Winners

Congratulations to our winners of the 2026 Gold Quill Awards!

For more than 55 years, the Gold Quill Awards have set the standard, raised the bar, improved lives, and built legacies that not only fulfilled and inspired professionals all over the world, but also delivered impact and grew the body of work in our profession.

View all winners below:

Visit Catalyst, IABC’s online content center, to view case study overviews of winning Gold Quill Award entries.

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2026 Gold Quill Awards Excellence And Merit Winners

Category 1: INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Navigating AI Together Claire Lyness Alberta Energy Regulator CA Calgary
One Team. One Journey. Internal Communications Campaign. Stephanie Higgins, Carrie Clark, Linzi Punton, Lisa Barclay, Jacy Lewis, Grace Hentges, Lily Siemens H&P US Tulsa
Calgary Foothills PCN's Consolidated Move Anika Van Wyk, Kara MacInnes, and Taryn Albizzati, CMP Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network CA Calgary
Building a Values-led Firm of the Future: KPMG Global Values Week KPMG International KPMG International GB Toronto
10 Minutes With ServiceNow ServiceNow US United States Region
Accelerate Great: The Employee Movement Behind a New Digital Era NBN Co Australia NBN Co Australia AU APAC Region
Co-creating WorkCover Queensland's Organisational Values WorkCover Queensland WorkCover Queensland AU Queensland
Award of Excellence
Powered by Us: Mobilizing Senior Leaders for BMO’s Ambition 2030 Strategy BMO Corporate Communications Team BMO Financial Group CA Toronto
Involving Employees to Evolve Culture — A "One New Gold" Approach to Refreshing Our Values Sam Numsen New Gold Inc. CA Canada East Region
When Words Save Lives: Communication as a Business Control Tool Christine Breet Communication Christine Breet Communication ZA Africa Region
Category 2: EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Wellness Intervention In Life InLife InLife PH  
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Season 2 Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Ericsson Six Word Story Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. and Ericsson PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Award of Excellence
The Hourly Associate Connection Bimbo Canada with Zeno Group Canada Zeno Group Canada CA Canada East Region
Category 3: HUMAN RESOURCES AND BENEFITS COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Southwest Airlines Total Rewards Website PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Lennar 2026 Benefits Annual Enrollment Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. and Lennar PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas 
Northwell Health Retirement Plan Choice Campaign Northwell Health and Gallagher Gallagher US  
Alera Group 2026 Open Enrollment Blue Communications and Alera Group Blue Communications US New York Tristate
Award of Excellence
Totally You, Totally New: Driving Engagement Through Reimagined Benefits Stacye Furmanek Advocate Health US  
Lennar 2025 Annual Enrollment Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Preventive Care Campaign Blue Communications and Alera Group Blue Communications US New York Tristate
Graham Holdings Retirement Enhancements Campaign Graham Holdings & PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Category 4: CHANGE COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Enabling Readiness at Scale Denise Cella Quennect Communications, Inc. US Chicago
Award of Excellence
Lennar 2025 Money Money Money Campaign Lennar & PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Category 5: SAFETY COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Solving the Puzzle of Stakeholder Education: Making Learning Fun Jason Kostiw South Bow CA Calgary
Award of Excellence
Saskatoon Transit Frontline Employee Safety Karen Grant, SCMP City of Saskatoon CA Saskatoon
Call Before You Dig: Natural Gas Lines Aren’t That Obvious Enbridge Gas with Burson Canada Enbridge Gas with Burson Canada CA  
Category 6: LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Powered by Us: Mobilizing Senior Leaders for BMO’s Ambition 2030 Strategy BMO Corporate Communications Team BMO Financial Group CA Toronto
Empower Pack - A Toolkit for People Leaders Lisa McNally and Kate Crassweller Rio Tinto AU Queensland
Category 7: MARKETING, ADVERTISING AND BRAND COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Reclaiming the REALTOR® Voice &Barr &Barr US United States Region
Verve Quest:Building Fame from the Inside Madelaine Fourie Sappi Limited ZA  
Lennar Recruitment Marketing Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Play for Life Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. PH Philippines
Fit for Any Role: Century Tuna’s Protein-Fit Campaign Century Pacific Food Inc. and COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises PH Philippines
Award of Excellence
We’re Not All F**ked Andrea Ross and Pamela McDonald BC Securities Commission CA British Columbia
United in ALS ALS Canada & Principles ALS Canada & Principles CA  
Giving in Memory Heart & Stroke and Principles Heart & Stroke and Principles CA  
