IABC/Toronto Executive Board
IABC/Toronto’s board is elected each year at its annual general meeting. All paid members are invited to attend the meeting and vote in the new slate.
Throughout the year the board meets monthly, to discuss chapter business and new initiatives. All IABC/Toronto members are welcome to attend any board meeting.
IABC/Toronto Executive Board 2007/2008
President
Janet Comeau
E-mail: toronto-president@iabc.com
Janet returns to the board for her fifth year after serving as executive vice president (previously holding positions as VP, member communications and VP, finance) and plans to continue her focus on sound organizational planning to ensure that the chapter delivers value to its members for years to come. Janet will lead this year's board in developing a new three-year strategic plan and will include member engagement as one of the board's strategic priorities.
Janet is the manager, corporate communications for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited and worked previously as a producer and project manager of new media communications and events in the investor relations sector.
Responsibilities
- Automatic succession to this position after serving as chapter Executive Vice President.
- Build a cohesive Board that will meet or exceed the networking, professional development, resource, voluntarism and other needs of IABC/Toronto members.
- Plan and execute, by August each Board year, a strategic planning session of the Board, either to develop a new three-year strategy or review and refine the strategy in progress.
- Facilitate IABC/Toronto Board meetings and chairs meetings of the chapter executive.
- Liaise and represent the chapter at an International and Regional level.
- Monitor and support activities of all Board members.
- Welcome new Board members.
- Represent the chapter in professional, educational, community and public roles and serve as its primary spokesperson to media.
- Plan and lead Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- Conduct a semi-annual performance review of each Board member.
- Ensure each Board member has a clear succession plan for their portfolio.
Immediate Past President
Felicia Shiu, ABC, APR
E-mail: toronto-pastpresident@iabc.com
A long-standing member of IABC since 1991, Felicia Shiu has served on the IABC/Toronto board since 2002 including serving as VP, career development and also VP, membership (two terms). An active volunteer, Felicia also served on the international membership task force for IABC. She also spearheaded the first ever Canada wide IABC salary survey with more than 1,300 respondents.
Felicia will also be serving as a director-at-large on the IABC International Executive Board.
Felicia is an accredited public relations practitioner and is a vice-president at Weber Shandwick Worldwide.
Responsibilities
- Automatic succession to this position after serving as chapter President.
- Provide continuity for IABC/Toronto Board.
- Preside over meetings in the event of absence both of the President or the Executive Vice President.
- Chair the annual Board Nomination Committee utilizing the revised Board responsibilities, as vetted by the Executive Vice President.
- Coordinate and develop opportunities for leadership development of IABC/Toronto Board members.
- Represent IABC/Toronto, upon request, to international, professional and business communities.
- Prepare and submit entries for IABC Chapter Management Awards (CMA).
- Announce results of CMA submissions and thank previous Board and volunteers for their efforts.
- Co-ordinate volunteer recruitment and placement, as requested, for the judging of other IABC award programs (i.e., Gold Quill, Silver Leafs, etc.), in collaboration with the Professional Standards portfolio.
Executive Vice President
Leslie Hetherington, APR, MBA
E-mail: toronto-execvp@iabc.com
Leslie returns to the board for a fourth term as executive VP, having served last year as VP, finance. She looks forward coming in on the ground floor to collaborate on a strategic plan for the chapter's next three years and seeing it through to fruition. Top of mind for Leslie will be finding new and innovative ways to increase membership value at all levels.
Previously, Leslie directed IABC/Toronto's PD portfolio and chaired the "Naked Communicator" leadership development weekend for Canada District 2, which each won chapter management awards of excellence in 2007 and 2006, respectively. She also served as VP, membership.
Her 20-year career entails progressively senior roles in PR, marketing, corporate and technical communications. Leslie is currently Senior Director, Communications & Graphics, Pet Valu Inc., a publicly traded, specialty retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies. She previously held positions with organizations such as, MAVERICK PR, Bell Canada, the Toronto District School Board, PriceWaterhouse Coopers and managed her own consultancy.
