Communications professional with a growing interest in Local Economic Development. Dedicated to supporting more inclusive, equitable and prosperous cities.
Formally trained in visual design with a deep regard for systems and psychology, I intentionally approach projects with a focus on human-centered design and community experience.
Strong track record of effectively planning, initiating and overseeing digital content coordination and communications for select purpose-driven projects, in partnership with the City of Toronto for the past 5+ years.
Committed to continuous improvement and contributing to team success. Passionate about supporting leaders with clear, actionable plans. I especially value work that cultivates active stewardship within the community it serves.
* Currently updating my website and portfolio.
Find a wider collection of my work here — a visual diary of sorts.
Memberships
Organizations I’ve Worked With
City of Toronto
Startup Here Toronto
Liberal Party of Canada
Enterprise Toronto
Digital Main Street
Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
Green Enterprise Movement
FITC – CM1
Startwell
Toronto's Food Startup Incubator – Food Starter
Green Enterprise Ontario
Gerrard India Bazaar BIA
Green Living Show
Peace Point Entertainment
Experience
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2020 - 2021
Digital Coordinator
Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area (GIBBIA)
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2018 - 2019
Digital Coordinator
Toronto Association of business Improvement Areas (TABIA) + Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street is a purpose-driven organization working to create connected cities, maintain vibrant neighborhoods, and empower main streets – providing business owners with the support and guidance they need during their digital transformation journey. This capacity-building project in support of digital literacy includes regional Digital Service Squads which assists main street businesses with the adoption of digital tools and/or technologies.
Digital Main Street was created in partnership between the City of Toronto and TABIA (Toronto Association for Business Improvement Areas) and is supported by our Founding Partners – Google, MasterCard, and Rogers – along with our Product Partners – Microsoft and Shopify.
- Assisted with launching Digital Main Street during inception, and more recently provided full-time support throughout rapid growth and provincial expansion – which included the onboarding of over 100 Regional Economic Development groups and promotion of the ‘Digital Transformation Grant’ and the ‘Digital Service Squad Grant’ – Provincial grant opportunities for main street businesses and municipalities across Ontario.
- To date, the Federal and Provincial Government has invested over $57 Million in funding to support and expand the program across Canada.
- Guided development of messaging and amplification of the Digital Main Street brand as a nationally recognized source of support, training, and thought leadership in regards to digital transformation for small businesses.
- Cultivated growth of a significant audience across all Digital Main Street social channels and the web platform with a focus on true reach, and promotion of provincial grants and online training.
- Developed original content, and sourced secondary content from program partners for all marketing and communication purposes.
- Managed website, social channels, and bi-weekly e-newsletter, including creating and curating relevant content with a focus on high-value insights and takeaways.
- Monitored and reported on collected data, KPI’s, and trend analysis, offering actionable insights to grow reach and engagement.
- Liaised with partners and other stakeholders to develop strategy, increase engagement, and generate interest.
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2016 - 2018
Community Manager + Content Coordinator
Startup Here Toronto
- Played a pivotal role in implementing a digital strategy, delivering high-quality service, and defining best practices from conception.
- Built campaigns to leverage community sourced content, reducing costs and increasing reach, trust, and perceived value, while fostering community connections and partnerships to ensure quicker distribution of stories, event listings, resources, tools, and more.
- Significantly increased reach by refining public brand and messaging – Implemented innovative community advocacy efforts through active social listening, championing innovators, and creating direct participation touch points for an inclusive audience at events relevant events and forums.
- Established and maintained communication lines with ‘up and coming’ entrepreneurs in regards to potential spotlights, connections, leads, and other key resources.
- Efforts contributed to web and social media presence growing from 0 to over 50 monthly direct engagements on Instagram, over 25k twitter followers, 3k newsletter subscriptions, and ~1.7k monthly website views.
ℹ️ Startup Here Toronto – an online resource, community hub, and news source created by the City of Toronto.
Initially, an exercise in branding to champion Toronto as a global economic hub, the platform aims to highlight Canada’s amazing startups stories, highly skilled workforce, quality of life, innovative developments, and competitive business climate. This platform celebrates Toronto as an amazing place to live and work.
SUHTO serves the startup and entrepreneurial community by providing relevant and real-time connections to funding, grants, incubators, workshops, training, accelerators, coworking spaces, innovation headlines, competitions, pitch call-outs, tech meetups, networking events, and more. Weekly spotlights provide a deeper look into the journey to success in specific sectors, and act as case studies for those looking to gain a competitive advantage.
Community partners include MaRS, Ryerson DMZ, UofT, Founder Institute, TechTO, YorkU, Humber, OneEleven, Artscape, Centre for Social Innovation.
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2014 - 2018
Social Digital Strategy
City of Toronto
- Collaborating with the Economic Development & Culture Division to assist with the development of the digital strategy for select city-funded entrepreneurial and startup-focused initiatives including ‘Enterprise Toronto’ and ‘Startup Here Toronto’
- Collaborating with the Economic Development & Culture Division to assist with the development of the digital strategy for select city-funded entrepreneurial and startup-focused initiatives including ‘Enterprise Toronto’ and ‘Startup Here Toronto’
- Liaising with partners and stakeholders within affiliated networks.
- Providing promotional campaign concepts, application plans, and support through consultation and execution.
- Increasing meaningful and positive engagement fuelled by community building and storytelling.
- Promotion of shared tools, resources, events, training, compelling narrative, and other support.
- Cultivating a culture of growth, praise, encouragement, empowerment, and celebration.
- Creating, implementing and managing social media and content marketing content across all social channels to promote the celebration of Toronto’s innovative entrepreneurial and startup community.
- Establishing and training full time staff to maintain best practices.
- Providing reports and insight focused on monitoring, KPI’s, campaign optimization, ROI, brand awareness, other community metrics and engagement rates.
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2013 - 2018
Project Manager
Cynefin Collective
The Cynefin Collective is an established network of engaged creatives with interest in community building and social innovation. We’re passionate about helping organizations to cultivate their brands and messaging through digital platforms. We help with branding, websites, social media and more…
Personal Highlights
♾ Urban dwelling member of the Métis Nation of Ontario with family roots along Peace River. (English, Polish, Irish, French, and Cree ancestry.) Beader, aspiring fiddler, digital storyteller, nature enthusiast, and admirer of traditional craft, as well as contemporary indigenous fashion. Drawn to and inspired by people and organizations that value equity, sustainability, indigenous leadership and decolonial dialogue.
🏫 Recently completed Local Economic Development studies at Ryerson University. Working towards EcD accreditation.
🔍 Seeking mentorship, meaningful connections, and career advice.
💪🏽 Strengths include: Critical Analysis, Social Digital Strategy, Content Creation, Marketing Research, Relationship Building, Logistics, and Project Management.
🏸 Interests Include: Tennis, Hiking, Yoga, HIIT, Art Galleries, Film Analysis, Photography, Interior Design, Placemaking
Project Highlights