Albertsons Companies: Launching a Talent Hub in India with a Global Employer Brand Albertsons Companies India Employer Branding Team Albertsons Companies  US Colorado
Well Beyond Medicine Podcast: Convening Cross-Sector Voices for Children’s Health Nemours Children's Health, Well Beyond Medicine Podcast Team Nemours Children’s Health US  
ABM Brand Positioning Launch ABM Marketing & Communications Teams ABM US  
Meet Mr. Ted Melinda Berry Dreisbach Fayette County Public Schools US Atlanta
Co-op Community Zone Communications & Public Affairs Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) CA Saskatoon
Category 8: CUSTOMER RELATIONS
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
RCBC Pulz: Expanding Cross-Border Banking through the Philippines’ First U.S. Virtual Account Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) PH  
Customer at the Heart: Creating "10 out of 10" Customer Experiences Katie Allen Pacific Gas and Electric Company US  
Category 9: MEDIA RELATIONS
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Royal LePage 2025 Research and Media Relations Program: Building Trust, Igniting Dialogue Royal LePage and Burson Canada Royal LePage CA  
Kai Tak Sports Park Opening Populous Populous SG APAC Region
Award of Excellence
Trust, Attitudes and Use of Artificial Intelligence: A global study 2025 KPMG Global Communications KPMG International CA Toronto
Category 10: COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Te'mexw Treaty Association 50th Parallel Public Relations Inc. 50th Parallel Public Relations Inc. CA Canada West Region
Anti-Stigma Toolkit and Training
CATIE with Burson Canada CATIE with Burson Canada CA Canada
Award of Excellence
Huihui Mai: Coming together to plan our future Donovan Ryan, Great Scott Great Scott NZ  
Creating the Future Together: Finding a Permanent Home for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Nuclear Waste Management Organization and Burson Nuclear Waste Management Organization CA  
Category 12: PUBLIC SECTOR/GOVERNMENTAL COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Firefighter/Paramedic Recruitment Campaign Jennifer Tames Strathcona County Emergency Services CA Edmonton
The Town of Stony Plain Communications Master Plan 2025 Stephanie Barsby Boisvert | Town of Stony Plain Town of Stony Plain CA Edmonton
Share Love, Not Disease – A National HPV Vaccination Campaign for Students and Young adults Anja Gorenc, Communication Center, National Institute of Public Health National institute of Public Health (NIJZ) SI  
Category 15: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
ONEOK’s United Way Campaign: We Give as ONE PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. CA Dallas
Category 16: NONPROFIT SECTOR COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit 
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Giving in Memory Heart & Stroke and Principles Heart & Stroke and Principles CA  
Train to Transform: Boosting User Engagement Through Upskilling New Leaders Foundation New Leaders Foundation ZA  
Building a Better Nation for Every Child - The “Generation HOPE” Campaign HOPE and COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises PH Philippines
Grooming Hides Behind Harmless Justine Sywak, Marisa Lo and Reagan Ruppell Shannon Behaviour ChangePR AU Victoria
Together We Dare Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital CA  
Award of Excellence
CHEO - Kids These Days CHEO Foundation, McMillan Vantage CHEO Foundation, McMillan Vantage CA  
#WeAllBelong Campaign Community Living Toronto Community Living Toronto CA  
United in ALS ALS Canada & Principles ALS Canada & Principles CA  
Protest March of the Penguins Penguins International & Rethink PR Penguins International CA  
Category 17: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Award of Excellence
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Signs of Inclusion Signs of Inclusion Povem SI  
Category 18: MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Award of Excellence
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Empowering Patients in their Healthcare Through Culturally Sensitive and Translated Public Campaigns Sanita Shapka, SCMP; Lisa Brake, ABC, SCMP; Amber Kalyn; Health Quality Alberta Health Quality Alberta CA Calgary
Category 19: CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION
Award of Excellence
Application Name     Winner Organization Country Chapter
ENBIX - A Hub For Alberta’s Building Industry Alberta Ecotrust Foundation Alberta Ecotrust Foundation CA Edmonton
Category 20: STRATEGIC ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Award of Excellence
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Loop AI Datavant People Team Datavant US San Francisco
Category 21: COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Award of Excellence
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
From Insight to Impact: Data Based Research Elevating CAA’s Leadership Canadian Automobile Association Canadian Automobile Association CA Ottawa
The Touch Advantage Sappi North America Sappi North America US  
Category 23: SPECIAL AND EXPERIENTIAL EVENTS
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
A Conversation with a Nobel Laureate Christine Szustaczek, SCMP

