About Us

Chair

Roy Marra, Toronto, ON

Roy Marra is an IT executive with extensive experience in risk management, governance, data analytics and service delivery. His career in Information Technology included senior leadership roles in internal IT solution delivery and outsourcing services for various organizations in the Healthcare, Financial, Private and Public sectors.

Roy has served on several Boards for healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. He is a former Ministry of Health appointment to The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, former Board member of Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archive (PAMA) and former Vice President/Treasurer of the Legacy Pines Community Association. He is a current Board member of Osteoporosis Canada, Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority and is an active member of the Standards Council of Canada Mirror Committee for ISO/IEEE standard development related to IT service management and business process outsourcing.

Roy holds a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) an EMBA and received the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from The Directors College.

Treasurer

Liliek (Lili) Sidharta

Lili brings a valuable blend of technology, data automation, and nonprofit expertise beside her bookkeeping skills to the board. Her career has evolved from web programming and data integration, and she now focuses on leveraging these skills to enhance operational efficiency and performance. Currently, she is developing tools for financial reporting and character-building platforms, demonstrating her commitment to both technological advancement and community impact.

Her contributions to the Greater Vancouver nonprofit sector include several years in donor and donation administration at the Canadian Red Cross, where her dedication was recognized with a Certificate of Merit.

A Coquitlam resident committed to lifelong learning and meaningful volunteerism, Lili holds a Master of Engineering in Information Processing from Japan, a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Indonesia, and certificates in Bookkeeping and Data Analytics from Canada.

Director

Stephanie Fung, Winnipeg, MB

Stephanie Fung is a senior public relations and communications practitioner.

She advises executives on issues and reputation management as well as how to use PR and marketing to build strong brands. Her clients look to her to develop communication initiatives and strategies that resonate across North America in a wide range of industries. She’s aided and taken lead in public relations strategy development, media training, events management and online marketing initiatives for multiple local and national organizations, including Dynacare, Efficiency Manitoba, Travel Manitoba, Assiniboine Park Conservancy and others.

Director

Christine (Chris) Gilliland, CFRE, Saint John, NB

Chris is Principal of Way Up Strategic Solutions and a communications strategist with more than 20 years of experience spanning public relations, marketing, brand management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. Before launching her consultancy, she spent nearly 13 years with Danone, leading North American consumer affairs and regulatory initiatives for brands including Evian Natural Spring Water. Today, she works with nonprofit organizations across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, helping them strengthen relationships and achieve their goals through strategic communications and fundraising.

A long-time volunteer and advocate for professional development, Chris is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation. Through her teaching, mentoring, and coaching work, she helps fundraisers apply the principles of Philanthropic Psychology to build stronger donor relationships and more meaningful communications.

Director

Wayne Knorr, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, Fredericton, NB

Wayne has over 30 years experience in the fields of tourism and communications. He retired a few years ago as the Communications Manager for the City of Fredericton and is now providing freelance communications support as the Principal Consultant with Knorr Communications.

In addition to volunteering locally with church and community activities, he is a long-time member and volunteer with CPRS. Currently, he serves as a Board Member of the CPRS Foundation and is a member of the CPRS National Governance Committee. He is a Past President of the Canadian Public Relations Society (2020-21).

Accredited in Public Relations (APR), and recently named to the CPRS College of Fellows (FCPRS), he has an Honours degree in English from St. Thomas University and a Certificate in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick. A proud husband, father, and grandfather, he is playing a little pickleball and doing some travelling now that he is retired.

Director

Jessica Ryan

Jessica is a communications leader specialized in donor stewardship, campaign development, communications, and public advocacy. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree (Hon.) in Sociology from Queen’s University, complemented by professional certificates in Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Media Studies. Over her career, she’s led cross-functional communications and fundraising initiatives, managed stakeholder networks, and advanced public health and social-impact messaging.

In addition to her professional work, Jessica volunteers with nonprofits to strengthen governance, strategy, and brand voice. In 2025, she joined the CPRS Foundation Board, where she is committed to enhancing donor engagement through strategic stewardship and storytelling.

Director

Johanna Ward, MA, APR, Vancouver, BC

Johanna Ward, MA, APR is a Senior Communications Strategist with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. Her role includes media relations, issues management and providing strategic counsel to senior leadership. Prior to joining the College, she worked as a journalist, copy editor and PR strategist. Through her career, she's provided thought leadership and powerful storytelling for clients in a broad range of industries.

Johanna earned a Master's in Professional Communication from Royal Roads in 2017, and received her APR in 2020. She is a big believer in the value of a strong professional association and of the value in giving back. A Past President of CPRS Vancouver, Johanna has served as a CPRS National awards judge, jury coordinator and mentor. She currently sits on the CRPS National Programming Committee and Nominating Committee, chaired the advisory committee for the 2021 CRPS National conference, and co-chaired the Local Advisory Committee for the 2023 National CPRS Conference, ELEVATE. She joined the CPRS Foundation board in 2023 as vice-Chair.

Director

Julia White, Vancouver, BC

Julia is a communications and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic brand positioning, public relations, and stakeholder engagement in the finance and life sciences sectors. Known for her strategic vision and ability to translate complex ideas into powerful stories, she is a trusted leader in corporate communications. Currently, Julia is a senior executive in external affairs and communications for a financial institution where she leads initiatives that drive business growth by connecting diverse communities with financial services, ensuring inclusive and impactful engagement.

Director

Simon Yackulic, APR, Edmonton, AB

Simon earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is the Communication’s Director for Parkland County, one of the largest (in both size and population) rural municipalities in Alberta. Simon leads a team of professionals who serve as the welcoming public face of the County and undertake promotional and advertising activities, issues management, media relations efforts and provide support for County leadership on high-profile events and announcements. When disaster strikes, he serves as lead Public Information Officer in the emergency operations centre.

Simon previously worked for the Government of Alberta in the Communications and Public Engagement department and in the Public Service Commission. On the media side, he previously served as the Publisher of The Yards, central Edmonton’s award-winning news magazine. Outside of work, he has volunteered on the media crew of Edmonton’s folk music festival and as a director on the board of Edmonton’s Wîhkwêntôwin Community League.

Director

Fionn Yaxley, MA, Victoria, BC

Fionn Yaxley has over 15 years of experience working in the communication field with most of it focused on working for non-profits. She fell in love with wordsmithing early and charted an educational path into the field of marketing and communications. Fionn received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria and completed her Master of Arts in Professional Communication at Royal Roads. Writing and a strong interest in advocating for non-profits have taken precedence in her career choices.

Always keen to learn, project management, business administration, sustainability management, leadership, and event planning were added to her educational achievements. Wholly committed to championing causes she believes in, Fionn has spent her career finding innovative ways to share information with the support of her interests in photography, film, design, writing, and social media. Fionn joined the CPRS Foundation board in 2022 and sits on the Communications Committee.