Canadian Public Relations Society Welcomes Ten New Fellows to Esteemed College
The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) has officially announced the induction of ten distinguished professionals into its prestigious College of Fellows. This recognition celebrates their outstanding contributions to the advancement of public relations and communications management across Canada, all while adhering to the highest ethical standards and the CPRS Code of Professional Conduct.
Honoring Excellence in Public Relations
The induction ceremony, scheduled for the Society's National Annual Conference in St. Andrews, New Brunswick from May 24 to 26, 2026, will formally welcome the new fellows. According to Jane Antoniak, MCM, APR, MCPRS, CPRS National Board President, "The new Fellows joining the College strongly demonstrate commitment, expertise, and professional and personal qualities to more than meet the criteria to join the College. Each of them has advanced the professional field and the Canadian Public Relations Society, while exercising recognized leadership within the public relations community in Canada."
Daniel Granger, C.M., C.Q., APR, FCPRS, Chair and Presiding Officer of the CPRS College of Fellows, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming induction, stating, "I will be pleased to officially induct Holly, Kim, Paule, Sharmin, Wayne, Anne, John, Lisa, Alex and Richard into the College of Fellows."
Meet the New Inductees
The ten new fellows represent a diverse cross-section of the public relations industry in Canada, hailing from various sectors including academia, corporate communications, government, and non-profit organizations. The inductees are:
- Holly Cybulski, MA., APR, FCPRS, MCPRS Program Coordinator, BCMM and Professor, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
- Kim Daynard, BAH, MA, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS Senior Manager, Events and Public Relations, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
- Paule Genest, PRP, APR, FCPRS, MCRPS Director, Sales and ESG, TGWT
- Sharmin Nault Hislop, B.Sc., APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Director of Corporate Communications, Alberta Blue Cross
- Wayne Knorr, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Principal Consultant, Knorr Communications
- Anne McInerney, BPR, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, VP, Communications, J.D. Irving, Limited
- Lt-Colonel John P. Murray, MA, APR, CFRE, FCPRS, MCPRS, Territorial Secretary for Communications, The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda Territory
- Lisa Rushka, BComm, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Principal, Momentum Communications
- Alex Sévigny, PhD, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Associate Professor (Tenured), Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts, McMaster University
- Richard Truscott, MBA, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Vice President, Prairie Sky Strategy
Rigorous Selection Criteria
Attaining CPRS Fellowship status is no small feat. Candidates must meet stringent requirements, including:
- Being a member of the Society for at least 10 years
- Possessing a minimum of 20 years of experience in the public relations profession
- Maintaining Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation in good standing
- Demonstrating outstanding contributions to both the public relations profession and CPRS
With these new appointments, the College of Fellows now boasts 136 members and honorary members, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of professional recognition within Canada's public relations community.
About the Canadian Public Relations Society
Founded in 1948, the Canadian Public Relations Society is a not-for-profit professional association dedicated to the practice, management, and teaching of public relations and communications. Comprised of 13 Member Societies, CPRS's mission focuses on building a national public relations and communications management community through:
- Professional development and accreditation programs
- Collaboration with industry leaders
- A steadfast commitment to ethics and professional conduct
- Advocacy for the profession
- Support for members at all career stages
This induction ceremony represents another milestone in CPRS's ongoing efforts to recognize and promote excellence within Canada's public relations landscape.
