According to Mark Schumann, 2009-2010 chair of the IABC, “Sonja represents a passion for our profession, and a commitment to our association, that can inspire each of us. She is a true ambassador for the work we all believe in, as she tirelessly works to make IABC accessible to the professional communicators who want to be heard. She demonstrates to all of us the spirit that is the core of IABC.”
Each year, the IABC chair honours one or more members who have worked behind the scenes to enhance the association's image, facilitate member development and benefit the communication profession. Any current IABC member who has belonged to the association for at least five years is eligible for the award.
Originally from New Zealand, Tiscenko regards it as a privilege to have lived and worked in Papua New Guinea, Ukraine, Czech Republic and her current home, Tanzania. She started out working in taxation, but found herself drawn to working in management and then communication. She recently left her full-time employment after five years as communication manager for REPOA, a non-profit socio-economic research organisation based in Tanzania. Tiscenko is currently a student of communication management and is regularly asked to speak about strategic communication, or to advise non-profit, academic and research organisations on their communication efforts. The next challenge that she has set for herself is to pursue IABC accreditation.
On receiving news about the award, Tiscenko said, “I am overwhelmed by this great honor of the Chairman's Award. I truly don't feel that I have done anything extraordinary, I just helped out when I could. I urge members to volunteer to help the IABC; the experience is highly enriching, both professionally and personally. We all have something to offer; everyone has a part to play in our association. Whether you can spare spending one hour a week or more, we all can help to promote the advancement of our profession and the association.”
Tiscenko is a founding (and continuing) board member of IABC's chapter in Tanzania where she continues to be involved in planning and hosting IABC events. She also supports Africa region's Ubuntu chapter. She was a member the Global Task Force steering committee (now closed), and is a member of IABC's Knowledge Group editorial advisory panel. She has also written for Communication World magazine.
Tiscenko added, “IABC has many great qualities, but the acts of its members to encourage and support others to excel is the quality that I have found most rewarding. The welcome I received when I first joined and the helpful and friendly responses to queries are something quite special to our association. I am one of over 15,000 members worldwide, but no one has ever made me feel like ‘just one of the crowd.'"
