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Ellen Toplin Named Hall of Fame Finalisit by PR News

Ellen Toplin, president and founder of Toplin & Associates, Inc., a Fort Washington, Pa.–based public relations, advertising and marketing firm, was recently named to the Hall of Fame — A Lifetime Achievement Award for Pioneers in the PR Field, by PR News.

Recognizing PR professionals who have dedicated a lifetime to better the PR community and profession, the award will be presented by PR News at the PR People Awards Luncheon on November 8, 2007, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Twenty five years ago, Toplin opened her agency, Toplin & Associates, Inc., becoming one of the pioneers of professional services marketing, serving clients in the legal, healthcare, financial services, education and non-profit fields. Over the years, Toplin’s clients have included international law firms, sections of the American Bar Association, foreign medical device firms, healthcare systems, higher education institutions, public health and educational advocacy initiatives sponsored by non-profits and state health departments, to name a few.

Consistently ranked among Philadelphia’s top public relations agencies by O’Dwyers, The Council of Public Relations Firms and the Philadelphia Business Journal, the firm has garnered significant results. Just one example -- the integrated statewide organ and tissue donor awareness campaign Toplin created inspired nearly one-quarter million Pennsylvanians to become organ donors in three years and received numerous awards for its impact.

Committed to mentoring professionals in her own firm, the industry and beyond, Toplin was named one of the Best Places to Work by the Philadelphia Business Journal for two consecutive years. A PA certified women business enterprise, she has worked to cultivate women leaders, currently serving as board secretary for the Forum of Executive Women (FOEW) and co-chair of its executive suites committee -- aiming to increase diversity on boards.

One of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business, Toplin has received additional recognition for her leadership and mentoring. She was honored by Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce with its Athena Award, given to outstanding individuals who inspire leadership and excellence among women. She previously received the Women in Communications Sarah Hale Legacy Award for inspiring and motivating future generations of women in her field.

Equally dedicated to community, Toplin was recently named chair of the board of the American Red Cross Blood Services-Penn Jersey Region. Having sat on the board’s executive and nominating committees, and chairing the donor services committee, she has been instrumental in leading marketing and research initiatives to increase the region’s diminishing blood supply. Toplin also serves as trustee of the Abington Hospital Foundation Board.

In addition, Toplin has worked with her staff to provide pro bono services to nearly 50 regional non-profits, including A Chance to Heal Foundation, American Diabetes Association (Bala Cynwyd), CeaseFire PA/CeaseFire Education Fund and the Philadelphia chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters Association. To mark Toplin & Associates, Inc.’s, 25th year in business, she initiated a program donating pro bono service, valued in excess of $35,000, to 25 area non-profits in honor of the firm’s anniversary.

For her continued community efforts, PRSA’s Philadelphia Chapter awarded Toplin the DeAnn White Award, recognizing a member who utilizes his/her expertise in community service. In 2006, Leadership Philadelphia also named Toplin one of Philadelphia’s 101 “Top Connectors,” identifying community members who exemplify high-quality leadership.

A resident of Dresher, Pa., Toplin earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University (B.S.W., cum laude, 1973), and her master’s degree from Antioch College (M.Ed, 1977).