A mom of two and former legal writer, Kristin Ignacz pivoted her career to human rights advocacy through Douglas College’s Professional Communications Post-Degree Diploma. Now in her role at Right to Learn Afghanistan, she incorporates public relations with activism, using her skills to champion Afghan women’s rights globally.

By Tanta Siriporn Na Rajasima, Marketing and Communications

After years of working as a legal writer – a role where she found the work rewarding but emotionally taxing – Kristin Ignacz decided it was time for a change. Immersing herself daily in the trauma of others, preparing legal presentations of car accidents and client injuries, left her seeking a new path where she could apply her talents in a way that more closely aligned with her passions. This need for change led her to Douglas College’s Post-Degree Diploma (PDD) in Professional Communications. 

“I knew I needed a change, and the PDD program seemed like such a natural fit to advance my communication skills. I already had a solid base of experience, but the program allowed me to enhance and diversify that skill set with its well-rounded curriculum. I told myself to ‘be brave enough to suck at something new,’ and that motto, although far from eloquent, helped me take on this new challenge,” she says. 

A program that fits 

As Kristin continued working part-time and managing responsibilities as a parent, the flexibility of the PDD program was a major advantage for her. Unlike more structured programs like a master’s degree, the PDD at Douglas offered the freedom to balance education with other life commitments. 

One of Kristin’s biggest achievements at Douglas was authoring the case study Better.com Doesn’t Live Up to Its Name, which focused on a PR crisis at the U.S. digital mortgage company where they mass-fired 900 of their employees via a three-minute Zoom call. As a result, her study was published in two open educational resources (OER) publications* by her instructor Sam Schechter. 

“Receiving accolades from my professor and seeing my work published gave me the confidence to realize that this career was something I could truly excel in,” Kristin says.  

Beyond public relations, she appreciated how the program’s diverse courses, including technical writing and graphic design, equipped her with essential skills she still uses daily. “Each component of the PDD program offered something unique, and I’m grateful for that,” she adds. 

Inspired to act: From classroom listener to global changemaker 

While the PDD program helped Kristin refine her communication skills, it also inspired her to pursue a new passion: advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan. One class in particular, The Role of Social Media in Overcoming Global Gender Inequality taught by Roberta Staley, opened her eyes to the perplexing socio-political situation in Afghanistan.  

“Afghanistan is the only country in the world that officially bans women and girls from receiving education. I was moved after hearing Roberta and guest speaker Dr. Lauryn Oates, the Executive Director of Right to Learn Afghanistan, speak to our class. As a woman who could attend university and send my own daughter to school every day, I knew I had to be a part of this movement,” she says. 

This impressive speech led Kristin to collaborate with Right to Learn Afghanistan on her final research project, aiming to advance their mission. Her project centered on developing cohesive educational models for displaced Afghan women and girls. “I conducted secondary research and interviewed international program directors to provide model recommendations. While the evolving political landscape made it difficult to apply the research immediately, it influenced program development within the organization,” she explains. 

Little did she know this project was more than an academic exercise; it was the beginning of her new career direction. “Just a month after I finished my research, I applied to an open position at Right to Learn Afghanistan and was selected,” she says.  

Communication persists as long as challenges do

Since Kristin started working with Right to Learn Afghanistan as their Community Engagement Manager, she has applied her research in real settings, bridging the gap between public relations and human rights advocacy. This unique combination of expertise led her to a role that is both dynamic and fast-paced. “On any given day, I could be speaking publicly, managing media inquiries from around the world, or coordinating hundreds of volunteers across Canada,” she says.  

Despite the challenges, Kristin remains committed to making a difference. Her communication efforts amplify the voices of Afghan women and bring global attention to the obstacles they face, particularly in the wake of the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education. She credits the PDD program for setting her up well for success in such a demanding role. 

For students considering the program, Kristin offers some advice: “Communications is a broad field with a lot of overlap. Make sure to choose a program that not only teaches theory but also offers diverse, hands-on learning experiences. And be brave enough to experience the discomfort that accompanies change. I recommend leaning into the challenge because with the PDD program supporting you, everyone can be set up to thrive.” 

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Learn more about the Professional Communication Post-Degree Diploma at Douglas College. 

*Schechter, Sam. “Professional Writing Today.” Pressbooks, 22 Aug. 2022. 

Ignacz, Kristin. “Case Study #1: Better.Com Doesn’t Live up to Its Name.” Public Relations Case Studies: Strategies & Actions, Pressbooks.