IABC NL Announces 2016-2017 Board of Directors

September 14, 2016

The International Association of Business Communicators in Newfoundland and Labrador (IABC NL) has announced its incoming members for the 2016-2017 Board.

“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of communications practitioners stepping up to lead IABC NL in 2016-2017. Our goal is to further the conversation about best practices in communications and issues of importance to us in our communities. We intend to get the conversation going by strengthening our social media presence, offering top-notch professional development and networking sessions, and supporting members in lifelong learning through IABC’s Communication Management Professional (CMP) program. Everyone is welcome at IABC NL – from students starting their careers to senior communicators who have progressed to strategic advisors within their organization.”
– Debbie Ryan, President, IABC NL

The 2016-2017 board of directors for IABC NL includes:
Debbie A. Ryan – President
Diana Quinton, ABC, BComm – Vice-president Finance/Incoming President
Mary Tucker, ABC, BA – Executive Assistant
Jackie O’Brien, GradDip P.R., BA – Director, Membership and Marketing
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC – Immediate Past-President and Director, Sponsorship and Pinnacle Chair
Gillian Costello – MA, GradDip P.R. – Director, Communications
Maria Driscoll, MBA, CMP – Director, Professional Development and Networking and Communication Management Professional (CMP) Coordinator
Mark King, BA (Hon) – Awards Judging Coordinator

The award-winning chapter of IABC in Newfoundland and Labrador works to promote, enhance and develop the communications profession. Together, we are helping to make a difference in our community one step at a time.

*ABC = Accredited Business Communicator

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Media contact:
Gillian Costello, MA, GradDip P.R.
Director, Communications
International Association of Business Communicators, Newfoundland and Labrador
Phone 709-765-9942
Email iabcnl@gmail.com

BACKGROUNDER
IABC NL Board of Directors for 2016-2017
Debbie A. Ryan – President
Debbie Ryan is President of IABC NL, a long serving member of the board and a member of the IABC Canada East Region Board. An award winning communications professional, Debbie began her career in AM radio as a morning show co-host, before becoming the first female on air announcer on an FM Rock station in Atlantic Canada. Her love for music extended beyond radio into writing hosting and co-producing a country video show for television, and eventually becoming an independent consultant/production manager for major concerts across the province. For over 20 years she has shared her experiences in media, public relations and event management with CNIB, a community based charity providing programs and services to blind and partially sighted Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Diana Quinton, ABC, BComm – Vice-president Finance/Incoming President
Diana Quinton, ABC, is Vice-president Finance/Incoming President of IABC NL, a long-time volunteer of the chapter and a communications practitioner with over 20 years of experience. She is currently a communications director within the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before joining government, Diana was an independent consultant and undertook research, planning, implementation, and the evaluation of communications programs; managed multiple projects and events; and delivered training. Diana has a bachelor of commerce from Memorial University and was awarded the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation in December 2004. She has undertaken graduate courses through the Master of Arts (Public Relations) program at Mount St. Vincent University.

Mary Tucker, ABC, BA – Executive Assistant
Mary Tucker, ABC, is Executive Assistant, former President and a long serving member of IABC NL and is a senior communications practitioner with over 25 years communications experience in corporate, government and utility sectors. Mary is currently Manager of Logistics, Communication and Engagement with Genoa Design International. Prior to this, Mary was Manager of Communications at Fortis Properties from 2012 to 2015. Mary also worked as the Director of Communications for the former Eastern School District and Avalon East School Districts and was a Communications Specialist at Newfoundland Power. She is a graduate of Memorial University with a BA in English and a Certificate in Business Administration.
Jackie O’Brien, GradDip P.R., BA – Director, Membership and Marketing.

Jackie O’Brien is Director, Membership and Marketing with IABC NL. Since graduating from the Humber College Post-Graduate Public Relations Program in 2010, Jackie has worked within the health care industry. She started her career six years ago with Eastern Health as a student intern and went on to work in many roles within the organization, ranging from communications specialist, media relations manager and acting director of communications. In 2015, she began working with the Health Care Foundation as senior manager of communications and stewardship, where she has built strong relationships with donors, community groups, organizations and patients and their families.

Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC – Immediate Past-President and Director, Sponsorship & Pinnacle Chair
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC, is Immediate Past-President and Director, Sponsorship & Pinnacle Chair and a two-time President of IABC NL. She is a senior communications professional with over 30 years of experience in journalism, public relations and event planning. Throughout her career, Kathy has held management positions with a variety of newspaper and magazine publications, provincial government departments and agencies. She is also a marriage commissioner, chief event strategist with her own event planning company – Functional Event Management, and co-directs the Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Scholarship Program.

Gillian Costello, MA, GradDip P.R. – Director, Communications
Gillian Costello is Director, Communications and a past member of the IABC NL board. Since entering the communications field in 2006, Gillian has been responsible for leading marketing and communications initiatives across a wide spectrum – from an international film festival, to the challenging world of the non-profit sector, and into the complex halls of health care. Gillian has extensive experience working with stakeholders to gain their insights, and delivering key messages to audiences. Gillian holds a Masters in Political Science from Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma (Honours) in Public Relations. Gillian is the Communications Officer with the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Maria Driscoll, MBA, CMP – Director, Professional Development & Networking and CMP Coordinator
Maria Driscoll, CMP, is Director, Professional Development & Networking and CMP Coordinator. Maria was among the first group of communications professionals in Canada to have their qualifications conferred by the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) in December 2015. Maria holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Business Administration from Memorial University and has worked across Canada in the marketing and communications profession for the past 10 years. Maria is currently the Social Marketing Consultant with Eastern Health’s Health Promotion Division. In this role she guides health professionals through researching, developing, implementing and evaluating behaviour change initiatives related to everything from sexual health to healthy eating.

Mark King, BA (Hon) – Awards Judging Coordinator
Mark King is Awards Judging Coordinator with IABC NL and has served on the board for several years, including as President in 2014-15. Mark has been with Nalcor Energy’s Corporate Communications and Shareholder Relations team since 2014. Throughout his career he has held positions in communications and government relations positions in both the public and private sectors. Before joining Nalcor, Mark was Manager of Corporate Communications with Johnson Insurance / RSA Canada; Director of Communications for the Departments of Finance and Business; Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Assistant General Manager – Policy & Communications with the St. John’s Board of Trade. He also worked with Memorial University’s Centre for International Business Studies.