Anna-Karina Tabunar

Anna-Karina Tabunar

Ottawa, ON

Anna-Karina Tabunar is an award-winning communicator, strategist and disability advocate. She is a trusted advisor to senior leaders on issues and crisis management, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications in multiple sectors.

As the founder and principal consultant of Talent Untapped Group, Anna-Karina leverages the power of strategic storytelling and diversity, equity and inclusion to drive business objectives. Clients include Sodexo Canada, the Rotman School of Management, IBM, RBC, HSO – Health Standards Organization, Canadian Cardiovascular Society, Royal Canadian Mint, Health Canada, United Way Centraide Canada, and more.

Before launching her independent consulting agency, Anna-Karina had a successful 20-year career in broadcast journalism and corporate communications. As a communications executive, she has worked with teams across Canada and internationally in crisis and reputation management, executive and employee communications, and media and stakeholder relations. As Head of Strategic Communications and Director of Corporate Affairs at Sodexo, she supported all business segments (healthcare, education, corporate, energy and resources), led executive communications, developed and executed the first Indigenous Relations Communications plan and provided leadership to drive ESG and DEI practices, among other initiatives.

As an award-winning journalist, Anna-Karina filed stories for CBC, CTV and CNN. She hosted Canada in Perspective, the country’s first TV current affairs series exploring issues surrounding disability and aging. Anna-Karina also produced and directed the acclaimed documentary film Talent Untapped about the value of hiring and developing people with disabilities. Her work has been honoured with a Canadian Screen Award, a Community Builder Award from Citizen Advocacy, and a Gold Quill from the International Association of Business Communicators. For her advocacy work for people with disabilities, she was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World in 2017.

Anna-Karina manages myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) resulting from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Board Memberships and Committee Experience

  • Corporate Secretary, Member of Governance and Leadership Committee, Vanier Institute of the Family (2019 – Present)
  • Board Member and Chair of Communications and Marketing Committee, Disability Screen Office (2023 – Present)
  • Board Member, Membership Representative, AMI TV, (2009 – 2011)

Education and Credentials

  • MA (Accessibility and Disability Inclusion), Carleton University (2023)
  • BA (Communications and Journalism), Concordia University (1991)

Posted: May 2, 2024