Mike Godfrey named IABC/San Diego 2019 Communicator of the Year

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 30, 2019) – The San Diego chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) has named Mike Godfrey, Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Scripps Health, its 2019 Communicator of the Year (COTY). The COTY Award recognizes one greater San Diego area-based leader who demonstrates strategic excellence in communication.

“Over the course of his career, Mike has proven himself to be a communications professional of the highest echelon, and we are ecstatic to recognize him with the 2019 IABC/San Diego COTY Award. Mike is an exceptional, experienced and well-rounded communicator and embodies all that this award honors,” said Robynn Rockstad-Rex, president of IABC/San Diego.

With more than 35 years’ experience in communications, Mike has spent the past 20 years at Scripps Health. He currently serves as Senior Director of Corporate Communications, where he is responsible for the organization’s internal, strategic and executive communications. He is critical in establishing the tone on matters that impact Scripps’ 15,000 employees and 3,000 physicians.

Mike has become a trusted communications strategist for top leadership, including Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. “Mike has the unique skill and knowledge to anticipate what I need– even to the point of sounding like me when he writes an article, speech or presentation,” Van Gorder said. “He is a vital part of our management and leadership team at Scripps and personally important for my success as well.”

A graduate of the U.S. DoD’s Defense Information School of Journalism, with a BA in Communications from Corllins University, Mike has worked in nearly all communications fields, including broadcasting, public affairs, publishing, photojournalism and web over the course of his career. Mike is an IABC Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), and his work has been recognized with a number of honors, including multiple Health Care Communicators (HCC) awards and four IABC Gold Quills. He is a graduate of the Scripps Leadership Academy and a fellow of The Advisory Board, and he currently serves on the board of IABC’s Pacific Plains Region.

”This is an unexpected but very appreciated honor,” said Mike. “IABC has been a part of my communications journey for nearly two decades. The experiences I’ve had, the friends I’ve made, the colleagues I’ve connected with over the years – all have been critical to my growth as a communicator and as a person. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Mike will be recognized in a special celebration on May 22, 2019, at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Sorrento Mesa. Attendees of the 2019 COTY Award Winner Celebration and Networking Event will celebrate Mike and learn more about his many accomplishments and what led him to becoming the 2019 IABC-San Diego COTY. 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.

About IABC/San Diego

Setting a standard of excellence since 1970, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) includes thousands of members from around the world, representing many of the Global Fortune 500 companies. IABC serves professionals in the field of business communication, bringing together the profession’s collective disciplines. We deliver on the Global Standard in communication through our educational offerings, certification, awards program, resource library, online magazine and annual World Conference.

The IABC San Diego chapter serves as a vibrant resource for career growth, professional development, networking, mentorship and channels for local communications professionals. Members have exclusive access to information, tools, resources and services that provide ideas and solutions for the business communications issues communicators face today and will face tomorrow.