She has won CPRS (Toronto) ACE awards for media relations, as well as "volunteer of the year," and served on its board of directors.
Leslie has an MBA from Royal Roads University, where she received the CanWest Global Communications Award and a PR certificate from Humber College, for which she received the Academic Award of Excellence. She earned her PR accreditation (APR) in 2004 and maintains it through PRSA.
Responsibilities
- Recruit Think Tank Director(s) and other directors, as required, for specific initiatives.
- Review and update IABC/Toronto by-laws, policy manual and constitution.
- Preside over Board meetings in the President's absence.
- Serve on the nominating committee responsible for the succeeding Board's positions.
- Assist in training and orientation of new Board members.
- Develop a strategy to expand the affinity benefits for IABC/Toronto members, in collaboration with the Membership portfolio.
- Organize two Think Tanks - chapter's bi-annual focus group.
- Review and update all Board responsibilities by the end of February each Board year.
- Serve as IABC/Toronto's Privacy Officer.
- Provide back-up support to President and oversee special projects, if required.
- Represent the Alliance of Independent Practitioners (AIP) at the Board level.
- Represent IABC/Toronto's Westend Group at the Board level.
- Represent and administer programs for other new and evolving Special Interest Groups (SIGs) at the Board level.
- Automatically succeeds to President after one year.
Vice President, Accreditation & Standards
Brigette Kocijancic, ABC
E-mail: toronto-profstandards@iabc.com
Brigette Kocijancic, ABC, joins the the board of IABC/Toronto after having served as Director of the IABC/Toronto Accreditation College in 2007, and frequently volunteered as a exam proctor and judge for IABC awards programs.
Brigette is a senior communications professional with extensive experience in change management communications, public relations and public affairs, and has been a member of IABC since 1995. She is currently Senior Manager, Communications at Scotiabank, with responsibility for overseeing the global internal communications function and promoting communications as a key strategic partner in the business planning and decision making process. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Brigette has provided strategic communications services to organizations within financial services, technology and building industries in Canada including the Canadian Bankers Association, Fleishman-Hillard Canada, Necho Systems Corp. and Intesa Bank Canada.
Through her role as VP, Accreditation and Standards, Brigette is keen to work with other communicators to help lead them through the very rewarding process of earning their accreditation and liaising with the International Accreditation Council to enhance the value of the ABC designation in the marketplace.
Responsibilities
- Recruit Accreditation College and Examination Directors and oversee other volunteers to co-ordinate all accreditation & standards activities, as required.
- Prepare material that supports the practice of the highest professional and ethical standards for IABC/Toronto members.
- Promote IABC's Code of Ethics among members and handle ethics-related inquiries to IABC/Toronto's chapter Board.
- Oversee advocacy strategy and initiatives, in cooperation with the Board executive and in alignment with applicable IABC International initiatives.
- Promote and market the IABC accreditation process.
- Oversee the "Accreditation College" for members seeking the designation of accredited business communicator (ABC).
- Collaborate with other portfolios, as required, to recruit ABC-accredited volunteers for roles in which senior expertise is needed.
Vice President, Advertising & Sponsorship
Shelley McKay
E-mail: toronto-adsponsor@iabc.com
Shelley is new to the IABC/Toronto Board, having relocated from Minneapolis, where she served on the IABC Minnesota Board of Directors as Director of Programming and Director of Communications. She attended IABC's Leadership Conference and has served on multiple committees and volunteered for special events with the Minnesota Chapter. In Toronto, she hopes to meet other members and share new ideas. In her new role, Shelley plans to develop new avenues of support for the Chapter, and work with sponsors and advertisers to help them communicate their story to the membership.
Shelley is a partner with CRICKET, a boutique marketing firm that ensures strong, consistent communications for clients. She graduated from University of Windsor with bachelors degrees in Sociology and Communications.
