Board Executive
President
Continuing board member
Marzia Sager
she/her
Communications and Advancement Lead, PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs
Marzia Sager is the Communications and Advancement Lead at PowerPlay Young Entrepreneurs, co-founder of Alon Studio, and the non-profit organization, Glow Within Foundation. She is passionate about creative pursuits, advocacy, and social impact. She applies her skills and experiences to empower the next generation through education, community and mentorship.
Marzia graduated from SFU with a Bachelor of Communication, Minor in Print and Digital Publishing and Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Marzia is the winner of the 2022 IABC/BC Making Waves Award. She is also part of BC Business’ 30 under 30 list for 2023.
LinkedIn: Marzia Sager
Past President
Continuing board member
Maycko Macapugas, CMP
he/they
Communications Officer
BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Powered by curiosity, and motivated by the desire to help those around him, Maycko stumbled into the world of communications and never looked back. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Accounting and Management Information Systems) Maycko has spent the earlier part of his career supporting entrepreneurs through events and building network connections. After watching and learning, Maycko eventually took those lessons and built a community of his own – a following which explored the intersection of tropical houseplants and his own Filipino heritage.
In his spare time, Maycko sings in the shower, partakes in book clubs, and visits the gardens.
With a learning and growing (pun intended) mindset Maycko hopes to supercharge his time on the IABC/BC board of directors by doubling down on community, collaboration, and curiosity.
LinkedIn: Maycko Macapugas
Vice-President
Continuing board member
Kris Olsen, CMP
she/her
Communications Officer, Provincial Health Services Authority
Kris is a communications professional with over 15 years of progressive experience and accountability. She has provided leadership, counsel and strategic advice to communications partners and executive leaders in a number of public, private and not-for-profit organizations.
Kris is passionate about the power of clear, purposeful communication to move organizations toward their goals—and believes a strong strategy is at the heart of every success. Curious with a proclivity for creativity, Kris is excited to bring her energy and expertise to the IABC BC Chapter Board as a volunteer leader.
LinkedIn: Kris Olsen
Executive Administrator
Incoming board member
Daniel Cherkezov
he/him
Image Specialist at Zara
Daniel Cherkezov is an Image Specialist at Zara, where he brings together a sharp sense of style with experience in marketing, partnerships, and event management. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Simon Fraser University. In 2025, Daniel was nominated for the IABC/BC New Navigator Award and took on the role of lead for on-site hospitality at the IABC World Conference in Vancouver, helping create a memorable experience for delegates from around the world.
Daniel is inspired by the intersection of design and communication, and finds creativity in fashion, architecture, and travel. He values opportunities to connect people and ideas, and is excited to continue building his career where fashion and communications meet.
LinkedIn: Daniel Cherkezov
Board directors
Director, Award Programs
Continuing board member
Sarah Pratt
she/her
Marketing & Communications Specialist for the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA)
Sarah Pratt is a seasoned marketing and communications specialist with ten years of experience helping organizations achieve their communication and marketing goals. She has worked in the sectors of fintech, recycling stewardship, higher education and not-for-profit. She currently works as a Marketing & Communications Specialist for the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA). Sarah holds a Master’s in Professional Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University. She is currently completing a Certificate in Public Relations from TMU. Sarah has been a member of IABC since 2019.
LinkedIn: Sarah Pratt
Director, Career Development
Grace Sullivan
she/her
Brand Manager
Grace is the Director of Career Development at IABC/BC, where she helps advance the profession through mentorship, certification, and nonprofit communications support. Known for her curiosity and big-picture thinking, she is passionate about developing marketing talent and supporting communicators at all stages of their careers.
Outside of IABC/BC, Grace is a strategic marketer and storyteller who loves helping brands uncover their authentic voice. Since 2023, she has led the Marketing PowerUp program at SFU VentureLabs, guiding founders to refine messaging, strengthen brand strategy, and connect with audiences more effectively. She also brings 10+ years of experience across startups, government, and finance, along with a leadership mindset that balances empathy with strategy to solve complex challenges.
Her portfolio includes campaigns for global brands like 7-Eleven and PayPal through her freelance copywriting business, as well as communications leadership for mission-driven organizations.
When she’s not working, Grace enjoys traveling, following current events, staying active, and taking Spanish classes twice a week.
LinkedIn: Grace Sullivan
Director, Creative Services and Email Marketing
Incoming board member
Sage Testini
he/him
Freelance Digital-media-ographer
Sage Testini (he/him) is a creative communications professional with nearly a decade of experience in multimedia production, communications and digital content development. He began his career in the film industry as an actor, where he developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, pacing, and presentation, skills he now applies behind the scenes. With strong technical expertise in video editing, web tools, and the Adobe Creative Suite, Sage has led creative projects across higher education and agency settings.
LinkedIn: Sage Testini
Director, Digital Experience
Incoming board member
Carolina Salazar Navas
she/her
Marketing professional
Carolina is a trilingual digital marketing professional with a strong background in marketing, sales, customer experience, e-commerce, and brand strategy. Originally from Ecuador and now based in Canada, she brings over seven years of experience supporting business growth across North and Latin America.
She holds a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Digital Marketing from Douglas College and recently joined the IABC/BC Board as Director of Digital Experience, where she is focused on enhancing member engagement through innovative and inclusive digital strategies. Passionate about storytelling and community-building, Carolina is excited to contribute to a dynamic and diverse communications network.
LinkedIn: Carolina Salazar Navas
Director, Finance
Incoming board member
Ronnita Naicker
she/her
Owner, Paradise Bookkeeping Services Inc.
