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
Resume
Summary
A visual communications specialist with more than twelve 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
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Doctor of Philosophy • 2012
Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
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Bachelor of Science • 2007
Department of Chemistry, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Experience
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.
Capital PrideOttawa, Ontario • 2016-Present
- Volunteer Leader, Digital & Creative • 2018-Present
- Volunteer Board of Directors • 2016-2018
Proud to have volunteered both as an active member of the Board of Directors as well as in the years since, to reestablish the organization, rebuild trust with City and community partners, and grow its summer festival into the biggest Pride in the city’s history.
- Worked with other board members to listen to the community, craft policies and procedures, and execute community events to reestablish fiduciary responsibility and trust.
- Designed the Capital Pride logo and visual identity system (in use 2016-present).
- Designed and developed the Capital Pride website on the WordPress platform, including many bespoke functionalities with a focus on ease of updating by volunteers and staff while still providing an engaging user experience.
- Helped execute the keynote summer and winter festivals (2016-2018, 2022-2023) with creative development, digital support, on-the ground event support, and main stage production management.
- Designed and helped lead the successful pitch to host the national Fierté Canada Pride Conference in 2019.