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

Since early 2017 Jill has been bringing her creative mind and passionate drive to support Connect Media in a variety of roles. With over 14 years of working in management and operations, a degree in Business Administration, and five plus years of experience in digital marketing, her broad knowledge is instrumental in the success of day-to-day operations at Connect Media. She works with Destination Marketing Organizations across British Columbia as well as provides creative direction to the content team. When not busy working, she loves to spend time in nature, exploring with her dog, Nala. They are never far from the forest, a lake, a mountain, or wildflowers. Her creative flair is also shown through her appreciation of fashion and exploration of new trends.

Dream Destination: Frolicking around the Scottish Highlands

Cassandra joined Connect Media in 2019 but has also been instrumental in helping to launch Connect Media at its inception and in following years doing contract work. More recently, she has worked closely with the Chilliwack Tulip and Sunflower Festivals, Tourism Chilliwack, Tourism Langley and Tradex. As her path progressed with Connect Media, she worked closely with the Fraser Valley Group and has now expanded her role to support in management and administration. Her meticulous organizational and project management skills help keep everyone on track. Previous to Connect Media, Cassandra worked in warehousing and sales, and at Home Depot, where she was involved in customer service, inventory management and in supervisory roles. Her education includes a diploma from Thompson River University in Applied Business Technology. When she’s not working, she enjoys kayaking, playing softball, exploring hiking trials in the Fraser Valley and camping.

Dream Destination: Island hopping in Greece

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

Connor joined Connect Media in May 2021 and in that time, has taken on a variety of tasks, from video planning and coordination to website work and blog writing, and is known for taking on new challenges with resourcefulness sprinkled with quick wit and humour. As Content Manager for Hope, Cascades and Canyons, The Fraser Canyon, and BC Route 7, he is adept at juggling multiple projects with excellent organizational and project management skills. His Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with a Major in Marketing and a Minor in Management Information Systems, has given him the tools and knowledge to find inventive solutions to any problem. His past work experience, including sales, business consulting, and campground management has given him a strong background in client care. Outside of his work, Connor loves spending time with friends and family, especially at a pub or brewery with a pitcher of cold craft beer. He loves thrifting, hiking, travelling and exploring, and has recently delved into film photography.

Dream Destination: Visiting the Pyramids of Giza

Abigail came to Connect Media in 2021 with a devotion for design and a great love of her home, the Fraser Valley. As a graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley’s Graphic & Digital Design program, she was ready to integrate her fresh approaches and imaginative designs into her new role as Social Media Content Manager and Graphic Designer for Connect Media. Currently, Abigail works alongside Tourism Langley and The Fraser Valley Group. During her free time, you’re likely to find her curled up with one of her favourite comfort books, experimenting with digital painting, or spending quality time with her family and two adorable dogs.

Dream Destination: Wandering in Florence

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

With more than 9 years of social media management experience and content creation, Connie currently helps manage the accounts for Tourism Abbotsford, The Fraser Valley, the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival and the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. She participated in the University of British Columbia’s Social Media Award of Achievement program in 2015 and has years of self-taught experience with social media (like many millennials her age)! Connie joined the Connect Media team in July of 2021 and has an endearing joy for storytelling that charms both her fellow team members and clients alike. She enjoys spending her free time exploring local gems and making new friends both in person and online; and is known for her expertise in video creation, especially on TikTok!

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!

Laura joined the Connect Media team in May 2021, bringing with her a powerhouse of knowledge derived from receiving an Associate of Arts from the University of Fraser Valley and a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University. Laura has been working with a variety of clients to create dazzling video campaigns, visual content creation projects, and develop video content that delivers impactful, cutting-edge visuals and compelling content with efficiency. When not at work, she spends her free time honing her skills in drawing, crafting crochet items, and gaming with her friends.

Dream Destination: Touring through Tallinn, Estonia

With a love of the outdoors and a creative eye, Logan captures images that tell a compelling story. He officially joined Connect Media in September 2022, but has assisted in the past, capturing both still images and video, and teaching how to use equipment wherever required, including at the Chilliwack Sunflower and Tulip Festivals. A graduate of GW Graham Secondary School, Logan’s previous work experience includes being a summer camp counsellor. When not creating visual content, you’ll find him hanging out with friends, listening to music, hiking, and exploring the Fraser Valley in search of new trails and scenic landscapes.

Dream Destination: Trekking along Cannon Beach, Oregon

Natalie began working with Connect Media in February of 2022 as a Content Manager and brings a creative passion to her clients and projects for Tourism Chilliwack, the Chilliwack Tulip and Sunflower Festivals as well as The Fraser Valley. As a recent graduate with a BA in Communications and Media Studies from the University of Calgary, with a focus on online communication and branding, Natalie provides expertise on social media strategies and the latest and greatest methods to get marketing messages to the masses. Having worked the past 3 years as a summer student in the tourism industry, she came with related experience and hit the ground running. Outside of work, you can find Natalie exploring with her dog and taking photos at her favourite spots around the Fraser Valley.

Dream Destination: Meandering around Maui

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