Who Runs the MarComm Education World? Women!

Women are rising to the top of the PR, Marketing and Communications industry.

Post-secondary educators play an integral role in shaping the next generation of PR, Marketing and Communication professionals. Today's Canadian marketing industry is a direct result of educators who have spent their lives shaping the standards of the industry, as well as the minds and expectations of new industry professionals.

Known for being a diverse and multicultural country, the future marketing professionals of Canada should represent the population of their future audience. For decades, white men have dominated the educational and professional leadership space. Fortunately for prospective marketers, the Canadian education system is growing in terms of diversity, programs, and experiences. Although the system still has a long way to go in terms of equal employment and opportunities, we are seeing significant progress in diversity – both in terms of institutional offerings and educators.

According to a report by Statistics Canada, the number of female professors in Canada has risen by approximately 18 per cent since 2014. While this growth is impactful, there remains a significant amount of work to be done. In 2019, Statistics Canada found that 63% of tenured positions in Canadian universities were held by men compared to 37% by women. In 2022, we continue to see an increase in the number of diverse educators available through the various types of educational programs in the country.

Whether one might be a university professor or a digital Bootcamp instructor, the lived experiences and insights of educators impact the future of marketing, passing down their knowledge from one generation to the next. To acknowledge the importance of these educators, Marketing News Canada began a search for the top professors and instructors across the country. Throughout this national search, ten leading women were identified for their ongoing contributions to the industry and the students they mentor. Teaching at impressive institutions and prominent digital education spaces, these women have shaped the minds, passions, and career paths of countless students.

As part of the Canadian marketing community, we are fortunate to have so many talented educators and nominees that create the industry we know today. This year, we honour ten women as 2022’s Top 10 PR, Marketing and Communications Professors & Instructors in Canada.

Introducing 2022’s Top 10 PR, Marketing and Communications Professors & Instructors

Ela Veresiu: Dr. Ela Veresiu is an associate professor of marketing at York University’s Schulich School of Business. Loved by her students, Dr. Veresiu has contributed an understanding of consumer diversity and market inclusion to her countless students and colleagues. Her courses include Marketing Gendernomics, Startup Marketing, and Unlocking Customer Value Through Tech.

Stephanie Koonar: Stephanie Koonar is a talented marketing, communications and public relations instructor with more than 22 years of experience. As part of the Langara School of Management faculty, Stephanie has championed the addition of industry certifications as part of post-secondary course requirements, including Hootsuite, Google Ads and Google Analytics.

Kylie McMullan: Kylie McMullan is an award-winning educator with numerous post-secondary schools and digital institutions under her belt, including Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Community College, and Jelly Academy. Her 12 years of teaching experience have led to an impressive portfolio specializing in public relations. Kylie is also a cited author for the 2014 edition and 2022 reprint of Canadian Public Relations in the Real World.

Mina Rohani: Dr. Mina Rohani is a talented marketing professor with more than 15 years of teaching experience starting in Canada. Her work as an educator has brought her to the heart of Silicon Valley, where she currently develops digital marketing and marketing analytics courses for students.

Angele Beausoleil: Dr. Angele Beausoleil is a ‘pracademic’ with over 25 years working in various marketing, strategy and design roles. With Canada’s first Ph.D. in Innovation Pedagogy, Dr. Beausoleil was the first-ever professor hired at the Business Design Initiative at the Rotman School of Management. At Rotman’s, she has revolutionized the curriculum by developing and introducing a suite of design-related courses.

Dana DiTomaso: Dana DiTomaso is a digital marketing and SEO expert, well known for her in-depth courses on LinkedIn Learning. As a sought-after speaker and technology columnist, Dana is an expert in all things coding, digital marketing and SEO, with thousands of students benefiting from her insights.

Olga Milkovska: Olga Milkovska is the lead instructor of data analytics at Brainstation. Throughout her career, Olga has encouraged countless students to discover answers to the toughest questions through data-driven analysis. As an experienced teacher, Olga helps students learn techniques and tools to solve real-world data problems.

Deanna Wampler: Social media strategist and educator, Deanna Wampler is well-versed in sharing her in-depth knowledge with eager students. As a Jelly Academy professor, Deanna has made a powerful impact on her students, sharing her knowledge from her years of experience as a consultant.

Sarah Stockdale: As the founder and CEO of Growclass, Sarah Stockdale has built her career by providing online marketing training. After building an eight-week online growth marketing course, Sarah has created a close-knit community in marketing education and improved the foundational knowledge of marketing students.

Carey Houston & Chantel Elliott: Carey Houston and Chantel Elliott are the founders of 321 Growth Academy – a training school focused on helping startups and scale-ups ignite growth. Together, these two women have educated entrepreneurs and helped pave the way for Canadian startups.

The Canadian marketing industry is fortunate to have so many talented and unique educators influencing future professionals. The impact made by these women has played a significant role in the industry we work within and experience today. By providing more diverse leaders to mentor Canadian students, we continue to climb upwards to a more equal and equitable future.

Written by Emma Whiten