British Columbia Chapter of PAAC

The Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC) is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1984. Our principal objective is to help public affairs professionals succeed in their work by providing them with forums for professional development, the exchange of new ideas and networking.

PAAC’s growing membership represents a cross-section of the many disciplines involved in public affairs including policy development, government relations, lobbying, communications, opinion research and public relations. Our members come from both the private and public sectors, in areas such as industrial and financial companies, crown corporations, consulting firms, small business, ministries and municipalities, PR organizations, trade associations, educational institutions, law and accounting firms.

The events we offer range from full professional development conferences to tools and techniques sessions and high-profile speakers. We also publish a comprehensive newsletter featuring the latest PAAC and industry news, as well as online job postings from across the country.To suggest future events or learn more about the chapter, please email PAAC-BC@publicaffairs.ca.

‍PAAC BC Chapter Executive

Kim Haakstad – PAAC BC Chapter President
Vice President Government Relations & General Manager. Global Public Affairs

‍Jeff Ferrier  –  Vice President
National Public Relations

‍Bill Tieleman – Treasurer/Secretary
President, West Star Communications

‍Mike Cunningham – Membership Chair
Graphite Public Affairs

‍Alycia Coulter – Events Chair
Senior Consultant, Government & Community Relations, Fraser Health

‍Jack Middleton – Advisor, BC Citizen Engagement & Outreach
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

‍Karen McDonald, MBA – Communications Chair
Director, Government Relations, Central One Credit Union

Tamara Little - Past President
Owner, Coast Communications

‍Members at Large

Derek Badger
Manager, Government Affairs (BC), Janssen Inc

Michael Gardiner
Gastown Strategy Group

‍Mike LoVecchio
Director – Government Affairs at Canadian Pacific

‍Alicia Peters
First West Credit Union

‍Muneesh Sharma
Building Owners and Managers Association of BC

‍Steve Vander Wal
Vice-President Public Affairs, Hill+Knowlton Strategies