Directors

CPRS Vancouver Directors are leaders in their profession and industry. They volunteer their time and expertise to ensure CPRS Vancouver is well run and serves its members, delivering high-quality programming and services. 

Contact CPRS Vancouver if you would like to direct any questions or comments to a Director.

 

President

Carolyn Rohaly, APR

Carolyn Rohaly, APR is a senior communications leader with more than 20 years of experience across tourism, government, non-profit, entertainment, arts, culture, and fashion. Her career includes communications roles at CBC, United Way British Columbia, Rocky Mountaineer, and the City of Vancouver, where she has led high-impact media relations, brand positioning, and interest-holder engagement initiatives. As President of CPRS Vancouver, Carolyn has championed professional development, mentorship, equity and inclusion, and innovation in public relations while helping strengthen and grow the local PR community.
Pronouns: she / her
 

Vice President

Leslie Hacker

Leslie Hacker is Vice President of CPRS Vancouver, where she leads key portfolios to support the organization’s mission as the leading professional association for public relations in the region. With over 15 years of experience, Leslie is deeply committed to strengthening the PR community through high-impact programming that fosters connection, learning, and professional growth. She is also the Founder of Hacker Communications, a holistic PR and marketing agency established in 2015, specializing in lifestyle, health, and wellness brands and grounded in collaboration, empathy, and emotionally intelligent storytelling.
Pronouns: she / her


 

   Co-Director of Accreditation

     Christina Shorthouse, MPR, APR

 

Director of Communications 

Karoline Bianchi Ravanelli

 

 

Treasurer 

Michelle Johnston

 


 

Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Nevasha Naidoo, APR

Nevasha Naidoo is a communications leader with experience spanning corporate, government, nonprofit, and global development environments. She specializes in public relations, internal and external communications, and marketing, with a strong track record of managing complex projects, advising senior leaders, and building consistent brand identities across digital and traditional platforms. Nevasha is a committed, inclusive communicator focused on creating campaigns that support organizational goals and inspire action.
Pronouns: she / her

 

Director of Membership

Dannie Wang

Dannie Wang is a cross-disciplinary communicator, journalist, non-fiction writer, and filmmaker with over 12 years of experience in in-depth journalism across social issues, culture, politics, and business in China. Her work has included international reporting, media relations training for multinational corporations, think tanks, chambers of commerce, and senior leaders, as well as public relations leadership at one of China’s largest technology companies, where she supported crisis communications and media coordination during a Nasdaq IPO. Now based in Canada, Dannie has pursued further studies in screenwriting and intercultural communication, with a focus on bridging storytelling across diverse and multicultural communities.
Pronouns: she / her

 

 

Director of Mentorship

Neil Henderson

Neil Henderson is a multilingual communications expert, storyteller, and filmmaker with a global career spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Canada. He has led PR campaigns, produced films, and developed communications strategies for international brands and organizations, driven by a passion for storytelling that inspires action. Neil currently serves as Director of Mentorship for CPRS Vancouver, where he focuses on fostering meaningful professional connections and community growth.
Pronouns: he / him

  

Co-Director of Professional Development

​Giulia Turco

Giulia Turco is a communications professional with over a decade of experience delivering strategic solutions and award-winning campaigns across sectors including biotechnology, retail, travel, real estate, infrastructure, and government. She specializes in strengthening brand reputation, advancing thought leadership, and achieving policy and business outcomes. Giulia holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC Sauder School of Business and a Certificate in Communications from the Istituto Europeo di Design.
Pronouns: she / her
 

 

Co-Director of Professional Development

​Caroline Dobuzinskis 

Caroline Dobuzinskis has over 15 years communications experience working for organizations focused on sustainability, public health and mental health, economic and gender equity, and innovation -- helping them communicate complex issues to broad public audiences. Currently she is Manager, Communications & Public Affairs with Mitacs, a national innovation connector that supports business-academic research collaboration. Caroline's career spans roles in marketing and communications leadership as well as freelance writing and editorial work for outlets and organizations in the United States and Canada.

