Download Full Speech : Alexander Hamilton Medal for Lifetime Achievement in PR: Acceptance Remarks by Mike Fernandez
Mike Fernandez, Corporate Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Cargill, received the Institute for Public Relations’ (IPR) highest award, the Alexander Hamilton Medal, at the 54th Annual Distinguished Lecture & Awards Dinner. The Hamilton Medal is given for major contributions to the practice of public relations including the use of research. Fernandez currently leads Cargill’s global corporate affairs activities, including government relations, global issues management, brand and marketing services and corporate social responsibility. Before joining Cargill, Fernandez served as the chief communications officer for four Fortune 500 companies and was a senior aide to a United States senator. Fernandez is listed on PRWeek’s Power List of the top 50 PR professionals in the U.S. and the Holmes Report’s Influence 100 list of the top 100 PR professionals in the world. Fernandez serves on the boards of IPR, where he is a former co-chair, and the Arthur W. Page Society.
Mike has served on many boards in support of food security, environmental sustainability, economic development and education. He is a 2013 recipient of the Plank Center’s Milestones in Mentoring Award for having mentored many in the profession, including a dozen that have worked for him that have become CCOs or CMOs, He is the 1st recipient of the Hispanic Public Relations Association’s Pioneer Award, and will be inducted into the PRWeek PR Hall of Fame in December.