Responsibilities
- Recruit dedicated sponsor directors, as required, and oversee committee to co-ordinate all advertising and corporate sponsorship activities.
- Work with the IABC/Toronto Board members to ensure all sponsorship and advertising activities for the chapter are streamlined through this portfolio.
- Oversee communications, contracts and initiatives to establish and sustain sponsor relationships.
- Ensure that all advertising and sponsorship clients receive recognition as per their contracts with IABC/Toronto.
- Generate revenue through the sale of advertising for all chapter publications and communication vehicles (including Communicator, e-Lerts and IABC/Toronto's website).
- Oversee the chapter's CareerLine job posting service and collaborate with the Marketing Communications portfolio to promote it.
Vice President, Association Management
Brent Carey, ABC
E-mail: toronto-assocmgt@iabc.com
Brent returns to the IABC/Toronto board for a third year (previously two years as VP, accreditation & standards). Having been an IABC member since 1993, Brent continues to try and give something back to the association that has served him so well in his career to date. He achieved his ABC designation in July 2004 and since then has been an active volunteer with the International Accreditation Board and the IABC/Toronto Accreditation portfolio.
Brent is director of communication at Deloitte & Touche LLP, and previously held communication roles with CIBC, TD Bank, and Imperial Oil. He graduated from York University with an honours degree in Communications and English, and is also an accredited financial planner.
Responsibilities
- Serve as IABC/Toronto's official record keeper and corporate secretary.
- Act as the executive committee liaison to the IABC/Toronto office.
- Ensure that contract administrative support is adequate, effective and used in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Organize IABC/Toronto Board meetings (i.e., create and distribute agenda and minutes, book a venue, order refreshments, etc.).
- Serve as the official election judge on all matters requiring a formal vote of the IABC/Toronto membership.
- Monitor the Board's chapter management extranet in coordination with the IABC office.
- Manage board calendar and other cross-portfolio knowledge-sharing tools as required.
- Represent IABC/Toronto in the absence of the President, executive vice-President and the immediate past-President.
Vice President, Awards
Sara Feldman, APR
E-mail: toronto-awards@iabc.com
A long-standing member of IABC, Sara joins the Board for the first time this year. Sara was previously Co-Director of the OVATION and COTY award programs, under the leadership of Roxanne Cramer, Vice President, Awards in 2006/2007.
Sara previously led the public relations function at Nabisco Ltd; prior to moving on to lead the communications and marketing function at Interac. She is currently Principal, Feldman & Associates. A strong proponent of 360 degree multi-stakeholder, multi-faceted communications, Sara believes that the awards programs offer communications professionals an opportunity to demonstrate excellence and gain recognition for their success.
Responsibilities
- Recruit three directors: Director of Call for Entries; Director of Judges; Director of Gala - oversees the entire OVATIONS program, including the Business Awards and Bobbie Resnick Award.
- Ensure OVATION template and timelines are followed.
- Work with the Marketing Communications and Sponsorship portfolios to market the award ceremony and encourage member participation.
- Oversee development of call for entries for the Student of the Year Award, in cooperation with Membership portfolio.
- Develop and oversee initiatives to educate communicators about best practices for award submissions, including a "how to win" seminar in collaboration with the PD portfolio.
- Oversee Communicator of the Year (COTY) award call for nominations, in cooperation with immediate Past President and Board executive.
- Chair the Selection Committee for COTY.
- Plan and execute event at which the COTY award is presented.
Vice President, Finance
Carrie MacAfee
E-mail: toronto-finance@iabc.com
Carrie has been an active IABC/Toronto volunteer since she became a member in 2000. This is her first year on the board and she looks forward to gaining a stronger financial perspective on the chapter's activities.
Carrie is a communication consultant with Mercer. She works closely with a diverse group of clients to develop and deliver strategic employee communication. Carrie takes particular delight in transforming technical information into plain language for her audiences. She is also enthusiastic about using her writing and project management skills to uncover new client solutions and efficient processes.
