Carmel Doyle honoured as Life Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland

The formal presentation of the highest honour that can be bestowed on a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) was made by PRII President Paul Hand at a special event on Tuesday, 18 February. Carmel Doyle was elected as a Life Fellow of the PRII at the Annual General Meeting last December.

In her acceptance speech, Carmel thanked Padraig McKeon for his nomination along with the PRII Council and PRII members for electing her.

She said, “This is a real honour, from an Institute that has supported me with great training, networking, job opportunities, professional guidance and, most importantly, that sense of community over the years.

Storytelling, content and a clear call to action are all central to what we do as PR people and these skills have transferred well for me into the charity sector, in terms of demonstrating value, impact and a compelling reason to donate.

Today, as CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, I try to marry my family’s personal experience of oesophageal cancer with my professional know-how, to increase awareness, early detection and survival rates. It is very fitting that I am presented with this award in February, which is Oesophageal Cancer Awareness month, and I thank the PRII team for this happy coincidence! Of course, I can’t let this occasion go without urging my peer group to know the symptoms of oesophageal cancer and to help us spread the word through our Lollipop Day campaign, taking place on 28 February and 1 March, right across the country.”

Padraig McKeon, FPRII, who nominated Carmel for the honour, read a citation which highlighted her significant contribution to the Institute and the broader public relations sector.  Currently serving as the CEO of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund, Carmel brings over thirty years of experience to the role. Carmel has served as PRII President and has been recognised with several Awards for Excellence in Public Relations. More recently she was a judge of the Awards. Her career also includes tenure as CEO of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. She has been a champion of fundraising, communications and good governance throughout her career.

Carmel now joins an exclusive group of thirty-eight Life Fellows in the Institute's seventy-two-year history.

No more than two Life Fellowships can be awarded in any year, and the nominees must be approved by two-thirds of those present at the AGM of the Institute.