IABC/Toronto’s 2024 Communicator of the Year: Rebecca Shields
IABC/Toronto is proud to announce Rebecca Shields, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (York Region South Simcoe), as the recipient of the 2024 Communicator of the Year (COTY) Award.
Rebecca is recognized for her leadership and contributions to community development, inclusion, mental health and addictions, cultural competency, and innovation.
Under Rebecca’s leadership, CMHA York Region & South Simcoe has grown into one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing CMHA branches, supporting over 22,000 individuals annually through 32+ mental health and addiction programs and services. Her achievements include growing agency revenues from $8 million to $42 million and earning accolades like Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice for seven consecutive years and Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures.Rebecca is recognised for her exceptional leadership in communication, her commitment to mental health advocacy, and her visionary work in fostering inclusive and supportive communities.
Celebrating Excellence
Rebecca will be honoured at an in-person award ceremony scheduled for April 24, 2025. The event will bring together communicators, leaders, and professionals from across industries to celebrate her achievements.
About the Communicator of the Year Award
Since 1997, IABC/Toronto’s Communicator of the Year Award has recognized a Greater Toronto Area executive whose demonstrated leadership and communications skills drive business results or have had a substantially positive influence on the community. Only one person is recognized as the Communicator of the Year each year.
The Communicator of the Year is not necessarily in a communication role; however, the recipient of the award is someone who uses the power of communication to deepen understanding, inspire action and transform their community.
Past Recipients:
Fennella Bruce, veteran television producer, writer and founder of FKB Media Solutions
Jesse Wente, Ojibwe writer, broadcaster, curator, public speaker and best-selling author (2022)
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health (2021)
Wes Hall, Founder and Chairman of the BlackNorth Initiative and Founder and Executive Chairman of Kingsdale Advisors (2020)
Jodi Kovitz, CEO and Founder of #movethedial (2019)
Maayan Ziv, Founder and CEO of AccessNow (2018)
Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors (2017)
Andy Byford, CEO, Toronto Transit Commission (2016)
- Stefan Sjöstrand, President, IKEA Canada (2015)
- Alan Middleton, Executive Director, Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) and Assistant Professor of Marketing, Schulich Business School at York University (2014)
- Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation (2013)
- Jim Grieve, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Education (2012)
- Catherine Zahn, President and CEO of CAMH (2011)
- Peter Aceto, President and Chief Executive Officer of ING Direct (2010)
- Rob Devitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto East General Hospital (2009)
- Philip Blake, President and CEO of Bayer Inc. (2008)
- Annette Verschuren, President of Home Depot Canada (2007)
- Mayor Hazel McCallion, City of Mississauga (2006)
- Malcolm Heins of Law Society of Upper Canada (2005)
- Wayne Fyffe of Credit Valley Hospital (2004)
- Edward Marra of Nestlé Canada (2003)
- David Booth of Compaq Canada Corp. (2002)
- Paul Tsaparis of Hewlett-Packard Canada (2001)
- Marguerite Jackson of the Toronto District School Board (2000)
- Rudy Riedl of Enbridge Consumers Gas (1999)
- Jeff Lozon of St. Michael’s Hospital (1998)
- Paul Lucas of Glaxo Wellcome Inc. (1997)