IABC/Chicago Member Debra Lynn Ross Earns Accreditation Designation

CHICAGO, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago chapter of the International Association of Business Communications (IABC/Chicago) has recognized Debra Lynn Ross for earning the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation from IABC.

"Earning the globally recognized ABC is a great step to advance one's career," said Julie Baron, IABC/Chicago president. "The peer-reviewed program challenges candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of strategic communication planning, implementation, measurement and ethics."

Debra Lynn Ross, ABC, is the director of corporate communications for APP Pharmaceuticals, a leading manufacturer of multi-source and branded injectable pharmaceutical products based in Schaumburg, Ill. Her communications career has spanned the corporate, non-profit and agency sectors, including roles with Consorta, Inc., Hospira, Motorola, Edelman Worldwide, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the Emergency Nurses Association. She began her career as a reporter for CBS Radio in Milwaukee.

Ross has received numerous awards for her work, including the prestigious IABC Gold, Silver and Bronze Quill awards, the Public Relations Society of America's Bronze Anvil award, and Women in Communications' Clarion award. She has twice been invited to serve on IABC's Gold Quill Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges. Ross received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and completed graduate certificate programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association.

"The process of becoming an accredited business communicator introduced me to new colleagues and provided insights on several areas of communication where my career has not taken me, such as utilizing social media," said Ross. "I'm thrilled to have earned my ABC and I look forward to mentoring others in this process."

Ross joins a select group of accredited professional communicators – about 850 worldwide and 18 in the Chicago area. IABC's accreditation process consists of a rigorous evaluation that identifies and recognizes highly qualified, well-rounded communicators through a review of their portfolio of work, as well as written and oral examinations.

A study of accredited business communicators in seven countries found that IABC's accreditation program is a gateway to learning and advancing the practice of strategic communication management. A majority of current and former supervisors who participated in the study said ABCs provided more credibility to their departments or organizations, while a majority of clients perceived ABCs as having an increased understanding of effective communication practices. Large majorities of the ABCs surveyed said that becoming accredited improved their resumes, increased their confidence, enhanced their credibility and gave them peer approval and recognition.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in 70 countries with a multi-disciplinary approach to corporate communication, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, media relations, community relations, public affairs, financial communications and government relations. IABC/Chicago (http://chicago.iabc.com) is the oldest IABC chapter in the world.

SOURCE IABC/Chicago