Meet the Team

In 2011, our CEO, Riley founded Connect Media. Originally, he worked with our Fraser Canyon and Fraser Valley destinations, and as the company has expanded, he now dedicates his time to tourism businesses and destinations all across Canada. His over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry and 18 years in marketing communications allow him to provide in-depth insight to our team and solutions to a variety of destination organizations. When not enthusiastically hustling and sharing his passion for the tourism industry you will find Riley travelling the world on the search for natural hot springs and unique tourism products and experiences. When at home, his cats, Molly and Margo, are sure to be nearby!

Dream Destination: Hot Springing in Wyoming

With Connect Media since August 2020, Cooper’s genuine passion for design, combined with his can-do attitude and a visionary-mind, has propelled him through several pivotal projects such as the rebranding of Hope, Cascades & Canyons, rebranding Tourism Harrison River Valley, and The Fraser Valley website. With projects that range from business card and magazine design to website creation (and everything in between), he creates innovative solutions to meet and exceed client needs. His studies at the University of the Fraser Valley in their Graphic and Digital Design program and his studies in Design Thinking at Nanyang Tech have given him a solid foundation that will bring any branding vision to life. When not on his laptop, Cooper takes delight in globe-trotting (31 countries and counting), loves kayaking, rock climbing, camping, and anything outdoors; and would love to challenge you to a rousing game of chess!

Dream Destination: Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Cheryl joined Connect Media in November of 2018 and in that time has managed a number of different social media accounts, as well as written content for everything from blogs to websites for a variety of clients. She currently manages Tourism Harrison’s social media and writes content and copy for a range of projects, using her heartfelt passion for creative writing to bring words to life. After graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Graphic Communications Program, Cheryl worked in Advertising for The Brick, followed by ten years in the Advertising Department at the Edmonton Journal newspaper. If you want to instantly befriend Cheryl, ask her about her dogs and cats – she has five of each, all rescues. She also loves photography, hiking, gardening, kayaking, rafting – basically any activity where she can be in or on the water!

Dream Destination: Exploring Bella Coola, BC

Connect Media’s longest-standing employee, Diana joined the team in October 2012. Her responsibilities as a Content Manager include managing social media for Yale Historic Site, West Coast Wilderness Lodge, Egmont Adventure Centre, Rambo First Blood Tourism and the Circle Farm Tour. Through the years, she has managed almost every client account and takes great pride in having helped build each account from the ground up. Diana has a deep passion for researching history, specifically in the Fraser Canyon, and is the creator and administrator of the Facebook Group, “History of Hope and the Fraser Canyon”. Besides being a mom of two young children, she’s also an ardent animal lover who has rescued, fostered, and cared for many animals. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, crafting, thrifting, biking, and taking her dogs for walks.

Dream Destination: Historic, abandoned towns anywhere in the world!

Elizabeth started with Connect Media in March of 2021 in an administrative role, preparing the Analytic Reports for Connect Media’s clients. More recently, she has been assisting with social media engagement for the Chilliwack Sunflower and Tulip Festivals as well as Tourism Langley. She’s been a lifesaver in offering support during especially busy times. Her role with Connect Media is casual and she works as a Behavioural Intervention Specialist by trade. During her off time, she enjoys road trips, camping, kayaking and cooking.

Dream Destination: Exploring the Oregon Coast

Tara joined the team in 2018 and is Connect Media’s accountant, doing the company bookkeeping, invoicing, and payroll. Tara has a diploma in Accounting and keeps herself busy as a bee with multiple jobs: she also works at Grove Bookkeeping and The Home Restaurant in Hope. When not working, Tara enjoys time spent with family and is also a fan of settling in to watch a good scary movie!

Dream Destination: Venturing around Chichén Itzá, Mexico