Lastly, Carrie believes every task or event is an opportunity to have fun. She works hard at finding perspective and humour in all situations and expects her board experience will be no different.
Responsibilities
- Ensure (with the assistance of paid bookkeeping support) that IABC/Toronto is operated in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Oversee the development and approval of IABC/Toronto's financial and administrative budgets. Final budget approval to be completed by the end of October for each Board year.
- Maintain IABC/Toronto bank accounts, records and cheque delivery.
- Monitor financial standing of IABC/Toronto and IABC.
- Monitor Board member expenses and associated processes to ensure adherence to policies and ethical use of association funds.
- Collaborate with other portfolio Board members to ensure ongoing management of portfolio budgets.
- Oversee process/sub-committees to review and recommend surplus (if applicable) or excess reserve initiatives allocated in a given Board year.
Vice President, Marketing Communications
Anna Relyea
E-mail: toronto-marketing@iabc.com
This is Anna's fourth year serving with the IABC/Toronto board. Anna was a business journalist before starting her diverse career in public relations and corporate communications more than 20 years ago. She contributed to successful PR campaigns in the travel and high tech aerospace sectors before helping to setup the communications department at National Trust and developing communications programs at CIBC. Attracted by the sophistication of consumer packaged goods marketing, Anna progressed to Heinz Canada where she spent seven years working on many aspects of corporate image building, ongoing marketing communications, product launches, media and government relations, issues management and crisis communications. She led an effort to formalize internal communications processes and won several professional association awards for her work.
Now Associate Director, Strategic Communications, at the Ontario Science Centre Anna is leading a strategic communications program to advance the centre's image and profile in the marketplace. Anna earned her B.A. and M.A. as well as a Certificate in Public Relations Procedures from the University of Toronto.
Responsibilities
- Oversee committee to implement the external relations and marketing activities of IABC/Toronto.
- Work with other IABC/Toronto portfolios to ensure the proper and appropriate marketing needs are met.
- Develop a plan to create and execute all marketing and external relations activities.
- Proactively research speaking opportunities for the IABC/Toronto Board members.
- Establish a regular review of IABC/Toronto branded materials.
- Oversee maintenance of media list and implementation of strategic tactics to leverage newsworthy PD events and other IABC initiatives through relevant media channels.
- Maintain biographies for each member of the IABC/Toronto Board.
- Oversee maintenance of Media centre on chapter website to ensure releases, fact sheets, glossary and other collaterals are relevant and current.
- Serve as key media relations contact for both reactive and proactive initiatives. Coordinate interviews with President or most relevant Board member for each scenario.
Vice President, Member Communications
Sarah Twomey
E-mail: toronto-memcomm@iabc.com
This is Sarah's rookie year on the board, after several years as a volunteer since joining IABC in 2002. Relatively new to the communications world, she left a career in information technology in 2001 to pursue PR studies at Ryerson University. Sarah credits her rapid advancement in public relations to the friends and mentors she's met though the Toronto chapter. She's now looking forward to a challenging, interesting and fun year providing excellent member communications via Communicator, e-Lerts and the website.
Sarah is currently a communications specialist at HRPAO (Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario), a human resources association with 16,000 members in 28 chapters in Ontario and other locations across Canada and around the world.
Responsibilities
- Recruit Webmaster Director, Communicator Editor, e-Lert Director and other directors, as required.
- Oversee the activities of committees to ensure IABC/Toronto members receive high-quality and timely information about the industry, programs, services and benefits of IABC/Toronto.
- Create editorial/publication timeline for the duration of the Board year with submission and publication dates for the various IABC/Toronto communications tools.
- Ensure editorial support for IABC/Toronto portfolios.
- Supervise the editorial, development and design teams for:
o Communicator - the chapter's bi-monthly internal publication and its special issues (OVATION and Annual Report)
o e-Lerts - the chapter's bi-weekly electronic newsletter
o Website - (http://toronto.iabc.com)
o Event flyers - Manage moderators and chapter initiatives to leverage social media channels (IABC eXchange, Facebook).
