Student/Early Career

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 SIG Events
 

About Our Student/Early Career SIG Leaders

Jodi Lack headshotJodie Lack (she/her)

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 and Public Relations with a distinction in 2023.

 

Lenny Zaleski headshotLenny Zaleski (he/him)

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 Sarker headshotSrijoni Sarkar (she/her)

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 headshotYohana Fontenia (she/her)

Yohana is a dual bachelor's student in economics and 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 headshotRoss 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.

Jacob Robinson headshotJacob Robinson (he/him)
Fractional Adviser

Jacob Robinson is a Toronto-based communication consultant at APEX Public Relations, Kaizen practitioner and team captain of this 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 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 Organization Design Taskforce and was named a #WeLeadComms honoree in 2023.