The Board

Gen Beaudry headshot

Gen has been shaping influencer marketing since its earliest days. As the founder of CICCA, she is dedicated to giving creators and brands the resources, protection, and opportunities they need to thrive. She also founded Les Socialites, a marketing agency helping businesses grow through PR, social media, and web, and Social Squad—-an influencer agency connecting brands with the right talent. With years of experience at the intersection of influence and business, Gen is committed to building a stronger, more sustainable future for Canada’s creator economy.

Vickie Raptis is a senior marketing executive with over 25 years of international experience leading high-impact, performance-driven marketing strategies across Canada, the Americas, and Chile. As Director of Integrated Marketing at Deloitte Canada, she has transformed the firm’s marketing organization into a data-driven growth engine, directly influencing significant sales pipelines. Known for her ability to drive measurable results and build high-performing teams, she is a trusted advisor and mentor to senior leaders in B2B marketing.

Crystal Hyde headshot

Crystal Hyde is a communications strategist with over two decades of experience shaping corporate perception and driving impactful engagement. Her expertise lies in developing sophisticated strategies that enhance brand alignment and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government entities. She excels at strategic messaging, technology communications, and providing executive counsel.

Secretary

Daniel Lai is a senior public affairs and regulatory executive with over 15 years of experience leading policy, government relations, and sustainability strategies across Canada and the US. He has held leadership roles at Enel North America, Teck Resources, and Enbridge, advising senior executives on regulatory compliance, climate policy, and stakeholder engagement. Daniel is known for building trust across sectors and delivering results in complex, high-stakes environments.

Treasurer

Angela Murray is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in the association space. She is currently the Director, Finance & Corporate Services for CCUA, a national association supporting Canada’s Credit Union sector.  Angela brings a passion for enhancing association operations and efficiencies and is excited to bring her association knowledge to CICCA.

Legal

Wali Ahmad is an award-winning lawyer with over 6 years of experience working with startup and tech clients in the marketing and advertising industry. He specializes in helping small companies grow internationally, while finding opportunities for collaboration among many parties in the marketing ecosystem. Wali has also worked for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, which emphasized his keen passion in defending the intellectual property rights of individuals particularly those in the content creation industry.

Alexia Koutroulakis headshot

Communications

Alexia Koutroulakis is a communications professional with over three years of agency experience and a background spanning public relations, social media, and influencer partnership management. With a deep understanding of the media landscape and influencer space, Alexia is skilled in pitching, securing top-tier coverage, and building meaningful relationships with both creators and the media. Her work consistently helps brands elevate their voice, grow their audience, and make a lasting impact.

Melanie Arzaga

Melanie Arzaga is a marketing and public relations strategist with over 10 years of experience crafting campaigns that earn brands meaningful exposure. She has secured features in Elle Canada, Fashion, and The Social, along with endorsements from top celebrities and influencers. Known for her creative yet strategic approach, Melanie helps brands build influence, connect authentically, and leave a lasting impression.

Candace Viney

Candace Viney is a marketing and communications leader with more than 10 years of cross-sector experience spanning education, hospitality, software as a service, and the nonprofit space. Backed by an MBA and a deep foundation in digital marketing and analytics, she brings a strategic and data-driven approach to every project. Candace is passionate about building authentic connections between brands and their audiences while navigating today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape.

Laura Lopez headshot

Laura is CICCA’s first volunteer and serves on the internal communications committee. Laura has a background in treasury, corporate finance, and financial planning and supported fundraising efforts for a Series B round. She believes that financial literacy is essential to empowering content creators.

Natalie Puchalski is a seasoned marketing, community, and influencer-management professional with over 10 years of cross-industry experience spanning gaming, B2B, retail, and hospitality. She has led community strategies for globally recognized franchises including Dead by Daylight and Disney Magic Kingdoms, driving campaign rollouts and player engagement at scale. Natalie is passionate in bridging creative, technical, and player-facing teams while building high-trust communities and impactful influencer ecosystems.