Member Spotlight: Joyce Wu

Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at CBC

For Joyce Wu, the magic of storytelling begins behind the scenes. Over the past decade, Joyce has worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), promoting and telling the stories of programming relevant to Canadians. After studying marketing and communications at Simon Fraser University, her career journey began with an internship with CBC Vancouver to support the 2010 Vancouver Olympics coverage. Joyce moved to Toronto five years ago to join the CBC Network team and manage the entertainment portfolio. Her role includes working with creative, publicity, and social media teams on premiere strategies for recently greenlit programming. “I’ve always been interested in storytelling and helping people share their stories,” says Joyce. “Now working for a broadcaster, I help share content that matters to Canadians and represents different narratives.”

Since arriving in Toronto, Joyce has looked to IABC/Toronto to expand her network and connect with other talented and experienced communicators. Having completed a year-long course in inclusion and diversity work, the opportunity to join the new Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) committee was intriguing. “The ability to bring my background and experience to a unique program addressing the aspect of diversity and inclusion in communications really spoke to me,” says Joyce. “It often gets overlooked, and it was one of the reasons that drew me to get more involved.” As a volunteer with the IDEA committee, Joyce has been instrumental in championing the committee’s initiatives and connecting with the broader IABC/Toronto community to understand member needs. Upcoming initiatives include a calendar recognizing different cultural incentives and dates, and forming employee resource groups that allow diverse community members to network, share issues and ideas, and create an overall safe space.

For Joyce, communication is about creating empowered spaces for sharing authentic and diverse stories. The ability to explore the bigger picture and seek inspiration from the different, overlooked places that spark creativity. “I think the more we try to be inclusive and open to thoughts and ideas, the more authentic a storyteller you are,” says Joyce. “Ultimately, you have to love people and get to know them.”