The Value of Professionalization in Strategic Communications

In an era of eroding trust in media and government, how do communications professionals avoid losing credibility in times of crisis? Join a panel of professional communicators as they discuss these challenges and how ethical frameworks and professional associations can help both optically and with collaborative and networking to address these issues. Andy Watson, RRU MAPC 2015 and a board member with the Canadian Public Relations Society’s Vancouver Island chapter, will moderate the panel. It will include an introduction to professional associations like CPRS as well for communicators to consider in their journey through these tumultuous times. 

Fiona Cassidy, APR, LPRINZ, Public Relations Institute of New Zealand Chairperson, Tribal Affiliations - Ngāti Kuri, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa
With over 25 years in communications and public relations, Fiona is recognised as one of New Zealand’s senior communications professionals. Fiona has worked nationally and internationally both in-house and as a consultant. She has held every senior management appointment a PR professional can and has also been a General Manager. Fiona is the first Chairperson of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) and a Life member. She is also actively involved in the Community Communications Collective which provides volunteer services to Not For Profits. She holds a number of Director and Board appointments on business, government and not-for profit organisations. Fiona was appointed to the Global Alliance of PR and Management Board in 2015 and became an Executive Officer in July 2019.

Cam McAlpine, APR – Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies / CPRS National President
Cam is a Principal with Earnscliffe Strategies, a national strategic communications, government relations and public opinion research firm. He has been a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society Board of Directors since 2017, and currently serves as CPRS National President.

Kim Blanchette, APR, Chart.PR, Fellow CPRS – Senior Vice President and General Manager (Western Canada), National Lead, Indigenous Engagement and Communications at Argyle Communications / CPRS National Board Member
A chartered and an accredited communications professional and a member of the CPRS College of Fellows, Kim’s talents run the entire public relations gamut. She has more than 25 years of experience and is still loving every day at work. Working with the national team at Argyle, Kim helps organizations engage, communicate and lead with confidence. Kim is a proud past national president of the Canadian Public Relations Society, past chair of the CPRS Task Force on Ethical Public Relations, and member of the National Board.

Andy Watson, Manager, Government and Media Relations, WorkSafeBC/
MAPC 2015 (Royal Roads University); BJ Hons. 2003 (Carleton University)/ CPRS Vancouver Island Board Member
With over a decade of strategic communications experience and a decade before that as a journalist, Andy is a collaborator and connector, looking to help professionals in the industry to grow and develop. Andy is also a member of the School of Communication and Culture’s advisory board, a not-for-profit consultant, and serves as the chair of officiating for lacrosse British Columbia.

The 2nd Annual Conference on Communication Ethics is brought to you by the School of Communication & Culture at Royal Roads University.

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