Home Annual Report

2024-2025 IABC Annual Report

IABC connects communicators around the world. Setting a standard of excellence since 1970, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a vibrant global membership association with thousands of members from across the globe.

Whether you are looking to connect with fellow global communication professionals, access educational resources to further your career, gain distinction through certification programs or simply stay on top of the latest news in the global communication industry, IABC helps you find the connections and resources you need to further your career.

Update From the Chair

Kamyar Naficy

International Executive Board Chair

2024-2025 Accomplishments

Launched a new IABC website, with integration of Catalyst

Developed and launched a new online IABC Community

Completed our first year in the new governance model

Completed annual dues transition

Completed transition to a new US Region

Launched Heads of Comms Shared Interest Group (SIG)

Partnered on research with USC Annenberg

Developed new strategies to expand IABC membership, enhance IABC offerings and position IABC as a global reference

Partnered with Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence (CSCE) on trainings related to strategic communication

World Conference Highlights

Implemented first-ever closed captioning use at IABC World Conference 2024

Improved average Spotlight Session and Master Class scores from 2023 to 2024

Updated and elevated the Call for Speakers Submission Form for 2025 event

Developed and launched a new World Conference 2025 mobile app

Finance and Investments

2024 Revenue by Program

Admin

9,079

Membership

1,040,008

Chapter Relations

362,071

Chapters

108,886

Education

43,831

Content

155,352

Gold Quill

212,312

Certification

62,977

World Conference

901,453

Total Revenue

2,895,969

2024 Expenses by Program

Admin

806,482

Membership

369,378

Chapter Relations

45,817

Chapters

39,533

Education

126,388

Governance

66,492

Content

148,640

Gold Quill

68,499

Certification

195,210

World Conference

1,095,473

Total Expenses

2,961,912

International Executive Board

The International Executive Board (IEB) is the governing body of IABC. It is accountable to the members and has supervision, control and direction of the affairs of the association. It actively pursues the association’s purpose and determines its policy within the limits of the law, IABC Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. It sets the strategic direction for the association, upholds the IABC Code of Ethics for communication professionals, and supervises disbursement of the association’s funds. The IEB, committees, regions and chapters work together to achieve our goals, while enhancing our reputation within the profession through better brand positioning and greater interaction with the broader communication profession.

Kamyar Naficy

Chair

John Harris

Director

Marie Fitzpatrick, ABC, BA

Regional Director

Anuja Kale Agarwal

Vice Chair

Matt Tidwell, Ph.D.

Director

Kane Errol Choa, APR

Regional Director

Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC

Past Chair

Ellen Vander Linden, SCMP

Regional Director

Dr. Amanda Atwell, ABC, CPRP, IABC Fellow, FGSCE

Regional Director

Ed Kamrin, SCMP

Secretary/Treasurer

Richard Kies, ABC, SCMP

Regional Director

Karen Mattews

Regional Director

International Committees

IABC’s international committees are a critical component of our governance structure. International committees and task forces help develop programs, represent members in decision-making and help further the goals of the board and the association at large. Serving on an IABC international committee is a wonderful opportunity to gain leadershipexperience, refine skills and work hands-on with leaders around the world.

Thank you to all those that served on an IABC international committee this year.

IABC Board Committees

Ethics Committee

The IABC Ethics Committee is responsible for input to the IABC International Executive Board (IEB) on policy, standards, strategic development, education and monitoring in relation to ethical matters and upholding the IABC Code of Ethics.

Andrew Morrison, SCMP | Chair
Judy Dobbs | Vice Chair
Malar Ramalingam | Past Chair
Pamela Gole, SCMP | Committee Member
Jayanti Menches, SCMP | Committee Member
Simon Murphy | Committee Member

Finance Committee

The committee's role is to review regular financial results: oversee preparation of an operating budget for the fiscal year adopted by the executive board; to annually review IABC's policy on reserves.

Ed Kamrin | IEB Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Kamyar Naficy | IEB Chair
Anuja Kale-Agarwal | IEB Vice Chair
Alexia Malamis - Senior Finance Manager | Staff Liaison
Linda Andross, ABC, MC | Canada East Region Representative
Amanda Hamilton-Attwell ABC, CPRP, IABC Fellow | Africa Region Representative
Tammy Nienaber | United States Region Representative
Sam Sinclair | APAC Region Representative
Jodi Tauber, BCom | Canada West Region Representative
Gloria Walker, ABC, FRSA, MPRCA, MCIPR | EMENA Region Representative

Audit and Risk Committee

The committee's role is to act on behalf of the International Executive Board (IEB) to bring objective oversight to material aspects of the association's financial reporting, internal controls and external financial audit and identification, evaluation and (where relevant) mitigation of risks, by management, the IEB and its committees.

John Harris | Chair
Alexia Malamis - Senior Finance Manager | Staff Liaison
Nancy Arab, APR, ABC, FCPRS, CMP, SCMP
Mark Evans, SCMP

Programmic Committees

Professional Development Committee

The Professional Development (PD) Committee oversees IABC's professional development platforms and sets strategy with regard to IABC's educational offerings to members and non-members. The committee ensures that IABC's offerings are consistent and high-quality across platforms.

