President

Angela Wilson

Communications Consultant

Fraser Health Authority 

Personal Bio:

Having worked in the communications industry for over nine years, Angela has experience 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. Angela first joined IABC as a student member while completing her BA in marketing and communications at SFU. Her IABC/BC volunteer activities include many different committee roles, past director of professional development, as well as executive administrator and VP 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 Angela’s spare time she likes to travel, shop, socialize and stays active running or hiking.

Vice President
John Almond

Web Strategist

Graphically Speaking

Personal Bio:

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.

Past President
Chris Freimond, ABC, MBA

Chris Freimond Public Relations Inc.

Personal Bio:

Chris Freimond is president of his own Vancouver-based consulting firm, Chris Freimond Public Relations Inc. He is a former General Manager and Vice President of Hill & Knowlton's operations in British Columbia. Chris has been active in PR in B.C. for the past 13 years including seven years as a Senior Counsellor at James Hoggan and Associates in Vancouver. Before moving to Canada in 1995, he was a journalist in South Africa for 20 years covering business and politics for daily and weekly publications. Chris has an MBA in Public Relations and Communications Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C.

Treasurer
Brandy Delves

Principal

Brandy Delves Consulting

Personal Bio:

After completing her term as Past President, Brandy has decided to tackle the last role in the Executive, Treasurer. This will be a self-admitted skill builder for Brandy, and she's holding her breath on behalf of the Chapter. Brandy is also incoming Vice-Chair on the Canada Western Region this year, and runs her own consultancy. In the little spare time she has, she’s learning and practicing her mad golf skills.

Executive Administrator
Keiko Cooper Jacobs
Online Learning Community Coordinator
Simon Fraser University

Personal Bio:

At Simon Fraser University’s Work Integrated Learning Unit, Keiko is primarily responsible for operations of the Online Learning Community including editorial and project planning, online facilitation and engagement activities and development of new content. In addition to past roles in event coordination, public affairs and community relations, Keiko has been volunteering with IABC for over five years. Her past volunteer roles include event planning for the Student Services portfolio and Director of Volunteer services. This will be her second year as Executive Administrator for the Board of Directors. When not working or volunteering, you can find Keiko in her backyard – attempting to garden.

Director, Professional Standards
Maureen Healey, ABC
Director, Marketing & Communications
Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association

Personal Bio:

Maureen is a self-proclaimed IABC keener having volunteered with the association in a variety of roles since 1992. She is a Past President of the IABC/BC chapter. The chapter's Professional Standards portfolio is responsible for the chapter's highly successful Accreditation Completion Program, the new Accreditation Preparation Program, the IABC Awards Judging Training Program, ethics and the local Bronze Quill Awards program. With more than fifteen years in the biz as an award-winning accredited business communicator, she has worked in health care, education, consulting and the financial sector in Toronto, Calgary and now Vancouver. She is currently Director, Marketing & Communications for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and getting ready to host the world for the 2010 Winter Games at what will be 'centre ice' in downtown Vancouver.

Director, Member Relations & Recruitment 
Ryan Williams

President

TWI Surveys

Personal Bio:

Ryan Williams is President of TWI Surveys Inc. He specializes in stakeholder research, planning and leadership development. Ryan facilitates processes and research that achieve enhanced relationships with key stakeholders. He facilitates strategic planning, coaches leaders, designs research, constructs effective questions, communicates results, and facilitates action plans. He has over ten years of experience with corporate, government and not-for-profit clients. This experience has involved strategy development, service improvements, communication audits, change management, stakeholder and employee engagement and cultural alignment. Clients with whom Ryan has worked with recently include Mountain Equipment Co-op, The Home Depot of Canada, the Alberta Medical Association, CGA Alberta, The Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Catalyst Paper and The Law Society of British Columbia. He has been recognized by the International Public Relations Institute with the Golden Ruler Award of Excellence for Measurement 2004 for his work with the Alberta Medical Association. Ryan has won three International Association of Business Communicators’ Gold Quill Awards.

Ryan earned his MA in Business Leadership at Trinity Western University. His major project explored how survey processes can enhance leadership. He has a passion for servant leadership. He shares the positive impact it can have on the lives of employees and organizational performance. He speaks at international and national conferences and at local Universities and Colleges. He is a proud member of the Delta Chamber of Commerce and the International Association of Business Communicators where he sits on the Board for British Columbia as the Member Relations Director. This is Ryan's second time on the board where in 1999-2000 he was a co-director of awards.

