MINNEAPOLIS (February 28, 2019) – Today, Padilla recognized employees who have made outstanding contributions to the agency with the agency’s Living Our Purpose Awards. Winners were selected in one of three categories – Client, Culture and Community. Each winner received an award of appreciation and a cash stipend.
“The Living Our Purpose Awards recognize employees who have gone above and beyond their normal duties for our clients, our agency or the community,” said Matt Kucharski, president. “This year’s recipients epitomize Padilla’s Shared Beliefs and found creative and innovate solutions to challenges.”
2019 Living Our Purpose Award Winners:
Client – Kathryn Canning and Leanne Stacey
Kathryn Canning is an account supervisor in Padilla’s Corporate Sector in Richmond, leading some of the office’s largest accounts, including the Virginia Lottery. The Lottery team has earned numerous national and regional awards, including multiple Silver Anvil Awards, given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), considered to be among the highest honors in the public relations industry.
“Kathryn goes above and beyond to produce results for our clients, harmony and productivity in our teams and a strong culture in our office while managing the business side of her accounts,” said Mike Mulvihill, Padilla executive vice president and Corporate Sector leader.
Leanne Stacey serves as a project manager for SMS Research Advisors, a division of Padilla. With laser focus, she manages day-to-day data collection for client research projects, providing context and key motivations that drive customer behaviors.
“Leanne instituted a data visualization protocol that has put Padilla leaps and bounds ahead of many other agencies in terms of how clients understand research results,” said Dan Reilly, SMS Research Advisor vice president.
Culture – Alice Vaught
Alice Vaught is an administrative assistant for FoodMinds, a division of Padilla, working in Chicago. Alice joined FoodMinds in January 2018, and along with her administrative duties, she instantly made an impact on the culture in the Chicago office by being proactive, creative, enthusiastic and finding innovate ways to bring people together in new ways.”
“Alice consistently keeps our shared beliefs top of mind as she built an employee engagement plan for the Chicago office. She has created monthly activities that involve everyone. She creates opportunities to engage everyone in meaningful ways – despite busy client schedules and deadlines,” said Michelle Kijek, FoodMinds senior vice president.
Community – Nichole Gill
Nichole Gill, is a designer in Padilla’s Creative and Digital Group, working in Richmond. She is involved in many activities in the community, most notably was her months-long journey to raise money for cancer research through the Pelotonia Fundraiser. Pelotonia began in 2008 as a bike ride in Columbus, Ohio, to raise funds for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James. Pelotonia, the Ride, includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Nichole set a goal and found creative ways to encourage people to donate toward her 100-mile bike ride. She said she was doing this to raise money for a disease she hates not only because it has affected people she loves but, “because there are so many people and families out there who are touched by this terrible disease and I want to be a part of the solution, part of a cure.” Nichole’s efforts to Work Brave – a Padilla Shared Belief – resulted in her raising more than $5,000, well above her $2,000 goal.
“Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she was so touched by everyone who donated. But she is really the one who is constantly reminding so many of us about the importance of giving,” said Maliya Rooney, Padilla creative resource manager.