
2023 Pinnacle Awards and Special Awards Winners
2023 Pinnacle Awards
A Pinnacle Award is a prestigious communications award with a longstanding history of celebrating and rewarding the best public relations programs and projects. CPRS Hamilton is proud to recognize the exceptional talent of its members and those in the PR sector.

Silver Pinnacle Winner
“Bloody Generous: Keeping Canada’s Lifeline Strong Amid Pandemic Challenges”
Marketing Communications Campaign
Rebecca Kieswetter, Wilfrid Laurier University
Silver Pinnacle Winner
“Forever Golden: Laurier Campus Magazine Final Edition”
Communications Project, Publication
John Zronik, Wilfrid Laurier University
Accepted by Carleen Carrol


Silver Pinnacle Winner
“Mpox Vaccination Campaign – Community Partner Engagement”
Issues/Crisis Management Campaign
Andrew Korchuk, APR, Niagara Region Public Health
Accepted by the Niagara Region Public Health Team
Silver Pinnacles Winner
“What’s Up Welland?”
Issues/Crisis Management Campaign
Marc MacDonald and Paul Orlando, City of Welland


Gold Pinnacles Winner
“Stick it to COVID – Vaccinating Niagara’s Youth”
Issues/Crisis Management Campaign
Courtney Westerhof, Niagara Region Public Health
Pictured with the Niagara Region Public Health Team
Gold Pinnacles Winner
“The New Organizational Gatekeeper: Enhancing Reputation Management Through Data”
Communications Project, Research
Sabrina Lavi, Ontario Health Cyber Security and McMaster MCM Candidate


Gold Pinnacles Winner
“Inspired Research. REAL IMPACT.”
Integrated Marketing and Communications Campaign
Melissa McCauley, Seána Curley, George Bull, Nick Skinner, Charity Parr Vasquez, Lori Chalmers Morrison, Aonghus Kealy, Mallory O’Brien, Carleen Carroll, Tim Hutchison, Angela Gzowski, Corey Tucker, Memory Tree Productions; Wilfrid Laurier University
Gold Pinnacles Winner
“Smashing Conversion Goals with Content and Camping”
Marketing Communications Campaign
Alexandria Anderson, Alex&Co and Four Corners Algonquin


Gold Pinnacles Winner
“This is Our Time: Brant Community Healthcare System’s Campaign for New Hospital”
Government Relations Campaign
Linneah Tovstiga, Brant Community Healthcare System
2023 CPRS Hamilton Special Awards
Nominated by peers, these awards recognize exceptional leadership and action in the public relations profession.

Bill Cockman Memorial Award for Excellence in PR
Kim Sweeney, MEd, MCM, APR
The Bill Cockman Memorial Award of Excellence in PR is given for distinguished and dedicated service to the Canadian Public Relations Society and/or to the advancement/betterment of the practice of public relations at large.
Dr. Louis J. Cahill Memorial Award for Distinguished Service
Josie Cassano Rizzuti, MCM, APR, CMP®
The Dr. Louis J. Cahill award is presented to a member who has demonstrated a commitment to CPRS Hamilton in an exemplary way over the course of his or her membership.


Heather J. Pullen Memorial Award
Caitlin Costello
The Heather J. Pullen Memorial Award is presented to a graduating student member of CPRS Hamilton who has demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning through academic and professional pursuits.
Student Award of Excellence, Niagara College
Emily Zwart
Awarded to up to two students in a full-time public relations program the Student Award of Excellence is presented to students who have demonstrated a clear understanding of PR, actions and behaviour that reflect professionalism, leadership in personal and scholastic activities, and a commitment to the future of the PR profession.


Student Award of Excellence, Mohawk College
Rishita Seth
Awarded to up to two students in a full-time public relations program the Student Award of Excellence is presented to students who have demonstrated a clear understanding of PR, actions and behaviour that reflect professionalism, leadership in personal and scholastic activities, and a commitment to the future of the PR profession.