2010-11 Executive and Board of Directors

President

John Almond

Web Strategist

Graphically Speaking

John is a Web Strategist at Graphically Speaking, where he works with companies to develop and manage their websites and Intranets. He was a founding partner of Emerge Online Inc. in 1995, one of Vancouver's first web development companies. He has a BA from the University of Western Ontario and a certificate in Marketing from the University of Toronto. Since joining IABC in 1991, John has volunteered for Professional Development; Sponsorship; Judging and as a mentor. Away from the office you will find John spending time with his wife Lonnie and their two children, as well as being involved in many sports.

Vice President

Gary Carr

Senior Communications Consultant

Gary Carr Communication

Gary is a communication consultant with interest and expertise in web strategy, intranet development and communication planning. Over the past eight years, he’s worked with clients such as Metro Vancouver, BCAA, ICBC and the Sea to Sky Highway Project. Before serving organizations as a consultant, Gary worked as ICBC’s Manager of Employee Communication Strategies and as a communication specialist at Rodon Communication prior to that. Gary has a BA in Communications from Simon Fraser University and has been a self-described “IABC lifer” since graduating from SFU and joining the association in 1991. He’s a Past President of the BC Chapter and has been a happy volunteer for almost 20 years now.

Past President

Angela Wilson

Communications Consultant

Fraser Health Authority

Having worked in the communications industry for over ten years, Angela is experienced in strategic planning for internal and external communications, including change and issues management, marketing, branding, media relations, web sites/intranets, event planning and publication management. She is currently a Communications Consultant at Fraser Health as part of the Lower Mainland Communications & Public Affairs department. Angela first joined IABC as a student member while completing her BA in marketing and communications at SFU. Her IABC/BC volunteer activities include a variety of committee roles, past director of professional development, executive administrator, VP and President of the board. With a passion for communications and running, Angela's accomplishments include two IABC/BC Blue Wave Awards of Excellence, a second place Hygeia Award and completion of three half marathons. In her spare time she keeps busy with friends, travel, running and yoga.

Treasurer

Catherine Pitman

HR Communications Specialist

UBC

After serving as Assistant Treasurer in 2009-2010, Catherine has returned to the board this year as Treasurer. Previously, she was Director of the Marketing Communications portfolio. Catherine has communications experience in diverse industries including consumer services, utilities, and consulting. Her specialties include strategic planning, intranet development and management, and writing and editing. She is currently HR Communications Specialist at UBC. Catherine enjoys gardening and shares her horticultural adventures on her blog: http://cocoaamica.blogspot.com/.

Executive Administrator

Karin Basaraba

Senior Communications Specialist

Insurance Corporation of BC

Karin Basaraba is a senior communications specialist with the Insurance Corporation of BC where she provides communications planning and advice to designated business areas. Her specialties include social media strategy, crisis communications, issues management and government relations. She has a bachelor of arts in drama from the University of Alberta and a certificate of journalism from Langara College. This is her sixth year volunteering for IABC and fourth year on the board, as she previously served as the co-director of Professional Development and Events and the co-director of Marketing and Communications. When not working or volunteering, Karin moonlights as a restaurant reviewer for her blog, The Dining Diva: http://diningdiva.ca.

Director, Professional Standards

Lisa Thibault

Internet/Intranet Coordinator

Davis LLP

Bio to come...

Co-Director, Member Relations & Recruitment

Priscilla Sharun

Marketing and Sponsorship Specialist

Canada Place Corp.

Priscilla is a business-minded marketing communications professional that brings more than eight years of Western Canadian experience in both the public and private sectors. Priscilla’s cross-functional career includes managing community programs for the Winter Olympic Games, large-scale marketing campaigns, internal communications/change management, business development and social media. Priscilla first joined IABC as a student member and was sole recipient of the IABC Student Scholarship. She has been an active volunteer with IABC for five years… loving every minute of it. In her leisure time, you will find Priscilla exploring the depths of the ocean while scuba diving in the Caribbean.

Co-Director, Member Relations & Recruitment

Arthur is currently a Communication Specialist for Vancouver Coastal Health where he develops and coordinates strategic communication plans for a wide range of health services. His communications experience spans across healthcare, finance, higher education and non-profit. He first joined IABC as a student and has served on the student services and volunteer services portfolios. Last year, he was Director of Volunteer Services. Arthur graduated with a BA Communications Co-op from SFU and was named IABC/BC’s Student Communicator of the Year and Canada Western Region Conference Scholarship recipient in 2008. In his spare time, Arthur can be found ballroom dancing, cooking up a storm and planning his next travel destination.

