Joan Yates is a public relations practitioner with 20 years experience in communications management. She has worked in the not-for-profit, public and education sectors, most recently at B.C.’s second largest community college. Her government experience includes municipal and provincial management positions. She has instructed in Public Relations Management at a B.C. University and is a faculty member at B.C.’s second largest community college where she teaches communications, marketing and business strategy.

As a current partner in a B.C. based communications consulting firm, Joan has generated a reputation for her strong professionalism and her highly facilitative approach. Her creative communication strategies have helped position organizations with all levels of government, funding agencies, clients, internal and external stakeholders and the public. These strategies have been sustainable, allowing for reputation growth and enhancement.

Joan is well respected as a communications practitioner throughout Canada and has played an active role in her professional association – the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) as national president, local board member, and most recently as program chair for the CPRS national conference. Joan is the recipient of CPRS Societal prize, recognizing her major contribution to the profession.