CPRS Strengthens National Accreditation Leadership with New Appointments

CPRS Strengthens National Accreditation Leadership with New Appointments
Toronto, April 9, 2026 (CPRS National)

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is strengthening its national Accredited in Public Relations (APR) program through a series of key leadership appointments, reinforcing its commitment to professional standards, consistency, and excellence across Canada.

The APR is CPRS’s national designation recognizing communications professionals who demonstrate strategic expertise, ethical practice, and a commitment to excellence in public relations.

McMaster University Professor Dr. Alex Sévigny Appointed Presiding Officer of CPRS National Accreditation Council

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Dr. Alex Sévigny, PhD, APR, FCPRS, MCPRS, a tenured Associate Professor of Communication Management at McMaster University, has been appointed by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) National Board of Directors as Presiding Officer of the National Council on Accreditation for a three-year term.

The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is CPRS’s national designation recognizing communications professionals who demonstrate strategic expertise, ethical practice, and a commitment to excellence in public relations. In his role as Presiding Officer, Dr. Sévigny will provide leadership to the Council and support the continued advancement and integrity of the APR program across Canada.

Dr. Sévigny brings extensive experience and a strong national perspective, having served on the National Council on Accreditation and as Chief Examiner of the APR program since 2020. He is also an active member of CPRS, contributing to the Society’s Thought Leadership Council and broader professional initiatives.

In February 2026, Dr. Sévigny was inducted into the CPRS College of Fellows (FCPRS), recognizing his outstanding contributions to the profession and his commitment to the highest ethical standards and the CPRS Code of Professional Conduct.

With a distinguished career spanning academia, professional practice, and national leadership, Dr. Sévigny is well-positioned to guide the future of accreditation and uphold excellence in the profession.

Mount Royal University Professor Dr. Peter Malachy Ryan Named Chief Examiner for CPRS APR Program

Dr. Peter Malachy Ryan, PhD, APR, MCPRS, a long-time Associate Professor in the Department of Public Relations at Mount Royal University, has been named Chief Examiner of the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) program of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). The APR is CPRS’s national designation recognizing communications professionals who demonstrate strategic expertise, ethical practice, and a commitment to excellence in public relations.

A CPRS-accredited member, Dr. Ryan has served on the National Council on Accreditation and brings a strong commitment to advancing professional standards and supporting candidate success across the country. He also served as President of the CPRS Calgary Local Society from 2023 to 2025, demonstrating leadership at both the local and national levels. Dr. Ryan is also a director with the Center for Risk Communication (CRC) that supports local, regional, national and international organizations in need of issues management, risk and crisis communication support.

In his role as Chief Examiner, Dr. Ryan will help ensure the rigour, consistency, and credibility of the APR examination process nationwide. With a deep background in both academia and professional practice, he is well-positioned to support the continued integrity and evolution of the program.

CPRS National Enhances Accredited in Public Relations (APR) Program with New Chief Instructor and Offering

Approved by the CPRS National Council on Accreditation and launched as a new role on March 1, 2026, Alyssa Lai, APR, MCPRS, is the newly appointed Chief Instructor.

This role strengthens national support for APR candidates as they prepare for the work sample and both the written and oral examinations. Working closely with the Chief Examiner and Presiding Officer, the role helps ensure a more consistent and accessible experience for candidates across the country. A key priority is closing the coaching gap, particularly for those without access to local Accreditation Chairs. Through this role, CPRS is advancing a more coordinated national approach to candidate preparation and success.

Alyssa Lai, APR, MCPRS, brings a strong national perspective to the role, having served on the National Accreditation Council and as Accreditation Chair for the Hamilton Local Society from 2022 to 2025, where she guided APR candidates across multiple regions toward success.

Drawing from more than 12 years of leading strategic communications across public, nonprofit, and corporate environments, her commitment, cross-sector experience, and proven impact make her an outstanding choice to lead this next phase of the program.

The Chief Instructor works closely with the Chief Examiner and the National Accreditation Council to support the success of the APR program while maintaining the integrity of the APR process.

Strengthening the Future of Accreditation
Together, these appointments reflect CPRS’s continued investment in strengthening the APR program through national coordination, leadership, and support. By aligning governance, examination, and candidate preparation, CPRS is advancing a more consistent, accessible, and high-impact accreditation experience for communications and public relations professionals