About Us

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, the organization serves more than 8,000 members in 67 countries, 100 chapters and 10,000 organizations.

The IABC Barbados chapter was established to provide networking and professional development opportunities to Barbados-based practitioners in 2008.

2021 – 2022

Executive Board

President

Dr. Pamala Proverbs, B.A., M.A.

A founding member of IABC Barbados, Pamala P. Proverbs, PhD. MBA, APR, ABC is a graduate of the College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida. She started her University career at CARIMAC where she graduated with a BA (Hons.) with a focus on television. She holds a MBA from the University of Surrey, and a Masters in Strategic Public Relations from the George Washington University. Among her qualifications she is proud to have attained a Certificate in Gender and Development from the University of Florida Center for Gender Sexualities and Women Studies Research.

VP Finance

Alicia Bascombe

A creative and passionate communicator with over 16-years’ experience in customer- centric operations in the financial sector. Alicia is ardent in her professional pursuit to connect the message to the audience building on foundations of purpose, respect, empathy and inclusivity.

With a postgraduate degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship, this skilled professional is most keen on seeing the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses through world-class customer-experiences that are rooted in well- designed communication strategies. Alicia particularly enjoys content creation and public outreach.

As part of the new executive, Alicia intends to assist in raising the profile of communicators in all sectors across Barbados

VP Administration

Janelle Riley-Thornhill

Janelle is a strategic communications consultant and the chief operating officer of PRMR Inc. She has several years’ media and communications experience, having worked as a senior journalist with The Barbados Advocate, the island’s oldest newspaper, for over 20 years.

Janelle holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Political Science and History from The University of the West Indies UWI), a Certificate in Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing from The UWI Open Campus and an M.Sc. in Business Management (Entrepreneurship) from Edinburgh Napier University.

She is passionate about helping others and has volunteered her time and writing skills to assist various charities, including the Barbados Road Safety Association and the Centre for Counselling Addiction Support Alternatives.

For over 15 years, she has volunteered as a communications and marketing consultant with Hope Foundation – the Centre for Lupus, Sickle Cell and Arthritis, helping to promote and raise funds for their work. Since 2022, she has served on the Executive of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Barbados Chapter as Vice President of Admin.

VP Membership

Javier Reid

Javier Reid is a solution-oriented professional with a strong adherence to strategy, efficiency and creativity. He is an Assistant Lecturer in the Academy of Sport, Cave Hill in the Faculty of Sport at The University of the West Indies (UWI), having served as an adjunct member of faculty from 2013 designing and delivering courses in the Tourism and Sport Management MSc. and Sport Sciences BSc. programmes at Cave Hill.

From 2015 to 2021, Javier was the marketing officer of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), with responsibility for the BCA’s marketing and commercial strategy. Over the years, he has honed a diverse skill set through roles with various local, regional and international organisations. He is an excellent writer, demonstrated through various speech writing, business and proposal writing, grant writing, blog writing and information management roles.

A husband and father who believes life is about service, Javier has been a member of IABC since 2017 and aims to contribute to the organisation’s growth and effectiveness
in the coming years.

VP Marketing & Communications

Nikisha Toppin

Nikisha Toppin is a corporate communications practitioner with more than nine years’ experience in the field. Her areas of focus include public relations, public affairs, digital marketing and business development. She holds an MSc in Marketing and a BSc in Management. An avid writer, facilitator, and trainer, Nikisha works with non-profit organizations to help them achieve their goals and objectives. A crochet enthusiast, she expresses her passion for the craft through the creation of customized products. Mrs. Toppin looks forward to continuously contributing to Caribbean culture and is keen to see the craft industry expand beyond the country’s shores.

VP Professional Development

Fay Cooke-Nurse

Fay Cooke-Nurse was elected to serve as VP Professional Development at the November 24th, 2021, AGM of IABC Barbados.

Back in 2012, Fay joined the Association and from 2013, she has been serving on the Executive. Her roles included VP Administration for two terms, VP Membership and President-Elect.

Fay led IABC Barbados as President for the 2018-2019 term.

An award winning former journalist, Fay has been working in the PR profession for nearly 20 years. She is PR & Media Relations Consultant with her company MILLENNIUM COMMUNICATIONS, specialising in providing consultancy services to local, regional and international organisations, including PAHO/ WHO.

Our members hold positions in a variety of communication disciplines, including:

  • Public relations
  • Media relations
  • Corporate communication
  • Employee communication
  • Human resources
  • Graphic design
  • Public affairs
  • Editing
  • Investor relations
  • Leadership coaching
  • Government relations
  • Photography/Video production
  • Marketing communication
  • Community relations
  • Social responsibility
  • Writing

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