Instructors
Who We Are
Stephanie Mitton
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO of Beacon North Strategies, is a dynamic force in public affairs, renowned for her strategic campaign expertise that resonates nationally and globally. With a diverse background spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors, including roles such as Managing Director of Children First Canada and Director of Government Relations at Universities Canada, Stephanie brings a wealth of experience to her endeavors. Through her co-founded podcast and blog, "WOMENdontDOthat," she amplifies the voices of extraordinary women while championing empowerment. A sought-after speaker and host of transformative events, Stephanie's academic credentials, including a master’s from Wilfrid Laurier University and a bachelor’s from Carleton University, underpin her unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in navigating the complexities of public affairs.
123-456-7890
Andrew Defor
Instructor
Andrew Defor is a Senior Associate at Beacon North Strategies. He has over a decade of experience in public affairs and government relations. Andrew began his career at the World Health Organization, advising G20 Ministers and managing high-level communications with EU, African Union, and World Bank officials. His prior roles include executing successful public affairs campaigns at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Canadian International Council. Andrew is also a Professor of Canadian Politics at Mohawk College and Director of Policy & Government Relations at the Center for Global Health Security & Diplomacy.
Myrrhanda Novak
Instructor
Myrrhanda Novak is the Executive Director of Strategic Communications at the University of Manitoba, with extensive experience leading high-impact internal communications as well as media relations, issues management and strategic contend development. She led the development of the university president’s highly successful instillation speech, initiated and led the What’s the Big Idea? podcast series, supported senior leaders during complex issues management challenges, and helped to secure more than $100 million of government investment in university priorities. Prior to joining UM, Myrrhanda spent ten years working for various Members of Parliament and Ministers, including six years as a communications director, gaining relevant experience in project management, strategic communications, issues management, parliamentary process and media relations. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from Carleton University.
Instructor
Andrea Chrysanthou is a multiple award-winning communicator and educator with almost 15 years of experience in communications, public relations and public affairs. It's a far cry from her beginnings as a child refugee who came to Canada with little but her family and love of learning.
She has held senior roles at two of Canada’s most respected agencies: NATIONAL Public Relations, where she served as Senior Director, Corporate Communications and Global Public Affairs, where she served as Vice President, Communications.
In those roles, she supported some of North America’s most respected companies with comprehensive communications strategies and multi-channel campaigns, some of which have won awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society.
Prior to her career in communications, Andrea worked as a journalist at some of Canada’s top national broadcasters as well as international news organizations. The experience gives her a unique understanding of what the media needs to actualize a great story and her work consistently leads to coverage in top-tier media across the country and internationally.
Andrea is one of less than 500 Canadians Accredited in Public Relations (APR) through the Canadian Public Relations Society. She also holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. Passionate about advancing the communications industry in Canada, she has taught and guest lectured at communications programs at several Canadian post-secondary institutions and continues to mentor new communicators through a variety of initiatives.
