Get recognized for the important work you do
The Public Affairs Council celebrates the work and contributions of leading individuals and organizations as they help advance the profession.
Public Affairs Innovation Awards
The Innovation Awards recognize excellence in promoting advocacy programs and campaigns in the following categories:
- Grassroots Innovation
- Communications Innovation
- Engagement Strategy Innovation
Presented at The Advocacy Conference each year, the Innovation Awards honor outstanding initiatives that showcase creativity, inclusiveness, innovation and organizational relevance.
Past Innovation Award Winners
Innovation Award Winners
2025 Innovation Awards Winners
Grassroots Innovation: National Apartment Association
Communications Innovation: Trilogy Interactive
Lobbying Innovation: Grupo Estrategia Politica (GEP)
2024 Innovation Awards Winners
Grassroots Innovation: International Paper (IP)
Communications Innovation: Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
Lobbying Innovation: Grupo Estrategia Politica (GEP)
2023 Innovation Awards Winners
Grassroots Innovation: Feeding America
Communications Innovation: AAA – Auto Club Group
Lobbying Innovation: Community Associations Institute
Outstanding PAC Awards
The Outstanding PAC Awards recognize excellence in the following categories:
- Outstanding Association PAC
- Outstanding Corporate PAC
The Outstanding PAC awards honor campaigns and programs with innovative approaches to enhancing PAC involvement. These awards, presented at the National PAC Conference each year, celebrate initiatives that showcase creativity and effectiveness in promoting increased financial or member engagement in the PAC.
Past PAC Award Winners
Outstanding PAC Award Winners
2025 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: National Community Pharmacists Association
Corporate Winner: TriNet
2024 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: Title Insurance Political Action Committee (TIPAC)
Corporate Winner: Walmart PAC (WALPAC)
2023 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association PAC (OCWGA-PAC)
Corporate Winner: Home Depot PAC
Volunteer of the Year
Each year, the Public Affairs Council recognizes an individual from a member organization who has made an outstanding contribution not only to our association but to the public affairs profession.
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The Council staff will annually nominate candidates (excluding board members) and present a short list to the Council’s Executive Committee who will then vote for the winner. The Volunteer of the Year will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Fall Board Meeting, where he or she will receive the award before senior-level executives and peers.
In creating the short list of nominees, Council staff are looking for members with a consistent record of involvement at the Council. Ideal candidates would have taken part in many of the following activities:
• Joining one or more of our networks: Political Involvement, International, Social Impact, Government Relations or Professional Development
• Participating in conferences as a speaker, attendee, advisory committee member and/or advocate for others attending
• Donating resources to our virtual resource library in Council Connect
• Participating in surveys and encouraging others to take part
• Providing advice and counsel to other members
• Assisting with member recruitment and retention
Nominations for the next Volunteer of the Year will begin in June.
For further information, contact Senior Director Caryn Seligman at 202.787.5966 / email.
Volunteer of the Year Winners
2024
Jessica Cooper
Director, National Grassroots Strategies
NFIB
2023
John Mason
Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs
Altria
2022
Bethany Nadeau Dame
Vice President, Political Engagement & Grassroots
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
2022
Adrienne Marks
PAC Director
Visa Inc.
2019
Sarah Yi
Director, External Affairs
CTIA – The Wireless Association
2018
Jennifer Brooks
Manager of Government Relations & PAC Manager
Northrop Grumman
2017
Brandy Stacks
Director, Government Affairs
Prudential Financial, Inc.
2016
Patti Murphy
Manager, Federal Government Affairs
BNSF Railway
2015
Susan Francis
PAC and Grassroots Manager
Duke Energy
2014
Heidi Ann Ecker
Director of Government Affairs & Grassroots Programs
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
2013
Kate Fry
Associate Director of Political Affairs
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
2012
Heather Cutler
Director of Federal and Political Advocacy
CVS Caremark Corp.
2011
Corey Henry
Vice President, Communications
American Frozen Food Institute
2010
Molly Nichelson
Senior Specialist, Grassroots Outreach
American College of Cardiology
2009
Shannon Bearinger
Senior Business Information Analyst
Nationwide Insurance
2008
Ellie Shaw
Director of Federal Government Affairs
American Express
Questions?
Caryn Seligman
Senior Director
202.787.5966 | [email protected]
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