SVP Carrie Makrigiannis – 2024 PRNews People of the Year

PRNews is celebrating the 75 most influential people in PR with their People of the Year awards and Citizen Relations is thrilled to announce that Toronto-based Senior Vice President, Carrie Makrigiannis, earned a place in The Mentors category. 

PRNews, an industry-leading source for education, inspiration, and recognition for the last 75 years, is recognizing the most innovative and inspiring communications professionals across a diverse set of categories ranging from Agency CEOs to Crisis Managers and DEI Champions to Public Affairs Leaders.

For The Mentors category, PRNews were seeking “an extraordinary leader who guides and motivates those around them and has had an outsized impact on the careers of their colleagues” – a definition Makrigiannis has more than lived up to in her 25-year tenure as a PR professional. Says a Citizen mentee of Makrigiannis:

“Carrie has been the most influential person in my career to-date and has had, by far, the most positive impact. I owe so much of where I am today to her guidance and support, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

In addition to her support within the walls of Citizen, Makrigiannis has formally mentored with the Pinball Clemons Foundation and serves on Humber College’s Bachelor of PR Program Advisory Committee. Her work with aspiring youth in the industry is ongoing; in 2024, Makrigiannis spearheaded the first ‘Intro to PR Day’ at Citizen for Northview Heights Secondary  School students, in addition to sharing her expertise and advice with MBA students at Schulich School of Business. Alongside Makrigiannis’ personal mission to introduce the diverse field of communications to students at a young age, she plays an integral part of Citizen’s senior leadership team, overseeing the agency’s work with Loblaw Companies Limited brands including Joe Fresh, Shoppers Drug Mart, Real Canadian Superstore and President’s Choice. 

“In the 15+ years I’ve had a chance to work with Carrie, I’ve witnessed her incredible talent,  commitment and care as a mentor,“ shares Citizen’s Canadian President, Jenn Duggan. “She acts with compassion and pragmatism to build trusting and lasting relationships with each person she mentors.”

PRNews will bring together and celebrate the honorees of the awards on October 8 in New York City. Congratulations to Carrie for this award!