Megan Zinn recognized as 2022 IABC Chapter Leader of the Year
Congratulations to Megan Zinn, IABC London Past-President (2020/21), who was recognized this year as IABC International Chapter Leader of the Year at World Conference in New York City.
Honouring top IABC chapter leaders from around the world, the Chapter Leader of the Year Award is one of the highest honours bestowed upon IABC volunteers. Megan was recognized for her outstanding and steadfast leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for her dedicated work to strengthen chapter finances and innovate in programs like professional development events and IABC London’s Virtuoso Awards Celebration. In addition to her roles as IABC London President and Past-President, Megan served as Finance Director for the chapter and for the Canada East Region.
“We nominated Megan for this award because her compassionate, skillful and innovative approach to leading our chapter through the pandemic deserved recognition,” says Robert DeLaet, IABC London Past-President (2021/22). “Megan has been contributing to our chapter in countless ways over the years, from revitalizing our financial processes to stepping up to lead in a challenging time. She has inspired many of us in our own volunteer leadership journeys,” says Cassandra Caranci, IABC London President (2022/23).
To learn more about Megan’s dedicated leadership – from her favourite moments to advice on volunteering – we sat down to ask a few questions about her time with IABC London.
1. How long have you been an IABC member?
I have been an IABC member for almost five years.
2. Where do you work? What is your role, including responsibilities and projects?
I work at Fanshawe College as a Corporate Communications Officer. My responsibilities include providing strategic communication support for a number of schools and departments across the College. This includes internal and external communications, media relations, donor communication and the publication of the Fanshawe Annual magazine.
3. How did you get involved in volunteering with IABC London? / Why did you join the IABC London Board?
When I joined IABC, I looked for ways to get connected with the chapter. Around that time, a call went out for board members for the coming year. I’ve been part of a number of boards and committees over the years and I’ve found volunteering through that kind of role can be a great way to get involved and meet new people.
4. What does it mean to be recognized as IABC’s Chapter Leader of the Year?
Being recognized as IABC’s Chapter Leader of the Year is incredibly special. It meant so much to me to find out I was being nominated—reading the kind words of people I admire so much was a career highlight. Receiving the award was unexpected and such an honour. I’m very grateful!
5. What are you most proud of from your time on the IABC London Board of Directors?
I think I’m most proud of how the chapter persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was such a challenging time and, like everyone, we were operating without a blueprint. Board members, volunteers and members are all business communicators, meaning we were operating in prolonged crisis mode in our day jobs, yet enthusiasm for the chapter remained strong. We were able to continue to execute engaging programs and events—the chapter kept thriving and that was so gratifying to see.
6. What was your most fun IABC moment?
I have so many memories from my time with IABC, it’s hard to choose just one. I always looked forward to our yearly board retreats; I really enjoy collaborating with other volunteer leaders and brainstorming new ideas. The Virtuoso Awards celebrations are always so much fun, it’s great to get together with the communications community and celebrate each other. I had the opportunity to attend IABC’s Leadership Institute in 2019 in Long Beach and the 2022 World Conference in New York City, which with were both fantastic. I’m very grateful to have had so many memorable experiences!
7. Why should someone consider volunteering with IABC London?
Volunteering with IABC London is a great way to give back to the profession and build your skills. It’s also a great way to fast-track your networking and connect with people from different organizations and working in a variety of roles. There are so many ways to get involved, and each volunteer role adds value to the chapter. I felt like I grew so much professionally thanks to my time with IABC, and I’m grateful for the friendships that have come out of those experiences.
8. What excites you about the future of the chapter?
I’m most excited by the continued enthusiasm our community has for IABC London. There are so many creative people involved in the chapter, bringing new ideas and fresh perspectives. It’s so great to see people getting involved as members and volunteers!
9. If you had to describe IABC London in one word, what would it be?
Community.
10. What areas of communications are you passionate about?
Having spent the majority of my career in the non-profit sector, I’m passionate about donor communication. I enjoy working with fundraisers to help develop cases for support and donor proposals, and celebrating gifts with the community. I also really enjoy writing about great initiatives happening at the College and sharing through media releases or internal publications.
11. What excites you about the future of the profession?
I think one of the most exciting things about the profession is that it’s constantly evolving. As professional communicators, we need to adapt to new technologies and the changing habits and expectations of our audiences. I’m also fascinated by how language evolves, sometimes very quickly. There is always so much to learn.
Congratulations to Megan on this well-deserved honour!