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# Shonali Burke’s Response to Receiving AWC-DC’s 2015 Matrix Award
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/shonali-burke-comments-on-winning-awc-dcs-2015-matrix-award/
- Published: 2015-05-16T15:54:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T23:51:35.000Z
- Author: Guest Columnist
- Tags: Awards, Insights, #Import 2026-10-08 18:46

**By Shonali Burke, PR strategist and founder and president of Shonali Burke Consulting, Inc.,**

**I was blown away** when, on May 15, AWC-DC bestowed its 2015 Matrix Award on me. What an absolute honor … and one that I never dreamed I’d receive. In fact, if you’d told me, 15 years ago (which is when I moved to the United States), that I’d be writing this post one day, I’d never have believed you. It’s a good thing the universe doesn’t go by what we think.

I was really touched by everyone who came out to celebrate the occasion, as well as those who couldn’t make it but sent me so many personal notes. **Donna Vincent Roa**‘s generous introduction was overwhelming (she posted them [here](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/matrix-award-winner-shonali-burke-donna-vincent-roa-phd-abc?trk=hb%5Fntf%5FMEGAPHONE%5FARTICLE%5FPOST&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)); in fact, I had to keep a National Press Club napkin handy to keep dabbing at my eyes (I invariably forget where my tissues are). Fortunately my make-up didn’t run, and I got through my remarks – which I agonized over and which [you can read here](http://shonaliburke.com/2015/05/15/my-oscar-moment-the-2015-matrix-awards/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), if you like – without bawling like a baby.

Even though it’s been a few days since the program, I still feel a bit as if I’m dream-walking… and maybe I always will, to some degree. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to all my professional colleagues – everyone I’ve ever come into contact with, whether IRL or via social media – for helping me get to where I am today. But I have to say a very special “thank you” to the DC community, because this is really “home” now.

DC: you took me in when I was new to the community, and never made me feel like an outsider. You gave me opportunities to grow and serve. This is where I started getting involved in social media and, much to my surprise, became part of the tech crowd – also something I would never have imagined! There is just so much I may never have done, had it not been for you.

You’re amazing. Thank you.

**(You can check out more about Shonali receiving the Matrix award** [**here**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/shonali-burke-named-recipient-of-2015-awc-matrix-award/)**.)**