IABC San Diego 2025 Communicator of the Year Award Celebration

We are thrilled to announce that Julie Wright (Wright on Communications) is the 2025 IABC San Diego Communicator of the Year (COTY) and Lieutenant Grace Kording,
CMP (U.S. Navy) is the 2025 Junior COTY winner.
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The IABC/San Diego COTY Award recognizes a greater San Diego leader who demonstrates strategic excellence in communication and serves as an outstanding example to others through quality of work and contributions to the communications profession. Likewise, the Junior COTY recognizes a communications professional with less than seven years of experience who is already doing amazing work.
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Join us in celebrating our COTY winners’ accomplishments at Gravity Heights, Sorrento Valley on Wednesday, May 14. Your ticket includes your first beverage and dinner from
a pre-selected menu. We can't wait to celebrate our COTY award winners with you!

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Ticket Price: $50, member / $70, non-member
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. (to 7:30 p.m.)
Location: Gravity Heights - 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121

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2025 IABC San Diego Communicator of the Year (COTY) Winner: Julie Wright

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Julie Wright is the Founder and CEO of (W)right On Communications, an award-winning strategic communications agency based in San Diego. She launched the firm in 1998 and has grown it into one of Newsweek’s Best PR Agencies in America, with clients across the U.S. and internationally through the International Public Relations Network. Julie leads integrated communications programs for clients in energy, technology, health, tourism, and more. Under her direction, the agency was selected to lead nationwide outreach for the largest antitrust class action settlement in U.S. history, impacting over 20 million businesses.

She also serves on multiple boards, including CanBiocin and Innovotech, and supports causes from education to wildlife conservation. Julie is a lifelong learner with certifications in board governance and immersive media, and is recognized for her leadership in diversity, ethics, and innovation in communications. Julie lives in San Diego with her husband of 30 years, and is a proud mom of two grown
sons. She’s known for her warmth, generosity, and love of giving back—both personallyand through pro bono work supporting nonprofits and community causes.

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2025 IABC San Diego Junior Communicator of the Year (COTY) Winner: Lieutenant Grace Kording, CMP‍

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Lieutenant Grace Kording is a Navy Public Affairs Officer and former Electronic Warfare Officer. She transitioned to Public Affairs in 2023 after eight years flying F/A-18s. In her first year, she earned rapid qualifications including CMP accreditation, completed Joint PME Phase I, and demonstrated strategic excellence through media training, mentorship, and communications leadership.

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As Assistant PAO at Naval Surface Forces, Grace led the implementation of the Surface Force Communication Strategy, aligning with national defense priorities. She spearheaded large-scale media campaigns, including a YouTube series with over 3.3M views, and social media partnerships that boosted engagement across platforms by up to 81%.

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Her work resulted in a measurable increase in earned media coverage, reflecting key Navy messages, while supporting congressional visits, symposia, and website upgrades. She provided media training to leaders and Sailors across multiple ships, strengthening the Surface Navy’s external communication and public image. Grace is an active mentor and volunteer, supporting military families and the San Diego PA community. She’s passionate about developing future communicators and continues to lead with purpose, relationship-building, and commitment to positioning the Navy as a global force for security and opportunity.

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11 years of celebrating excellence‍

Meet our past COTY winners.
2024- Angie Robert (COTY)
2024- Aasrita Patibandla (Junior COTY)
2023 - Emilie Vicchio (COTY)
2023 - Lauren Karwel (Junior COTY)
2022 – LaMonica Everett-Haynes
2021 – Sarah Bilyeu
2020 – Kate Griffin, ABC
2019 – Mike Godfrey, ABC

2018 – Margie Newman
2017 – Lisa Hunter, ABC
2016 – Anna Davison
2015 – Marilyn Olson
2014 – Cason Lane, ABC

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