University of Toronto

 CA Toronto
Designing a Sustainable Future: A Landmark Launch for the Megaworld x Catriona Gray Enviro-Chic Bag Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Megaworld Lifestyle Malls PH  
U of T’s Nobel Prize Award Ceremony Watch Party University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto  CA Toronto
A Holiday Tradition Like No Other: McKinley Hill’s Grand Christmas Parade 2024 Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Megaworld Lifestyle Malls PH  
Award of Excellence
Lifetime Dreams Pan American Energy Pan American Energy AR  
Letter to My Mother Kick-off Event Medtronic Medtronic US  
OPG Live: A Hybrid News-Style All Hands for an AI-First Era Kasia Kalstad Microsoft US  
PG&E's Inaugural Lean Week Brad Whitowrth, ABC, SCMP, IABC Fellow Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) US San Francisco 
INTRA AFRICAN TRADE FAIR 2025 AFREXIMBANK & IATF AFREXIMBANK EG Africa Region
tms Leadership Summit - Connections: The Power of YOU tms Global Marketing & Communication Team tms US  
Lennar Financial Experience Fairs PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas 
RTX 2025 Healthy You Experience PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Category 24: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
New Stellenbosch University Website Marick Hornsveld, Ilze Grobler, Rulanzen Martin, Elsabé Grauso, Leanne Pharoah, Rogerwilco Stellenbosch University ZA  

