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
Leslie Hacker
Leslie Hacker is a strategic communications leader with more than 15 years of experience helping brands build visibility, credibility, and meaningful connections with their audiences. She is the Founder of Hacker Communications, a collective-based agency she launched in Toronto before expanding to Vancouver, bringing together specialists across public relations, SEO, digital marketing, influencer relations, AI search, and content strategy to help brands navigate an increasingly complex communications landscape. A former business journalist with the New York Daily News, Leslie combines an editorial mindset, a deep understanding of human psychology, and an integrated approach to communications that puts authentic connection at the centre of every strategy.
Pronouns: She / Her
Vice President
Karoline Ravanelli
Karoline Ravanelli is a media relations and public affairs professional with more than 16 years of experience working across Canada and Brazil. They have led media strategies, supported issues and crisis communications, and built proactive programs that strengthen organizational visibility and trust. Their professional experience spans government, academia, aviation, tourism, technology, events, and agriculture/agritech. Karoline is the Founder of TreeHouse Communications and serves as Vice President for CPRS Vancouver.
Pronouns: She / They
Past President
Carolyn Rohaly
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 championed professional development, mentorship, equity and inclusion, and innovation in public relations while helping strengthen and grow the local PR community.
Pronouns: She / They
Co-Director of Communications
Larissa Rodrigues
Larissa Rodrigues is a communications and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience working in corporate communications, public relations, and marketing initiatives in Brazil and Canada. Throughout her career, she has worked with large organizations, helping strengthen brand reputation, navigate complex communications challenges, and build meaningful connections with internal and external audiences. Currently a Marketing Specialist at FortisBC, British Columbia’s largest energy provider, Larissa supports the execution of communications and marketing strategies by coordinating and delivering requests across multiple stakeholders. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, hiking with her dog, fitness, and is a big fan of soccer.
Pronouns: She / Her
Co-Director of Communications
Jill Dickau
Jill is a strategic communications leader with over 15+ years of experience in public sector communications, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and media relations. Her career spans senior roles in government and professional associations, including Senior Public Affairs with the Ministry of Housing, Senior Marketing Manager at Haymarket Media in London, and Senior Digital Manager at the British Dental Association. In her current role with the City of Vancouver, she leads communications for complex, high-profile initiatives that inform and engage diverse audiences while supporting effective public engagement.
Outside of work Jill is an active spin cyclist, and is learning how to be a dog mom to a 12-year-old labrador named Kato, whom she recently adopted.
Pronouns: She / Her
Treasurer
Michelle Johnston
Michelle Johnston is Vice President, Communications at Syntax Strategic, a national communications and government relations firm. She also leads the firm’s Vancouver office. As a trusted senior advisor, Michelle spent over a decade helping government leaders make complex decisions and communicate with confidence. As a former Deputy Director of Communications to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior advisor to cabinet ministers across Parliament Hill and Queen’s Park, she has an insider’s understanding of how political actors get things done. Whether navigating policy intricacies, crafting compelling narratives, or managing crises, Michelle delivers thanks to her extensive experience in policy development, communications strategy, media relations, and issues management. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto.
Pronouns: She / Her
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Nevasha Naidoo, APR
Senior communications strategist with 25+ years of experience leading internal communications, executive messaging, stakeholder engagement, public relations, and reputation strategy across complex organizations and global markets. Brings a strong secondary expertise in marketing strategy, brand development, and campaign execution, with a proven ability to align workforce communications, corporate narrative, and external visibility with business objectives. Recognized for developing strategic communication approaches that strengthen engagement, enhance brand reputation, and support organizational goals.
An advocate for inclusive communication, Nevasha believes equitable storytelling begins with who is represented at the table. Her work integrates cultural intelligence, mentoring, and education to create meaningful, lasting impact within organizations and across communities.
Pronouns: She / Her
Director of Membership
Dannie Wang
Dannie Wang is a multi-disciplinary communicator who has spanned from journalism, film production to public relations and marketing for 10+ years. She holds a double master’s degree in Social Policy and International& Intercultural Communication. She started her career as a TV news reporter and director in China, and shifted to in-depth and business journalism before settling into the PR and marketing role. In Canada, she honed her storytelling skills through script writing and film production learnt from Vancouver Film School. Dannie went through the golden era of traditional communication channels of TV, printed media, and news websites, then witnessed the rise of de-centralized platforms and the economy of influencers and KOLs. She believes meaningful communication still focuses on human nature to bring about authentic human connection emotionally and psychologically.
Pronouns: She / Her
Director of Mentorship
Allyn Ann
Allyn is a marketing and communications professional with over 10 years' experience in digital communications, public relations, internal communications, community management, crisis communications, and marketing communications both in the Philippines and Canada. Within the breadth of her service to the profession, she has served diverse industries including telecommunications, fashion and beauty, gas and mining, healthcare, and construction. A multifaceted communicator, Allyn has helped brands build customer loyalty, persuade and inform consumers, manage online reputation, and engage stakeholders.
She holds a Bachelor's in Journalism from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and an Honours Associate degree in English from Capilano University.
Pronouns: She / Her
Co-Director of Professional Development
Giulia Turco
Giulia is a dynamic communications professional who excels in delivering strategic solutions and developing award-winning campaigns across diverse sectors including biotechnology, retail, travel, real estate, infrastructure, and government. She thrives on identifying innovative solutions that enhance brand reputation, drive thought leadership, attract investment, and achieve policy outcomes. With a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC’s Sauder School of Business and a certificate in communications from the Istituto Europeo di Design, she brings over a decade of professional experience and a unique perspective to her role.Her expertise spans crisis planning, internal communications, media relations, content development, event planning, public advocacy, and more. Beyond her professional pursuits, Giulia finds joy in skiing, hiking, kayaking, attending concerts, and diving into a good book. She is also actively engaged with her alma mater, frequently presenting and coaching students interested in the industry.
