Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) Executive 2023-2024
Marie-Lauren Gregoire-Drummond, SCMP®, Chair
Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond, SCMP, BJ, BA (Hons), aka MLGD, is a professional communicator, spoken word poet, speaker and published author. Marie-Lauren is currently Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations at the Alliance for Healthier Communities as well as principal consultant at MLG Creative Communications.
MLGD has provided strategic communications support to organizations in healthcare, education, child welfare and community and social services including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute, Canadian Hearing Society, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies and Peel Children’s Aid. MLGD has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute of Cultural Affairs, the Toronto Women’s Housing Co-operative, TSCC 2365, FemCare Community Health Initiative and serves as Vice President of Special Interest Groups at IABC/Toronto.
MLGD is a motivational speaker, facilitates public speaking workshops and performs poetry in Toronto and Brantford. Her essay, “Living a legacy, lessons from a faith filled life”, was published in Portraits of Faith, Novalis, November 2016. MLGD holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Western University, a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University and is certified as a Strategic Communications Management Professional (SCMP(TM)). MLGD has a passion for IABC/Toronto and volunteering and involvement with Special Interest Groups and attends IABC World Conference whenever possible.
PIC Chair responsibilities:
- Lead a team of volunteers that meets the professional development, networking and marketing needs of local independent communicators
- Lead PIC executive meetings
- Assist with executing PIC events
- Represent PIC to the public
Jacqui DeBique, SCMP®, Past Chair
Jacqui DeBique is a seasoned communication professional with 25+ years’ experience in non-profit communications. By day, she is Senior Communications Manager, intrepidly championing the mission and vision of Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO). At other times, when the right opportunity presents itself, Jacqui helps organizations “get their words out,” both literally and figuratively, under her consultancy Quite Write Communications.
She started her career in advertising in Montreal and has since worked as a professional communicator with a range of organizations that exposed her to the worlds of microfinance, marginalized youth, parenting, education and healthcare. A communications generalist, with a passion for strategy, writing and editing, Jacqui is an active volunteer who most often gives back as a subject matter expert in the field of communications. Looking for Jacqui outside of work and volunteering? Well, you may just find her in a writing workshop honing her creative writing skills.
Jacqui’s passion for IABC was reignited in the last several years while enjoying the many benefits of membership, actively learning and sharing in various IABC Special Interest Groups, and volunteering as an OVATION Awards judge in 2022.
PIC Past Chair responsibilities:
- Stand in for PIC chair when she cannot attend a PIC function
- Participate in PIC executive meetings
- Provide input on PIC events and activities
- Contribute to conversations on PIC’s LinkedIn group
- Share news about PIC events and activities on Twitter
Co-Director of Communications: Vacant
Sue Horner, SCMP®, Co-Director of Communications
Sue Horner loves to be the “go-to” writer for small communications teams who need writing that has warmth and personality.
Sue launched Get It Write in 1991 and has used her experience as a corporate communicator to help companies connect with their employees through digital and print communications. She is particularly known for turning complicated, dense information into readable and understandable content — for intranets and websites, feature articles, newsletters, profiles and more. Clients appreciate Sue’s ability to find the human angle in any story, capture the essence of a discussion and provide a fresh perspective on a routine subject.
Sue is an active member of PIC and was on the executive from 2004 to 2006 as well as from 2013 to 2019 as Director, Communications. She introduced the PIC newsletter to improve communication and connection between members.
Sue has a BA in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University.
PIC Co-Director of Communications responsibilities:
- Plan, develop and maintain communication with PIC members so they receive high-quality, timely information about the programs, services and benefits of PIC
- Write (or assign) copy for the monthly PIC e-newsletter
- Generate PIC-related content for IABC/Toronto e-Lerts
- Design the monthly PIC newsletter The Buzz
- Collaborate with Programming portfolio to conceptualize graphics for PIC social and Professional Development events
- Design graphics and marketing collateral for PIC events and special projects
Lisa Marchitto, Co-Director of Programming
With more than 20+ years of experience in the charitable and non-profit sectors, Lisa aims to be the resource she always needed as a client: someone experienced and reliable who is a strategic thinker, ace project manager and producer of high-quality output. She takes on special projects that organizations struggle to resource internally and makes them happen.
Catharine Heddle, Co-Director of Programming
Catharine Heddle is an award-winning independent communications strategist, writer and project manager. Clients turn to her for smart counsel, insights and results they can count on. Through her company, Lamplighter Communications, she provides independent communications consulting services with a specialty in corporate, internal and leadership communications. Catharine helps clients build meaningful, trusting connections with the people whose opinions, actions and support matter to them. From there, she works with her clients to engage, inform, inspire and motivate those people. She is available for communications projects, interim or fractional team leadership and support.
PIC C0-Director of Programming responsibilities:
- Create and manage professional development and social events across the PIC calendar
- Attract new members and existing members to re-engage with the group
- Position PIC as the go-to group for independents when learning new trends as a professional communicator
- Encourage continued conversation and resource sharing outside PIC events
Vacant, Director of Membership
PIC Director of Membership responsibilities:
- Promote PIC membership within and outside of IABC/Toronto
- Communicate IABC/Toronto chapter benefits to non-members
- Welcome new PIC members
- Promote networking connections at PIC events
Brent Artemchuk, Director of Marketing & Sponsorship
Brent Artemchuk is a senior leader with expertise in global brand management, internal/external communications, marketing communications, media/public relations and change management in both B2B and B2C environments. During his 20 years of experience, he’s created a successful track record of developing digital and traditional programs that promote stakeholder engagement, increase brand awareness and deliver against strategic objectives. Brent loves to lead transformational change and provide senior executives with advice on how to build organizations of value while mitigating risk. Brent currently works at TD Bank where he manages strategic change programs, organizational effectiveness and inclusion and diversity initiatives.
PIC Director, Marketing & Sponsorship Responsibilities:
- Make IABC/Toronto chapter members aware of PIC members and the services they offer
- Encourage and promote PIC member services within and outside of IABC
- Facilitate networking connections for PIC members with IABC/Toronto chapter members and beyond