Kelli Cargile Cook | Chair
Donna Itzoe | Past Chair
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Kristin Frankiewicz - Editorial Manager | Staff Liaison
Joe Bobbey
Christine Breet, SCMP
Melissa Corns
Zameena Dadani, MPP
Erin Baxter Melo
Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku
Kim Strickland

Awards Committee

The IABC Awards Committee provides leadership and vision for the IABC Gold Quill Awards. It is responsible for ensuring that the Gold Quill Awards program is the leading awards program for business communicators, that chapters and regions have the information they need to align with the Gold Quill standards and processes and appropriate governance and strategic documentation are in place.

Anthea Cudworth, ABC | Chair
Mandy Gibson | Vice Chair
Sylvia Link, MC, ABC, APR | Past Chair
Paige Schafer - Membership and Operations Coordinator | Staff Liaison
Paula Bernardino, MCM, CSR-P, SCMP
Adrienne Jackson, ABC
Theresa Lee
Cynthia Schmieg, SCMP, IABC Fellow

Membership Committee

The purpose of the IABC Membership Committee is to advance membership retention and growth through the development of strategies that enhance the member value proposition and benefits for IABC members.

Kamyar Naficy | Chair
Opeyemi "Yemi" Adeyemi, FNIPR, CMC
Deanna Biros
Kristie King, SCMP
Kaleigh Maclaren, CMP
Ross Monaghan
Wendy Snyder
Cynthia South
Wendy Thatcher, SCMP
Monique Zytnik

Fellows Committee

The Fellows Committee is a regular standing committee of the Board responsible for evaluating annual nominations and making recommendations to the IABC Executive Board (IEB) for new IABC Fellows each year.

Jane Mitchell, FRSA, IABC Fellow | Chair
Rajeev Kumar, ABC, IABC Fellow | Vice Chair
Martha Muzychka, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow | Past Chair
Kara Laue - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC | IEB Liaison

Fellows Selection Sub-Committee

Dianne Chase
Adam Fuss
Russell Grossman, DipPR, ABC, FRSA, FCIPR, FCIM, IABC Fellow
Juli Holloway, SCMP, IABC Fellow

Fellows Engagement Sub-Committee

John Clemons, ABC, APR, M.S., IABC Fellow
Cynthia Schmieg, SCMP, IABC Fellow
Mark Schumann, ABC, IABC Fellow

Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC)

The GCCC, an independent initiative created by IABC, offers certification at various levels and promotes a common, global understanding of what constitutes professionalism and competence in communication.

Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP, IABC Fellow | Chair
Bonnie Caver, SCMP | Vice Chair
Sharon Hunter, SCMP | Immediate Past Chair
Julie Ludwig, ABC, SCMP | Secretary-Treasurer
Peter Finn | IEB Liaison
Yenny Caceres - Certification Manager | Staff Liaison
Edward Dixon, SCMP
Deb Hileman, SCMP
Shel Holtz, SCMP
Michael Nord, SCMP
André Oberholzer, SCMP

Program Advisory Committee

The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) works collaboratively with staff to ensure that IABC World Conference is a high-value professional development experience aligned to the needs of the global profession.

Mark Evans, SCMP | Chair
Arnab Roy | Vice Chair
Kamyar Naficy | IEB Liaison
Emily Uligian - Education Manager | Staff Liaison
Jacqui d'Eon | Member
Pam Edwards | Member
Mary Francis | Member
Gurminder Marwaha | Member
Heather Natal, CMP | Member
Scott Parker | Member
Marie Soleil Pepin, MBA, SCMP, MC | Member
Lauren Westbrook, CMP | Member
Christal Austin, PG. Dip., B.Sc., IMC, CMP | Evaluator
Justine Costigan, SCMP | Evaluator
Kimberly George | Evaluator
Karen Matthews | Evaluator
Kari McLean | Evaluator
Natalie Pastuszak | Evaluator
Daniel Paulling, MA, CMP | Evaluator
Lydia Peddicord, MA, SCMP | Evaluator
Elizabeth Sargis, MBA | Evaluator
Jennifer Wah | Evaluator
Dierdra Yates | Evaluator

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is tasked to develop recommendations for how to integrate DE&I into the fabric of our organization and culture.

Timothy Chan | Chair
Marilyn Settell, CMP, PMP, MAM | Vice Chair
Matisse Hamel-Nelis, ADS, CPACC | Past Chair
James Patock - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Adina Chirita, CMP, CRAE
Dana Maxwell
Melika Shahroodi, MBA
Caterina Valentino, PhD, MBA, MPA(HSM),CHE,FACHE

Task Forces & Short-Term Committees

Foundation Grant Selection Task Force

The IABC Foundation Grant Selection Task Force is a time-limited action team who conducts the evaluation, selection and recommendation of all IABC Foundation grants or scholarships. All recommendations are sent from the task force to the Foundation Trustees for final approval.

