Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kayla Stuckart as Interim Executive Director of Communications, Marketing + Public Affairs.

Reporting to ECU¡¯s President, the Executive Director, Communications, Marketing + Public Affairs is responsible for the university¡¯s overall communications strategy including public relations, internal communications, issues management, strategic marketing, brand and reputation management, government relations and community engagement.

Kayla was appointed for a one-year term following her initial recruitment to the team as Director, Marketing + Digital Strategy. She will serve in an interim capacity while ECU undertakes a search process to fill the position permanently.

¡°Kayla brings a wealth of experience from the Abbotsford School District and understands the importance of education as a form of public good thanks to her time there,¡± says Trish Kelly, Interim President + Vice Chancellor at ECU. ¡°After getting to know her, I can tell she¡¯s an incredibly enthusiastic and well-rounded communication professional with a passion for brand-building and storytelling which will support our goals well at ECU. I¡¯m confident that Kayla is well-suited for this strategic leadership role and look forward to working with her.¡±

Kayla joins Emily Carr following nearly eight years as Manager of Communications with the Abbotsford School District (ASD). Kayla is an award-winning communicator, earning multiple recognitions for campaigns designed on behalf of the ASD. She has served on the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) Board of Directors as a Director since 2021; as Regional Liaison from 2018 to 2021; and has maintained CACE membership since 2016. She is also a member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Public Relations Society.

¡°I am so excited to be part of an internationally recognized institution, and one that is made up of so many truly creative people,¡± Kayla says. ¡°Working in K to 12, I saw firsthand how much passion students bring to their lives and work. They are the architects of our future, and being in a space where we help tell their stories and celebrate their successes is enormously fulfilling, personally and professionally. I¡¯m thrilled to be able to continue that work in a new capacity, and I¡¯m honoured that it¡¯s with everyone at Emily Carr University.¡±

Kayla¡¯s expertise spans corporate communications, brand management, social media and stakeholder engagement. She is fluent in the implementation and use of digital tools and has a proven track record of developing strategies for improving collaboration across departments and locations in complex public institutions.

Her extensive experience in crisis communication established her as a trusted advisor to executive leadership during significant incidents including natural disasters, student and staff safety, employee misconduct, the coronavirus pandemic, and political and social justice issues.

She is known for her ability to manage communications under pressure with sensitivity, integrity and empathy.

Kayla holds a Master of Arts in Communications from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Certificate in Emergency Management for Organizational Continuity from the University of Victoria.

Her work and creativity have been recognized with several national and international awards from the National School Public Relations Association and CACE.