PRSA Foundation's Paladin Award 
In 2011 the PRSA Foundation honored Jon Iwata, senior vice president, marketing and communications for IBM, with its prestigious Paladin Award at the 3rd annual Paladin Award Dinner at the W Union Square Hotel in NYC on March 24, 2011.
“The PRSA Foundation Paladin Dinner was created to honor champions — industry leaders who have been advocates for our profession,” said Debbie Mason, APR, Fellow PRSA, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. 
From left, Paladin Co-Chairs Don Ferguson, APR Fellow PRSA, and Kathleen Lewton, APR, Fellow PRSA, Paladin honoree Jon Iwata, and Foundation Chair-Elect Gail Rymer, APR
The annual award is named for a paladin, a heroic champion and determined advocate of a noble cause from the medieval times. The PRSA Foundation honored Jon Iwata for his work and leadership not only for IBM but across all practice areas including government, public relations agencies and corporate. 
Iwata leads IBM’s global marketing, communications and citizenship organization, and is responsible for market research, the marketing of IBM’s portfolio of products and services, corporate communications, community relations and brand stewardship. Recently, Iwata and his team led the development of IBM’s “A Smarter Planet” strategy, which describes the company’s view of the next era of information technology and its impact on business and society. He also serves as a member of the IBM Operating Team, responsible for day-to-day marketplace execution, and the IBM Strategy Team, which focuses on long-term issues and opportunities. Iwata is also vice chairman of the IBM International Foundation. 
Jon Iwata adresses the sold out crowd at the Paladin Dinner.
Iwata joined the IBM communications group at Almaden Research Center in Silicon Valley in 1984. Five years later, he moved to IBM corporate headquarters in Armonk, N.Y., becoming vice president of corporate communications in 1995 and senior vice president in 2002. He assumed his current role in 2008. | | Among his civic activities, Iwata is a member of the Technology Committee of the Museum of Modern Art, and is a trustee of the Arthur W. Page Society. From 2006 to 2007, he served as chairman of The Seminar, a professional group consisting of chief communications officers. Iwata holds a B.A. from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. Along with his other achievements, Iwata is the co-inventor of a U.S. patent for advanced semiconductor lithography technology. 
Honorary Trustee James Arnold, APR, Fellow PRSA, announces creation of the Chester Burger Scholarship for Excellence in Public Relations
Last year's sold-out PRSA Foundation Paladin Dinner brought together leaders from across the industry for what attendees said was a unique opportunity for renewing old friendships and meeting new colleagues. In attendance were leaders from PRSA and the PRSA Foundation, Arthur W. Page Society, The Wisemen, The Council of PR Firms, the Institute for Public Relations, and many major PR agencies and leading corporations, including IBM and Lockheed Martin. To read Jon Iwata's acceptance speech please click here. Previous recipients of the Paladin Award include Fleishman-Hillard Chairman John Graham in 2009, and Marcia Silverman, chairperson of Ogilvy PR, in 2010. For information about the PRSA Foundation Paladin Dinner, contact Wendy Gallo at the PRSA Foundation offices, (212) 460-1412. Proceeds from the PRSA Foundation Paladin Dinner support the initiatives of the PRSA Foundation. Past Paladin Award Recipients In March 2010, Marcia Silverman, Chair of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide became the 2nd recipient of the PRSA Foundation's Paladin Award at the second annual dinner. 
Paladin Award Winner Marcia Silverman, PRSA Foundation Board Chair Debbie Mason, APR, Fellow PRSA, and PRSA Board Chair Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA celebrate Marcia's award. Silverman, a 29-year veteran of Ogilvy, was previously the Global CEO and the company's first president of the Americas. She has been recognized by PRWeek as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in PR" and as one of the "100 Most Influential PR Professionals" in the 20th century. The publication also named Silverman as its "2009 Professional of the Year". Silverman holds a graduate degree and a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  Foundation Board Past President Kathleen L. Lewton, APR, Fellow PRSA, Principal, Lewton, Seekins & Tester, with 2009 Paladin winner John D. Graham, chairman of Fleishman Hillard International Communications.
Fleishman-Hillard Chairman John D. Graham, APR, Fellow PRSA was honored as the PRSA Foundation's first Paladin Award recipient during the inaugural dinner on April 20, 2009, at the W Union Square Hotel in New York City.
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