2018 Alaska Professional Communicators Communications Contest:

  • First Place: Media Kit - Tools to Gain Media Coverage: University of Alaska Fairbanks Festival of Native Arts 
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  • First Place: News or Feature Releases - Multiple Releases: University of Alaska Fairbanks Inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day 
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  • First Place: Public Service Campaign (pro bono campaign in rural Alaska) 
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  • Third Place: Personality Profiles (500 or more words): University of Alaska Fairbanks Website Profile on Col. Wayne Don: "Persistence pushes colonel to military, business success"

Award-Winning PR,  Writing, & Media Relations

Public Relations Society of America, Alaska Professional Communicators & National Federation of Press Women


​Chosen from entries submitted throughout Alaska including PR firms, advertising agencies, and non-profits, Leona's work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Rural and Community Development and pro bono work on behalf of rural Alaska communities has been honored with 16 public relations awards during the past six years. She is one of only a few people who have won Public Relations Society of America Alaska Chapter Aurora Awards as an individual and not part of a public relations team. Leona won three national awards from the National Federation of Press Women in 2018.​


"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers." ~ Daniel J. Boorstin

2018 National Federation of Press Women's National Communications Contest:

  • First Place: Media Kit - Tools to Gain Media Coverage: Festival of Native Arts 

  • First Place: News or Feature Releases - Multiple Releases: University of Alaska Fairbanks Inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day 
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  • First Place: Public Service Campaign (pro bono campaign in rural Alaska) 

Alaska Public Relations Society of America:

  • First Place: 2017 Award of Excellence for writing portfolio for CRCD
     

  • First Place: 2016 Aurora Award for Public Service (pro bono campaign in rural Alaska) 

  • First Place: 2015 Award of Excellence for writing portfolio for CRCD
     

  • Second Place: 2017 Award of Excellence for media relations for CRCD
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  • Second Place: 2017 Aurora Award for Public Service (pro bono campaign in rural Alaska) 

  • Second Place: 2013 Aurora Award for Community Relations: UAF Wildland Fire Red Card Class 

  • Second Place: 2015 Aurora Award for Community Relations: UAF Wildland Fire Crew Launch 
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  • Third Place: 2015 Aurora Award for Public Affairs (pro bono campaign in rural Alaska) 

  • Honorable Mention: 2013 Aurora Award for Events & Observances 7 or Fewer Days