- Establish and enforce adherence IABC/Toronto style guide.
- Establish regular review of IABC/Toronto communication vehicles.
Vice President, Membership
Brigette Kocijancic, ABC
E-mail: toronto-membership@iabc.com
Brigette Kocijancic, ABC, joins the the board of IABC/Toronto after having served as Director of the IABC/Toronto Accreditation College in 2007, and frequently volunteered as a exam proctor and judge for IABC awards programs.
Brigette is a senior communications professional with extensive experience in change management communications, public relations and public affairs, and has been a member of IABC since 1995. She is currently Senior Manager, Communications at Scotiabank, with responsibility for overseeing the global internal communications function and promoting communications as a key strategic partner in the business planning and decision making process. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Brigette has provided strategic communications services to organizations within financial services, technology and building industries in Canada including the Canadian Bankers Association, Fleishman-Hillard Canada, Necho Systems Corp. and Intesa Bank Canada.
Responsibilities
- Co-ordinate activities of volunteers and committees to develop and implement programs to retain and recruit members.
- Monitor new memberships and communicate welcome message in collaboration with President.
- Ensure member inquiries are acknowledged and fulfilled in a timely manner.
- Administer membership surveys in alternating years (2008, 2010, 2012)
- Ensure, with help from the Marketing Communications portfolio, that IABC is marketed to lapsed members and unsigned prospects.
- Develop and implement, with help from the Networking Special Events portfolio, activities to welcome new members to IABC/Toronto and acknowledge ongoing and long-term members.
- Conceive and oversee strategic initiatives to recruit and sustain student and transitional members.
- Administer the Kay Staib Memorial Scholarship for post-secondary programs.
- Communicate and promote call for entries for the Student of the Year (SOTY) Award, in collaboration with the Awards portfolio.
- Develop and promote affinity programs benefiting members of IABC/Toronto, in collaboration with Executive Vice President.
- Create an exit information strategy and a proactive retention program.
Vice President, Networking & Special Events
Natasha Renaud, MBA
E-mail: toronto-specialevents@iabc.com
Natasha Renaud is a perfect example of the international vocation of IABC. She first learned about the IABC while doing her Master's Degree in Mass Communication at Boston University. She officially enrolled when returning home in Montreal in 1997 where she worked in the entertainment industry for six years. An active member of the Montreal Chapter Board for two years, she learned first hand how much IABC has to offer when volunteering.
Newly arrived to Toronto in 2003, she turned to IABC to meet communicators like herself and establish her professional and personal network. Becoming an active member of the board was just a natural step for her.
With more than ten years of experience in corporate communications, she has found a new home at Grand & Toy in Toronto. Natasha brings strong marketing and communication skills with a developed business outlook acquired while doing her MBA at McGill.
Responsibilities
- Recruit event directors, as required, and oversee committee to develop and manage networking and special events.
- Organize a minimum of five themed, after-work Munch 'n' Mingle networking or special events throughout the Board year. At least one of these events should be presented in partnership with a relevant external organization.
- Ensure at least two of the networking events occur in the outer edges of the City of Toronto.
- Organize at least one fundraising, CSR or community-oriented event during the Board year, in addition to or as part of the five requisite Munch 'n' Mingle events.
- Explore new revenue streams and work to the fiscal objectives of the chapter.
- Ensure events are fun for members and that the chapter's fiscal commitment for each event is met.
- In cooperation with Member Communications portfolio, ensure each event is adequately promoted well in advance (4 - 12 weeks) through e-Lerts, notices in Communicator/flyers, at other events and through other appropriate channels.
- Ensure a photographer is available at select events to provide a visual record of the event, which is sent to the Membership Communications portfolio for inclusion in the Communicator newsletter, the IABC/Toronto website and other vehicles.
