MOOSE JAW — Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business diploma alumna Skylar Colella recently received the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Rising Star Award at the Saskatchewan Awards of Communications Excellence (ACE).
The prestigious award is given to an early-career communicator who’s already making a big impact through creativity, strategic thinking and meaningful contributions to their organization and the profession. Colella checks those boxes and more.
Graduating from Sask Polytech in 2020, she was recently promoted to brand supervisor at Sandbox Mutual Insurance where she leads a team of marketers. She contributed to the company’s rebrand from Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance and led the creation of a new content strategy. Her work is creative and strategic. She sees herself as a bridge between brand and audience in a complex industry.
“Empathy should always come first,” she says. “Marketing works best when people feel understood, not overwhelmed.”
Outside of work, Colella gives back to her community through volunteer work with SCAT Street Cat Rescue, inspired by her love of animals and her own three rescue cats.
Colella’s journey to a career in marketing began in high school when she attended a career fair in Regina. The event introduced her to the Business diploma with a marketing specialty at Sask Polytech’s Moose Jaw campus.
She grew up in Kelso Station and attended school in Wawota. “I’d heard great things about Sask Polytech and I knew it would be a good fit for me,” she says. “Coming from a small town, Moose Jaw felt right. I liked the smaller class sizes and hands-on approach.”
Colella excelled in the program, graduated with the highest academic standing in her class and earned a scholarship recognizing her achievements.
“My instructors really pushed me,” she recalls. “They recognized that I liked to challenge myself and they encouraged me to go further. That support meant a lot and I’m still connected with many of them on LinkedIn. They’re always cheering me on.”
As part of her diploma, Colella completed a paid co-operative education work placement with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) in Regina.
“It was such a positive experience and really solidified my interest in marketing,” she says.
Even five years after graduation, Colella still applies what she learned at Sask Polytech.
“I think about things I learned in my marketing strategy class all the time like market research methods or building a marketing plan,” she says. “And now that I’m stepping into leadership roles, the group work we did is paying off. It taught me how to work with different personalities, identify strengths and bring a team together.”
Her advice for future students?
“Go all in on the experience. Take advantage of Sask Polytech’s student services. I went to the gym on campus regularly. Also, get to know your classmates and instructors. You never know what doors those connections will open.”
It’s that all-in attitude that helped Colella grow from Sask Polytech student to IABC Rising Star.
— Submitted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic Media Relations
