Ruth Atherley,
Senior Communications Strategist, Content Creator, Issues and Crisis Communication
Ruth has developed, managed and implemented highly successful traditional and social media campaigns locally, nationally and internationally. She brings extensive media experience to her role at AHA. A former journalist, she has written for many national publications including Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Business, Metro Newspapers, Chatelaine and Flare. What this tells you is that she can write.
Ruth’s ability to think creatively and act strategically is a powerful combination of skills that provides a strong foundation for the work done by AHA Creative Strategies.
Ruth has spent more than two decades immersed in online communication. As the former director of communications at Vancouver Film School, she was instrumental in the launch of the internationally recognized post-secondary institution’s New Media program (now called Digital Media). As a specialist in this exciting and ever-evolving area, Ruth balances a never-ending curiosity and interest in what is new and innovative online with a strategic approach.
Ruth is also considered one of the West Coast’s strongest communicators in sensitive subject matter, issues and crisis communications and brand reputation. Her social media expertise also serves our clients well in this area.
An in-demand speaker, she has presented to small and large groups in the Lower Mainland, across Canada and in New Zealand, including giving a TEDx Talk.
In her spare time, Ruth is writing a trashy novel and loves to travel, cook and hang out with her two rescue mutts, Chalupa and Scruffy.
Paul Holman,
Principal
Paul’s expertise in corporate communications provides AHA’s clients with a solid and well-thought-out approach to each facet of an event, project or campaign. With his editor’s attention to detail, analytical mind and strong commitment to exceeding expectations, Paul adds value to each project. A critical thinker, he examines every angle of a plan to ensure that each tactic being used will meet the specific objective of the initiative. This means that it can feel like he is nagging, but what he is really doing is making sure that the work we do for our clients is done exceptionally well – and that it generates results. It is because of Paul that we exceed expectations on a regular basis. (At the end of the day, we all greatly appreciate his attention to detail!)
Paul brings a business perspective to creative projects, which allows the team at AHA Creative Strategies to provide strategic communications services to our clients, while working within the budget and other organizational constraints. Paul’s project management skills are exceptional.
An avid traveller, Paul also enjoys golfing, watching sports and gardening.
Roxanne Snopek,
Senior Writer & Editor
Roxanne brings decades of writing and editing experience to her role and has been with AHA for four years. She understands the importance of a well-defined narrative supported by strong messaging and positioning. Roxanne works closely with Ruth and Paul and is an asset to clients, ensuring that their communications are clear, compelling, engaging and accurate. She approaches each project with a dedication to excellence, flexibility and collaboration.
Marcelle Adam,
Designer (Long-term Subcontractor)
Marcelle has been working with AHA for six years and is a valuable member of the team. She is a creative, strategic, skilled graphic and web designer with a gift for visual communication. Marcelle has collaborated with AHA clients to develop branding, websites, presentations and presentation templates, social media branding, infographics and other materials.
Laurie Hanley,
PR Associate
Laurie Hanley obtained her BA at the University of New Brunswick, with a major in Psychology, a minor in Spanish, and extensive study in French. She followed this up with the obvious – a Certificate of Excellence in Acting for Film and TV at Vancouver Film School. (Here, her incredible work ethic and always positive, “go the extra mile” attitude caught the attention of AHA partner Ruth Atherley, who was director of communications at the school at that time.)
Laurie’s work experience is as varied as her studies, with a constant theme shining through: each job has required a strong work ethic, excellent people skills, and fine attention to detail. What this says about Laurie is that she is the perfect person for AHA. No day with AHA is ever the same – and she is always ready to roll up her sleeves and figure out what needs to be done – and gets it done well, on time and on budget. Laurie has a natural ability to think outside the box and to quickly adapt to fresh surroundings, which serves her well in her work. She applies these skills in her daily life and on everything she works on at AHA.
A key member of the AHA Creative Strategies team for 15 years, Laurie is an experienced researcher, copyeditor and proofreader. As content creation has become a larger component of an overall communications strategy, Laurie has stepped deeper into this role – supporting AHA, as we have become a go-to content provider, writer, editor and proofreader for a range of exceptional organizations in diverse industry sectors.
Her passions in life include her family, her work, all things film-related, and cooking with eggnog. Laurie currently resides in beautiful Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.