New Fellows raise the bar for PR

New Fellows raise the bar for PR

The Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) has recognised excellence in the fields of public relations and communications, with the induction of four new Fellows.

Diana Wolken (Wellington), Denise Mackay (Wellington), Simon Lambourne (Auckland) and Adrienne Schwartfeger (Christchurch) will be recognised for their contribution to public relations at the annual PRINZ Awards Ceremony in Auckland on May 29. They will be inducted by incoming Institute president, Bruce Fraser.

“To be selected as a Fellow, the member must have made an outstanding contribution to the public relations industry and the Institute in New Zealand over time.

“All four incoming Fellows have demonstrated this in abundance, and between them, have made a significant contribution not only to the public relations industry, but to the sectors and organisations that they have served in their careers to date. These include corporate and consultancy, not-for-profit, local and central Government and its various agencies, the Army and the United Nations,” says Mr Fraser.

“They have also played a key role in helping mentor and foster our industry’s future talent, and continue to contribute time and energy to the development of our industry.

“Whether it is behind the scenes, or in front of a news camera, public relations professionals in this country play an important role in helping organisations operate efficiently inside and out, through effective communications. These four practitioners are all great examples of this and I am proud to induct them into the PRINZ College of Fellows.”

Diana Wolken is the Communications Change Manager for the Community Pharmacy Services Programme at DHB Shared Services in Wellington. She is rolling out the biggest national pharmacy change programme the sector has seen in more than 70 years.

Diana has worked extensively in the both the UK and New Zealand. She immigrated with her family to New Zealand in 2005 and since that time has worked in both the public and not-for-profit sectors working for Parliamentary Service, Ministry of Health and Marram Community Trust. Diana was Wellington Regional Chair for PRINZ from 2007 to 2010 and sits on the PRINZ National Council.

Denise Mackay has spent more than 15 years working in the communications sector with experience in public, private and not-for-profit organisations both in New Zealand and internationally.

Later this month Denise takes up the role of Manager, Communications and Government Services at the Tertiary Education Commission. She will move from the role of Strategic Communications Manager at Statistics NZ, where she led internal and external communications for a significant organisational change programme.

She has also spent time working with the United Nations in New York and as a New Zealand Army Officer, leading the Army's public relations and communications function. She is an active member of the Wellington Central Division committee.

Simon Lambourne is currently Corporate Affairs Manager at Auckland Airport, focused on its strategic communications, media and issues management, as well as the airport’s local and central government engagement.

Simon began his career working in the Prime Minister’s Press Office, after which he was appointed the New Zealand Advisor to the European Commission. He has worked for Auckland City Council’s communications and marketing team and, prior to his current role, was the Automobile Association’s Public Affairs Manager and Auckland Transport Spokesperson.

Simon recently completed a law degree at the University of Auckland and is currently studying for a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne, specialising in communications law. He was the PRINZ Auckland Regional Chair and a member of its National Executive from 2009 to 2011.

Adrienne Schwartfeger is Lead Advisor Internal Capability at Environment Canterbury, where she has worked since 2009.

She began work at the Hutt City Council as Recreation, Events and Promotions Officer in 1996, moving to the Hillary Commission (now SPARC) in 1998. After a move to Auckland in 2001, Adrienne took the role of Corporate Communications Advisor for TelstraClear, before moving to Environment Canterbury.

She has supported PRINZ through involvement in the local committee, 2012 national conference organising committee, and development and execution of local events.
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