Launching Spark

 Jody Alexander, Sheri Little, Nancy Arab, Jennifer Wagner, Graham Innes, Amir Zaidi Alberta Energy Regulator CA Calgary
RSM Medical Plan Comparison Tool PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Chris Hadfield On Energy Leanne McNaughton on behalf of Enbridge Public Affairs and Communications Enbridge CA London (Canada)
AEO Benefits Information Website American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) and Milliman Communication Consulting Milliman and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) US Dallas
Pathways Interactive Explainer: The Resilient Brain University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Office of Creative & Communications University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Office of Creative & Communications CA Canada West Region
Le Nouveau Site Web de la Ville de Laval: Une Expérience Mobile, Accessible et Durable Service des Communications et du Marketing - Ville de Laval Ville de Laval CA  
Award of Excellence
UTM Admission Category Webpage Refresh University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto CA Toronto
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Category 25: AUDIO/VISUAL
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
SGTV News: State of the City Report City of Spruce Grove Corporate Communications City of Spruce Grove CA Edmonton
Celebrating Excellence: Spring 2025 Convocation Reception Honouree Video Strategic Events, University of Calgary University of Calgary CA  
Dreams, Education and Success: Stories of Inspiration by Megaworld Foundation Alumni Scholars Megaworld Foundation, Inc. Megaworld Foundation, Inc. PH  
Connecting the Gordie Howe International Bridge Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority CA Toronto
Siyensikat: Pinoy Popular Science Para Sa Lahat - Season 4 CARBONDIGITAL, INC. CARBONDIGITAL, INC. PH Philippines
Performance Innovations 2025 Hatch Hatch CA Toronto 
Award of Excellence
Practice Differently - Now'h Ut'en - Now'h Guna (Our Business, Our Way) Carrier Sekani Family Services Carrier Sekani Family Services CA British Columbia
OPG Live: A Hybrid News-Style All Hands for an AI-First Era Kasia Kalstad Microsoft US  
Chris Hadfield On Energy Leanne McNaughton on behalf of Enbridge Public Affairs and Communications Enbridge CA London (Canada)
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Season 2 Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Category 26: SOCIAL MEDIA
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Graduation 2025 Adam Eisenbarth, Alex Howie, Jenelle Leblanc, Wiesje Stoneson, Margo Yacheshyn UBC Okanagan CA Canada West Region
Library Unbound Phoebe Chan UBC Library CA Canada West Region
College is Scary... CNA is Scary Good Glenda Tompkins College of the North Atlantic CA Newfoundland & Labrador
AFREXIMBANK SOCIAL MEDIA AFREXIMBANK Social Campaigns AFREXIMBANK EG Africa Region
MWSS Regulatory Office Water Conservation Campaign (WCC) and Desludging Awareness Campaign (DAC) CARBONDIGITAL, INC. CARBONDIGITAL, INC. PH Philippines
STARBOOKS Live Quiz CARBONDIGITAL, INC. CARBONDIGITAL, INC. PH Philippines
"Love to Live in the Philippines" Social Media Campaign CARBONDIGITAL, INC. CARBONDIGITAL, INC. PH Philippines
Award of Excellence
Ian Paterson TikTok Video Adverb Communications Adverb Communications CA Edmonton
Ilaw ng Bukas (Light of Tomorrow) Christmas Promo CARBONDIGITAL, INC. CARBONDIGITAL, INC. PH Philippines
Category 27: PUBLICATIONS
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
SIGA Annual Report Desiree Gervais, Alanna Adamko, Creeden Martell, Jenna Smith Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority CA Canada West Region
CIFAR Impact Report CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) CA Toronto
6th Dimension Culture Driven Nation Media Wise Communications, Inc./ Muse Books and Museo De Pacis Gallery Museum Media Wise Communications, Inc./ Muse Books PH Philippines
The Oxford Development Story Oxford Properties Global Brand, Marketing & Communications Team Oxford Properties Group CA Canada East Region
Physicians Quarterly Southern California Permanente Medical Group Communications Department Southern California Permanente Medical Group US  
University of Toronto Magazine Spring 2025 issue University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto  CA Toronto
Pathways Magazine: The Resilient Brain Office of Creative & Communications, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine CA British Columbia
Horizons: Remnants Benildean Press Corps Benildean Press Corps PH  
Award of Excellence
Reinventive: Accenture's Essential Guide for Chief Executive Officers Accenture Marketing + Communications - Reinventive Accenture US DC Metro
BCDA 2024 Annual Report: Big, Bold Moves Bases Conversion and Development Authority Bases Conversion and Development Authority PH  
Employee Experience Report Blue Communications and SMBC Blue Communications and SMBC US New York Tristate
Category 28: WRITING
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
The Boy Who Carried Books, Parts I and II Viola Cohen UBC Okanagan CA Canada West Region
Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care — Holiday Hero Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care US Kansas City
Student-Athlete Stories University of Toronto - Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education University of Toronto - Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education CA Toronto
Global Activist - Now a U of T PhD Student - Uses AI to Combat Sexual Violence University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto CA Toronto
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Season 2 Campaign PartnerComm, Inc. PartnerComm, Inc. US Dallas
Ghost(ing) Hunt: In Search of an Emotionally Distant Generation Benildean Press Corps Benildean Press Corps PH  
The Politics of Nepotism: How "Nepo Babies" Rule the Philippines Benildean Press Corps Benildean Press Corps PH  
Award of Excellence
Meeting the Moment: Supporting Research in a Time of Cutbacks University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto CA  
From Study Permits to Finding Community: How International Students Thrive at U of T University of Toronto Communications University of Toronto CA  
Category 29: CREATIVE DESIGN
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Blending Marine Tradition With Te Ao Māori to Create CentrePort’s New Plaque Andree Kai Fong, Hayley O'Callaghan, Rachel Laurenson CentrePort Wellington Ltd NZ  
Solving the Puzzle of Stakeholder Education: Making Learning Fun Jason Kostiw South Bow CA Calgary
Award of Excellence
Faculty of Arts & Science: Refreshed Visual Brand Identity Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto CA Toronto
SickKids 150 Archival Exhibit The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) CA Toronto
Category 30: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Award of Merit
Application Name Winner Organization Country Chapter
Communicating AI at Scale: Building Trust, Capability and Ethical Use Amber Carucci Burns & McDonnell US Kansas City

