SEPTEMBER 2025: FALL RESET
Contents
1.
As the IABC year resets, we have a new chapter board
Andrea Walasek is back as IABC/Toronto’s VP, Special Interest Groups and Chair of PIC.
2.
From plateau to profit: How consultants can break the $150K ceiling
Trish Tervit shares what she took away from the August 20 “Land & Expand” session with powerhouse speaker Angelique Rewers.
3.
Diverse Threads: Sharon Aschaiek on using communications expertise to defend Jewish civil rights
Sharon Aschaiek has a new communication service offered to organizations striving to protect Jewish civil rights, safety and inclusion. Learn why in this conversation with Brent Artemchuk.
And more!
Find out why PIC members Brent Artemchuk, Cathy Cowan and Matisse Hamel-Lewis are in the news. Get the details about the IABC Canada Conference happening October 28-30 in Ottawa. Remember to update your online profile. And check out what you might have missed on our social media channels.
As the IABC year resets, we have a new chapter board
By Andrea Walasek
Welcome to another issue of The Buzz! As we prepare for fall, I want to thank everyone for supporting me over the past year as IABC/Toronto’s VP of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Chair of PIC. It’s been an honour serving you, and I’m grateful to continue in this role for the 2025/2026 board term.
This new IABC year brings new and returning IABC/Toronto board members. Under Amie Silverwood’s leadership, our board is excited to create engaging events that help members build knowledge, learn new skills through volunteer activities and PD events, expand our membership base and strengthen relationships. Here’s our 2025/2026 team (PIC members in bold):
We’re always looking for volunteers for IABC/Toronto and PIC across all portfolios! Whatever your availability, volunteering helps you expand your professional network, gain valuable skills and build work experience. Learn more about volunteering for the chapter here, and get in touch with me if you’d specifically like to help with PIC.
As The Buzz gets back to our regular monthly rhythm, Trish Tervit recaps our collaborative event with the IABC Consultants Shared Interest Group: Land & Expand: Turn Every Small Client Opportunity into Long-Term, High-Impact Engagements.
In our newest Diverse Threads column, Brent Artemchuk speaks with Sharon Aschaiek about the key role communicators play in supporting clients with sensitivity and allyship in today’s polarized environment. This is part of a regular series where we include a variety of perspectives intended to create awareness, encourage empathy and embrace diversity. Please get in touch if you’d like to add your perspective.
And don’t miss our member news!
Quick reminder: registration is still open for the IABC Canada Conference, coming in October. Visit the website for details, speakers, schedule and registration. Hope to see you there!
Once again, thank you for being part of our PIC community. If you have any comments or questions, ideas for professional development topics, or wish to volunteer with PIC, reach out to me at toronto-sig@iabc.to. I’m always happy to hear from you.
From plateau to profit: How consultants can break the $150K ceiling
By Trish Tervit
For many independent consultants, business comes through word of mouth and referrals, and income often stalls around the $150K mark. It’s a comfortable plateau but there’s so much more out there.
If you want to shift from running a self-employed job to building a true business, then Angelique Rewers, CEO and Founder of BoldHaus, has a proven process. BoldHaus is a hub for coaching, training and community that supports consultants driven to growth.
Angelique was the powerhouse speaker at a recent collaborative event between PIC and the IABC Consultants Shared Interest Group, called Land & Expand: Turn Every Small Client Opportunity into Long-Term, High-Impact Engagements. Her mission? To break consultants free from the “one-off project” treadmill and into a mindset that attracts premium, long-term client work.
It starts by having the mindset of a B2B decision maker. According to Angelique, there are six questions those decision-makers are always asking themselves. Our job as consultants is to answer these questions:
- Is there a problem we have to solve (can we live with this or do I need to do something about this?)?
- If yes, what are the solutions to solve it?
- Who can help us with this?
- Where will this go wrong?
- How much do we want to spend on this?
- But do we really have to do this now?
The key is to keep these questions in mind during the sale process and to be the one leading the selling discussion. Angelique is quick to point out that we only get ONE SHOT when having a discussion with prospects. The more we can come across as experts able to tell them what they need, the more likely we will win their business.
Her approach is simple: build the solution with your prospective client, in real time (co-create). Together, you design exactly what they need — the right ladder against the right wall.
Here’s why co-creating works:
- No wasted time on proposals that miss the mark.
- Bigger needs (and bigger opportunities) often surface in the process.
- Roadblocks get uncovered early, while you still have time to address them.
- Clients are more invested because they helped shape the solution.
- Results improve — a win for them, and for you.
The old “good-better-best” model of providing three pricing options in a proposal is dead. It commoditizes your expertise, adds unnecessary work, and slows decisions. Co-creating, on the other hand, positions you as a trusted advisor and dramatically improves your close rate.
And her last great tip? Never, and she means NEVER, send over a proposal and have a client read it. Always present it to them.
