IABC’s Student and Early Career Professional Shared Interest Group provides opportunities, resources and support to college students and early professionals with the goal of enhancing career readiness and instilling a life-long passion for the field. This initiative takes inspiration and action from its members who assume volunteer leadership roles to facilitate networking, produce programs, promote volunteerism and provide access to experienced professionals.
Upcoming Events/Conversations
Stay tuned!
About Our Student/Early Career SIG Leaders
Jacob Robinson (he/him)
Senior Managing Director
Jacob Robinson is a Toronto-based communication consultant at APEX Public Relations, Kaizen practitioner and team captain of our shared interest group. Jacob has found learning about process, people, data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), internal communication, organisational culture, agile business functions, cause and effect, prioritisation, macro forces, and 'the whole works' to be a majestic experience. By working diligently with fellow brilliant emerging (early careers and students) and senior business leaders, we will continue to illuminate this program and bring it to the forefront of greatness. Jacob also served on IABC’s stronger together organisation design taskforce and was named a #WeLeadComms honoree in 2023.
Jodie Lack (she/her)
Senior Director, Growth
Jodie is a high-performing early career public relations professional. She has an eager and passionate interest in the areas of tourism, B-Corporation, not-for-profit and government. With over two years of industry experience, Jodie’s skills have been highly developed in media relations, social media, website design and event management. Jodie graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) with a distinction in 2023.
Lenny Zaleski (he/him)
Director, Public Affairs
Lenny Zaleski is a Chicago native and currently studying public relations and political science at the University of Dayton on track for an accelerated Master’s in Public Administration. Zaleski has worked primarily for nonprofits and government agencies focusing on the environment, climate change, housing and human rights. Currently, he is a Communications Intern at the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office working on social media strategy, event marketing, strategic communications campaigns and email marketing. Lenny’s key focus areas include media relations, social media strategy and strategic communications focused on brand perception and community relations.
Srijoni Sarkar (she/her)
Director, External Communications
Hailing from India and based in Toronto, Srijoni Sarkar is a communications and public relations professional, giving her practice a rich international perspective. As a multi-media storyteller, her passion lies in utilizing visual, auditory and written mediums to craft compelling narratives. Currently working with APEX Public Relations, a leading full-service agency, Srijoni combines her strategic communication expertise with her creative capabilities to play a key role in digital media, media relations, influencer relations and events, to integrate campaigns and drive brand results.
Yohana Fontenia (she/her)
Director, People and Culture
Yohana is a dual bachelor's student in Economics & Politics at the London School of Economics and Business Leadership at Forward College. Having lived in Spain, Portugal, France, and Germany, she embraces a holistic international perspective. She is passionate about education, social justice, leadership, strategy, and sustainability. She is an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, she has collaborated with the European Commission and UNICEF in several events related to climate change. She has also worked and led several projects and start-ups. Yohana is committed to working towards positive global changes and helping others.
Ross Monaghan (he/him)
Adviser
Ross is an award-winning academic, author and communication expert. He started his working life as a reporter in regional Victoria before working in senior communication roles at BHP and Optus. He is a former CEO of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. Now an academic at Deakin University, Ross teaches, researches and consults in the fields of communication, social media and emergency communication. He has worked with a range of commercial and government organisations including Victorian, NSW and Queensland Government Departments, and the Australia Defence Force.
Ross also serves as the Vice Chair of IABC APAC.
Catalina Gardescu, CMP (she/her)
Adviser
A Communication and Public Relations Specialist since 2001, Catalina worked for two decades at the American International School of Bucharest, first building and then heading the Admissions and External Relations Department . Her work included parent interviews, admissions projections, communications, parent relations, fundraising, alumni relations and strategic marketing. In the field of admissions in international schools, she worked to grow a network of a couple hundred international education promoters who reach out to each other, share information and expertise. She was involved in creating leading professional development workshops for international schools –designed and led Admissions Certification Courses in Shanghai, Singapore, and Sofia - founded the International Admissions Bulletin (currently published by Faria Education Group as the leading international schools’ admissions publication). She has founded and is now leading Ideas Into Action and volunteers as the VP of IABC EMENA Board and as the Membership Director of Safe Passage Across Networks and supports many international and national NGOs.
Catalina also serves as the Chair of IABC EMENA.
For information about Shared Interest Groups, or if you are interested in starting a new SIG, please contact member_relations@iabc.com.