IABC/San Diego Names Emilie Vicchio 2023 Communicator of the Year and Lauren Karwel Junior COTY

‍SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 19, 2023) - The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has named Emilie Vicchio its 2023 Communicator of the Year (COTY) and Lauren Karwel its Junior COTY. The COTY awards recognize greater San Diego area-based leaders who demonstrate strategic excellence in communication.

“We’re excited to recognize two members who not only exemplify leadership within the business communications field, but also have given back to the San Diego communications field through their work with IABC San Diego,” said Brandee Beiriger and Rob Campbell, co-Presidents of IABC San Diego. “On this 10th year anniversary of the COTY Award, Emilie and Lauren join an illustrious group of professionals who have helped some of San Diego’s well-established businesses thrive through employee communication and engagement.”

Vicchio is the director of marketing, brand and communication for Client Solution Architects, a global federal contractor serving the Navy, Army and Department of Defense. She leads all marketing, brand and communication efforts, guiding her organization's internal, corporate and executive messaging during M&As, organizational restructurings, rebrands, and day-to-day operations. Vicchio has been attributed to building multi-year, award-winning cultures through her unique approach to communication—blending visual design, behavioral science and communication best practices to create memorable and objective-driving experiences.

“I am honored to be selected as IABC’s 2023 Communicator of the Year,” said Vicchio. “I am in great company as a COTY winner and humbled to see my name alongside exceptional communicators working throughout the greater San Diego area. As a lifelong student, I am committed to continuing the advancement of the communication field and I am proud to be at the forefront of creating positive corporate and employee experiences for nearly two decades.”

Karwel is a senior employee communications specialist at Qualcomm, where she supports the Human Resources organization. She partners with HR leadership and cross functional teams to communicate within the HR organization and across the 45,000-employee base regarding HR policies, programs, and processes. She's an expert in stakeholder management, aligning consistent messaging across related projects, and has a proven track record of creating and implementing effective and complex communications plans that support the company and department's goals and drive engagement and awareness to employees.

“I'm thrilled and honored to receive the Junior COTY award and join an exceptional list of communicators in San Diego,” said Karwel. “This award is a testament to the impact that communicators can have within an organization at any level in our careers. I'm so grateful to my mentors and to the IABC organization for this recognition.”

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.

Vicchio and Karwel will be recognized in a special celebration April 26, 2023, at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Sorrento Mesa. Attendees of the 2023 COTY Award Winner Celebration and Networking Event will celebrate Vicchio and Karwel and learn more about their many accomplishments and what led them to becoming the 2023 IABC-San Diego COTY winners. Tickets to the event are limited, so register today!

COTY nominations were submitted by their peers and entries were evaluated using the following criteria: demonstrating strong leadership, management and communication skills; developing communication strategies that contribute to the ongoing success of the organization; using effective internal and external communications; communicating to diverse audiences; exemplifying the role of leader in communication.

For more information on the IABC/San Diego COTY award, visit the IABC/San Diego website.  

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