Want to learn more about how to elevate your business? Check out the BoldHaus website and consider joining the BoldHaus collective, which is a hub for entrepreneurs. And if you missed the webinar, login to the IABC members’ portal and check the Consultants SIG for the recording.
Diverse Threads: Sharon Aschaiek on using communications expertise to defend Jewish civil rights
By Brent Artemchuk
Welcome to Diverse Threads, an ongoing series that explores the journeys and stories of professional communicators who are actively working to embed diversity, equity and inclusion best practices for their clients.
This issue, we talk with Sharon Aschaiek (she/her). Sharon is an independent communicator who recently began offering communication services to organizations striving to protect Jewish civil rights, safety and inclusion.
Sharon explains, “From writing to content advising to publication management, I can help non-profits, advocacy groups and research organizations meaningfully engage with diverse stakeholder audiences in ways that inspire them to stand up against antisemitism. My writing expertise enables me to craft informative content for newsletters, blog posts and other communications materials that focus on countering anti-Jewish libel and propaganda and promoting clarity and facts.”
What inspired you to introduce this new service?
As a Jew, I’m deeply concerned about my community’s ability to continue to live safely and with full rights in Canada. This communications service is my response to the growing existential threat to Jews.
We’re experiencing a dangerous and alarming trend of soaring antisemitism, an abstract term that’s better summed up as Jew-hate, in Canada and worldwide. Jews make up a tiny percentage of Canada’s population but are vastly overrepresented as the targets of hate crimes.
During the last two years, Toronto and other cities have seen:
- Jews harassed and attacked in the streets
- Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues vandalized
- Gunshots fired at a school for Jewish girls
- Jewish students at K-12 schools within multiple school boards marginalized, vilified and dehumanized by other students as well as teachers
- K-12 teachers denying or distorting truths about Jewish identity and ancestral history
- Jewish university students ostracized, demonized and barred from some campus spaces
- Hate mobs menacing residents in predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods
- The growing marginalization of Jewish voices and perspectives in sectors such as higher education, public education, health care and government.
We’re seeing the real-time erosion of Jewish human rights, safety and inclusion in our society. Jews are being subjected to escalating discriminatory hate because of geopolitical affairs. I want to be clear: Jews are not responsible for the decisions made or actions taken in any conflict. Blaming all Jews for geopolitical conflicts is discriminatory. As with all ethnic/cultural/religious groups, Jews have a right to live safely and free from discrimination.
My new service, called Communications for Jewish Initiatives, helps advocacy groups, foundations, non-profits and other entities focused on Jewish civic rights to:
- Firmly call out Jew-hate
- Defend Jewish safety and freedoms
- Build ties with non-Jewish allies
- Hold the perpetuators of anti-Jewish discrimination accountable.
How does your lived experience influence your approach?
As a Jew, I’m keenly aware of the long, dark history of anti-Jewish persecution in societies across the globe. Violence against Jews has touched my family directly; most of my mother’s family members in Poland were murdered by Nazis along with six million other Jews. My father’s family had property in Iraq confiscated and they were forcibly ejected from that country, a fate experienced by 850,000 Jews in Middle Eastern countries in the 1940s.
I therefore understand firsthand the need for Jews to be proactive in defending their right to live in safety and with full human rights.
I use my knowledge of Jew-hate — its history, contributing factors and ways to counter it — combined with my connections within the Jewish community to help organizations craft communications messages and campaigns. These aim to achieve advocacy goals such as raising funds for Jewish rights causes; influencing government leaders to take action on antisemitism; mobilizing the public to take a stand against discrimination against Jews; and engaging non-Jewish citizens of conscience to stand in solidarity with Jews.
What advice would you give communicators who want to support clients with cultural sensitivity and allyship, especially in today’s polarized environment?
Antisemitism is a phenomenon that affects everyone’s collective safety and rights. History shows that when we allow hate and violence against a minority group to fester, it threatens the stability of our entire society. Jews make up a tiny percentage of the population and cannot fight antisemitism alone. It’s up to all people of conscience to collectively take a clear, firm stand against it.
Independent communicators, Jewish or not, have an important role to play in three key areas:
1. The rise of Jew-hate can corrode workplace morale and disenfranchise Jewish employees, which can adversely affect productivity. As communicators, we can help shape internal communications in ways that contribute to an inclusive, positive workplace. We can use our expertise to help our clients counter hate by advising on and developing internal communications materials that foster mutual understanding and respect. Communicators can also educate clients about this form of discrimination so they can counter it at their organizations.
2. For many communicators, the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) play a direct or indirect role in the work they do for their clients. But to date, DEI has largely excluded policies and programs to address hate directed at Jews. The soaring antisemitism of the last almost two years has underscored glaring gaps in the DEI model in how it neglects this targeted minority group. Communicators who care about genuine DEI have a key role to play in rectifying this state of affairs by ensuring that their clients’ communications are shaped by DEI practices that are inclusive of ALL minorities.