Director of Sponsorship
Milton Soriano

Account Executive

CNW Group

Personal Bio:

Milton Soriano is an account executive at CNW Group where he helps communications professionals’ message effectively reach their target audience. Milton started his communications career at CNW Calgary in 2007 – the same year he began volunteering for IABC. Prior to CNW, Milton worked for seven years at RBC Royal Bank in various roles – the last three as a senior account manager in business banking. Milton studied humanities, communications and culture at the University of Calgary. He is a yoga enthusiast and spends any free time exploring the West Coast by hiking, snowboarding and running.

Director of Career Development
Harold Simons, ABC
Senior Communications Manager
Rogers Retail

Personal Bio:

Harold has 15 years experience in corporate communications, public relations and special event management. His areas of expertise include: internal communications and change communications, research and measurement and writing.

In his current role, Harold is responsible for the overall management of the communications, public relations and the community relations functions for a network of 450 Rogers Plus and Fido corporate stores.

Previously, he was a communications consultant at the Vancity Group, where his focus was on enhancing the company’s employee experience activities through strategic communications. He was responsible for Vancity’s rankings on top employer lists such as Canadian Business Magazine Best Workplaces, Maclean’s Top 100 Employers and the Financial Post Top 10 Employers.

He has held communications positions at Weldwood of Canada, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Langley School District and the City of Hamilton. He served on the IABC/BC Board of Directors between 1997 and 2004 and was chapter president in 2003.

Harold is an accredited member of the International Association of Business Communicators. His education includes a B.A. from McMaster University, a diploma in Journalism from Sheridan College and a certificate in Human Resources Management.

Co-director of Professional Development & Events
Stephanie Vicic
Account Manager
Grey Vancouver

Personal Bio:

Since joining Grey in 2005, Stephanie has provided strategic direction and account support to a number of clients. Her experience covers working closely with Warner Bros Pictures Canada on developing comprehensive promotional campaigns and events to promote upcoming film releases; managing communications plans and tactics for the B.C. Used Oil Management Association; as well as supporting Starbucks Coffee Canada with new product launches and media relations, among many others. Stephanie joined IABC/BC in 2006 and has volunteered in a number of committee roles, including event manager for the 2008 Bronze Quill Awards. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys travelling, watching movies and socializing with friends.

Co-director, Marketing and Communications
Ashley Cox

Personal Bio:

With five years in the marketing and communications industry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Simon Fraser University, Ashley has experience in strategic planning, employee communications, event planning, public relations, branding, relationship management and promotions.

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.  This term, Ashley looks forward to her new role as Co-director for the Marketing and Communications portfolio.  Ashley is keen to develop new strategies to ensure members are informed of industry trends, chapter developments and further build on the IABC/BC brand. 

Co-director, Marketing & Communications
Karin Basaraba

Senior Communications Specialist

Insurance Corporation of BC

Personal Bio:
Karin Basaraba is a senior communications specialist in strategic communications with the Insurance Corporation of BC where she provides communications planning and advice to designated business areas. Karin’s communications passions include social media, 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 fifth year volunteering for IABC and third year on the board, as she previously served as the Co-director of Professional Development and Events for two years. Originally from Edmonton, Karin has lived in Vancouver for five years. When not working or volunteering, Karin moonlights as a restaurant reviewer for her blog, The Dining Diva: http://diningdiva.ca.

Co-director, Student Services
Adam Brayford

Outreach Coordinator

Simon Fraser University School of Communication

Personal Bio:

Since 2008, Adam has coordinated promotions and outreach for the SFU School of Communication. Responsible for promoting critical media education in BC high schools, he can be found delivering educational seminars in classrooms across the province, among other pursuits. Adam is nearing the completion of his Communication Co-op degree from Simon Fraser University, with a minor in French. Since joining IABC in Fall of 2008, he has volunteered with Student Services and is now Co-director of the portfolio. In his spare time, Adam enjoys hiking the many lakeside trails of the Metro Vancouver area.

Co-director, Student Services
Jessica Doherty

Personal Bio:

Jessica graduated from Simon Fraser University in June 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Certificate in Innovative Leadership and is now the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Sport BC. During her time at SFU, Jessica kept busy by volunteering with the Communication student union and the new student orientation program. She was also an active participant in the Co-operative Education program, completing five work terms and earning the title of Co-op Student of the Year for 2008. Jessica first became involved with IABC in Fall 2008 when she started volunteering with the Student Services portfolio on the promotion of the Student Communicator of the Year award. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cycling, and playing softball.

Director, Volunteer Services

Arthur Yee
Data Steward
Vancouver Coastal Health

Personal Bio: