Communicator of the Year (COTY)

Tuesday, March 30, 2021, 9 to 10:30 a.m. ET

And our IABC/Toronto Communicator of the Year is…

Founder and Chairman of the BlackNorth Initiative and Founder and Executive Chairman of Kingsdale Advisors, Wes Hall.

IABC/Toronto is delighted to award Wes the prestigious 2020 Communicator of the Year (COTY) Award because he has demonstrated visionary leadership and communications excellence through his efforts to address anti-Black racism in Canada.

In June 2020, Wes founded the BlackNorth Initiative, whose mission is to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset. Less than a year later, more than 400 organizations – including 30% of the TSX 60 – have signed a pledge with the BlackNorth Initiative. The continued success of the BlackNorth Initiative exemplifies Wes’ ability to communicate successfully to positively influence key stakeholders, as well as his strong sense of civic and social responsibility.

Wes is a widely recognized entrepreneur, philanthropist and powerbroker. In 2003, he founded Kingsdale Advisors to help businesses communicate better with shareholders. Toronto Life magazine recently listed him as one of the 50 most influential Torontonians of 2020. The Globe and Mail has called him one of the nation’s most influential power brokers and Canadian Business magazine named him one of the most powerful people in 2016. He also serves as a director of SickKids Foundation, board member of Pathways to Education and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and is also a member of the Ontario government’s Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce. In 2015, Wes was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award and in 2017 received an Honorary Doctorate, both from the University of the West Indies.

Wes will formally receive the award at the Communicator of the Year Virtual Fireside Chat – hosted by leading Rogers media personality Donnovan Bennett of Sportsnet – where Dr. Hall will discuss the importance of communications in his success, some tactics that organizational leaders can implement to tackle anti-Black systemic racism in Canada, and how we can be change agents within our own organizations and communities.

Fees:

$20: IABC member rate ($22.60 with HST)

$30: Non-member rate ($33.90 with HST)

MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

NON-MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Note: This is a virtual event. A link to access the event will be provided to all registrants closer to the event date.

View the full press release here

Do you have a question for Wes? Type your question in the box below for a chance to directly ask your question to Wes during the fireside chat.