Public Relations

Trilby Bittle is a professor, public relations, at Humber College since August 1999. Her work in magazine journalism in (West) Germany brings together professional passions for writing and editing to provide the two-perspective backbone needed to teach various levels of media writing in Humber’s three-year Advanced Diploma program among other courses such as marketing communications and presentation skills.

A never-say-never attitude secured senior appointments as editor with two magazine publishing firms in Frankfurt when English-speaking jobs were scarce and work visas even scarcer. Prior to returning to Canada, after five years in Germany, Trilby took an around-the-world trip to add India, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Australia and Hawaii to over 40 countries she had already visited.

Another milestone occurred during her 10-year tenure at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), first as senior publicist, then manager of media relations and finally head of the Marketing Communications Department responsible for advertising, promotions, media relations/publicity, crisis communications, visitor service and internal communications. For the first time, the ROM used an advertising agency to make the museum more approachable, friendly and relevant. The advertising awareness campaigns caused attendance to soar, to over one million visitors each year, and won numerous industry awards. Working at the ROM was nothing short of fascinating - one day promoting haute couture and, the next, a new species of spiders found in Vietnam.

An Ontario Scholar, Trilby Bittle graduated, with honours, from Humber’s three-year Advanced Diploma in Journalism Print-Broadcast (1982) and, among other awards, received the President’s Letter for the highest marks in the program two years running. During and after graduation, she worked for CTV National News on the assignment desk and news specials including the royal wedding of Charles and Diana; Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s assassination; and Princess Grace of Monaco’s funeral, followed by co-producing the network’s daily syndicated news feed to CTV affiliates. She began teaching at Humber in 1999 becoming full time in 2004. After applying bridging credits to her Humber advanced diploma, she enrolled in, and earned, a master of arts (MA) degree in communication-journalism from Charles Sturt University, Australia (2004).

Trilby’s love of words brings an insatiable appetite for reading. She prefers the classics and reads all the works by one author at a time. Her favourite novelist is Charles Dickens, especially The Pickwick Papers and Bleak House. She collects Russian Palekh lacquer boxes and likes to cook, vacation (far easier than travelling), practice calligraphy and piano, play Scrabble and euchre, continually redecorate and, post-Covid, has an “en garde” on her bucket list to pursue fencing more seriously.

It seems Humber College runs in the Bittle blood. Trilby’s late father was a program co-ordinator in the Business School for almost 20 years, her younger brother taught statistics part time, her daughter currently teaches web development at the North Campus, and her son graduated from the University of New Brunswick-Humber nursing degree. Her son is currently an RN with Yukon Public Health, tracing COVID contact, and will be applying to medical school out West.

Marlo is the Managing Partner of Gage Communications Inc.
Marlo has more than 20 years’ experience in public relations and communications, providing senior-level counsel to clients across a variety of Canadian industries.
In addition to strategic communications planning and execution, Marlo also helps her clients navigate complex industry issues and mitigate crisis.
Marlo also helps her clients activate powerful traditional and online communications campaigns that engage key stakeholders and/or decision makers in the process of positive and productive change.
Marlo is a graduate of Queen’s University, has a certificate in graphic design from Lambton College and holds a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber College. Marlo has taught at Humber College in the Public Relations program since 2016.

Andrew Pelletier holds more than 30 years of high-profile public relations experience across the corporate, government and consulting sectors. His background includes the roles of vice president of corporate affairs and sustainability for Walmart, communications executive for the Sears corporation, communications officer for the Ontario Government, and consultant with one of Canada’s oldest public relations firms.

Andrew’s work has been both national and international in scope, taking him across the globe to Europe, Asia, Latin America, throughout the United States and across Canada. His expertise spans high-stakes issues and crisis management, marketing communications, labour relations, government affairs, corporate social responsibility and investor relations. He has guest lectured at several institutions including the University of Toronto, York University and Queen’s University.

Andrew is a graduate of Simon Fraser University in political science and sociology, and he holds two postgraduate designations in public relations, APR and ABC. He teaches a range of subject areas including government relations, not-for-profit public relations, research for public relations, event management and corporate public relations.

Robert J. Plant (ABC, MAIS) is the program co-ordinator and a professor in the Advanced Public Relations program. After graduating from Humber’s PR graduate certificate program, Robert spent most of his career working in the corporate sector at GE Capital, Zurich Insurance and American Express and municipally for the City of Hamilton.

At Amex, Robert managed employee communications and the American Express Foundation’s philanthropic arts and cultural program in Canada. At the City of Hamilton, he supported internal clients including Planning & Economic Development and Community Services along with a stint providing counsel to the Mayor’s Office.

A guest speaking opportunity to Mohawk College PR students piqued his interest in education. Robert began teaching part time at the College in 2008 and joined Humber in 2013 instructing in the PR diploma and PR graduate certificate programs. Robert moved into a full-time position in 2017 and became program co-ordinator in 2020.

Robert holds a BA in political science from McMaster University and a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) from Royal Roads University. Robert is an accredited business communicator (ABC). A dedicated volunteer, Robert served as president of the International Association of Business Communicators' (IABC) Golden Horseshoe Chapter and chaired IABC’s Canada Eastern Region Board.

Creative Professional with 20+ Years of Expertise in Photography, Graphic Design, Retouching, and Videography

Greetings! I am a seasoned creative professional with over two decades of hands-on experience in the dynamic realms of photography, graphic design, retouching, and videography. My journey has been a passionate exploration of visual storytelling and artistic expression.

Versatile Skill Set:
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in crafting compelling visuals across diverse mediums. From capturing captivating moments behind the lens to refining them through meticulous retouching, my proficiency extends seamlessly to graphic design and video editing.

Educational Journey:
In addition to my industry commitments, I recently embarked on an exciting chapter as an educator at Humber College. It brings me immense joy to share my insights and guide the next generation of creative minds. Teaching has added a new layer of fulfillment to my professional journey.

Commercial Work and Editorial Art Direction:
My current focus involves actively contributing to the commercial photography scene and steering editorial art direction projects. Working at the intersection of creativity and strategy, I bring a unique perspective to each project, ensuring a perfect blend of aesthetics and purpose.

Audrey Wubbenhorst is a professor and board director. She currently teaches public relations and corporate communications at Humber College where she has received several research grants to research and write case studies on the impact of social media on business.

Prior to joining Humber, Audrey spent over a dozen years at BMO Bank of Montreal. She worked in a wide variety of roles including communications, marketing, human resources and commercial banking. She has served on several boards including the National Diabetes Trust (NDT), Central LHIN, Build Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter.

Audrey has an MA in Communications as well as an MBA. She graduated with a BA (Hons) from McGill University and has a certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from St. Michael’s College (University of Toronto). She has also completed her ICD.D. designation with the Rotman School of Management.

A recognized documentarian and visual journalist, photographer, Spencer Wynn is known for his sensitive eye for human interest stories. Wynn is also an educator at Humber College where he has enjoyed three years of working with students to develop their passion for connecting with others through compelling visual narratives.

Wynn is a restless observer of the world, seeing stories everywhere. Each week, Wynn encourages his students to see again, the world around them while creating visual documentaries with sensitivity and passion.

From the High Arctic, to Tibet, China, Greenland, India, Turkey, Europe and numerous road trips around North America. Wynn has lived in caves, slums, on ice flows and in First Nations communities photographing the stories of diverse cultures, tragedy, triumph and love.

Wynn shares his knowledge and skills as a photographer and observer with those attending his classes, workshops, speaking engagements and photo trips. Patient and understanding, he encourages those with whom he meets to strive for originality and brilliance – all the while having fun and enjoying the process.