The American Marketing Association (AMA) has recognized Kathy Townend, a resident of Encinitas, California, with its highest volunteer honor for 2026. This prestigious award, named after former AMA board chairman Ric Sweeney, celebrates Townend’s exceptional contributions to the AMA’s San Diego chapter and the broader marketing community.
With a career spanning 17 years in the marketing industry, Townend has been an active member of the AMA since 2009. Her journey with the organization began when she joined the chapter’s communications committee. Over the years, she has taken on various leadership roles, including chapter president, vice president of finance, and vice president of operations and board secretary since 2026.
Kathy Townend’s Impactful Leadership
Townend’s tenure as chapter president was marked by significant achievements. She played a pivotal role in establishing the Art of Marketing Conference, which has become one of the chapter’s flagship initiatives. Additionally, during her 2013-2014 term, she spearheaded the rewriting of the chapter’s constitution and bylaws, ensuring modern governance practices and long-term stability.
Her leadership extends beyond administrative tasks. Townend has authored the chapter’s Excellence Awards submissions for multiple years, earning recognitions across various categories, including leadership, finance, membership, programming, communications, and outreach. Her ability to bridge generations of board service, offering institutional memory while supporting innovation and growth, has been widely praised.
A Legacy of Collaboration and Innovation
The AMA described Townend as an experienced senior marketing and product leader known for shaping high-impact go-to-market strategies. She excels in highly regulated business-to-business environments, bringing deep experience in product marketing, brand strategy, and commercial execution. Her collaborative, people-first leadership style and ability to simplify complexity have been instrumental in her success.
Nick Hofer, the San Diego chapter’s 2026 president, highlighted Townend’s steady leadership and forward-thinking mindset. He noted that her experience has helped shape the chapter into one of the strongest in the country. Townend’s commitment and passion have strengthened the chapter, its volunteers, and the entire marketing community in San Diego.
National Recognition and Future Prospects
Townend’s nomination entry emphasized her role as a trusted advisor and steady leader within the chapter. She leads by example, modeling engagement, generosity, and professionalism. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as she was selected from a pool of distinguished finalists, including Susan Campbell of Kansas City, Loki Higa of Las Vegas, Andy Noller of Cincinnati, Jason Revzon of New York, and Mandy Peterson of Lincoln, NE.
Bennie Johnson, national CEO of AMA, congratulated Townend for her continuous work and amplification of the AMA San Diego Chapter. He praised her leadership, commitment, and dedication, stating that she exemplifies what it truly means to be a volunteer and marketing leader. Townend’s recognition as the 2026 Volunteer of the Year underscores her significant impact on the marketing community.