Director of Sponsorship

Samantha Shah

Principal

Vertex Strategy

Samantha brings over 10 years of experience delivering strategic marketing, corporate communications and brand building solutions. She is the founder of Vertex Strategy where she assists clients to bring their brands to life. Previously she was the Global Marketing & Communications Manager for ECS where she led strategic development, brand management, corporate communications and promotional strategies. Passionate about building great brands, she has driven nine branding projects in the past five years. As a newcomer to the IABC, Samantha pursued her accreditation from 2009-2010. She holds an Honours BA from the University of Western Ontario and also serves on the Board of Directors for the BCAMA.

Director of Career Development

Gus Fosarolli

Senior Client Relations Manager

Marketwire

Gus Fosarolli will be spending his first year on the IABC-BC board leading the Career Development Portfolio where he’ll oversee Jobline, Special Interest Groups, Toastmasters and the Mentorship Program. Currently, Gus is Client Relations Manager with Marketwire where for the past 10 years he has helped his clients develop sound, successful PR and IR strategies and has enjoyed teaching them social media skills. When not at work or volunteering with IABC-BC, you can find Gus on social media networks, blogging on GusFosarolli.com, playing with the next best technical gadget out there and hanging out with Junior, his Miniature Schnauzer.

Co-Director of Professional Development & Events
Stephanie Vicic

Media Relations Consultant

Vancity

Stephanie is an experienced communications and marketing professional, with six years of corporate and agency experience consulting in a variety of different industries and specialties including event planning, promotions, strategic planning, media relations, film publicity, issues management and community relations. A native Vancouverite, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University. Stephanie joined IABC/BC in 2006 and has been an active volunteer. This is her third year on the board and second as Co-director of the Professional Development & Events portfolio. She is looking forward to bringing new event ideas and engaging speakers to chapter members this coming year!

Co-Director of Professional Development & Events

Amanda Brkich

Communications Advisor

E-Comm 9-1-1

Amanda’s experience spans from all types of writing, web management, graphic and publication design and public relations amongst other ‘communication-esque’ activities—all of which she does in her current position as communications advisor at E-Comm 9-1-1. During and after completing her BA and co-operative education designation from Simon Fraser University, Amanda remained an active volunteer with IABC. She’s held positions with student services, sponsorship, and professional development and events which lead to her position on the Board of Directors this year. To fill spare time, Amanda’s first consideration is to find a cheap plane ticket to somewhere tropical. Otherwise she'll hit up a yoga class, play her piano or try and make a mediocre dinner!

Co-Director, Marketing and Communications
Ashley Cox

Marketing Manager

Joey Restaurant Group

Ashley Cox is the Marketing Manager for the JOEY Restaurant Group and is responsible for social media strategies and implementation, events and promotions, strategic planning, corporate branding and more. With six years in the marketing and communications industry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University, Ashley has professional experience in various different sectors – media (Vancouver magazine & Western Living magazine); sport (PacificSport), non-profit and the restaurant industry (JOEY Restaurants). Since becoming a member of IABC-BC in 2005, Ashley has been involved in numerous portfolios such as Volunteer Services, Blue Wave Awards, Bronze Quill Awards and Co-director, for two years, on the Professional Development and Events Committee. Ashley is keen to develop new strategies to ensure members are informed of industry trends, chapter developments, and secure PR opportunities to further build on the IABC/BC brand.

Co-Director, Marketing & Communications

Jason Sew

Chief Wordsmith

Stickywords Marketing

Co-Director, Student Services
Adam Brayford

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Simon Fraser University School of Communication

Adam works in Communications and Marketing at Simon Fraser University (SFU), where he oversees the external and internal strategic communication practices of the university's Co-operative Education, Career Services and Volunteer Services departments. He is a proud alumnus of SFU's Communication Co-op program, and credits Co-op and IABC with providing him career development and opportunities to make meaningful contributions. Since joining IABC BC, Adam has volunteered in numerous capacities with Student Services and is now Co-Director of the portfolio. Adam lives for the days when Vancouver experiences sunshine, and enjoys hiking the many lakeside trails of the Metro Vancouver area.

Co-Director, Student Services
Jessica Doherty

Communications and Marketing Coordinator

Sport BC

Jessica currently works as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Sport BC where she advocates for amateur sport and active lifestyles for all. She first became involved in IABC/BC in 2008, volunteering with the Student Services portfolio on the promotion of the Student Communicator of the Year Award. Back for a second term as co-director of IABC/BC’s Student Services portfolio, she is keen to continue working with students as they discover what the communications industry is all about. In her spare time, Jessica likes to practice what she preaches, keeping active with cycling, softball and ice hockey.

Director, Volunteer Services

Paul Hendren

Communications Coordinator

City of Vancouver

Paul Hendren joined IABC as a student member in 2007, while attending Simon Fraser University. Since joining he has graduated from SFU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, and has volunteered on a variety of committees including Marketing and Communications, Member Relations and Sponsorships. Volunteering with IABC has provided opportunities for professional development and a network of friends within the communications industry. Outside of IABC Paul has worked on marketing and communications contracts for 2010 Legacies Now, North Shore Credit Union and the City of Vancouver.