PARUL YADAV (she/her/hers)

What brought you to Humber and your program of study?

I chose Humber’s Public Relations program because it was widely known for its strong reputation in PR across the country and its active, well-connected alumni network. I had always been passionate about public relations and had taken on multiple internships and entry-level roles during my undergraduate years to explore the industry early on. Humber stood out as a place where graduates were not only well-trained but also genuinely supported beyond the classroom. The program’s emphasis on real-world experience, combined with access to an engaged alumni community working across agencies, nonprofits, and corporate environments, made it feel like the ideal place to build long-term relationships while developing practical, industry-ready skills.

What was your favourite Humber memory or experience?

One of my favourite Humber experiences was serving on the Board of Directors for IGNITE, Humber’s student union. Being part of student leadership gave me a front-row seat to advocacy, governance, and decision-making that directly impacted student life. It pushed me to speak up, represent diverse student voices, and think beyond myself toward collective betterment.

In the classroom, I loved group projects that mirrored real agency environments. They taught me how to collaborate across different perspectives, manage competing deadlines, and contribute ideas even when I felt unsure. Outside of academics, it was the friendships, long conversations between classes, and the gradual confidence I built through leadership and community involvement that truly shaped my time at Humber and continue to influence how I show up as a leader today.

What was Humber's greatest impact on your personal and professional life?

Humber gave me the confidence to show up as my true, authentic self. It helped me trust my voice, my ideas, and my perspective as someone navigating a new city and industry. Professionally, it gave me a foundation in PR that I still use today. Personally, it taught me that growth doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from showing up, asking questions, and staying curious.

What are you up to now?

I’m currently a communications and public relations strategist based in Toronto, working across Canada and the U.S. After several years in agency roles, I founded North Wave Media, a boutique communications and PR agency rooted in relationship-led work and meaningful storytelling. Throughout my early agency experiences, I often noticed how few racialized voices were represented in leadership and decision-making spaces, and how that absence shaped the stories being told. That reality stayed with me and ultimately influenced how I wanted to show up in my own work.

What else do you want to share (e.g. Memorable trip; If you had a superpower; Favourite food or coffee shop; Personal and professional interests; Awards and recognition; Other milestones)?

My work has taken me to Canada and the U.S., where I have met clients, collaborators, and communities in different cities and learned firsthand how culture, communication, and storytelling shift from place to place. Internationally, I’ve also spent time in Bali, Indonesia (twice!), drawn to the digital nomad community and the idea. When I’m in Toronto, you’ll most likely find me working out of Mos Mos Cafe & Starbucks — my go-to coffee spot for strategy sessions, writing days, and the occasional “what am I doing with my life” moment. I’ve been grateful to have my work recognized by The Forum Canada, the Women Economic Forum, and McKinsey Asia’s Next Generation Women Leaders program. Alongside running North Wave Media, I continue to speak with youth and early-career professionals, sharing real, practical insights on PR, leadership, visibility, and building careers that feel ambitious, aligned, and human.