Continuing Cecilia Wilkinson’s Legacy: Empowering the Next Generation of IR and PR Professionals
If you didn’t know it, the “Wilkinson” in our company’s name is for Cecilia Wilkinson, a founding partner whose lasting contributions have shaped both our firm and our industry.
To celebrate her legacy of leadership and mentorship, we established the Cecilia Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship in 2008, an annual award given to a first-year graduate student at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. But more than just financial aid, it is a tribute to Cecilia’s commitment to excellence in the field.
Veronica Ramirez, who embodies Cecilia’s passion for our field and commitment to the industry, is this year’s recipient. Since 2008, the scholarship has been providing financial support, but it also celebrates ambition and the power of great communication. Additionally, recipients have the opportunity to interview for an internship with PondelWilkinson, gaining hands-on experience in investor relations and strategic public relations.
Cecilia was an accomplished communicator, a strategic leader and a mentor who shaped countless lives through her expertise and dedication. Her impact extended to USC Annenberg and the USC General Alumni Association. The scholarship was established to honor Cecilia’s legacy following her passing in 2006 from pancreatic cancer.
One of our favorite traditions is meeting the scholarship recipients each spring and inviting them to a weekly PondelWilkinson staff meeting. We hear what brought them to USC, what excites them about investor relations and strategic PR, and we learn about their aspirations. Consistently, we walk away completely inspired by these students’ passion and drive. They are the professionals who will shape the future of our industry.
Cecilia understood the transformative power of communications—how it shapes change and reputation, tells compelling stories and leaves lasting impacts. At PondelWilkinson, we are honored to carry forward Cecilia’s legacy of mentorship, support and excellence, and we eagerly anticipate the future leaders who will continue her vision.
While I did not have the privilege of knowing Cecilia, her influence is still felt deeply throughout our organization, and her dedication to shaping the next generation of strategic public relations and investor relations professionals continues to inspire us all.
Natalie Mu, nmu@pondel.com