Mary-Joy Coburn honored as Public Pension Communicator of the Year – Rising Star!
January 29, 2025

Post

The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) has recognized Mary-Joy Coburn, Director of Communications at the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS), with the 2024 Public Pension Communicator of the Year – Rising Star award. Ms. Coburn is the inaugural recipient of this newly established award category, which recognizes an individual, across all funding categories, and has demonstrated exceptional potential and growth in public pension communications.

“Public pensions thrive when talented individuals bring fresh perspectives and energy to the field, and Ms. Coburn is a shining example of that,” said Hank Kim, NCPERS Executive Director and Counsel. “The Rising Star Award was established to honor professionals like her who are shaping the future of our industry. Ms. Coburn’s engaging and creative work on OCERS’ traditional and digital platforms demonstrate how effective communication can strengthen trust and understanding among stakeholders.”

In less than two years, Ms. Coburn has made a profound impact at OCERS by improving its communication strategy to prioritize clarity, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

The Public Pension Communicator of the Year Awards are prestigious honors recognizing communication professionals who demonstrate innovative leadership, creativity, and measurable impact, fostering trust and engagement within their organizations.