Ronita Naicker is the owner of Paradise Bookkeeping Services Inc., bringing extensive experience in bookkeeping, administration, communication, and leadership. She has held administrative roles at N. Naicker & Associates Inc. and worked in guest services and AP/AR clerk positions at various hotels. Ronita is passionate about empowering clients and helping them regain financial confidence in their businesses.
Beyond her professional work, Ronita is deeply committed to community service. She founded the nonprofit Empowering Hands Helping Global Minds, coordinating with local organizations to provide meals to underprivileged communities.
Ronita is also a certified practitioner in NLP, TLT, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, and NLP Results Coaching, and actively engages in business networking through BNI Tri-Cities and Alliance360 Sisterhood, a network for women in business.
In her personal life, Ronita enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, camping, and spending time with her large immediate family, alongside a strong focus on personal development.
LinkedIn: Ronnita Naicker
Director, Membership
Continuing board member
Nuria Sefchovich, SCMP
she/her
Communications Manager, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
I believe in the importance of infusing a human element into business practices. This has driven me to find my purpose as a bridge that connects people to create extraordinary legacies. Over the past two decades, I’ve been honoured to lead communication strategies and CSR initiatives for major government, non-profit, and private organizations in Canada and Mexico. I learned from my mentees while volunteering at YWCA Metro Vancouver and Scotiabank’s forum project. I’m also a co-author of the upcoming book, ‘Stories From Newcomers to Canada’, published by UBC Press. Currently, I’m serving as a Communications Manager at S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the largest settlement service agency in Canada. Let’s co-create together!
LinkedIn: Nuria Sefchovich
Director, Communications
Incoming board member
Heather Merry
she/her
Senior Manager, Communications
Heather brings more than two decades of experience leading strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. As Senior Manager, Communications for Central 1 Credit Union, she leads the team responsible for engaging both external and internal stakeholders to deliver business outcomes. Known for building trust-based relationships, she demonstrates a proven ability to align stakeholder interests and guide thoughtful, transparent communication. Heather has advised executive leadership through change, growth, and crisis, always with a focus on integrity and impact. When not connecting with people, Heather can be found in the mountains of North Vancouver with her family and her dog, Bentley.
LinkedIn: Heather Merry
Director, Social Events
Continuing board member
Oge Agu
she/her
Manager, Content Partnerships at PressReader Inc.
With over 11 years of marketing and strategic communications expertise across Africa and North America and an MBA background, Oge thrives as a seasoned Business Development Manager. Her journey encompasses diverse industry experiences and honing skills vital for leading impact and partnership marketing.
Oge brings this rich background to her role at PressReader, where she manages content partnerships and focuses on business development in the North American region, building relationships with publishers and connecting them with a worldwide network of business partners and their customers.
Having moved to Canada from Nigeria, when she’s not working, Oge loves traveling and connecting with family and friends around the world.
“Volunteering at IABC/BC this past year has provided an environment where individuals like me can continually learn, thrive, and make meaningful connections, and now, I’m honored to be a part of the board driving this.”
LinkedIn: Oge Agu
Director, Social Media
Incoming board member
Adetona Aboaba
he/him
Adetona is a strategic communications professional with over a decade of experience spanning broadcasting, healthcare, emergency services, and global sports. His career began in broadcasting, where he honed his storytelling and audience engagement skills as an on-air host and presenter before moving into corporate communications. He has since built expertise in social media strategy, issues management, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement, consistently helping organizations align communications with business goals.
Known for his collaborative style and thoughtful approach, Aboaba is passionate about technology, AI, and mental health advocacy. He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of communicators and leveraging the power of storytelling to drive innovation, inspire change, and spark lasting impact.
LinkedIn: Adetona Aboaba
Director, Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Continuing board member
Courtney Chu
she/her
Leader, Marketing, Technical Safety BC
Courtney is a storyteller who is dedicated to improving the health and safety system of British Columbia. With a background in health communications, and an educational focus on communication, advertising, and gamification, she has over 10 years of experience in behaviour change and promotion. Currently, Courtney is leading marketing and creating meaningful, inclusive brand experiences at Technical Safety BC.
LinkedIn: Courtney Chu
Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships
Incoming board member
Stacey Makortoff
Associate Director, Communications, Marketing & Student Experience, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Simon Fraser University
A former (or reformed) educator, Stacey has found a home as a communicator in the post secondary sector. She’s held roles in public education, private education (both locally and abroad) and a non-profit. She’s worked in communications (internal/external/strategic) for more than 15 years and primarily enjoys being a storyteller. She is inspired by the work graduate students do, and loves being able to tell their stories. When not working, Stacey enjoys sharing her love of sourdough, puzzles, and taking an embarrassing amount of photos of her cats.
LinkedIn: Stacey Makortoff
Director, Students and New Communicators
Incoming board member
Wahiba Chair
she/her
Assistant Professor, University Canada West
Wahiba Chair is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and strategist with over 15 years of experience in higher education, technology, marketing, and communications.
As a strategist, Wahiba has helped organizations ranging from start-ups to global brands like Toyota maximize results through a humanized approach to digital communications. In addition to being featured in the likes of CNN and CBC, she has contributed to top outlets such as Times Higher Education and Social Media Today.
Since 2014, Wahiba has empowered thousands of students and professionals at UCW, SFU, and UBC to advance their careers through community-focused experiential learning.
Director, Volunteer Services
Incoming board member
Karmina Alejandro
she/her
Acciona, Communications and Engagement Advisor
Karmina has over 10 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations, specializing in crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and program management. She is passionate about sustainability and ethical practices, and is dedicated to leveraging communication strategies to foster resilience and positive change within diverse communities.
LinkedIn: Karmina Alejandro
