Hello!

Since I was a kid, growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia, I remember being interested in computers and what they could do. I started building websites in junior high and haven't stopped since (not even during my stint in academia earning my Ph.D.). I've been lucky enough to have had opportunities to develop a wide range of skills and work with some great brands over the years including political parties around the world, pride festivals across the country, and organizations in my community that I'm passionate about.

  • Graphic and Document Design
  • Branding and Visual Identity
  • Website Design and Development
  • Digital Marketing and Advertising
  • Political Strategy and Communications
  • LGBTQ2+ and Community Advocacy
  • Digital and Email Fundraising
  • Live and In-Person Event Production
  • Team Leadership and Executive Management
  • Organizational Operations and Design
  • Motion Graphics and Video Production
  • Social Media Strategy

What they're saying

Darrell's unique and hugely valuable strength is his ability to combine a wonderful creative eye with a project manager's efficiency, focus and triaging skills. His creative and design choices are amazing and germane to any project - and his ability to spearhead said projects, getting all moving pieces working as a cohesive unit, is tremendous. He also is a pleasure to work with! 10/10 would work with again.

Dave SommerVice President, Strategic Communications and Associate Creative Director, Creative Currency; Director of Creative and Content, Liberal Party of Canada (former)

Darrell led Capital Pride's efforts to redevelop our website and digital tools, allowing us to launch a streamlined bilingual website that is easy for the public to navigate and is straightforward for staff and volunteers to maintain. In the initial development process, he took time to understand the needs of the organization and has continued to work with staff and volunteers to develop the website as our needs have evolved.

Toby WhitfieldFormer Executive Director, Capital Pride

Darrell has brought his leadership to many roles at DS and he’s the first to roll up his sleeves when needed. He has led the digital group as VP, Digital and Creative Solutions, and more recently helped the company to scale operations and HR for our growing business.

Sean HutchisonPresident, Data Sciences

Resume

Summary

A visual communications specialist with more than fifteen years of experience in not-for-profit fundraising, political campaigning, event and brand visual identity development, web design and coding, digital storytelling, and executive leadership.

A self-taught graphic and web designer from a young age with a penchant for user experience, brand systems, and typography.

A natural and empathic leader who excels in relationship building, strategic thinking, and decision making—originating from a foundation of academic excellence and community engagement.

Key Competencies

  • Passionate team leader and manager
  • Compelling visual communicator and storyteller
  • Technical expert across many platforms and tools
  • Creative, curious, and innovative

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy • 2012

    Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario

  • Bachelor of Science • 2007

    Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Experience

Nova Scotia LiberalsHalifax, Nova Scotia • 2024

  • Caucus Communications Director • 2024
  • Campaign Creative Director • 2024

Supported the Provincial Opposition Leader and the Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus as Communications Director in the lead up to, and during, the fall 2024 sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Also supported the Party in preparation for and during the Nova Scotia Provincial General Election as Creative Director.

  • Developed caucus messaging narrative and related collateral based on public opinion polling and other inputs.
  • Led the Caucus communications team through the development of social and traditional media content throughout the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
  • Designed and developed a new visual identity and campaign-focused website, including fundraising, contact acquisition, and a dynamic election platform microsite.
  • Contributed to high-level campaign strategy including tactics, branding, messaging, and policy platform development.
  • Provided creative direction on the development of all campaign creative collateral, including digital and television ads, candidate materials, and leaders' tour elements.
  • Collaborated with an external advertising agency to execute the campaign's advertising efforts across television, digital, newspaper, and out-of-home.

Office of the Prime Minister of CanadaOttawa, Ontario • 2022-2024

  • Manager of Advertising • 2022-2024

Worked with government officials, senior political staff, and communications colleagues across government to manage the day to day operation of the Government of Canada’s advertising activities.

  • Provided executive management of the Government of Canada’s advertising portfolio ($86M in 2022-2023), including final approval on all aspects of major campaigns.
  • Contributed significantly to the development of all major campaigns through campaign strategy, creative development, and media execution.
  • Participated in all aspects of creative development, from concept review and focus group testing evaluation, through to on-site video and audio production.
  • Focused on KPI measurements, instilling a renewed focus on their use to evaluate success and facilitate insights for future campaigns.
  • Ensured timely approval by the Prime Minister of annual advertising budgets and central funding applications through effective briefing and advanced planning.
  • Advised the Prime Minister and Cabinet on policy files related to advertising, digital platforms, and online hate.

Freelance WorkMontreal, Quebec • 2022

In the short time between full-time gigs, I had the opportunity to take on and complete a number of exciting projects for an array of clients.

  • Designed and developed a complete, bespoke WordPress theme for a leading Canadian think tank.
  • Performed technical website and digital advertising audit, as well as a branding package update and logo refinement, for a leading Indigenous youth advocacy organization.
  • Developed a campaign brand system and all digital and print assets for a major fundraising campaign for a world-class Canadian hospital.

Data Sciences Inc.Montreal, Quebec • 2018-2022

  • Vice President, Digital & Creative • 2020-2022
  • Head of Digital Solutions • 2019-2020
  • Head of Experience • 2018-2019

Partnered with political, not-for-profit, and corporate clients to deliver digital advertising, email engagement and fundraising, creative and video services, web design and development, and politically-sensitive digital communications consulting provincially, federally, and internationally.

  • Hired and led a multi-tiered digital and creative team of twelve strategists across three continents, with exceptional employee satisfaction scores.
  • Executed complete digital programs, including email, web, and social initiatives—from top-level strategy to development and delivery of campaigns—with fundraising and contact acquisition objectives.
  • Focused on the use of data, in-platform optimization, and outstanding written and visual creative products to drive above-average results, meeting or exceeding client goals.
  • Provided executive leadership company-wide, particularly in the areas of office management, technical and corporate operations, employee satisfaction and engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Prepared an internal operational SWOT analysis through employee interviews and literature research, and delivered a set of key recommendations for continued growth.

Liberal Party of CanadaOttawa, Ontario • 2014-2018, 2019, 2021

  • Campaign Director, Creative and Digital Content (secondment) • 2019, 2021
  • Director, Digital & Creative • 2017-2018
  • Director, Creative & Content • 2016-2017
  • Senior Designer • 2014-2016

Started shortly after Justin Trudeau became leader, and have contributed significantly to the visual identity and digital brand that’s defined the Party since.

  • Designed, implemented, and later shepherded the further development of the complete visual brand system used since 2015 to represent Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada.
  • Hired and led a team of up to twelve to execute the Party’s digital and creative functions across email engagement and fundraising, social media, graphic design, video production, and web development.
  • Produced 100+ live and pre-recorded videos with caucus, party leaders, and staff including interviews, testimonials, live event hits, and policy explainers among others.
  • Developed the complete brand systems for two National Party Conventions (2016, 2018), including and all on-site print and digital assets. Also fully produced multi-day, on-site “Liberal Live” productions for three Conventions (2016, 2018, 2024).
  • Acted as the Director of Creative and Digital Content for Justin Trudeau’s 2019 and 2021 successful federal re-election campaigns, hiring and leading teams of 20+ staff to develop and execute all digital, social media, and visual communications objectives for the central campaign.
  • Download Resume