Karen Theriault, President
karen.theriault@cossette.com
902-428-4226

 

 

 

 

 

Karen has 10 years of communications experience, much of which includes strategic communication planning, media relations, internal communications, issues and crisis management, marketing and fund development.  She is currently an Account Director with Cossette Atlantic, working with such clients as Aliant, MicMac Mall, UNB College of Extended Learning, Ascenta Health and The Salvation Army.  Karen began her career at Highland View Regional Hospital, planning and executing a strategic communications program, which quickly established an enduring image for the hospital and ultimately contributed to the success of a $7.5 million capital campaign.  Subsequent career moves include: Manager of Fund Development and Communications for the Nova Scotia Region of the Canadian Red Cross, Senior Consultant with RBR Development Associates Ltd. and Director of Public Relations for the Colchester East Hants Health Authority.  Karen is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, where she attained a Bachelor of Public Relations with distinction and the co-operative education option.   

Tom Peck, APR, Past President & 2008 CPRS National Conference Chair
peckto@gov.ns.ca
902-424-4998

 

 

 

 

Tom is currently Director of Communications for the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development. He has been with the Nova Scotia Government since 1995 where he has worked in communications for the departments of Transportation and Public Works, Community Services, and Tourism, Culture & Heritage. Previous to his career in public relations, Tom spent 15 years in broadcast journalism, including eight years as a news director. For two years he taught broadcast journalism and media law at the New Brunswick Community College. During his time with CPRS Nova Scotia, Tom has served as chair of professional development and as vice-president. He has also served as a judge for local and national CPRS awards.  He is currently chair of the committee planning the 2008 national CPRS conference to be held in Halifax from June 8 to 10. Tom spends as much time as possible on the golf course. It doesn't make him a better golfer, but it does keep him happy.

Angela Murray, Vice-President
amurray@nstu.ca
902-477-5621

With over 15 years of public relations experience, Angela Murray is currently Public Relations and Communications Staff Officer with the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, where she is also the managing editor of their monthly newspaper, The Teacher. She has served as the chair for the Provincial Education Week Committee, and is a member of the Canadian Educational Press Association and the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education. Previously she's provided her public relations expertise for Neptune Theatre, Clean Nova Scotia, Business Development Bank of Canada and the Discovery Centre. Angela is co-chair of the program committee for 2008 national CPRS conference to be held in Halifax. Last year she served on the CPRS-NS Board as the PD Co-Chair and has been involved with the society as a member and/or regular PD session participant for the past 20 years. She served as chair of board of the Jest in Time Theatre and was also a board member for the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Heidi MacDonald, Secretary
Heidi.MacDonald@ec.gc.ca
902-426-9168

Heidi MacDonald is currently a Senior Communications Advisor with Environment Canada. Recently, she worked at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where she coordinated communications activities for a national restructuring of IT services. She has also worked on the Regional Internal Communications file for the Department. Heidi's past experience also includes time spent working with Nova Scotia Health Promotion and Protection. Building on relationships she made with clients there, she continued as a contractor for Preventing Falls Together, a local non-profit group aimed at preventing falls among seniors through a population health perspective. Heidi graduated with distinction from Mount Saint Vincent University's Bachelor of Public Relations degree with Cooperative Education. She has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2006.

Patrick Brownlow, Treasurer
pbrownlow@ns.sympatico.ca
902-430-7227

 

 

 

 

 

Pat established Patrick Brownlow & Associates, Inc. in August 2000 following more than 30 years of public relations experience with the federal government. His company has built a client base of government, private and non-profit organizations. Pat has experience in crisis communications, issues management, and media relations at the local, national, and international levels. His portfolio is further complimented by a marketing and advertising ability honed by years of experience. Pat is an honorary lifetime CPRS member for achieving excellence in his field.

Denise Corra, APR, PR for PR
denise.corra@canadapost.ca
902-494-4076

Denise has been working in the public relations field for over fifteen years in the Halifax area, and has held positions in the non-profit, government and private sectors. She is currently Manager of Employee Communications for Canada Post in Atlantic Canada. Denise holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Public Relations from MSVU, and is currently completing her Master of Public Relations Degree at MSVU. She achieved the APR designation in 2005 and currently serves as Regional Examiner for the CPRS accreditation program
in Atlantic Canada.

Cindy Bayers, APR, Accreditation Co-Chair
pebblecomms@eastlink.ca
902-889-9181

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cindy recently formed Pebble Communications, a public relations consultancy helping organizations connect with their stakeholders. She is an award-winning consultant with more than 10 years in the public relations business. Prior to starting Pebble Communications, Cindy was senior communications advisor with the Capital District Mental Health Program, communications manager with Dalhousie Medical School and event manager with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. She balances her professional efforts with her love for community development and volunteer work. She sits on the board of the Eastern Shore Family Resource Association, is a member of the Musquodoboit Harbour Community Peace Park Group and volunteers regularly with mental health organizations.

