The Canadian Communications + PR Foundation announces new Board of Directors

Communications and Public Relations Foundation Chair Yanik Deschênes LLB, APR is also Head of Global Communications at Sid Lee and President of YPR Canada (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)

Yanik Deschênes remains as Chairman

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - The Communications + Public Relations Foundation (C+PRF) welcomes seven new members to its 2017-18 Board of Director: Clay Adams, APR, ABC, Vancouver; Kevin E. Brown, APR, FCPRS, Prince George; Mark Dottori, APR, Ottawa; Mark Erdman, APR, Kingston; Andrea MacLean, APR, Ottawa; Jeff Meerman, APR, Vancouver; and Thérèse Thériault, APR, LM, Moncton. 

"These new directors bring a wealth of public relations and not for profit experience to the Foundation, said Chair Yanik Deschênes, LLB, APR.  The following Directors completed their terms on the Board: Blair Peberdy, APR, FCPRS, Toronto; Laura Balbinot, CPA, CMA, B.Com, Toronto; and Robert Paddon, APR, MA, MBA, Vancouver.

The 2017-18 Board of Directors now includes:

Executive	Directors
Chair: Yanik Deschênes, LLB, APR – Montréal	Mark Erdman, APR - Kingston
1^st Vice Chair: Grace Diffey, APR, FCPRS – Hamilton	Patrick R. Hammond, APR – Lethbridge, Alta.
2^nd Vice Chair - vacant	Andrea MacLean, APR - Ottawa
Secretary-Treasurer: Anita Wasuita, APR, Victoria	Jeff Meerman, APR - Vancouver
	Andrew Molson, LLB, BA, MSc – Montreal
Directors	Mark Seland, APR – Calgary
Clay Adams, APR, ABC – Vancouver	Thérèse Thériault, APR, LM - Moncton
Robert Batherson, BPR – Halifax	Jean-Claude Torchia – Montréal
Kevin E. Brown, APR, FCPRS - Prince George	Deborah E. Trouten, MA, APR, FCPRS ICD.D – Toronto
Mark Dottori, APR - Ottawa	Executive Director: Karen Dalton, CAE, APR, FCPRS(H)

"Looking at the 2017 -18 Board of Directors, I am enthusiastic about our prospects for funding and research in the coming year," said Yanik Deschênes, LLB, ARP, Chair, C+PRF who is also Head of Global Communications at Sid Lee and President of YPR Canada.

"Last year, the 2016-17 Board embraced the partnership with the Canadian Public Relations Society and worked to set our new home in order.  Now, we are ready to look outward at how we can best help our public relations community and are engaged in a thoughtful process to define our strategic value to that community.  Each of us brings decades of communications and managerial experience to our roles and will work together to do everything we can to ensure the continued success of the Foundation."

The C+PRF supports many scholarships, awards, and research as well as the Jack Yocom Public Relations Profile Collection and the Diana and Charles Tisdall Lecture in Communications. Donations may be directed to the Foundation to support their work here: cprfoundation.ca/donate.html.

About C+PRF
The Communications + Public Relations Foundation (C+PRF), established in 1979, is a recognized, not-for-profit, charitable organization committed to increasing public knowledge and awareness of the role of public relations and communications through support to educational initiatives and conduct of original communications research; promotes the advancement of public relations and communications as a vital function in society; and is dedicated to the public interest.

The Foundation is governed by a national board of communications professionals and those from the business sector. It is a separately incorporated organization with a strong relationship with the Canadian Public Relations Society through its founders. Directors are elected annually at the organization's annual general meeting held in June, and may serve up to three, two-year terms.

www.cprfoundation.ca

About CPRS
Founded in 1948, the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a not-for-profit organization whose members are engaged in the practice, management or teaching of public relations. Members work to maintain the highest standards and to share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations. CPRS is a federation of more than 2,500 members across 14 Member Societies based in major cities or organized province-wide.

www.cprs.ca

SOURCE Canadian Public Relations Society

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS:Karen Dalton, CAE, APR, FCPRS(H), Executive Director, CPRS National, 416-239-7034, [e-mail]; Yanik Deschênes, LLB, APR, Chair, The Communications + Public Relations Foundation (C+PRF), 438.390.8244