Manager, Internal and External Communications
Electrical Safety Authority
Total years of experience :14 years, 5 Months
•Communications lead on several high-profile media issues such as the Ottawa tornadoes & City of Toronto apartment inspection blitz, helping to build ESA’s brand profile and reinforce the organization’s electrical safety mandate. Both media issues were commended by City Mayors
•Responsible for the development and management of 5 integrated advertising and PR campaigns, leveraging data and analytics to inform campaign strategy and target audiences effectively.
•Developed a comprehensive communication plan aimed at increasing attendance rates for ESA’s risk-based oversight town hall meetings, resulting in an increase of 38% based on the attendance levels from the previous year, surpassing the communication objective of 10%
•Oversee communication team, monitoring project activities and prioritizing tasks while also providing mentorship opportunities to help acquire key skills that will assist in career development
•Doubled employee participation and tripled employee engagement when compared to previous internal events by restructuring the format and content of RBC’s regional employee townhall to include leaders from across business lines along with online interactive discussions on selected topics
•Increased employee membership of Regional Connect Page, an internal collaboration site, by 53% by incorporating two-way communication tactics along with content focused on business priorities
•Regional Communications lead on RBC’s Canada 150 project, a social initiative encouraging youth across the region to #make150count by uploading videos onto social media channels to demonstrate how they used $150 provided by RBC to make a difference in their communities. Using both traditional and non-traditional communication channels, stories were amplified both internally and externally to increase reach and build brand profile among key stakeholders
•Successfully completed eight branch consolidations, ensuring all stakeholders were informed of the benefits of the decision as well as their impacts. Both clients and politicians were actively engaged throughout the process and were pleased with RBC’s proactive communications approach
•Developed and executed the implementation of both strategic internal communication plans and public relations programs for Compass Group Canada and its sectors in order to maintain and enhance the company culture and external corporate profile
•Successfully managed issues as the communications delegate on the crisis management team by monitoring issues and developing both proactive and reactive plans to build and protect the Company’s reputation
•Created a comprehensive change management communication plan designed to educate stakeholders as we transitioned from one accounting and payroll reporting system to another platform; I effectively managed all communications throughout the migration process with high awareness rates and zero complaints among both union and non-union associates
•Secured more than 62 million media impressions in 2015 through the development of a comprehensive media relations plan designed to build awareness of Compass Group Canada and its sector brands, an increase of 138% based on 2014 results and an increase of 1140% based on 2013 data
•Initially operated as the sole communications practitioner serving Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and its two subsidiaries, Liberty Utilities and Algonquin Power Co., working closely with the presidents of the two businesses to develop annual communication plan and strategy for the department
•Provided strategic communications advice to senior leadership during acquisition and merger process. Developed comprehensive communication plans for five acquisitions, created all customer, employee and media communication materials and provided direction to site staff and external PR agencies to implement ‘Day One’ transition activities and community outreach
•Developed the organization’s first crisis communications plan and organized media training for senior executives; designated as the main communications contact in emergency response management plan across North America
•Based on feedback from the annual employee survey, significantly enhanced national employee communication and recognition activities by developing new communication tactics and soliciting staff input in the alteration of existing vehicles. The new initiatives were well received by staff, showing an improvement of employee engagement by 87%
•Led the creation of a new corporate intranet by developing a scope document in consultation with department heads, securing buy-in from senior leadership and managing the implementation. “The Grid” is a user-centric site that encourages two-way communication, actively engaging employees at all levels, with 90% of employees stating the intranet has ‘significantly improved’ and ‘helps complete work tasks’
•Provided direction and training to departmental staff for updating their sections of the intranet. Reviewed all content to ensure consistency and clarity before translation and posting
•Worked closely with the Director of Investor Relations to write and produce the Company’s annual report, assisted with investment materials, presentations and speaking remarks and frequently accompanied the CEO and CFO on marketing & investor meetings
•Redesigned the Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., Liberty Utilities and Algonquin Power Co. external websites, writing and developing content for key pages
•Provided communications counsel on content for quarterly town halls, improving employee engagement by 84%
•Coached and supervised junior communications staff
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