationprofession.Sheisco-owner/ManagingPartnerofAPEXPublicRelationsandruckusDigital+Design.Bothcompanieshavewonmultiplenationalandinternationalawardsfortheirexcellenceandinnovation.Lindaconsistentlydemonstratesoutstandingabilityincommunicationstrategy,programexecution,clientserviceandstaffdevelopment.

LaurieDawkins,ABC,MCIABC/BC

LaurieDawkinsisanAccreditedBusinessCommunicator(ABC)withmorethan23years’experienceinthecommunicationindustry.ShecurrentlyservesasDirectorofCorporateCommunicationsforVancouverCoastalHealth(VCH),wheresheleadsadynamic,award-winningteamresponsibleforinternalandexternalcommunication,employeeengagement,digitaldevelopmentandsocialmedia.

IABCCanadaNames2017MasterCommunicators