3. Communicators who want to be involved in addressing antisemitism to advance social justice can use their expertise to help organizations effectively articulate and disseminate their advocacy messages.
How do intersecting identities – such as diversity in gender, sexuality or ability – factor into the work you do?
Antisemitism affects people of all different identities, whether they’re Jewish or not. Hate against a minority is a threat to our collective well-being and safety, so individuals of all identities have a vital role to play in curbing this dangerous form of hate.
Diverse Threads is an ongoing series that explores the journeys and stories of professional communicators who are actively working to embed diversity, equity and inclusion best practices in their clients' organizations. If you have a story you’d like to share, please email Toronto-sig@iabc.to and we'll follow up. We welcome submissions from both PIC and IABC/Toronto members.
Member news
Brent Artemchuk (he/him) had what he called a “pinch me” moment in June: He was awarded the inaugural Forever Proud IMpact Award for ongoing leadership at TD Bank, where he is Senior Manager, Change Management. The new award recognizes leadership making a significant and lasting impact on the 2SLGBTQ+ community within TD. It honours those who demonstrate vision, courage and advocacy in advancing equity, inclusion and diversity and inspires others to create meaningful change. “I’m lucky to work for an organization that truly values inclusion and diversity,” Brent says.
Cathy Cowan (she/her) is one of three nominees for the Women’s Nonprofit Network Volunteer of the Year, honouring a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their contributions to the organization. Cathy serves as a WNN advisor and sits on multiple boards dedicated to women’s empowerment. The winner will be announced Oct. 21.
Cathy was also interviewed by Canada’s Entrepreneur, which covers entrepreneurs who are making things happen across the country. Cathy discusses her career and the advice she gives other entrepreneurs, including “Ask yourself, what do you do better than anyone else.” Among the best advice she’s received: “Build a life you’re excited about.”
Matisse Hamel-Nelis, ADS, CPACC (she/her), recently received one of Durham Region’s 2025 Accessibility Awards, given for significant contributions to improving accessibility in the region. “Accessibility isn’t something I ‘do’ on the side,” Matisse stresses. “It’s something I try to live every day. Whether it’s in my work, volunteering or community projects, my hope has always been to help remove barriers and make things a little more welcoming for everyone.”
Up your game at the IABC Canada Conference
Join Canada’s top communications professionals October 28 to 30 at the 2025 IABC Canada Conference in Ottawa. From thought-provoking keynotes to dynamic discussions on leadership, strategy, emerging trends, and digital transformation, this is the must-attend event for communicators. You’ll learn how to:
- Master skills and strategies to stand out in a disrupted world
- Cut through digital clutter to make your messages land
- Bridge generational gaps that can make or break your campaigns
- Transform complex topics into clear, credible and trusted messages.
Two PIC members are leading breakout sessions: Priya Bates, ABC, MC, SCMP, IABC Fellow, on Communicating Through Chaos, and Matisse Hamel-Nelis, ADS, CPACC, on Digital Accessibility as a Strategic Advantage.
Special offer: Register by September 25 with code IABCCanConf25 and get 15% off the regular member or non-member rate.
P.S. While you’re in Ottawa, see the city: Go for a walking tour on October 28 or the Haunted Tour on October 30.
Is your profile on the PIC member list current?
As a PIC member, you can promote yourself at no charge on the PIC member list, which is updated quarterly on the IABC/Toronto website. Your listing can include your name, preferred pronouns, company name, city, email address, telephone number (if you wish), website URL and a brief description of your business (about 80 words). Send your new or updated listing to Kathryn Hollinrake, our Director, Membership, at kathryn@hollinrake.com.
See you on social media!
Build and strengthen your connections, advance your business and network with other PIC members on social media. In case you missed them, recent posts shared on our social media channels include these:
With summer vacations behind us and fall routines setting in, it’s the perfect time to reset and refocus, says psychologist Katie Turner.
Just as the trees release their leaves, we too can let go of what no longer serves us and make space for fresh opportunities. Here are 75 fall affirmations to embrace rest and renewal, like “Each season brings fresh possibilities” and “I choose to see every day as a new start.”
Written last year, but just as appropriate today. Eileen Chadnick talks about what to do when the world keeps throwing tough stuff our way: Pay attention to the good stuff.
Who we are
Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) is a special interest group of IABC/Toronto. PIC’s mission is to support independent IABC/Toronto communicators through professional development, networking and marketing. The Buzz informs members about upcoming events, shares professional development tips from past meetings and keeps us connected.
IABC connects communicators from around the world with the insights, resources and people they need to drive their careers and their professions forward.
Editor: Sue Horner, SCMP
Executive team
Chair: Andrea Walasek | Past Chair: Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond, SCMP | Membership: Kathryn Hollinrake | Communications & Social Media: Brent Artemchuk, Sue Horner, SCMP | Programming: Catharine Heddle, Trish Tervit