A message from newly elected CPRS National President Claire Ryan, MCM, APR

Hello from beautiful New Brunswick, where the transition to fall routines has been made easier with an extra stretch of sunny summer weather.
Two weeks ago today I began my term as CPRS National Board President during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). I am a member of the Atlantic Council and their Past President and have been active within CPRS for many years. I was so fortunate to spend the last Board year working alongside Past President Vincent Power, APR, FCPRS, who set an incredible example for dedication and leadership to the Society, and the indomitable Lisa Covens, who recently completed her term as Board Secretary (but continues as a Director, thankfully!).

Two of our Directors raised their hands to offer even more of their time and talent by joining the Executive for the next year: Jane Antoniak, MCM, APR, Hamilton Local Society will serve as Vice-President and Treasurer, and Michelle James, MA, APR,  Regina Local Society, has begun her term as Board Secretary. Jane and Michelle have long histories of being active CPRS members and bring tremendous professional and volunteer experience to the executive.  

The National Board is rounded out by faces that will be familiar to many of you. I’m grateful to Matt Wood, APR, Colin Babiuk, APR, FCPRS , Rashpal Rai, APR, , Brigitte Stock, APR, Danielle Côté, APR, and returning Board Directors who committed to another term, Guy Versailles, APR, FCPRS and Kim Blanchette, APR, Chart.PR and FCPRS  for their dedication and engagement with CPRS as an organization, its membership and volunteers.  Plus, they are an all-start team to work with.

I also want to recognize the contributions Cam McAlpine, APR and President (20212022) and Peggy Kulmala, MCM, APR made during their terms on the Board, which they completed at the AGM.  

The 2023-24 Board has already had its first meeting of the year, and we’re hitting the ground running to support our membership and services and the Local Societies and our Committees, Councils and Tasks Forces.

No shoutout to the team would be complete without acknowledging our Executive Director, Sara Rafuse, MBA, CPF. Sara and the new CPRS National Office staff have been working diligently over the late summer and early fall to set us up for a busy and productive year. Thanks to their efforts there are many initiatives underway to ensure a year full of the incredible networking and professional development programming that set CPRS apart.


I know I’m not alone in the fact that one of the things I value most about being a CPRS member is the relationships I’ve formed with PR practitioners across Canada. At the heart of CPRS is our shared commitment to the principles of public relations and communications excellence. We are a community of professionals who strive to advance our discipline, support one another, and give back to our industry. There is something unique about making a CPRS connection, and it’s with that spirit that I take on this term as your President.

My (virtual) door is always open, and I’m excited to meet members and support the work of our incredible, active volunteers over the course of the next year.