IABC Waterloo 2024 Wrapped: A Year in Review with Our Board Members
By Kat Cottrill
As 2024 wraps up, we’re taking a fun stroll down memory lane with the amazing team behind IABC Waterloo. Just like Spotify Wrapped gives you a peek into your year in music, we’re giving you an inside look at the highlights, lessons learned, and pop culture obsessions of our board members. Grab your favorite beverage and get cozy—it’s time to discover what kept us all inspired, relaxed, and on our toes in 2024!
Liz Dirksen, President
What book made an impact this year?
This year, I really wanted to prioritize reading - so far, I'm at 46 books out of my goal of 50! Most of these are fiction, but one book that stands out is Wordslut, by Amanda Montell. Montell's books (highly recommend 'Cultish'! and I have 'The Age of Magical Overthinking' on my TBR pile). Wordslut is such a fascinating book - it's a self-described "Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language". I love linguistics and so this feminist lens was right up my alley.
Go-to relaxation activity?
In September of 2023, I decided I wanted to learn a new craft. I'm a fibre artist who crochets, does embroidery/cross stitch, and learned to knit, but I decided to take on weaving as my major project! After a couple of courses at my local Spinners and Weavers Guild, I now have my own loom and am looking forward to being able to do more of it in 2025!
Lesson learned in 2024?
I can do hard things! This year, I set myself a goal of completing a half-marathon. Despite struggles in consistency and training, and some life-getting-in-the-way, I pushed through and completed my first ever race in October. The persistence and mind-over-body is something I want to carry forward this year.
What course, webinar, or resource has made the most impact on your professional development in 2024?
Getting my CMP designation at the end of 2023 made me really consider what opportunities there were to grow and learn in 2024. It brought me some clarity and focus and helped me prioritize PD (when it is so easy to deprioritize)
Patricia Wilkinson-Bizjak, Vice President
Favorite book this year?
Born of Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout. Just a good old fashioned fantasy read in an amazing series of books! Sometimes you just need to shut your brain down and enjoy a good story
Go-to activity for stress relief?
Agility training with my pointer, Charlie.
Lesson that will guide you in 2025?
AI is a friend, not a foe; embrace it for the tool it is and own your own destiny!
What’s the best professional advice you've received (or given) in 2024?
You won’t lose your job to AI, but you might lose your job to somebody using AI.
Sarah - Social Media Director
Book that you couldn’t put down?
"Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros. It was a page-turner! The themes of resilience, loyalty, and courage had me hooked from start to finish. If you love fantasy with plenty of drama, this one’s a must-read!
Go-to decompression activity?
Orange Theory three times a week to stay fit, plus visits to outdoor spas like Thermea Spa in Whitby. Pure relaxation!
The most valuable lesson learned this year?
Authenticity is key! In my work as a digital communications specialist, I’ve learned that genuine, community-driven engagement leads to the best results.
Felicity Demetriou, Student Engagement Director
Your favorite TV show of the year?
Abbott Elementary.
Is there a song or playlist that’s been on repeat for in 2024?
Short n' Sweet - album by Sabrina Carpenter
What lesson will guide your work in 2025?
Put yourself out there.
Best professional advice?
Network!!!
Patti Cosgarea, Membership Director
Book recommendation for 2024?
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten - this is such a remarkable memoir! Learning about her career journey and all its ebbs and flows was inspiring
How do you decompress?
During the summer, I love to decompress by running outside or reading in my hammock. In the winter, I spend lots of time doing yoga, at the gym, or traveling somewhere sunny.
What is one skill you improved on this year and how did you do it?
Reporting on metrics. This can be tricky with PR which is sometimes difficult to measure but the right resources and software make all the difference and automating the reporting using dashboards is a big time saver.
What’s your favourite emerging tool in communications?
I use Notion both professionally and personally. It keeps me and my team so organized. A must have for all comms professionals!
Kat Cottrill, Digital Communications Director
Favorite book of the year?
Truthfully, it would be the ACOTAR series by Sarah J Maas - subtle shoutout to my coworker Sam for the recommendation. I’ve always been an avid reader, however, after having my twins in 2021, I lost my passion for a while. ACOTAR reignited my love of reading.
Go-to relaxation activity?
I always value time with my family, but this year I tried to focus on some more self-care. It looked a lot like reading, indulging in chai lattes, and taking early morning walks.
Lesson learned in 2024?
You’re allowed to say ‘No.’ It feels pretty obvious, but for some, it’s not that simple. Understanding my capacity has allowed me to focus more energy on the projects that matter, without feeling pulled in every direction.
What’s your favourite emerging trend or tool that’s currently taking the communication industry by storm, and how do you see it shaping the future of the field?
I’m team AI, forever and ever. AI is rapidly transforming the communications industry, especially in content creation, data analysis, and personalization. As AI evolves, it continues to streamline workflows, allowing professionals to focus on strategy and creative thinking, ultimately shaping more efficient and personalized communication strategies. In the second half of 2024, I’ve been playing with tools to better understand how AI can help me within my role as a Senior Social Media and Online Engagement Specialist - and I’m hooked.
Emily, Professional Development Director
What book resonated with you in 2024?
The Art of Showing Up by Rachel Wilkerson Miller is a heartfelt guide to building stronger connections—with yourself and others. Packed with practical advice and a touch of humor, it covers everything from setting boundaries to nurturing meaningful friendships. It’s the perfect reminder that showing up is the real secret to thriving relationships.
What’s a podcast that has inspired you or kept you hooked this year?
If pop culture deep dives and heartfelt nostalgia are your thing, Be There in Five with Kate Kennedy is a must-listen. Kate’s witty, insightful commentary on everything from millennial trends to niche internet culture feels like chatting with your most self-aware best friend. It’s smart, funny, and packed with the kind of tangents you didn’t know you needed.
Go-to decompression activity?
Hot yoga at Wild Heart Yoga in Cambridge has been my favorite way to reset this year.
Lesson learned in 2024?
Advocate for yourself. No one knows what you need better than you do, so speak up, set boundaries, and ask for what you deserve. Trust me—your future self will thank you for it.
Meghan Thomson, Digital Communications Director & Executive Administrator
What’s a podcast that has inspired you or kept you hooked this year?
Even the Royals (a wondery podcast). Think history class but with a bit of Hollywood flair, the hosts will take you through royal families ranging from present day to medieval times. It kept me hooked to learn the main points about history but also is a more entertaining way. If you want to know more about the wives of King Henry VIII I would say give the 6 series episode a listen!
Is there a song or playlist that’s been on repeat for in 2024?
Tortured Poets Department - Taylor Swift (The Anthology), the entire album, although Down Bad was my favourite song, and to no surprise yes I went to the Era's Tour it was amazing #noregrets
What’s the most valuable lesson you learned in 2024 that will guide your work in the coming year?
"Talk to everyone and gather all the info you can before crafting a response" - not only is this true for communications, I think it can be applied to everyday life. If you make decisions based off of only having half of the information you run the risk of making the wrong decision.
What’s the best professional advice you've received (or given) in 2024?
"Trust your gut". While I've taken this advice in the past outside of work, it was given again this year and has yet to let me down. Specifically in communications, if you think something is off or something seems like it could possibly boil up into an issue, you're probably right. Part of my role as a Communications Advisor is issues management, which means handling minor issues that could potentially grow into larger issues, so it has always been better to go with my gut even if on the surface the issues looks managed or insignificant.
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And there you have it! From books that kept us up at night to lessons that will guide us into the next year, our board members have been living, learning, and growing in 2024. Here's to more inspiration, relaxation, and success in 2025!