Do you know those moments when your mentors and teachers become your friends? That’s how I feel about Janet Wile.
I joined IABC in 1994 and joined the IABC/Toronto board in my late twenties in 1997, when Janet was Vice President of Professional Standards. She was tough as nails when it came to her expectations for strategic and professional communication. I was just starting out in coordinator roles while she was Director of Communications at Honeywell.
Over the years, Janet continued to lead communications for organizations including Siemens, Barrick Gold and CPA Canada. More importantly, she practiced what she preached. She earned accreditation with both CPRS and IABC, won more than 40 awards for her work, helped her Barrick Gold team earn Corporate Communication Department of the Year recognitions twice, and was named an IABC Canada Master Communicator in 2007.
But what I admired most was her unwavering commitment to accountability…
Janet led my Master Communicator nomination in 2010. I’ll never forget her sitting at my dining room table, asking tough questions and carefully reviewing my credentials. At the time, most Master Communicators were much older and more established. Janet wanted to be certain I was worthy of the honour before she put her name and reputation behind me.
Through Janet, I learned that awards and recognition must be earned through real results. I learned how to evaluate awards programs. I learned that professional respect comes from contribution, not titles. Most importantly, I learned that accolades are only as valuable as what you do with them…whether you use them to open doors for others or close them behind you.
Janet was everywhere. Conferences. Seminars. Awards judging. Accreditation programs. Brunch Club. She was a steady and generous presence in the profession, always showing up and supporting the work. For years, I assumed communications and professional associations were her entire world. Then I discovered her lifelong passion for horses and the equestrian community. Somehow it made perfect sense. Whether in communications or in the show ring, Janet believed in standards, fairness, preparation and results.
Over the years, Janet played many roles in my life: mentor, client, colleague, awards evaluator, board member, nomination champion and friend. Most importantly, she pushed me to be my best and for that, I will be forever grateful.
The communications profession has lost one of its strongest champions. I have lost a friend.
Thank you, Janet.
– Priya Bates, ABC, MC, SCMP, IABC Fellow