The IDEA portfolio is led by the Vice President (IDEA), and supported by a dedicated committee of professionals who make up the IDEA Committee, and bring a blend of subject matter expertise, lived experience, and a strong commitment to advancing this critical work. The committee meets monthly to develop and implement initiatives that support IDEA priorities, including but not limited to:
- Hosting IDEA-focused professional development events
- Advocating on issues impacting the communications profession and broader communities
- Responding to emerging challenges with thoughtful, inclusive initiatives
- Creating opportunities that promote the well-being and advancement of diverse communicators
If you are interested in joining the IDEA Committee, please contact us at toronto-idea@iabc.to.
IDEA Committee 2025-26:
Caterina Valentino
Pronouns: she/her
Dr. Caterina Valentino is an organizational design and work restructuring specialist with senior leadership experience across the acute, long-term, and community-care sectors. A prolific author and international presenter, she is known for developing sustainable solutions to complex challenges.
Dr. Caterina holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, an MPA from Dalhousie, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Business. An award-winning educator, her research interests include diversity, unconscious bias, middle management, and online course design.
Maria Elsa
Pronouns: she/her
Maria Elsa is a public relations practitioner with a background in human resources management.
Throughout her career, Maria has explored a range of fields, including digital marketing, human resources, crisis communication, co-ordination, and event planning.
Maria worked as a Communications Placement Student at The 519, a City of Toronto agency and Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre. In this role, she contributed to social media content creation, design, photography, and content writing.
Maria has also been actively volunteering with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Toronto in the Events portfolio since October 2024, and with the CIBC Run for the Cure – Durham Region as a social media crew member since September 2024.
Matisse Hamel-Nelis
Pronouns: she/her
Matisse Hamel-Nelis (she/her) is an award-winning Métis communications and digital accessibility consultant based in Toronto. With extensive public relations experience, Matisse is the principal of Matisse Nelis Consulting and a part-time professor at Durham College.
Matisse is the founder and host of PR & Lattes, a podcast and blog that offers a platform for communications professionals to share insights and ideas on public relations, communications and marketing.
Matisse is a recognized authority on accessibility in digital communications. She is certified as an Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS) and a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) through the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
Her book, Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust, which she co-wrote with Lisa Riemers, provides actionable insights for creating inclusive and impactful messaging in a digital-first world.
Matisse’s passion for accessibility and inclusion drives her to empower organizations and professionals to break down barriers and build meaningful, equitable connections in all their communications.
Zaina Meher Kadiri
Pronouns: she/her
Zaina is a communications professional and creative strategist who brings a global perspective to every project she takes on.
She holds a postgraduate degree in Public Relations from York University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. Her international experience living and studying in Istanbul and Scotland further informs her global perspective and ability to connect with diverse audiences.
With years of experience in public relations, social media strategy, and community engagement, Zaina’s work reflects a balance between creative vision and strategic impact. She currently works as Senior Communications Coordinator at Pro Bono Ontario.
As part of IABC Toronto’s IDEA Committee, Zaina’s approach to community-building is driven by empathy and a commitment to equity. Her journey began when she became the first representative for India on her university’s international student committee, advocating for underrepresented voices.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Zaina finds inspiration in Toronto’s vibrant café culture, where her passion for coffee fuels her ongoing work in cultivating a local coffee community. She is also an avid traveler and art enthusiast, often exploring new places and creative forms that enrich her perspective.