Saturday May 4, 2024 at The Austin Central Library
2024 Award Winners
Liz Carpenter Lifetime Achievement Award
Evan Smith
About Evan
Evan Smith has been a force in journalism and public affairs for decades. He was a longtime editor at Texas Monthly before co-founding The Texas Tribune in 2009. He is currently a senior adviser at Emerson Collective, where he works closely with the leadership teams of nonprofit news organizations around the country, a Professor at The LBJ School of Public Affairs (University of Texas at Austin), a Trustee of the LBJ Foundation, and a Contributing Writer for The Atlantic.
Smith has received numerous accolades over the course of his career including Austinite of the Year Under 40, Texas Book Festival’s Bookend Award, WCA Outstanding Austin Communicator, and induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.
Outstanding Austin
Communicator Award
Kristin Marcum
ECPR Texas
About Kristin
Kristin Marcum is the CEO of ECPR Texas (formerly Elizabeth Christian Public Relations).
Since becoming CEO in 2022, Kristin has rebranded ECPR, expanded the full-time team and client list, solidified the agency’s core values, started a philanthropy committee, and earned certification as a Woman-Owned Business with the City of Austin.
Marcum is a graduate of Leadership Austin, a former Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) McBee Fellow, an AARO member and a 2016 Austin Under 40 finalist. Marcum serves the following organizations as a member of the board of directors: Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Ed Fund (in support of Austin ISD), Leadership Austin, and United Way for Greater Austin, for which she is chair-elect. She is also a member of the Texas Business Leadership Council.
Anne Durrum Robinson
Creative Initiative Award
Meme Styles, MEASURE
About Meme
Meme Styles is president and founder of MEASURE, an Austin-based, award-winning social justice nonprofit that puts people of color at the front of research and evaluation and uses data to mobilize communities and create social change.
MEASURE’s Vision and Mission: To build a world free of health, education, criminal justice and economic inequities by using data to mobilize communities and create social change.
Styles was a past-Chairwoman of Miss Juneteenth, Austin Police Chief’s Award of Excellence recipient, 2019 Austin 40 under 40 WINNER, past-Chairwoman of African TV5 (AFTV5), and the DivInc Nonprofit Leader of the Year for 2021.
Gladys Whitley Hearst Outstanding Member Award
Deanne Clark
Deanne Clark Studios
About Deanne
Deanne Clark is an award-winning graphic and visual designer with two decades of experience.
Deanne currently serves as the Co-VP of Programs for WCA and has volunteered for Freelance Austin and several other committees.
Inspired by her grandmother, Jo Caldwell Meyer, who was a passionate and active member of Women Communicators of Austin, Deanne joined the organization to connect with other freelancers. Jo always spoke fondly of the wonderful experiences and opportunities the organization provided, motivating Deanne to volunteer and contribute to the community herself.
Gladys Whitley Hearst Outstanding Member Award
Angel Leverett
Austin Habitat for Humanity
About Angel
Angel is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Austin Habitat for Humanity.
Angel has only been a member of WCA for a year, but she has certainly hit the ground running. She is the VP of Engagement, spearheaded Communicators of Color, served on the Get Smart committee, and led the silent auction for Banner Brunch. She is passionate about advancing our organization and will serve as President Elect next board year.
President’s Award
Michel Hudson, CFRE, CEFL
501(c)onsulting
About Michel
Michel is the owner and founder of 501(c)onsulting and has spent over 20 years focusing on board and staff retreats, and strategic planning.
Michel currently serves as President-Elect of WCA. She brought her strategic planning expertise to her board service and has led our organization to dream bigger dreams AND figure out how to achieve those dreams. Michel conducted a compensation survey this year and created valuable resources to help our members get paid what we are worth.
2024 Scholarship Winners
The Julie Tereshchuk Scholarship
Saliyah Parker
The Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship
Ashley Goforth
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENTS SPONSORS!
Thank you so much to our annual sponsors and this year’s Banner Brunch sponsors and partners! If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or partner for future events, please contact development@wcaustin.org.
Title Sponsor
Premium Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR RAFFLE AND AUCTION DONORS!
Special Thanks to
Nominate
Recognize the outstanding Austin communicators, distinguished lifetime achievements, and amazing mentors in the Austin community.
Apply
Currently pursuing an education in the field of communications? Apply to be considered for our scholarships (deadlines apply each year).
Volunteer
Assist with the selection for awards and scholarships, organize the event, and ensure guests have a fantastic time at Banner Brunch.
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Place your organization at the forefront of one of Austin’s most celebrated communications events. Sponsor, donate, or contribute raffle items!