About Us
The Canadian Public Relations Society of Vancouver Island (CPRS-VI) is a vibrant and growing community of public relations practitioners, leaders and scholars.
We are part of a federation of 13 member societies across Canada, comprised of men and women who practice public relations in Canada and abroad. Together under the umbrella of CPRS, we work to maintain the highest standards and to share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations.
CPRS is a member of the Global Alliance, an organization created to promote and represent national associations for public relations and communications. Over 60 countries are Global Alliance members including Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, the United States, India and New Zealand.
Your Leadership Team
President
BECKY HAYTON, MA
Becky Hayton (she/her) first found a love for digital communications when she created her first over-the-shoulder box for an in-school news assignment. Since that day, she has witnessed a digital revolution within the world which has created exciting new methods of messaging to reach audiences and amplify messages in more ways than ever before.
She has worked in both marketing and communications, starting out in advertising by creating commercials, and advanced her skills and education to focus on higher-level strategy and tactics. Her work within all three pillars (corporate, non-profit, and government) and her previous experience with owning her own communications consulting agency, gives Becky a big-picture perspective and a more holistic outlook on implementing and evaluating communications tools to achieve goals.
Becky graduated from the Master of Arts in Professional Communications at Royal Roads in 2023 and is currently employed as Communications Advisor for Cowichan Tribes.
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Treasurer
MEGAN HAMLET
Bio coming soon!
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Secretary
STEPHANIE RILEY
Stephanie Riley (she, her) is currently a Communications Advisor leading internal communications at Okanagan College. With over a decade of experience in the public sector, Stephanie has shaped strategic communications and public engagement initiatives across municipal government, First Nation government, and post-secondary education. She brings a deep commitment to innovative, inclusive and community-centered communication.
Stephanie holds a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Victoria. She’s passionate about supporting others in the field, and her board experience spans from local sport organizations to, more recently, the UVic Alumni Association.
As a Board member for CPR-VI, Stephanie is excited to contribute to a community that values belonging and lifelong learning. She believes in the power of thoughtful, holistic communication to build stronger organizations and more connected communities.
Communications Chair
NEHA PANDE, MA
Neha Pande is a dynamic Communication Specialist with over 5 years of experience in the communications and research industry. Her cross-cultural competence and strong interpersonal skills enable her to thrive in diverse environments, while her commitment to professional development ensures she remains at the forefront of her field. She excels in creating and developing strategic communication plans and leveraging analytical prowess and research to engage with the requirements of diverse clients effectively and in an impactful manner. She currently works with Island Health.
Neha’s mantra to successful strategy development is - Attention to Detail. Always.
Neha's professional journey reflects her ability to thrive in cross-cultural and diverse environments, demonstrating strong communication skills, along with her adept conflict resolution skills, fostering smooth and productive interactions. Neha brings a results-oriented approach to every project.
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Neha has a Masters in Intercultural and International Communications from Royal Roads University, 2024; Master of Arts in Women’s Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 2017; and Bachelor of Arts in English Honours and Spanish as the Foreign Language from English and Foreign Languages University, 2015.
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Membership Chair
CHERYL MAJOR
Cheryl Major loves to tell stories that highlight people who love their jobs, and programs that matter. She has had a diverse communications career over the past 20 years, ranging from public affairs for the Canadian Armed Forces, to marketing and leadership for an elite private school, to public service at the municipal and territorial levels.
Cheryl has developed and delivered workshops on leadership, communications and engagement to both youth and adult learners throughout her career. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Diploma in Public Relations, both from the University of Victoria, and currently sits on the Steering Committee for the UVic Diploma in Public Relations program.
Cheryl is the recipient of an Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs) national commendation for developing a program to engage youth in the public affairs function, and in 2025 received a CPRS Award of Excellence for a campaign to break down real and perceived barriers for women applying to policing. She currently the Director of Community Engagement at Victoria Police Department.
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Careers Chair
RABIA PINI
With over five years of experience, Rabia is a committed and dynamic communication professional who specializes in crafting impactful messages and building meaningful relationships.
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Rabia has worked as a Communications Coordinator at an online news agency, where she managed internal and external communications, drafted press releases, and supported media outreach. Collaborating with editorial teams, she helped ensure consistent messaging and played a key role in enhancing the agency’s public presence.
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Rabia’s educational journey reflects her deep interest in global communication and social development. She holds a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication from Royal Roads University (2024), a Master’s in Development Studies from United International University (2021), and a Bachelor of Social Science in Media Studies and Journalism from the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (2017). This diverse academic foundation enriches her understanding of both local and international communication landscapes.
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Events Chair
MEGAN STUART
Bio to come!
Member-At-Large
MICHELLE HARRIS, APR
Michelle has over 25 years of experience in strategic communications and public engagement. As the City of Victoria’s Strategic Planning and Communications Advisor, she has had the opportunity to work with just about every department over the past 16 years. Some highlights include the award-winning Prepare Victoria recipe for disaster public awareness campaign, the Victoria Reconciliation Dialogues series, public engagement for the Government Street Refresh project and engaging local equity-seeking groups to help inform the City’s annual budget.
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Michelle has her APR Accreditation in Public Relations from the Canadian Public Relations Society, has previously served on the CPRS-VI Board as a Member at Large, volunteered on local chapter events and has served as an APR grader for the CPRS national office.
Michelle also holds a Certificate in Public Participation from the International Association of Public Participation.