Tim Winchester, PR for PR
tim@colour.ca
902-722-3247

 

 

 

 

 

As an associate at Colour, Tim specializes in marketing public relations, helping bridge the gap between his clients¹ marketing and communications efforts.  Over the past eight years, Tim has worked for both small and mid-sized PR firms in Toronto and Halifax, serving a wide range of clients, including Guinness, Hallmark Canada, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage, the Halifax 2011 Canada Games bid committee, Labatt Breweries of Canada, and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.  A graduate of both St. Mary¹s University and Mount St. Vincent University,  Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts (English) and a Bachelor of Public Relations.

Tanya MacLean, Membership
tanya.maclean@qe2-hsc.ns.ca
902-473-4696

 

 

 

 

 

Tanya MacLean is a Communications Officer with the QEII Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization established to strengthen health care for Atlantic Canadians at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. Since inception in 1996, the QEII Foundation has raised over $150 million for health care.  Before joining the QEII Foundation in 2006, Tanya spent almost 7 years at the Nova Scotia School Boards Association in the Communications Department supporting the province's elected school board members. Tanya is an honours graduate of the Public Relations diploma program at the Nova Scotia Community College, along with a Business Information Technology diploma. In her spare time, she coaches gymnastics and enjoys mountain biking with her husband.

Stephen Chase, Webmaster
chasesx@gov.ns.ca
902-424-7503

 

 

 

Stephen works for the Department of Labour & Workforce Development's Skills and Learning Branch. In his role with the Labour Market Partnerships Division, Stephen delivers a range of labour market information products and resources. Prior to his current role with the department Stephen supplied logistical and communications support for the Canada Nova Scotia Skills and Learning Framework (CNSSLF).  The CNSSLF was a Federal/Provincial partnership that included eight different departments.  Stephen is also involved with various branch and department wide initiatives including the provincial government's fundraising campaign for the United Way. Stephen recently graduated from the Nova Scotia Community College's Advanced Diploma Program in Public Relations.  Stephen also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Saint Thomas University.

Matt Currie, Education Co-Chair
matt@ldans.ca
902-488-5598 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Currie is a Communications Coordinator with the NS Learning Disabilities Association, a not-for-profit dedicated to providing advocacy, support, and referral services to children, parents, professionals and others dealing with learning disabilities.  Matt hails from a rural community in Cape Breton, but has been living in HRM for the past six years. He did an undergraduate degree in political science at Mount Saint Vincent University, where he was also very active in student politics. Matt served as the Vice President (Student Life) with the Students' Union for two years and has gained a wealth of professional experience. From there he studied public relations at NSCC where he also represented his class on the board of CPRS NS. Matt will continue in his role of Co-Chair for the Education portfolio of CPRS NS.

Meghan Kelly, Education Co-Chair 
meghanjkelly@msn.com  

 

 

 

 

Meghan is a recent graduate of the Advanced Diploma program in public relations at the Nova Scotia Community College and is currently completing a work placement at the Nova Scotia School Boards Association. She completed her undergraduate degree in international relations at Mount Allison University, where she also did a one year exchange to Strasbourg, France. This is Meghan’s second year on the CPRS-NS board. Last year she served as the NSCC student representative and will now co-chair the education portfolio for the upcoming year.

 

Janet Gallant, CNW Representative (Ex-officio)
janet.gallant@newswire.ca
Janet joined CNW Group in 1998 as an Account Executive with extensive sales, marketing and management experience in the Insurance and Financial Services Industries.� She was appointed Manager, Atlantic Canada in 1999, as Director in 2001 and, in 2003, promoted to Vice-President, Atlantic Region and member of the CNW's Executive Committee. In addition to being an active member of CPRS, IABC, the Atlantic Journalism Awards and the Radio Television News Directors Association, she is responsible for identifying and developing opportunities of growth to assist their clients in furthering their business success. She is a recipient of the 'Priory Vote of Thanks' from former Governor General, The Rt. Hon. Madam Jeanne Sauve for many years of volunteer service with St. John Ambulance in New Brunswick and in recognition for duties performed as an Emergency Medical Technician for the Province of NB.

Mary Barker, Archivist
barkergilkie@sympatico.ca
902-492-2368

 

 

 

 

Mary L. Barker, APR, LM, Fellow (Hon.) is an award-winning, accredited and senior public relations practitioner with extensive experience in most areas of the practice, and in particular with communications for professionals, protocol, education, and development/fundraising. She has taught PR in Halifax and Australia, and is a long-time participant in the mentoring program. A former President of CPRS-NS and board member who has held the portfolios of education, professional development and accreditation, she has also served on the National Board of Directors and the national task force on accreditation, edited the booklet on 45 years of Nova Scotian PR history, has judged and coordinated both national and regional awards programs, and has been an APR examiner. A three-time best-of-practice award winner, Mary recently received national's Lamp of Service Award, and is currently Archivist for CPRS-NS, serves on the '08 Conference Planning Committee, and chairs national's 60th Anniversary Committee.