Awards and Honors

PDI-POA presents awards periodically to recognize extraordinary service, distinction, and achievements in the protocol profession. 


Protocol Professional of the Year

Established in 2013, the Protocol Professional of the Year Award is presented to a PDI-POA member in recognition of extraordinary achievements in their area of work or project. Nominations are made by their peers, and an award winner is chosen by a selection committee chaired by the Vice President for Membership.

Mark Verheul
International Protocol,
Strategic Networking,
& Stakeholder Management
The Hague, Netherlands

Congratulations to our 2020 Protocol Professional of the Year, Mark Verheul! Mark has been a member of PDI-POA since 2017 and resides in The Hague, Netherlands where he runs his own consultancy firm on international protocol and strategic networking.  Recently, he assisted in transitioning the Netherlands’ 75th anniversary of its liberation after World War II to comply with COVID-19 protocols, ensuring the safety of its participants.  Mark made the King’s speech accessible to the general public via a live broadcast and assisted in the creation of a new website to honor the veterans for the event.

Previous Protocol Professional of the Year Award Recipients

2018: Lydia DeAngelo
Director of Training and Technology
The Protocol School of Washington(R)
USA
2017: Joe Tello
Chief Protocol Officer
Office of Naval Research
USA
2015: Andrea Nicandri
Manager, Visits and Protocol (Defence)
Embassy of Australia
2015: Michael Lynn
Director, Exhibitions, Events, and Protocol
L-3 Communications
Aerospace Systems Group
USA
2014: Gerry Lutes
PDI-POA Member
USA

The Ann Beard Board of Directors’ Achievement Award

Established in 2007, the Ann Beard Award is presented in recognition of service beyond required responsibilities of a member of the Board of Directors to PDI-POA including the completion of a major project taking months or years. Awardees are selected by the President of the PDI-POA Board.

Hope Laman
Executive Administrative Assistant, Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Congratulations to our 2020 recipient of the Ann Beard Board of Directors’ Achievement Award, Hope Laman!  Hope has been a member of PDI-POA since 2016, and served on the Board of Directors from 2018 to 2020. She held the position of the Vice President for Communications from 2018 to 2020 and the Vice President for Membership in 2020. Hope was selected as the 2020 Ann Beard Award honoree for her extraordinary work developing and advancing both the Communications and Membership portfolios during her term on the Board of Directors.

Previous Recipients of The Ann Beard Board of Directors' Achievement Award

2018: Monica Earley
Protocol Consultant/Trainer
US Air Force Special Operations Chief of Protocol
USA
2017: Donna Moloney
Advisor for Governmental Initiatives, Alltech, Inc.
USA
2016: Lanie Denslow
World Wise Intercultural Training and Resources
USA
2015: Chris Young
Executive Director, CIFAL Atlanta
USA
2014: Harlan Lee
Harlan Lee and Associates
USA
2013: Daniel L. Darnell
USA
2012: Roderick O. Ballance
KBR Global Strategies
USA
2011: Sonia Garza-Monarchi
Garza Protocol Associates, LLC
USA
2010: Elizabeth Branson
International Trade Specialist
US Department of Commerce
USA
2009: Ginger Barnard
Former Deputy Chief of Protocol, County of Los Angeles
USA
2008: Donna Moloney
Advisor for Governmental Initiatives
Alltech, Inc.
USA
2007: Kathleen D. Ryan
Chief of Protocol
United States Air Force

Founding Board Member, PDI-POA
USA

The Spirit of Diplomacy Award

Established in 2003, the Spirit of Diplomacy Award is presented for extraordinary service or distinction to the field of protocol and excellence in the diplomatic arena. The recognized achievement may be at the national or international level, or in the individual’s area of jurisdiction.

Previous Spirit of Diplomacy Award Recipients

2014: Natalie Jones
Deputy Chief of Protocol
US Department of State
USA
2013: Capricia Penavic Marshall
Ambassador, United States Chief of Protocol (2009-2013)
USA
2012: Marsha Hamilton
Manager of the Office of International Protocol for the
State of Mississippi
USA
2011: Margaret Huber
Chief of Protocol
Canada
2010: Mary Mel French
Ambassador, United States Chief of Protocol (1997-2001)
USA
2010: Lance Ito
Judge
Los Angeles County Superior Court
USA
2010: Diane Jacobus
Port of Long Beach California
USA
2010: Diane E. Watson
US Congressional Representative, California’s 33rd District
US Ambassador to Micronesia (1999-2001)
USA
2008: Nancy Brinker
Ambassador, United States Chief of Protocol (2007-2009)
USA
2005: Selwa Roosevelt
Ambassador, United States Chief of Protocol (1982-1989)
USA
2005: Diane Brown
Deputy Director of Protocol
Office of the Secretary of Defense
United States of America
Founding Board Member, PDI-POA
USA
2005: Beverley Cathcart, QSM, JP
Executive Officer, Functions and Protocol
New Zealand Parliament
2005: Richard Gookin
Former Assistant Chief of Protocol, United States Department of State
USA
2005: Tom Groppel
Ceremonies and Special Events Director, United States Army Military District of Washington
USA
2005: April Guice
Protocol Officer, Ceremonials Division, Office of Protocol
United States Department of State
USA
2005: Kathleen Ryan
Chief of Protocol
United States Air Force
Founding Board Member, PDI-POA
USA
2004: Charles Swindells
Ambassador of the United States to New Zealand (2001-2005)
USA
2004: Mary Bosrock
Author, Put Your Best Foot Forward Book Series
USA
2004: Lanie Denslow
Vice President, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
USA
2004: Robert Frye
Founding Honorary Advisory Board Member, PDI-POA
Former Chief of Protocol for the Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad, Iraq
USA
2004: Sonia Garza-Monarchi
Vice President, PDI-POA
USA
2004: Donna Moloney
Secretary, PDI-POA
Founding Board Member
USA
2003: Donald Ensenat
Ambassador, United States Chief of Protocol (2001-2007)
USA
2003: Ginger Barnard
Vice President, PDI-POA
Founding Board Member
USA
2003: Ann Beard
Founding President
PDI-POA
USA
2003: Lawrence Dunham
Associate Chief of Protocol (1989-2005)
United States Department of State
USA