Lee-Anne Akister, Senior Operations Director

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Lee-Anne hails from Alberta (by way of Saskatchewan), where she is the Social Media Advisor at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Social media is her bread & butter and video is her gravy; she’s happiest talking or practicing either.

Savanna Chiblow, Equity Advisor

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Savanna Chiblow is a 2Spirit Anishinaabe from Mississaugi First Nation. They hold an Honours Bachelor of Journalism degree from Humber College and have seven years of experience working as a digital communications storyteller and community builder. Savanna is currently the Social Media and Digital Communications Manager at the Indigenous Screen Office and casually works on digital and web contracts.

Elizabeth DiEmanuele, Social Community Manager

Elizabeth is a communications professional whose research focuses on activism and how communities could mobilize digital spaces and mediums to create ethical spaces and connect in a productive way. For the last eight years, Elizabeth’s work has focused on Gen Z research and social media, websites, and storytelling. She currently works at McMaster University’s Student Success Centre as a Digital Media Specialist and co-chairs McMaster’s IT Student Advisory Committee. Pre-pandemic, her favourite question was, “Can this go on social?” Currently, her favourite question is, “Where’s the Zoom link?”

Joel Goodman, Production Partner

Joel is principal at Bravery Media, a US-based digital strategy and design agency focused on higher education. His CV includes running a music festival, selling out concerts via MySpace marketing, redesigning at least a dozen university websites, and baking loads of bread. He also holds a master’s degree in Media Studies from The New School in New York City.

Sarah Khan, Speakers Director

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Sarah is an award-winning digital communicator working in higher education. She manages digital communications at the University of Toronto. When she isn’t working at her 9-5, she is either working on #PSEWEB activities or hiking in the woods.

Simon Labonne, Marketing Director (Francophone audiences)

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Simon Labonne started working in higher ed back in 2014. Holder of an MA in Communications Studies from Université de Sherbrooke, he’s still working on improving his collection of diplomas and his golf game. Prior to arriving at McGill, Simon held positions as Communications Advisor, Social Media and Analytics, and Communications Advisor, Webmaster at HEC Montréal.

Megan Liley, Virtual Conference Coordinator

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Megan is a member of the Web Services team at McGill University. She has been making websites and working in communication for over 20 years. Off the clock, she writes fiction and plays and enjoys running very slowly over long distances.

Glenda McCarthy, Partnerships Director

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Glenda is an experienced communications professional with over a decade of experience in Marketing and Communications and Social Media Management. In addition to photography and videography skills, she has extensive experience in event planning, graphic design, and knowledge of website design and management. She has won numerous national and international awards for work in Social Media, Marketing and Communications, and writing.

Ryanne, Partnerships Director (Interim)

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Ryanne is loving her role as Content Specialist in higher education. She has a journalism diploma and a communications degree which she uses to produce news articles that highlight the accomplishments of college staff and alumni. In her free time she enjoys photography, blogging and family time.

Catherine McRae, Senior Marketing Director

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Catherine found a natural fit in higher-ed marketing after completing a BFA (Studio Art & Art History), where she developed strong written and visual communication skills. As a Senior Content Strategist in McGill University’s central marketing team, Catherine enjoys creating creative content with a clear message.

V. Weston, Content Producer

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Weston is a marketing and communications professional with a decade of experience in universities, formerly University of Central Florida and currently McGill University. They specialize in event promotion and content creation of all kinds: editorial, publications, graphic design, social media, videography and more. Content they created for an annual 50+ event festival they helped plan won a silver Circle of Excellence Award from CASE.

Robin Sutherland, UVic contact

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Robin has been creating websites and leading digital content teams for nearly 30 years, including 23 years in higher education. His work has ranged from private and non-profit sector development through alumni, donor and communications portfolios as UVic and Western University.

Joyce Peralta, Executive Director

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Joyce has been creating websites and digital content for close to 20 years, including 10+ years’ experience in higher education. Her work history includes strategic positions on communications and web development teams at McGill University, the University of Victoria, Western University and Kings University College.