2020 Communicator of the Year goes to Tiffany Baca

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Tiffany Baca was awarded the 2020 Communicator of the Year Award on July 13, 2020. With an impressive collection of 20 statements of support included in her award nomination, colleagues expressed high admiration for her work ethic, talents, and character, making her a shining example of what a superstar communications professional embodies.

Since her arrival at the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), Tiffany has been tireless in her efforts to create and promote the valuable programs offered to Orange County’s 3.2 million residents, the district’s 28 member agencies, and the greater California water community. 

She guided her team through a rebranding, an award-winning website redesign, and a thoughtful, robust strategic communications plan. During Tiffany’s MWDOC tenure, she has increased the effectiveness of the district’s social media efforts and produced valuable, far-reaching educational programs and resources for the community. As a result of these quality accomplishments and more, Tiffany has led MWDOC in becoming a regionally recognized, trusted voice on Orange County water issues.

Her community impact is reflected through this endorsement from Steve Creech, President of the Wyland Foundation, “Perhaps most importantly, her ambition and passion for educating the public has created opportunities to build strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial to key stakeholders and community groups alike.”

Tiffany’s professional approach to her work for MWDOC reflects favorably on the public relations of the organization, as Garry Brown, Founder & President of Orange County Coastkeeper states, “…when I think of MWDOC, I picture Tiffany Baca…through her exceptional work, she represents the honesty, integrity, concerns for the environment, and the mission of MWDOC.

Through her clear and consistent messaging, Tiffany demonstrates daily the ability to organize and communicate important and valuable messages to her intended audiences.

Her colleagues consistently refer to her strong leadership skills on team projects and her deep commitment to the success of others around her. From hosting workgroup meetings and workshops, to giving presentations, to developing promotional toolkits for use by her city’s and water district’s managers and public information officers, Tiffany fosters an environment of learning and open communication for the benefit of her team and other communications professionals throughout the county.

From graphic design to writing and social media content development, public speaking opportunities to community event coordination – I have learned so much because of her,” says Jeannie Bui, Public Affairs Intern. “Tiffany has made an impact in my life…With her support and guidance, I feel prepared for whatever my future endeavors may be…

Tiffany’s enthusiasm and passion for water issues make her a valuable asset for the water industry and for her community. With a strategic approach and out-of-the-box thinking, Tiffany inspires action not only from her colleagues, but also from her community. Through developing regional water advertising and education outreach campaigns focused on conservation and partnering with youth programs, she led her team to exponentially increase the value of her district’s strategic communications programs which engaged community leaders like Wyland, Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, Discovery Science Center, and many other local educators.

Tiffany approached a high school water education video project “…with an open-mind, offering ideas for engagement that would connect young people in a meaningful way…Tiffany’s partnership contributed to a contest that was so impactful we now have the support of Olympic athletes and Hollywood filmmakers,” boasts Lori Kiesser, Development Officer for Orange County Department of Education.

Robert Farnsworth, Professor and Department Co-Chair for the Horticulture and Landscape Design at Saddleback College states, “I find she is especially gifted in communicating, and can be of enormous benefit to ‘the cause’, whatever it might be. Thank goodness her persuasive skills are directed at water issues. She is deeply committed to the preservation of our most valuable resource.

With all these things and more, it is with great pleasure and support in our recognition of Tiffany as the deserving winner of the CAPIO 2020 Communicator of the Year Award.

 ”I am deeply honored to receive this recognition, and am grateful to CAPIO, MWDOC, my team, our partners, and my family who motivate and inspire me to keep reaching, learning, and growing. We are in the midst of an incredible time in history, and the work of communicators ahead will be both important and challenging. As a member of CAPIO, I feel privileged to belong to a diverse network of talented, skilled professionals who are driven by the notion of change and improvement, and strive each day to bring people together.”  Tiffany Baca, 2020 Communicator of the Year

The Communicator of the Year award is presented to the individual who, in the judgment of the CAPIO Awards Committee and Board of Directors, demonstrates exceptional abilities, skills and talents in leading their organization to greater and more successful communications and public engagement.

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To learn more about the Communicator of the Year or the California Association of Public Information Officials, visit www.capio.org

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