Thank you to our volunteers!
The 38th annual IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards would not be possible without the support of our team of incredible, dedicated and talented volunteers.
They’ve been working behind the scenes, planning an exceptional in-person celebration this year.
They are putting together an amazing event, to recognize your best work and we can’t wait for you to experience it.
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Anna Relyea Awards Director |
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Rucsandra Saulean Events DirectorRucsandra Saulean – Public relations and communications specialist with over a decade of achievements in strategic planning, media relations, web & digital content creation, event management and community building initiatives. Best known for helping remarkable non-profits and women-led ventures reach their potential. Also: e-zine publisher, musician and former ESL teacher. |
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Cynthia Kenth Marketing, Communications DirectorCynthia is a seasoned communicator with over twenty years of corporate communications, marketing, events and sponsorship experience both within advertising and government sectors. She is currently the Senior Communications Advisor in healthcare, telling the compelling stories of client families for Ontario’s largest children’s treatment centre, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. She received her Honours BA in Communications from the University of Ottawa. |
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Tanya Murali Dharan Materials DirectorTanya is a dedicated communications professional with experience working in events and managing a brand to meet the needs of the company through consistent and organised practises. She is currently enrolled at York University to study Public Relations after previously working in the fashion and events industries. |
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Yasmine El Shafei Red Carpet SupervisorYasmine is a strategist and a communication management specialist with over 15 years of experience in research, marketing communications, and Public Relations, supporting businesses to enhance their positioning and grow their potential. She has managed diverse projects, managed corporate reputations, and coached and trained c-suite executives in multiple facets. She has a passion for storytelling and crafting Corporate Social Responsibility direction and strategy.Certified as a solutions-focused coach, she strives to help businesses reach their full potential. |
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Srijoni Sarkar Red Carpet CoordinatorSrijoni Sarkar is a public relations student at Seneca College with experience in event management, graphic design and digital media. She is a media relations rep for IABC-Toronto’s Student Communicator Circle and a student ambassador at Seneca. Along with studying and volunteering, she also freelances as a communications consultant. A storyteller at heart who works with different mediums (visual, auditory and written), Srijoni is eager to gain experience in the PR industry in Toronto and use her skills to make a meaningful difference. |
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Niharika Nambiar Red Carpet CoordinatorNiharika is a global communications professional with over two years of PR agency experience working with clients in financial and professional services. She has also freelanced as a content consultant. Niharika’s professional experiences so far have nurtured a passion for corporate storytelling. She is currently a Public Relations postgraduate student at Humber College and a consultant for the IABC Student Communicators Circle. |
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Tenzin Nangkey AV & PPT CoordinatorTenzin Nangkey is a public relations student at York University and a current member of the student communication circle of IABC. She hopes to gain a deeper understanding of this profession through IABC. As a budding writer and communicator, she believes in the power of words to make an impact. |
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Melissa Calixte Content CoordinatorMelissa Calixte is a graduate of University of McGill’s Public Relations program. Her main areas of interest are content creation and writing. She is currently working as a Liaison Officer for the Government of Québec. |
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Sharon Aschaiek Media Relations CoordinatorSharon Aschaiek leads Higher Ed Communications, which provides writing, editing, communication advising and project management services to universities and colleges. In business since 2004, she helps post-secondary schools conceptualize and develop content for projects such as newsletters, alumni magazines, blogs, websites, speeches, reports and social media. She uses her conversational writing style to tell clear, concise and compelling stories about research breakthroughs, innovative programs, new facilities and accomplished alumni that inform, engage and inspire stakeholders. As a journalist, she writes for consumer and trade publications about higher education issues, trends and innovations. |
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Joelle Awad (she/her/hers) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging CoordinatorJoelle is a PR practitioner with a passion for IDEA (inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility). A recent grad from Humber College’s Public Relations Advanced Diploma program, Awad interned for six months at A Leader LIke Me taking part in several DEI initiatives. As an active member of the IABC Toronto chapter and the Chief of Staff for the Student Communicator Circle, this is her second year in a row with the OVATION Awards team. |
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Myrdgine Julien Gala Program CoordinatorMyrdgine Julien is a Public Relations student at the University of Ottawa, with a passion for creating connections and building relationships. She also works as a Marketing Coordinator for a top retail brand, where she has gained valuable experience in executing successful campaigns, managing social media accounts, and collaborating with other departments. Myrdgine is committed to making a positive impact in the communications field. |
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Anushka Arora Anushka Arora- Anushka is a student at Seneca College, pursuing Public Relations-Corporate Communications and is a member of the Students Communicators Circle (SCC). |