Former Broadcast Journalist, Now Communications Advisor
BY J.M. LEE
Robin spent nearly three decades as a television journalist in Canada, working for all the networks. Her career began in BC and took her to Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and then back to BC. She now works as a communications advisor and occasionally is a guest host for CKNW.
Before making a career change to communications, she spent 21 years working for Global News. Her time with the organization began in Toronto at the local level. She reported on municipal and provincial politics plus the visits of the Dalai Lama and the Pope.
From there, she was promoted to Global National in Vancouver, the flagship show viewed across Canada.
“I was the BC Correspondent and weekend anchor. I reported on the Stanley Cup Riots, where I was caught in the wave of tear gas, the case of Meng Weng Zhou’s arrest in Vancouver, the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, the floods and fires in BC, and countless elections.”
When she was a reporter, Robin saw herself as a civil servant providing public service.
“My role was to provide human connection and information so the audience could make informed decisions about our world.”
Early in her career, Robin found advocates who taught her the significance of integrity and ethics.
“A friend and mentor took me under her wing early on in my career,” Robin declares. “That person is a well-known reporter named Belle Puri. She has retired, but not before I could nominate her for a lifetime achievement award. It is important to pay it forward and backward.”
Robin’s first broadcast job was part of a diversity hiring program. At the time, her colleagues were cold towards her, but within a few months, they warmed up because she demonstrated her ability to perform the job effectively.
“When I joined the team at Global National, a colleague told me that everyone assumed I got the job because I was a visible minority. I had to ignore that comment.”
Confidence comes with experience and time. There also comes a point when the work becomes second nature, and a moment when you no longer tolerate nonsense. That confluence is confidence.
Every time Robin moved to take a new job, she was taking a leap of faith. Work ethic and empathy are both critical to her.
“You must keep asking to move ahead, take chances, and stick to what you think is right. Find a group of women who will be your advocates. Think of it as a cabinet. These people will advise you on everything: work, life, relationships, and even the best restaurants.”
Robin elaborates, “You set the tone by being honest and having a great sense of humor. This builds trust.”
She hasn’t had resistance from the so-called—leading men,” she smiles. “That’s because I treat both women and men equally. They’re all colleagues with a common goal of doing the best as a team.”
When Robin was a journalist, she saw only a few women get to the top of the management structure. Now, she sees more women moving into those positions.
“Our work isn’t done. I want to see more women in executive positions and at the board level.”
For all women, Robin says, “Be honest, be ethical, be true to yourself. You must go to bed with a clear conscience each night.”
In the United States, some people now forget that the “I” in DEI embodies ‘inclusion and that includes women.’
“I believe that you must be qualified to be in the position that you are in. But to assume that because you’re a woman, you aren’t qualified, that is total nonsense.”
Robin is proud of her mother for taking a chance on Canada.
“After convincing my dad to move, they brought their four children to this wonderful country. I, their fifth, was born here. Life wasn’t easy. Imagine navigating employment, finding a home, raising your kids, and keeping it together for your family? All of this without speaking English. She can proudly say we all went to university because of her hard work and encouragement. She is why I succeed, and I hope she knows it.”