Vice President, Professional Development
Michael Miller
E-mail: toronto-pd@iabc.com
Michael returns to the IABC/Toronto board as VP, professional development. Michael is excited about the opportunity to help his fellow IABC members expand their skills, share new ideas and best practices through the chapter’s professional development events throughout the year. He has been a practicing communicator for 13 years. During that time he has worked in marketing, PR and corporate communications in the financial services, not-for-profit and residential real estate sectors. Currently he is Manager, Marketing and Communication for Markel Insurance, a leading niche insurance company serving Canada’s transportation sector.
Responsibilities
- Recruit event directors, as required, and oversee committee to plan, develop and deliver 8 - 10 "learning" events per Board year, in varied formats and times of the day.
- Develop balanced topic and speaker line-up that meets diverse needs of membership, is based on industry trends, event evaluations, membership surveys and ad hoc member input and incorporates sponsor interests/resources, where appropriate.
- Organize at least one student event during the Board year, as part of the 8-10 learning events, in collaboration with the Membership portfolio.
- In cooperation with Member Communications portfolio, ensure each event is adequately promoted well in advance (4 - 12 weeks) through e-Lerts, notices in Communicator/flyers, at preceding events and through other appropriate channels.
- Run events that provide member value and meet the fiscal commitments of the chapter.
- Collaborate with Sponsorship portfolio to incorporate and fulfill sponsor commitments.
- Explore opportunities to partner with like-minded associations for select PD events, as appropriate.
- Maintain a comprehensive record of venues, resources and events implemented for portfolio successor.
- Organize a PD event for September of the following Board year and transition its implementation to the following year's PD team.
- Collaborate with the Member Communications portfolio to ensure each PD event is effectively leveraged (through best practices summary, review, interview or other editorial) through the most appropriate member communication vehicle.
Vice President, Volunteer Services
Trell Huether
E-mail: toronto-volunteers@iabc.com
Trell Huether is an experienced PR professional with more than seven years of agency experience. Trell is currently a senior consultant with Marshall Fenn Communications with a specialization in travel and technology accounts.
If you want to share your enthusiasm, expertise and make your association stronger, contact Trell to find out about volunteer opportunities with IABC/Toronto.
Responsibilities
- Oversee committees that plan, develop and implement IABC/Toronto's volunteer recruitment, placement and recognition activities.
- Organize, with help from the Networking Special Events portfolio, a volunteer recruitment event at the beginning of the year.
- Ensure all IABC/Toronto portfolios have the appropriate number of volunteers to execute various portfolio strategies/activities.
- Ensure volunteers are matched appropriately to receive the best possible developmental opportunities.
- Develop and oversee implementation of initiatives to motivate, recognize and thank volunteers throughout the year.
- Organize, with help from the Networking Special Events portfolio, a volunteer recognition event at the end of the year.
- Oversee coordination and implementation of a mentoring program.
- Oversee implementation of one to two check-point events to support the mentoring program (ideally early in the fall and mid-year)
The following job descriptions apply to each portfolio.
All vice presidents are responsible for: - Making every effort to attend prescheduled monthly Board meetings (excluding summer), with an upfront goal to attend a minimum of eight meetings (in person or via conference call)
- Sending a portfolio director in their place, if they cannot attend a Board meeting
- Submitting a portfolio report, if they cannot attend the relevant Board meeting or if they have a significant quantity of updates
- Serving as an ambassador for IABC/Toronto, with an upfront goal to attend at least seven IABC/Toronto events during the Board year (including AGM, volunteer recruitment and recognition). (Note: some Board roles warrant even more frequent attendance at chapter events to maximize effectiveness.)
- Familiarizing themselves with all relevant material from other portfolios, as well as agenda items for discussion so that they arrive prepared for Board meetings
- Communicating relevant information to their portfolio directors and committee members
- Responding to time sensitive inquiries in a timely manner
- Providing relevant input to online discussions and participating in all online voting processes, as required.
