Who should be the next IABC APAC Communicator of the Year?

Exceptional leaders are using communication to create trust, navigate complexity, strengthen organisations, and deliver meaningful change.

Now is the time to recognise them.

Nominations are open for the 2026 IABC Asia Pacific Communicator of the Year Awards. Unlike programs focused on one project, these awards recognise individuals who demonstrate strategic communication excellence consistently. 

Executive leaders who made communication count

In 2025, Donald Lim was recognised for transforming communication practice and championing human-centred, technology-enabled narratives. His leadership showed how authentic communication can build trust and move people towards meaningful change. 

The 2024 recipient, Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, demonstrated how clear vision, integrity, and communication rooted in truth can support business leadership and innovation. 

They belong to an executive community that includes BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco, recognised in 2023; PR pioneer and Grupo Agatep founder Charlie Agatep, recognised in 2022; and Australian Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell, an inaugural recipient in 2020. The Executive Leader category was not awarded in 2021. 

Practitioners who advanced the profession

In 2025, Syed Mohammed Idid was recognised for crisis communication leadership, professionalism under pressure, and a deep commitment to mentoring future communicators. 

The 2024 recipient, Prof. HJ. Mohd Said Bani, was honoured for his extensive professional and industry leadership and his advocacy for ethical, responsible communication. 

Other recipients are Australian communication champion Maryanne Kepui in 2023; Indian internal communication authority, author, and communication leader Dr. Aniisu K. Verghese in 2022; Managing Matters Director Sia Papageorgiou in 2021; and Australian storytelling expert and author Gabrielle Dolan in 2020. 

These recipients show that outstanding communication leadership can emerge from the C-suite, the communication function, consulting, public service, and professional advocacy.

Who in your organisation, community or professional network belongs among them?

Nomination categories:

• Executive Leader: Recognising senior executives who make communication a strategic organisational priority.

• Senior Communication Professional: Recognising experienced practitioners who develop and deliver effective communication programs supporting organisational goals.

How to nominate

Email nominations to awards@iabcapac.com with the subject “Communicator of the Year Nomination”.

Your email must include:

• CV of the nominee (no more than four (4) pages),

• Nomination form that will contain:

  • One (1) page essay or statement on why the nominee is deserving of this award and description of accomplishments,

  • Response to each criterion – word count for each criteria response is a maximum of 300 words (criteria is listed below),

  • Two referees or references including contact details and relationship to nominee, and

  • Contact details of the nominator (if not self-nominated).

Deadline: Nominations close Friday, 11 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. India time (timezone conversions).

Give an exceptional leader the regional recognition their work deserves.

Download the nomination forms

Executive

• Download the Word version

• Download the PDF version

Senior Communication Professional

• Download the Word version

• Download the PDF