Liaison Officers Biographies

Adina Chirita – Communications and Social Media Coordinator

Adina joined the International Association of Business Communicators – London Chapter five years ago, being accepted as a student-member for her outstanding academic achievements. Her educational background includes a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in English, earned from the Faculty of Letters within the University of Bucharest and a Certificate in Corporate Communications and Public Relations obtained from Fanshawe College.

Between 1997 and 2004, Adina worked as a newscaster in a Romanian radio station. Those seven years of work experience in a broadcasting journalist role gave her the opportunity to hone her communication and computer skills, but also made her eager to build on these skills towards a career in the communication arts’ field.

That is why, in 2005, Adina enrolled in the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Program at Fanshawe College. During her internship, she served as a Communications Coordinator at Goodwill Ontario Great Lakes, where she researched and developed the organization’s crisis communications plan, as well as its media policies and procedures. Adina graduated from the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Program in June 2006, when she was awarded with the President’s Honour Roll.

In the summer of 2007, Adina was hired as a Research Writer by Pillar Nonprofit Network, where she gathered the necessary research materials and developed the backbone structure of a comprehensive report regarding the attraction and retention of non-profit employees: “London’s Nonprofit Sector Employment Study” .

Later in the same year, she worked as a Marketing Assistant for the London Economic Development Corporation, where she was responsible for the technical editing, writing and desktop publishing of the new and existing internal publications, reports and data.

More recently, Adina held the position of Editorial Assistant with Municipal World – the oldest continuously published monthly municipal magazine in the world.

At the beginning of April 2010, Adina started working for the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors® as their new Communications Coordinator.

A member of IABC London since April 2005, Adina joined the Board in November 2007 as a Communications Liaison. Now, she is the one who coordinates the social media presence of the Chapter.

Audrey Korol – Communications Liaison

Audrey is a member of the client services team at The Marketing Department – a strategic marketing and communications company in London. As the marketing and client services coordinator, she acts as a liaison between clients and the creative team to ensure projects move forward as quickly and effectively as possible.

Prior to this role, Audrey completed the Corporate Communications and Public Relations program at Fanshawe College. During the program, she received first-hand exposure to the communications field while working as a communications intern for the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Western Ontario. She also holds an Honours BA in Psychology and Philosophy from Western.

Audrey joined IABC as a student-member in 2007 and has served on the Board as Communications Liaison since 2008.

Laura Kolstein – Communications Liaison

Laura is the Internal Communications Coordinator at Libro Financial Group. As a member of Libro’s Brand department, Laura manages internal communications, including the staff newsletter, company intranet and staff meetings, and writes all youth communications including a newsletter and website for kids.

Laura completed the Corporate Communication and Public Relations program at Fanshawe College in 2007 and she holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario. While studying at Fanshawe, she coordinated fundraising events for Parkinson Society Canada’s April awareness month and was executive assistant to the president of a national medical organization.

Laura has been a member of IABC since 2008.

Meenakshi Sharma – Communications Liaison

Meenakshi Sharma is the newest Communications Liaison of IABC London Chapter. Through her international education, as well as her varied work experience, Meenakshi brings a unique perspective to the IABC London Chapter. She has frequently assumed leadership and communication roles in her past – including addressing the public and getting media coverage. Her knowledge of issue management and public relations are strong attributes for her future in the field of Communications.

Meenakshi`s educational background includes Master`s degrees in Science and Business Administration. She is also a current member of the Certified Management Accountants and Canadian Payroll Association.

Other than her involvement with IABC, she is also chairing a fundraiser and acting as a spokesperson for school council issues at her kids` school. Previously, she has also volunteered for London Cross-Cultural Learner Centre as an instructor, which adds to her contribution as a communicator within the London community. In addition, Meenakshi is currently volunteering for the London Regional Children`s Museum as an Administrative and Management Committee member.

Kristen Sinclair – Design Liaison

Kristen joined the Seed team with 10 years practising as a graphic designer and art director. Her experience has included the frenetic atmosphere of large agencies, the entrepreneurial challenges of design boutiques and the intriguing complexities and challenges of being part of a medical industry in-house design team. These opportunities have allowed her not only to hone her skills as an art director, but to appreciate the business necessities behind the artwork and deliver solutions that are not only aesthetically appropriate, but strategically sound.