Best of the Best

2026 "Best of the Best" Award Winners

Recommended by evaluators and reviewed by the Gold Quill Awards Committee, the Best of the Best winners represent the very best entries seen across the globe. 

Category 1: Internal Communication
When Words Save Lives: Communication as a Business Control Tool
Christine Breet Communication

Category 3: Human Resources and Benefits Communication
Graham Holdings Retirement Enhancements Campaign
Graham Holdings & PartnerComm, Inc.

Category 4: Change Communication
Lennar 2025 Money Money Money Campaign
Lennar & PartnerComm, Inc.

Category 7: Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication
We’re Not All F**ked
Andrea Ross and Pamela McDonald

Category 9: Media Relations
Trust, Attitudes and Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Global Study 2025
KPMG Global Communications

Category 10: Community Relations
Huihui Mai: Coming Together to Plan Our Future
Donovan Ryan, Great Scott

Category 16: Nonprofit Sector Communication
CHEO - Kids These Days
CHEO Foundation, McMillan Vantage

Category 18: Multicultural Communication
Empowering Patients in Their Healthcare Through Culturally Sensitive and Translated Public Campaigns
Sanita Shapka, SCMP; Lisa Brake, ABC, SCMP; Amber Kalyn; Health Quality Alberta

Category 20: Strategic Artificial Intelligence
Loop AI
Datavant People Team

Category 23: Special And Experiential Events
Letter to My Mother Kick-off Event
Medtronic

Category 24: Digital Communication
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Campaign
PartnerComm, Inc.

Category 25: Audio/Visual
Practice Differently - Now'h Ut'en - Now'h Guna (Our Business, Our Way)
Carrier Sekani Family Services

Category 25: Audio/Visual
Omnicom Benefits with Friends Season 2 Campaign
PartnerComm, Inc.

Category 26: Social Media
Ian Paterson TikTok Video
Adverb Communications

Category 27: Publications
Reinventive: Accenture's Essential Guide for Chief Executive Officers
Accenture Marketing + Communications - Reinventive

 

2026 "Agency/Team of the Year" Award Winners

The “Agency/Team of the Year” awards highlight the highest-scored entries in the program submitted by an agency or organization. The awards are evaluated based on the number of winning submissions from a particular entrant.

Boutique Agency of the Year: Presented to an outstanding agency with five or fewer employees.
Christine Breet Communications

Small Agency of the Year: Presented to an outstanding agency with 6-20 employees.
Blue Communications 

Mid-Size Agency of the Year: Presented to an outstanding agency with 21–50 employees.
CARBONDIGITAL, INC

Large Agency of the Year: Presented to an outstanding agency with 51 or more employees.
PartnerComm, Inc

Corporate Communication Department of the Year
Microsoft

Not-for-Profit Communication Department of the Year
University of Toronto

 

2026 Special Award Winners

Jake Whitmer Award
Category 21: Communication Research
From Insight to Impact: Data Based Research Elevating CAA's Leadership 
Canadian Automobile Association

Business Issue Award
Category 17: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Signs of inclusion
Signs of Inclsion

Sharon Berzok Student Award
Category 27: Publications
Horizons: Remnants 
Benildean Press Corps