Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication announces 2026 Excellence in Mentoring Award recipients

The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication at the College of Charleston announced the recipients of its 2026 Excellence in Mentoring Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose commitment to mentorship has made a meaningful and lasting impact on students and the communication profession.

The 2026 honorees are Kelli Parsons, recipient of the Distinguished Mentor Award; the ANA Educational Foundation, recipient of the Organizational Excellence in Mentoring Award; and Dakota Kate Isaacs, recipient of the Emerging Mentor Award. The awards will be presented during the Martin Center’s annual Celebration of Mentoring on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at the Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston.

The Distinguished Mentor Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence in mentoring and made a long-term impact on the professional and personal development of others. Kelli Parsons, CEO of Avoq, exemplifies this distinction through a career defined by leadership, service, and a deep commitment to developing future leaders.

Parsons previously served as global CEO of Hill & Knowlton and has held senior communication and marketing leadership roles at multiple Fortune 50 companies.

Throughout her career, she has guided organizations through moments of transformation while also mentoring teams and individuals navigating their own professional growth. Her leadership is widely recognized for pairing strategic rigor with empathy, trust, and accountability.

Parsons is also deeply engaged in advancing the communications profession, serving as immediate past chair of the Page Society board of trustees and as a trustee of the Institute for Public Relations.

“I am so pleased to join in celebrating a longtime member of our National Advisory Council and a good friend, Kelli Parsons. Her life and career exemplify the ideals we are promoting, teaching, and facilitating through the work of The Martin Center”, said Tom Martin, founder of the Martin Center.

The Organizational Excellence in Mentoring Award honors organizations that embed mentorship into their mission, culture, and programming. The ANA Educational Foundation (AEF) is being recognized for its national leadership in connecting students, educators, and industry professionals through meaningful, mentorship-driven initiatives. The award will be accepted by Gord McLean, president and CEO.

The ANA Educational Foundation serves as the bridge between academia and the advertising and marketing community, offering students access to experiential learning opportunities, industry speakers, career guidance, and professional networks. Through programs such as MADE Internships and Mentorships, the Visiting Professor Program, campus speaker initiatives, and partnerships, AEF has created inclusive pathways that prepare students for leadership and long-term success.

“The AEF has been a leader in mentoring young professionals for many years, and we hope to emulate its success through our own programs”, said Martin. By placing mentorship at the center of its work, AEF has helped shape a more accessible and connected future for the advertising and marketing professions.

The Emerging Mentor Award recognizes early-career professionals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to mentoring and leadership development. Dakota Kate Isaacs (2015), a graduate of the College of Charleston, embodies this spirit through both her professional achievements and her commitment to guiding the next generation.

“It’s also gratifying to recognize someone who was in my classroom just a few years ago, and who is now a proven mentor herself”, shared Martin about Isaacs.

An award-winning brand builder and storyteller, Isaacs began her career as the first U.S. employee at DECIEM, later serving as Director of DECIEM USA and helping scale the brand to more than 2,500 retail locations across North America. She is the executive producer of The Abnormal Beauty Company, a feature documentary chronicling DECIEM’s journey, set to premiere in 2026, and will soon join Quince as Head of Brand Strategy & Narrative.

Alongside her corporate work, Isaacs founded The Big Sister Playbook and its accompanying podcast, translating personal leadership experiences into practical guidance for emerging professionals.

Tickets to the event can be purchased here.