Pronouns: She / Her
Co-Director of Professional Development
Caroline Dobuzinskis
Caroline Dobuzinskis is a Vancouver-based freelance communications consultant with over 15 years of experience helping organizations translate complex topics into clear, equitable messaging that builds trust and compels action. Her expertise spans communications strategy, storytelling, branding, media relations, and digital marketing, with a focus on health, sustainability, women’s equity, human rights, scientific research, fintech, and telehealth. Caroline has led media outreach campaigns, driven high-impact advocacy initiatives, and placed op-eds in major Canadian dailies.
She holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Carleton University and two master’s degrees in publishing and public administration.
Pronouns: She / Her
Director of Senior Leaders' Network
Jiana Ling
Jiana is an award-winning communicator with over 15 years of experience across public, non-profit, and private sectors. Currently as the Communications Manager at the Vancouver School Board, she has established herself as a strategic leader adept at navigating complex issues and high-stakes crisis situations. Jiana's career includes key roles at large complex organizations such as ICBC and Translink, where she honed her expertise in crisis and issues management, media relations, public engagement, government relations, and strategic communications planning.
Pronouns: She / Her
Co-Director of Special Events
Anastasia Sukhoretskay
Anastasia is a communications professional with more than 10 years of experience in media, public relations, and stakeholder engagement. Originally from Tatarstan and fluent in Mandarin, and Russian, she has spent over 12 years living and working in Asia, building expertise in cross-cultural communications and storytelling.
Anastasia holds a Master’s degree in International Journalism and a Public Relations Certificate from Simon Fraser University. Her work has focused on clean technology, including electric vehicles, energy storage, and energy infrastructure, as well as investor and corporate communications. She is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and communities through thoughtful and impactful communication.
Pronouns: She / Her
Co-Director of Special Events
Juliana Martine
Juliana Martine has over 9 years of experience with integrated communication agencies, working across industries from travel/tourism, lifestyle and consumer products, to food and agriculture, transportation, and more. Most recently Juliana's work has focused primarily on traditional PR, media relations, brand marketing, and influencer relations in hospitality and tourism, developing engaging stories and experiences to highlight clients unique offerings. With a background in the arts, Juliana brings her creativity across all her work to help bring forward unique ideas and solutions to clients.
Pronouns: She / Her
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Visual Communications Manager
Angela Shen
Angela Shen is a communications and UX design professional whose work spans recruitment marketing, motion capture direction, and brand illustration. As Communications and Recruitment Specialist and UX Designer at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society, she helped drive a 331% increase in web traffic through data-driven creative campaigns and end-to-end design strategy across digital and print. A graduate of Simon Fraser University and former Director of Volunteering for CPRS Vancouver, Angela brings a multidisciplinary, design-first approach to everything she creates.
Outside of work, she enjoys watercolor and contemporary dance, and cooking up her favorite drinks and dishes.
Pronouns: She / He
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Director of PRestige Awards
Alexandra Wright
Alexandra is a senior communicator, strategist and certified executive and leadership coach (PCC, CEC), who has worked globally for two Fortune 500 companies, and also an array of organizations, leaders and teams. I am the founder of Theory Consultancy Limited, a small consultancy that offers strategic communication support. She has worked extensively in the areas of climate, energy, environment and post-secondary education. Strengths include strategic planning, communication planning, and issues and crisis management. I am also skilled in stakeholder engagement, facilitation, reputation and risk management, strategic partnerships and media relations.
Pronouns: She / Her
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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 Arbour is a Communications Insights Advisor at FortisBC, where she identifies strategic communication opportunities that support organizational priorities and stakeholder engagement. A graduate and valedictorian of the Public Relations Program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, she is passionate about using research, insights, and storytelling to drive meaningful communication outcomes. Kelsea is also dedicated to supporting emerging communications professionals by helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience.
Pronouns: She / Her
Student Co-Representative
Heidi Lans
Heidi Lans has recently graduated from SFU with a Bachelor’s in Communications. She is currently an Events Manager for Savoury Chef Catering & Events where she focuses on combining creativity, strategic planning and attention to detail to bring the clients vision to life. Heidi is committed and passionate about volunteering with the CPRS to bring like-minded professionals together at inspiring events.
Pronouns: She / Her
Volunteer Services Manager
Cristina Matus
Cristina is an emerging communications, marketing, and PR practitioner with experience working in impactful projects across the non-profit, finance, and technology sectors. Born and raised in Nicaragua, her love for the profession started in high school, where reading and writing ignited a passion for storytelling. She moved to Vancouver to pursue her bachelor’s degree in business communication, and continues putting storytelling at the center of her work. In her spare time, Cristina enjoys browsing the library for her next read and going on walks.
Pronouns: She / Her
Director of Virtual Professional Development Events
Veronika Ivanytska
Veronika Ivanytska is a communications and engagement professional working in Alumni Relations and Career Services at the University of Alberta, where she supports CRM management, event coordination, and communications for large-scale community programming.
Her experience includes newsletter development, stakeholder engagement, and the coordination of both in-person and virtual events across university and nonprofit environments.
Veronika holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Creative Writing from the University of Alberta.
Pronouns: She / Her