Always at home with a diverse array of personalities, Kristen has won the allegiance of clients with her willingness to jump to any height to meet objectives. She brings great balance to the Seed team with her humour and wit.

Josh Dow – Website Liaison

Josh Dow is a web developer who has worked in the technology industry since 1999. In 2001 he was one of three partners who helped found rtraction and he has been building innovative software solutions for clients ever since.

Josh enjoys donating his time and programming skills by volunteering with Los Frutos del Café, a charitable organization that was created by two of his friends in 2000. This organization is dedicated to improving both the learning and overall living conditions of children and their families in communities in and around Nicaragua.

Josh graduated from UWO in 1996 with a degree in Sociology. It was soon after receiving his degree that he realized his true calling was software development – so, in 1997, he entered Fanshawe College where he graduated with a diploma in Computer Programming.

Josh feels lucky that to him, his job doesn’t feel like work, and he enjoys every minute of it.

Sonya Gilpin – Education Liaison (Western)

Sonya Gilpin is currently studying Media and Film at The University of Western Ontario. After first learning of IABC through a campus event, Sonya became a volunteer with the Chapter. Over the course of the year she became impressed by the services offered by IABC London and looked to pursue a more active role in their recruitment. In 2009 Sonya joined London’s IABC 2009-2010 council as the Education Liaison for Western, and is excited to be a part of London’s growing chapter.

Sonya will graduate in 2010 with an Honors B.A. in MIT and Film Studies, at which time she hopes to pursue an education in the field of Public Relations.

Cathy Cuylle – Membership Liaison

Cathy Cuylle is the Manager of the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Department at London Health Sciences Centre. She is proud to work with a talented, award-winning team of professional communicators. With nearly twenty years of communications experience, Cathy has also held senior positions in policy development and communications with both the federal and provincial governments. Cathy has a Master of Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario and a BA in Mass Communication from Carleton University. She is also a long-time member of IABC and the Health Care Public Relations Association of Canada, and has received numerous awards for her work.

Allison Stevenson – Chapter Liaison, 30th Anniversary

Allison Stevenson joined The University of Western Ontario as the Communications Officer (Engineering) in June 2004. In her role, Allison coordinates a broad range of communication activities that positively position Western Engineering as a progressive, innovative Engineering School locally, nationally and internationally.

Prior to joining Western Engineering, Allison worked at Ford Motor Company – St. Thomas Assembly Plant for five years as a Communications Associate.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brock University and a Public Relations and Corporate Communications certificate from Fanshawe College.

Allison has been an active member of IABC London since joining the organization in 2004.  She has volunteered on the board in a number of capacities, including: Western Liaison (2004/2005, 2005/2006), Director, Membership (2006/2007), and most recently, Chapter Liaison for IABC London’s 30th anniversary year.

Allison was the recipient of an Award of Merit at the 2005 Virtuoso Awards Gala for the “Engineering Now” e-newsletter (www.eng.uwo.ca/news/newsletters.htm)

Sandy Ross – Chapter Administrator

Sandy’s a well-networked communicator who began Word’s Worth in 1992 to craft marketing and content strategy to help you ‘get the word out and get your Word’s Worth’. Clients especially appreciate her gifted turn of phrase and, where suited, humour as a hook. A past member of CAPS speakers, she also engages groups and individuals through consultative brainstorms, tailored workshops, and facilitated forums.

This wordsmith’s niche focus of community goodwill is the Homepreneur Network she founded. Since its 1993 launch, she’s helped 700+ entrepreneurs (often home-based) ease isolation and connect to resources and each other at events – and 26,000 more visiting online at SandyRoss.ca.

A two-time Fanshawe College graduate (Behavioural Science, Secretarial), Sandy’s volunteered since her teens on boards, committees, and London’s small business task force. Today, she continues many years of service to IABC communicators – since 1998 – as chapter administrator.