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Meet our Board of Directors for 2011-12
Sarah Milner, MBA
President |
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 Sarah has worked and volunteered in the field of public relations for close to 10 years, spanning the gamut of not-for-profit, private, government and consulting work in the industries of health, human resources, technology, transportation and tourism.
As CPRS-VI President, Sarah uses her passion for communication, collaboration and relationship-building to further the goals and awareness of the Canadian Public Relations Society and its Vancouver Island chapter. Sarah has been involved with the local chapter going on three years, having previous held the roles of Communications Director and Vice President. She looks forward to being involved for years to come as she supports CPRS' mission to set the standard for and advocate on behalf of all public relations practitioners in Canada.
In her daily life, Sarah is the Manager of Marketing and Communications for UNIT4 Business Software, a top mid-market enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company. She holds an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, and a Public Relations Certificate from the University of Victoria. In her spare time, you can find Sarah mastering the arts of surfing and yoga, west coast pursuits she adopted after moving to Vancouver Island from Toronto over 10 years ago. |
Dave Traynor
Past President |
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 With nearly 30 years in the communications business, Dave brings a wealth of communications experience to the CPRS-VI Board. He has held senior positions with companies in the telecommunications and financial services sectors, in Regina, Ottawa and Toronto. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and has held various editorial and publisher roles in daily newspapers and magazines, rising to the senior executive level.
Dave has worked at all levels of communications, from writing and editing copy for print and on-line through to developing complex communications campaigns and setting strategic directions for various companies and organizations. He is the owner of Dave Traynor Communications and specializes in helping people integrate today’s technology into their communications planning to make sure their messages reach the right audience.
In addition to his work with CPRS-VI, Dave is a Board member with the Victoria Hospice Society and is the President of the Victoria Mac Users Group. |
Erin Kelly
Treasurer |
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Erin Kelly has over 12 years of experience managing strategic marketing and communications, media and public relations events for the BC government as well as several high tech companies located here in Victoria and Toronto. Over the years, she has gained in-depth experience developing and implementing creative communications strategies, managing public policy issues and liaising with media to deliver time sensitive, highly scrutinized communication materials for print, TV, web and social media platforms.
Erin holds a Combined Honours Degree in Political Science and English Literature from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario. She is also one course away from her Diploma in Public Relations at UVIC. This is her first year on the CPRS board. |
Susan Mader
Secretary |
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Susan brings over 17 years experience in communications, marketing, investor relations and strategic consulting to her role with CPRS-VI. Since moving to Victoria three years ago she has been working for the BC Government, currently as the Communications Director with the Ministry of Social Development.
Her communications journey started in Calgary where she worked with small businesses and non-profits before shifting over into high tech. After moving to Vancouver in 2001 she spent a few years working for the CBC before venturing out on her own as a coach and consultant.
Susan has a BA in psychology, a certificate in public relations, an MBA specializing in marketing, and is a certified professional coach. |
Vanessa Greebe, APR
Accreditation Director |
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 Vanessa has over 15 years experience in strategic communications and marketing. She has held senior positions within CPRS-VI and since 2007 has worked for the federal government as a Senior Communications Advisor in Quebec and now in Victoria.
In 2006, she was awarded the national CPRS Award of Excellence in the Community Relations category for her “Make an Impact” project with the Victoria Foundation.
In 2007, Vanessa achieved her APR designation.
A native of Alberta, Vanessa graduated from Simon Fraser University in 1992 with a Bachelors Degree in Communications. Since then she has worked in the post secondary education sector, high tech industry, non profit and now government sectors. |
Heather Watters
Communications Director |
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 You'll usually find Heather exploring far corners of the enchanted (sometimes treacherous) communications world. She seeks opportunities to breathe life into marketing and communications through well-crafted messages combined with design creativity.
Heather has worked in various industries, including media, non-profit, government, financial, and tourism. Currently she "unleashes" creative communications and marketing for WildPlay Element Parks, as well as the Victoria Children's Choir.
As Communications Director, she aspires to keep CPRS-VI members well-informed about the latest and greatest Society news and activities. |
Michelle May
Events Director |
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 Former CPRS-VI Secretary, Michelle May is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Professional Communications Degree program at Royal Roads University. Taking on the role of Events Director this year Michelle seeks to grow her passion for event management within the realm of public relations.
Her expertise stems from over 10 years in the service and event management industry. She has volunteered in a communications capacity for her college newspaper and magazine publication, not-for-profit organizations, local and national conferences and community events.
Michelle currently holds the position of Events and Communications Coordinator at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and Secretary of the CPRS 2012 Conference Planning Committee. Michelle looks forward to contributing to CPRS-VI while simultaneously growing within the public relations industry. |
Linda Wilkinson
Membership Director |
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 Linda is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program at Royal Roads University. She has a background in writing feature magazine articles and website content, and she is currently the Communications Coordinator at Abundant Inner Health.
Her experience includes strategic communication plans, event management and public speaking.
Linda plans to achieve success as the Membership Director by applying her strong organizational and relationship-building skills to the role. |
Gillian Crowley, ABC
Professional Development Director |
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 Gillian is an Accredited Business Communicator (IABC) with 20 years experience in corporate and not-for-profit communications consulting. In 2007 she and her husband returned to BC after many years in Calgary. Gillian established her communications consulting business in 1991 following a career as a college and corporate instructor.
Over the next two decades she expanded her services from writing and editing to consulting on strategic communications, issues management and community relations for major energy companies as well as for not-for-profits primarily in health and post-secondary education.
In Calgary Gillian co-hosted a breakfast group for communications entrepreneurs and was speaker liaison for 40 presenters at the 2004 IABC Canada Conference. Since moving to the Island, she has consulted on projects for government, university, arts groups and business through her company, Clarion Communications (BC).
She joined CPRS-VI in 2010 and looks forward to working with the Professional Development Committee. |
Trish Rorison
Sponsorship Director |
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With over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, Trish brings strong creativity and a true passion for the world of public relations to her role as CPRS-VI Sponsorship Director.
After graduating from the University of Toronto, Trish worked in the private sector for financial, new media and high tech companies before joining the ranks of marketing and communications professionals at CBC in Toronto. Seven years at the nation’s public broadcaster saw her move from publicist to regional communications manager dealing with marketing outreach, sponsorships and communications. As a PR professional, her skills include developing effective issues management strategies, creating and implementing successful communications plans that integrate both marketing and communications elements as well building strong relationships to support a variety of goals and initiatives.
Trish’s current role in the BC government has given her a new appreciation for those on the other side of media microphone after years spent in a media organization. Having recently moved to Victoria to be closer to family, she appreciates the pace and balance of life that Vancouver Islanders enjoy. |
Vacant
Education Director |
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| This position is currently vacant. To inquire or apply about this portfolio, please contact CPRS-VI's Board President |
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