MY CV
Education, Work, and Training
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OTTAWA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
2023 - Present
The Ottawa Community Foundation's role is to help build a better community. Working with local donors, the foundation provides critical financial support to hundreds of local charities. Through the management of a $260M endowment, the foundation creates impact in the local community by making strategic investments in our community's charitable sector.
In the role of president and CEO, I lead the organization's staff, oversee the investment management of the foundation's endowment, and the organization's granting programs.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OTTAWA REGIONAL CANCER FOUNDATION
2020 - 2023
The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is focused on supporting the 8000 local Ottawa residents diagnosed with cancer every year. The foundation works in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital to fund local cancer research, clinical trials and provides supportive cancer care to help guide cancer patients through their treatment journey.
In the role of president and CEO, I led the organization's staff and volunteers in meeting fundraising objectives, developing and executing the organization's strategy, overseeing the foundation's support cancer care program and managing the Maplesoft GumDocs Centre for Cancer Survivorship.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OTTAWA FOOD BANK
2013 - 2020
The Ottawa Food Bank has been successfully operating since 1984 and is one of the largest food banks in Canada. Chosen as a Top Pick Charity by Charity Intelligence Canada, the Ottawa Food Bank is an incredibly effective organization that cares for over 39,500 people every month by providing food through a network of 116 agencies.
In the role of CEO, I provided leadership to the organization’s staff and volunteers, led the annual business planning process, managed an annual budget of $16 million ($8 million cash and $8 million food) and oversaw a distribution system that ships 7.5 million pounds of food annually. Responsibilities also included leading strategic communications and marketing strategies, and the fundraising and food donation programs.
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT, THE SALVATION ARMY
2006-2013
The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental social service provider in Canada and one of our nation’s most trusted and respected organizations. The Salvation Army assists more than 1.8 million Canadians with programs and services in 400 communities. In this role, I managed the organization’s public relations and fundraising program for the National Capital, Kingston, Quinte and Eastern Ontario regions.
These responsibilities included serving as the official spokesperson for the organization, developing and implementing marketing initiatives, stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies, strategic communications plans, advertising and branding campaigns and social media.
Led the organization’s fundraising activities, including sponsorships, major gifts, planned giving, foundations, government funding, direct mail and special events.
As a member of the divisional leadership team, I was an ex-officio member of all regional advisory and governance boards which provided strategic direction to The Salvation Army’s social service programs in the region, including the Ottawa Advisory Board and the Grace Manor (long-term care facility) Board of Trustees.
MANAGER, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, THE SALVATION ARMY
2009-2013
In this role, I was responsible for the design and implementation of key advocacy and government relations efforts in support of the organization’s strategic priority areas: homelessness, poverty reduction and human trafficking. This included making presentations to House and Senate committees, planning and executing Parliamentary receptions and advocacy events.
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT, ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY
The graduate certificate in Professional Communication Management is focused on building the ability to manage communication strategically and leverage traditional, digital, and social media to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, customers, and other key groups.
2013
BACHELOR OF ARTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Completed 25 credits towards Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Political Science.
Ongoing
DIPLOMA IN AUDIO ENGINEERING, ONTARIO INSTITUTE OF AUDIO RECORDING TECHNOLOGY
The undergraduate diploma in Audio Engineering is focused on recording technology, acoustics, live sound reinforcement and events, music production and the music industry.
1995
SKILLS
Authentic. Creative. Tenacious.
ISSUES MANAGEMENT AND CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
I have relevant training and experience in developing and deploying an issues management strategy to avoid risk as well as communicating with stakeholders and the public if a crisis ins unavoidable.
MEDIA SPOKESPERSON AND PUBLIC SPEAKING
I have significant experience in media relations and as a media spokesperson. Widely known as an effective and relatable spokesperson, I have done interviews in print, radio and television on both the local and national stage.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising results and moving non-profit organizations to the next level of performance is a hallmark of my leadership. As CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank, I helped turn the organization into a fundraising powerhouse, increasing revenue by over 70% in 7 years.
