By Larissa Rodrigues, Content Manager and Web Master at CPRS Vancouver.
At CPRS Vancouver, our Mentorship Program connects emerging communications professionals with experienced leaders to foster growth, knowledge sharing, and meaningful connections.
This month, we sat down with
Bob Paddon, APR, MBA, MA, a transportation and public affairs executive with over 20 years of leadership experience, and
Allyn Supan, a communications, marketing, and PR professional with more than a decade of experience supporting public affairs, marketing, and content teams, to hear about their mentorship journey.
Mentor Perspective – Bob Paddon, APR, MBA, MA
How does mentoring shape your growth as a communications professional?
Although I am now semi-retired, I continue to learn through my conversations with my mentee. Her questions require me to reflect on my experiences to extract the essential learning from them, and then to share that learning so it has value for my mentee. But I also see, through her eyes, how much the communications industry has changed. Many of the tactics I used early in my career are just not relevant in this world of social media and non-stop news cycles. But being value-based and understanding the importance of a coherent narrative remains at the heart of our profession, regardless the technology used to deliver the message.
What advice would you give experienced communicators who are considering
becoming a mentor for the first time?
As a mentor you will have an opportunity to reflect on your experience in a meaningful way. You will also see that the relationship with the mentee is a two-way street, and you will learn new things too. Sharing your knowledge is a personally rewarding experience. So, relax and enjoy the journey.
Mentee Perspective – Allyn Ann S
What’s one skill or mindset you’re developing through the CPRS Vancouver Mentorship Program that you’re already applying in your day‑to‑day work?
From the CPRS Vancouver Mentorship Program kick-off meeting, and at this stage of my mentorship with Bob Paddon, I’m developing a mindset of finding resources through the people around me. In a landscape where information is available with just a few taps on a phone, conversations are regrettably underutilized. I’m learning that seeking insights from colleagues and professionals with first-hand industry experience fosters an exchange that values tangible connection and learning. I’m already applying this by having more intentional conversations at work, which has resulted in closer bonds with my colleagues and a more engaging way of navigating challenges and projects.
How does participating in the CPRS Vancouver Mentorship Program help you feel more connected to the local PR and communications community?
The CPRS Vancouver Mentorship Program has helped me connect with people who share similar ambitions and mindsets even though we come from diverse backgrounds, which enhances the program’s sense of fellowship. Seeing familiar mentors and mentees at events, for someone new to the industry, makes the experience warmer and helps me feel more integrated into the local PR community.
What advice would you give someone who’s considering joining the CPRS Vancouver Mentorship Program?
Be transparent with your mentor about your goals and keep them (mentor) updated on your projects as often as possible. They offer an objective, bird’s-eye view of your work and can help guide you if you’re unconsciously straying from your goals or if there’s a more efficient way to reach them. The mentorship helps refine your process for achieving goals, which is valuable not only in the immediate future but throughout your career.
What’s something you’re learning about the Vancouver communications industry through this mentorship that you might not learn elsewhere?
The resources and geographic position of British Columbia, particularly Vancouver, expose me to industries such as mining, oil and gas, forestry, and the trades, as well as to PR and communications professionals who serve these sectors in highly niche ways. These industries require not just a thorough communications practice, but also legal, reputational, and historical considerations to ensure companies maintain open and transparent communication with the communities directly affected by their operations.