Chris Saxby | Chair
Kara Laue - Membership and Operations Associate | Staff Liaison
Melynda Conner, Ph.D.
Andre Oberholzer, SCMP
Rhonda Sciarra, SCMP
Heather Young

Commercial Strategy Task Force

Karen Matthews
Anuja Kale-Agarwal
Brandon Babcock
Richard Kies, ABC, SCMP
Matt Tidwell, PhD

Regions and Chapters

Chapters are the foundation of IABC, delivering member value through learning, leadership and relationships that help guide members through their most pressing challenges. Through workshops, conferences, shared interest groups (SIGs) and additional professional development programs, chapters provide communication professionals with access to local thought leaders, case studies and best practices, and resources that provide insight and solutions for the issues facing business communication professionals today. Chapters create opportunities for members to tap into local communication experts and get the insight that they need to drive business results and grow their career.

Africa Region

Chair: Camilla Osborne, SCMP

Past Chair: Amanda Hamilton-Attwell, ABC, CPRP, IABC Fellow

Vice Chair: Yemi Adeyemi, FNIPR, CMC

Asia Pacific (APAC) Region

Chair: Barbara Pesel

Past Chair: Kane Errol Choa

Vice Chair: N/A

Chapters:

Aotearoa, Canberra, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New South Wales, Philippines, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

Canada East Region

Chair: Kaleigh Maclaren

Past Chair: Marie Fitzpatrick, ABC

Vice Chair: Samuel Chen

Chapters:

London, Maritime Canada, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ottawa, QC, Toronto, Waterloo

Canada West Region

Chair: Wendy Thatcher, SCMP

Past Chair: Richard Kies, ABC, SCMP

Vice Chair: Amanda LeNeve, SCMP

Chapters:

British Columbia, Calgary, Edmonton, Manitoba, Regina, Saskatoon

EMENA Region

Chair: Monique Zytnik

Past Chair: Karen Matthews

Vice Chair: Simon Cavendish, SCMP

Chapters:

United Kingdom & Ireland

US Region

Chair: Kristie King, SCMP

Past Chair: Ellen Vander Linden, SCMP

Vice Chair: Brandon Babcock

Chapters:

Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, DC Metro, Florida, Greater Cincinnati, Great Plains, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York Tristate, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Richmond, San Diego, Seattle, SF Bay Area, South Carolina, St. Louis, Tulsa

Our Strategic Plan

Where We Are Now

Activating Stronger Together: Our Strategic Plan

The 2024/25 Stronger Together Task Force: Commercial and Strategy extends on the work of IABC's previous two task force groups.

The 2023/24 Stronger Together Task Force addressed our governance, finance and change management needs to support the agreed operating model established by the 2022/23 Stronger Together Task Force.

Our task force in 2024/25 has evaluated commercial and strategic opportunities to deliver growth, value generation and long-term relevance for our association.

Corporate Members

An organization that supports their communication professionals elevates the standard of professional communication within their organization and benefits from improved organizational communication effectiveness— which impacts key strategic initiatives and drives business results.

Please join us in recognizing our IABC Corporate and Group Members:

Allstate Canada

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Comcast

Domtar Paper Company LLC

EPCOR Utilities, Inc.

KPMG International

McCain

TC Energy

IABC Sustaining Members

We thank these members of the IABC community for their generosity in becoming Sustaining Members! Sustaining membership offers the opportunity to advance the profession and strengthen our community by becoming a Sustaining Member of IABC.

Emily Airey

Maliha Aqeel, PMP, SCMP, MC

Zora Artis, GAICD, SCMP, IABC Fellow

Mairi Barton, SCMP

Danielle Bond, SCMP

Rebecca Cahn

Simon Cavendish, SCMP

Adrian Cropley, OAM, FRSA, IABC Fellow, SCMP

Kimberly George, SCMP

Neil Griffiths, ABC, Chart.PR, IABC Fellow

Donna Itzoe

Ed Kamrin, SCMP

Saul Lewis

Andrew Morrison, SCMP, ABC

Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke, APR, BA

Paul Omodt, SCMP

Sia Papageorgiou, FRSA, SCMP

Chad Peters, SCMP

Kris Pugsley, MBA

Sadie Tory

Jesus Uranga, SCMP

Ryan Williams, M.A., ABC, MC

Victor Zalakos, SCMP

2024-2025 IABC Annual Report

Update From the Chair

Kamyar Naficy

2024-2025 Accomplishments

World Conference Highlights

Finance and Investments

2024 Revenue by Program

2024 Expenses by Program

International Executive Board

International Committees

IABC Board Committees

Programmic Committees

Task Forces & Short-Term Committees

Regions and Chapters

Africa Region

Asia Pacific (APAC) Region

Canada East Region

Canada West Region

EMENA Region

US Region

Our Strategic Plan

Where We Are Now

Activating Stronger Together: Our Strategic Plan

IABC Corporate and Sustaining Members

Corporate Members

IABC Sustaining Members