Natalie Bovair

A self-professed PR nerd with a passion for communications theory, research, tactics and metrics. She has spent much of the past 25 years in the health care practice area, including work experience in PR agencies, continuing medication education companies, and health charities. Her career experience also includes professional association communications and membership management and, most recently, teaching public relations at community college. Over the years, Natalie has won four national awards for her work. She has helped health care associations and companies to reach Canadians with life-giving news, successfully handled communications crises and hot-seat questions from the likes of the fifth estate, and boldly faced her PR class of digital native students with instruction on the strategic use of social media.  Natalie’s support of the CPRS goes way back to her involvement on the Student Steering Committee of CPRS Toronto (1987). She is currently a member of the National Membership Committee, a PRK Exam marker, and an Accreditation program invigilator. She has served as an elected member of the CPRS Toronto board, in the Professional Development and Membership portfolios, and is currently enjoying her work with CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau in the Membership area while also lending a hand in Accreditation. Natalie holds a BBA in Marketing (2013), is Accredited in Public Relations (2009), and earned an advanced Diploma in Public Relations prior to entering practice (1989).

Lea Werthman, APR, President, CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau

Lea Werthman has worked in PR and communications across all sectors over the last three decades. An Ottawa native, she has worked in municipal government, high tech, not-for-profit, and as a consultant to clients both large and small. Lea joined the federal public service in 2002, and has been leading employee engagement and internal communications at Service Canada for the last several years. She received her accreditation in 2008, and joined the CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau Board of Directors that year in the position of Secretary. In 2012-2013, Lea led the team that organized “Conversations2013”, the CPRS National Conference which took place in Ottawa June 9-11, 2013. She took over the role as President of the Society in September 2013, and this is her second of her two-year term. Passionate about the power of public relations as a force for good in the world, Lea taught in the Algonquin College Public Relations Program for over 15 years – and still sits as a member of the Program’s Advisory Committee.

Joan Wright

Has Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She graduated from Algonquin College in 2008 after completing two diplomas – public relations and television broadcasting. She is currently a senior project officer at Correctional Service Canada. During her time at Algonquin, Joan was president of the Students’ Association Board of Directors (SA). Through her SA work, Joan supported the board’s 2005 proposal for the recently established Woodroffe Avenue pedestrian bridge; managed the student vote on the 2007 decision to build the Robert C. Gillett Student Commons; and spearheaded the creation of the $200,000 International Student Emergency Bursary. Being the director of the CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau Student Program is a labour of love for Joan who channels her insomnia constructively by working on the volunteer opportunity at three in the morning!

Mireille Allaire

Jenn Goodwin

Provides strategic communications leadership to Providence Care, managing the organization’s brand and corporate identity, as well as media and community relations initiatives. As Director of Communications, Jenn works with staff from all areas of Providence Care and builds relationships with partner agencies. Before joining Providence Care in 2007, Jenn was a broadcast journalist at various media outlets across Canada. She is a past first-place winner of Natural Resources Canada’s annual journalism awards (Radio Reporting). Jenn is a member of the Health Care Public Relations Association and the Canadian Public Relations Society. She is an Accredited Public Relations (APR) professional and holds a Bachelor of Journalism-Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation. She is currently completing her Master’s in Environment and Business.

Stephanie Rochefort

A junior communicator passionate about the PR profession. She works as a communications services officer in the federal government, at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, where she assists with internal communications, web, and events. She completed a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in communication from the University of Ottawa, and is a graduate of Algonquin College’s public relations program. Stephanie joined CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau as a student leader in 2013, and is the new membership chair on the board of directors.

Kayla Isabelle, Acting Secretary