Pronouns: she / her

 

Director of Senior Leaders' Network

Jiana Ling

Jiana Chow is a senior communications professional with more than 15 years of experience advising senior executives and leading high-profile, complex, and contentious communications strategies across the public, non-profit, and private sectors. An experienced media spokesperson and trainer, she specializes in strategic planning, issues management, media relations, public engagement, government relations, and digital communications. Jiana is also the host of VSB: After the Bell, a podcast serving Vancouver School Board students and families.
Pronouns: she / her

 

Co-Director of Special Events

Anastasia Sukhoretskay

Anastasia Sukhoretskaya is a public relations and communications professional with a background in journalism and international communications. She brings over 12 years of experience living and working in Asia and is fluent in Mandarin, with extensive experience working across cultures and diverse markets. Anastasia holds a Master of Arts in International Journalism and a Public Relations Certificate from Simon Fraser University.
Pronouns: she / her

 

Co-Director of Special Events

Juliana Martine

Juliana Martine has over 8 years of experience with integrated communication agencies creating award-winning campaigns and thoughtful strategic solutions. Throughout the years Juliana has worked across industries from lifestyle, technology and consumer products, to food and agriculture, transportation, and more. Today, Juliana works primarily on traditional PR, media relations, brand marketing, and influencer relations in the travel and tourism space. Juliana holds a Bachelor in Communication from Simon Fraser University.
Pronouns: she / her 

Co-Director of Sponsorship

Jen Hill

 

 

 

Co-Director of Sponsorship

Karen Wilson

Karen Meagan Wilson is a senior branding and communications leader with 25 years of experience across the public, non-profit, design, and IT sectors. She has led major strategic, change management, and brand initiatives, including communications for multi-million-dollar capital projects. With advanced education in professional communication, marketing, and fine arts, Karen brings a blend of strategy, creativity, and empathy to purpose-driven storytelling and reputation-building work.
Pronouns: she / her

Director of Volunteer Services 

Angela Shen 

Angela Shen is a dedicated communications professional with a unique interdisciplinary background in Interactive Arts, Technology, and Communication from Simon Fraser University. Currently serving as a Recruitment and Communications Specialist at VACFSS, Angela focuses on managing the CPRS volunteer pool, producing engaging video content for social media, and connecting members with resources to help the CPRS community thrive.  
Pronouns: she / her

Director-at-Large 

Alexandra Wright

Alexandra Wright is an experienced communicator, strategist, and certified executive coach (PCC, CEC) with global experience across large corporations and diverse organizations. Drawing on deep expertise in issues management, strategic communications, and leadership development, she works closely with leaders and teams to craft thoughtful, future-focused solutions. Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, a Diploma in Public Relations, a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Leadership.
Pronouns: she / her

Director of Students, Education, and Emerging Professionals 

Elan Paris

Elan Paris is a strategic PR and communications leader with experience supporting high-growth technology organizations across Canada and international markets, including the US, the UK, and Ireland. With a strong focus on mentorship and values-driven leadership, she leads the Students, Education, and Emerging Professionals portfolio for CPRS Vancouver, working to strengthen pathways into the communications profession for early-career practitioners.
Pronouns: she / her

Student Co-Representative 

Kelsea Arbour

Kelsea is a Communications Specialist at FortisBC with a background in public relations, strategic content, and social media management. A graduate of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Public Relations Program, she brings a strong foundation in thoughtful, effective storytelling. Kelsea leads CPRS Vancouver’s Coffee & Comms Chats, a monthly series connecting PR and communications professionals through conversation and knowledge-sharing. Outside of her professional work, she is passionate about travel and experiencing different ways of life, which broadens her perspective and approach to communications.
Pronouns: she / her

 

Student Co-Representative 

Heidi Lans

Heidi Lans is the Co-Student Representative for the CPRS Vancouver Board and a recent graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is passionate about public relations and external communications, with interests in social media management, event planning, and crisis communications, and is eager to support student engagement within the profession.
Pronouns: she / her

Operations Assistant 

Michelle Ngai

Michelle is a digital marketing professional with a background in Sociology and Urban Studies from UBC, where she discovered her interest in communications and storytelling through hands-on co-op experiences. She currently works as an Account Manager, supporting a variety of clients, and enjoys the collaborative, fast-paced nature of agency life. In her role, Michelle brings together organization, creativity, and interest in analytics to manage campaigns and effectively share client stories. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new cafés, cooking and sharing meals with friends, and spending time with her dog.
Pronouns: she / her