IABC NL Announces 2019-20 Board of Directors
September 20, 2019, St. John’s, NL – The International Association of Business Communicators in Newfoundland and Labrador (IABC NL) announced yesterday its 2019-20 board of directors. Jackie O’Brien is IABC NL’s president for 2019-20.
“Our chapter had an outstanding year in 2018-19 which included being named the International Chapter of the Year,” said Ms. O’Brien. “I look forward to building on the successes we experienced last year and offering a variety of events, professional development and networking opportunities for our members. I am especially proud of the high calibre volunteers who make up our Board of Directors and I thank them for committing their time and expertise to our organization. We look forward to another great year.”
The 2019-20 board of directors for IABC NL includes:
President – Jackie O’Brien, GradDip. PR, BA
Vice-President Finance/Incoming President – Tanya Alexander, CMP
Executive Assistant – Angela Hunt, BA, BPR
Director, Membership and Marketing – Tera McDonald, BA, BEd, BAEd, Dip GD
Director, Communications – Vanessa Colman-Sadd, BA, BJ
Director, Professional Development and Networking – Karyn Whelan, BA, BPR
Digital Media Coordinator – Dana Hawco
Director, Pinnacle Awards/Judging Coordinator – Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC
Special Events Coordinator – Hannah Kirby, BA, MA
The award-winning chapter of IABC in Newfoundland and Labrador works to advance the communications profession, create connections, and develop strategic communicators in the province. The chapter has more than 70 members representing a broad range of interests and experiences in communications.
For more information about IABC NL, please visit www.iabcnl.com.
Media contact:
Vanessa Colman-Sadd
Director, Communications, IABC NL
Phone: 709-330-2109
Email: iabcnl@gmail.com
BACKGROUNDER
IABC NL Board of Directors 2019-20
Jackie O’Brien, GradDip. PR, BA, President
Jackie O’Brien has been working in the healthcare industry since graduating from Humber College’s Post-Graduate Public Relations Program (honours) in 2010. Jackie currently works with the Registered Nurses’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador as a communications specialist, using her skills to advocate for members and promote the role of the registered nurse. Jackie is also a Memorial University alumna, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2009 with a double major in political science and social-cultural anthropology. She is a proud member of IABC and has sat on the Board of Directors for three years. Jackie looks forward to fulfilling the role of president this year and working with an incredible group of volunteers.
Tanya Alexander, BACS, CMP, Vice-President Finance/Incoming President
Tanya Alexander has built an expansive career over 25 years as an award-winning journalist, public relations specialist, newspaper associate editor, photographer and freelance writer. Tanya has worked with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) since 2002 in corporate communications, public relations, marketing and project management, and for several years, as editor of the CNA’s publication, Currents. She worked with CNA’s Qatar Project Office from 2009-2019 and had the incredible opportunity to work at the Middle East campus for one academic year during the project’s 10-year anniversary. Currently, she is the Communications Specialist with CNA’s Academics Team. Tanya has been an IABC member for over 16 years, has served in various roles on the IABC NL Board, and is looking forward to serving as Vice President this year!
Angela Hunt, Executive Assistant
Angela Hunt is a strategic thinker and proficient writer who has worked in both the government and nonprofit sectors. She’s currently on maternity leave from the Town of Paradise after welcoming her second son. Angela is an honours graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University’s Bachelor of Public Relations program and she also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English literature from Memorial University. Angela is excited to join the IABC NL’s board of directors and is looking forward to working with its talented members.
Tera McDonald, BA, BEd, BAEd, Dip GD, Director, Membership and Marketing
Tera McDonald is an adult educator, freelance graphic designer, and avid photographer. She has been a member since 2017 and has earned a student Pinnacle Award of Excellence (2018), and a Pinnacle for Design Concept (2019). Though her current focus is her position of IABCNL’s Director of Membership, in the past she has been an active volunteer and has served her community in a variety of leadership roles professionally and enthusiastically. As an adult educator she is working to grow IABCNL’s student membership and seeking new ways to connect business and industry with the best and brightest. She holds both an Arts and Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, an Adult Education degree from Brock University, and a Diploma in Graphic Design from College of the North Atlantic.
Vanessa Colman-Sadd, BA, BJ, Director, Communications
Vanessa Colman-Sadd is a communications professional with more than 18 years of experience. Vanessa works with Eastern Health as a Communications Manager. Previously, she was a Director of Communications in a number of departments with the Provincial Government. Before entering the communications field, Vanessa worked as a reporter and news reader with VOCM. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of King’s College.
Karyn Whelan, BA, BPR, Director, Professional Development and Networking
Karyn Whelan is an award-winning communicator with more than 10 years of experience. Karyn works for Newfoundland Power where she enjoys putting her strategic thinking and creative mind into action. She previously worked for the Registered Nurses’ Union where she was responsible for everything from communications planning, issues management, media relations, to social media. Karyn has a bachelor of public relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and a BA from Memorial University. Karyn joined the IABC NL Board in 2018 and is excited to step into the role of Director of Professional Development.
Dana Hawco, Digital Media Coordinator
Dana started her career as a website developer for the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Her 11 years of experience working with Executive Council helped Dana to develop a variety of technical skills including website development and graphic design, as well as offered her a rare insight into government policy and strategic communications. Her first step into the industrial sector was with the Hebron Project, where for six years, Dana was part of the ExxonMobil Canada Communications team. This massive engineering project allowed Dana to specialize in community relations, branding policy and crisis communications. This, in turn, helped Dana transition into her new role at Pennecon as their Marketing and Communications Specialist.
Kathy Dicks-Peyton, ABC, Director, Pinnacle Awards/Judging Coordinator
Kathy Dicks-Peyton is a past 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 Communications & Events, and co-directs the Miss Achievement Newfoundland and Labrador Leadership Program.
Hannah Kirby, BA, MA, Special Events Coordinator
Hannah Kirby is a recent graduate of Memorial University’s Masters of Political Science (Co-op) program. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Memorial in 2018 and is presently working to complete her Graduate Certificate in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Toronto. Hannah has begun her career as a communications professional working as a communications coordinator in the burgeoning, local tech sector and is looking for opportunities to grow her experience. Hannah is a new IABC member and can’t wait to dive in as IABC NL’s Special Events Coordinator!