NEW YORK – September 5, 2024 — Bill Heyman, co-founder of FHS Capital Partners, will receive the Page Distinguished Service Award during the Page Annual Conference on September 23. This honor is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession through selfless service, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the role of corporate communication in business and society.
Heyman has been a driving force in elevating the status and influence of chief communication officers within organizations. Noted for pioneering the executive search field specifically for communication roles, Bill has been instrumental in ensuring that Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) report directly to the CEO, advocating for their inclusion at the highest levels of executive leadership. His efforts have transformed the way organizations view and utilize corporate communication, empowering CCOs to play a critical role in shaping corporate strategy and driving business success.
“Bill Heyman has been a tireless advocate for CCOs, ensuring that they have a significant seat at the executive table,” said Sandra Macleod, group CEO at Echo Research and co-chair of the Page Honors Committee. “His work has not only elevated the profession but also fundamentally changed how companies think about the importance of communications leadership. Bill’s commitment to strong, honest relationships with both CEOs and communications professionals has had a lasting impact on our industry.”
In addition to his groundbreaking work in executive search, Bill has made substantial contributions to the broader public relations community. As a founding board member of The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama, he co-chaired the Milestones in Mentoring Dinner. He initiated three landmark studies on public relations leadership, including the largest global analysis of its kind, co-sponsored by Heyman Associates, Plank Center, and IBM. These studies have provided invaluable insights and set new standards for excellence in the profession.
Bill’s dedication to advancing the field extends to his work with industry organizations and educational institutions. He serves on the board of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation, where he has championed efforts to attract ethnic and racial minorities to careers in public relations. His commitment to mentorship is evident in his long-standing role as an executive advisor of the Department of Communication Advisory Council at the College of Charleston and his involvement with The LAGRANT Foundation, which supports minority PR students through scholarships.
Reflecting on Bill’s impact, Tom Martin, executive-in-residence, College of Charleston, who has known him since the early 1990s, remarked, “Bill Heyman has consistently exemplified the spirit of the Page Principles in both his personal and professional life. His advocacy for the CCO role and his dedication to ethical practices have set a high standard for our industry. Bill has not only been a mentor to many, including to me, but also a true leader who has shaped the future of corporate communications.”
A Gettysburg College graduate, Bill continues to give back to his alma mater through his mentorship in the Young Alumni Leadership Program and his role on the Communications and Marketing Advisory Council. His contributions to the profession, including his work on the Institute for Public Relations Board and the PRSA Foundation, have left an indelible mark on both current and future generations of communications professionals.
Page is honored to recognize Bill Heyman with the Distinguished Service Award for his transformative leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing the corporate communication profession. Recent recipients include Don Stacks, professor emeritus in public relations in the School of Communication at the University of Miami; Shelley Spector, founder of the Museum of Public Relations; Bob Feldman, founder of The Dialogue Project and Feldman+Partners; and Sandra Macleod, CEO, Echo Research.
For more information or to register (members and qualified guests only) for the Page Annual Conference, please see here.
About Page
Page is the premier global professional association for senior strategic communication leaders. The organization brings together the world’s best communicators to become stronger leaders by learning together, helping each other, imagining a better future for corporate communication and bringing that future to life.
This elite community includes the chief communication officers of leading global companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies; the CEOs of public relations firms and other companies that serve the strategic communication function of major corporations; and distinguished educators at leading business and communication schools. Membership is selected through peer nomination only, with strict nomination criteria. For more information, visit www.page.org.
