Folsom communications director receives achievement award

City of Folsom Communications Director Christine Brainerd was awarded the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) 2023 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award on May 3. Brainerd was honored for her commitment to leadership and mentorship within the communications field. Brainerd leads a comprehensive citywide communications program as the city of Folsom's communications director, providing strategic planning, media relations, civic engagement, crisis communications, social media, marketing, brand management and information sharing with a community of more than 81,000 residents. "I am deeply honored to receive the Paul B. Clark award – this recognition truly means the world to me. CAPIO has been near and dear to my heart for my entire career in government communications," Brainerd said. "As a new and inexperienced public information officer, CAPIO provided me with the essential building blocks to begin my career. As I advanced, it provided the professional network, training and mentoring to grow as a strategic communicator and leader." A CAPIO news release stated Brainerd was honored "for her exceptional leadership and dedication to public service." "Brainerd continues to raise the standards in public information through her unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the communications profession, career milestone achievements, mentoring of staff and ongoing contributions to CAPIO," the release stated. Brainerd has been honored with more than 60 national, statewide and regional awards for communications and public relations projects through respected organizations such as CAPIO, PRSA and the League of California Cities. In 2016, she was honored with the 40 Under 40 Award by the Sacramento Business Journal, recognized for her accomplishments and contributions to the community at large. The Paul B. Clark Award is the highest honor bestowed by CAPIO. Honoring the memory of founding member and colleague Paul B. Clark, the award is given to an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership in the communications field. CAPIO is the premier association for California's government communicators, serving more than 900 professionals across the state. For more information about the Paul B. Clark award or the California Association of Public Information Officials, visit www.capio.org.