CIPR’s Kendel Lavallee named Stevie Awards finalist for Woman of the Year in AI

Kendel Lavallee, director of AI Adoption and Visibility at CIPR Communications, has been named a finalist in the 23rd annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The new AI category recognizes women leading practical AI adoption, with winners set to be announced in New York on Nov. 16, 2026.

Why it matters: - Lavallee’s finalist spot puts a Calgary-based AI adoption leader on a global stage in a new Stevie Awards category focused on women shaping AI use in business. - The recognition underscores growing attention on practical AI adoption inside agencies and client organizations, not just AI strategy at a high level.

What happened: - Kendel Lavallee, director of AI Adoption and Visibility at CIPR Communications, was named a finalist in the Woman of the Year in AI category of the 23rd annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. - The category is new for 2026 and recognizes individual women for outstanding achievement in AI. - Winners will be announced Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

The details: - Lavallee leads AI adoption work through Tourism AI Network, CIPR Communications’ division focused on helping tourism businesses and destination marketing organizations use AI tools in practical, transparent ways. - The work includes visibility tracking and hands-on staff training. - The Stevie Awards for Women in Business have recognized women and women-led organizations for more than 20 years. - More than 200 leading business professionals judged this year’s competition. - Peter Pilarski, president of CIPR Communications and founder of Tourism AI Network, praised Lavallee’s “I’ll figure it out” approach as a key part of AI adoption and leadership. - Christina Pilarski, founder and CEO of CIPR Communications, said the finalist recognition reflects the standard Lavallee has set for adopting AI practically, transparently and with teams involved throughout the process. - Clients and CIPR staff helped put Lavallee’s name forward for the nomination.

Between the lines: - The nomination signals that AI adoption is becoming a leadership and workplace capability issue, not just a technical one. - CIPR is using the recognition to reinforce its positioning around transparent AI use in communications and tourism marketing. - The new category suggests the awards are starting to treat AI leadership as a distinct form of business achievement.

What’s next: - The Stevie Awards will reveal the winners at the November banquet in New York. - Lavallee’s recognition may further elevate CIPR Communications and Tourism AI Network among tourism and marketing organizations looking for practical AI support. - More information is available in the company’s announcement.

The bottom line: - Lavallee’s finalist nod highlights how practical AI adoption is becoming a visible measure of leadership in business and communications.