PROFESSIONAL overview
• I am an effective, award-winning communications strategist: I deliver on-time, high-quality projects, increase user engagement, refine organizational workflows, and contribute to communications standards and communities of practice.
• I am a communications leader: As a results-driven professional with expertise in storytelling and stakeholder engagement, I use human-centered and user-centered design to strategize and execute systems-level communication projects, including website redevelopments, cross-platform content strategy, and team training programs. Skilled at navigating complex environments, leading teams and delivering impactful communications solutions with empathy and innovation.
• I am a skilled professional writer and creative consultant: My background in creative and professional writing has given me expertise in a wide variety of creative and business communications modalities, including grant-writing, publicity kits, professional/business writing, freelance journalism, technical writing, e-newsletters, ghostwriting, storytelling, mentorship, program and event management, event promotions, community engagement and community-building.
MANAGEMENT and LEADERSHIP
As team lead and direct reporting manager for junior staff, co-op students, and student communications staff, led teams to create engaging, on-brand cross-platform content, resulting in increased user engagement and improved brand consistency across all platforms, while deliberately expanding individual contributors' skill sets through stretch assignments.
As acting communications director, managed team through an eight-month period of uncertainty, high turnover and shifting priorities; maintained morale and worked directly with C-suite leadership to maintain strategic focus, direct multi-media campaigns, and maintain 100% on-time delivery of critical communications during leadership transition.
Enhanced organizational communication capabilities through comprehensive training programs on technical tools, content strategy, and social media best practices, training 50+ staff and faculty with 95% completion rate.
Assessed gaps in team makeup, recruited, hired, trained and mentored students and junior staff.
Managed marketing and project budgets.
Strategically monitored social media and internal sentiment to identify and mitigate reputational risks. Provided guidance to senior leadership in emergent crisis communication situations.
COMMUNICATION strategy and design
Partnered with subject matter experts to develop and launch streamlined faculty web templates for enhanced user experience and accessibility.
Developed and executed on social media strategies for higher education faculties. Addressed student engagement gaps, grew engagement by 100-130%, increased followings by 15-75% through targeted content strategy and lean marketing budget.
Implemented internal e-newsletter redesign and rebranding campaigns, improving open rates and click-through rates using enhanced design and content strategy. Increased applications to internal awards by 117% through compelling redesign and communications campaign.
Streamlined communication workflows by implementing SharePoint site and intake app for communications services, improving response rates, technical support and tool accessibility for 200+ non-specialist users.
Provided copywriting, editing, and proofreading services for internal and external communications and event marketing, supporting 50-100+ communication pieces annually while maintaining brand voice consistency.
Led comprehensive website redevelopment projects, auditing content and assessing Google Analytics to drive strategic design decisions, ensure 100% brand compliance across all digital touchpoints, maintain consistent messaging for visitors, and improve site engagement.
PROFESSIONAL and CREATIVE PRACTICE: writing, programming, research, mentorship, production
Planned, managed, hosted and promoted 40+ lunch and learns, workshops, arts series events, book and album launches, conferences and talks.
Received Mentorship Microgrant from the Writers Union of Canada to provide concept and script development mentorship on an independent film that has screened at major international film festivals, including a World Premiere at Rotterdam Film Festival.
Received $15,000 Canada Council for the Arts grant for digital multimedia project.
Received $27,000 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant for master’s thesis.
Wrote and published four critically acclaimed trade books of poetry. Short-listed and long listed for significant industry awards. Published non-fiction essays in significant trade publications and anthologies.
Delivered panel talks, workshops and readings at 10+ festivals and conferences.
Judged poetry recitation contests and sat on jury for a provincial poetry award.
Visited 20+ grade school and university classrooms to deliver workshops, lectures and craft talks.
Volunteered to develop and execute on communications and marketing strategy for academic talks and conferences, and arts and non-profit groups.
Wrote successful grant applications for non-profit groups.
Since 2012, co-founding director of Chris Reimer Legacy Fund Society, a registered non-profit society that funds youth arts training and posthumous production of Calgary musician Chris Reimer’s music.
Photo by Heather Saitz.
Technical skills
WRITING & EDITING: Technical writing, copywriting, copyediting, substantive editing, basic sound and video editing
DESIGN: Content design and strategy, web design, e-newsletters, posters, Photoshop, Adobe Express
DIGITAL MARKETING: E-marketing best practices; Meta advertising, Mailchimp, Marketo
CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: Drupal, Wordpress, Squarespace, Webflow
RESEARCH: Qualitative and quantitative methodologies
Education
Master of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
University of Calgary
In progress: expected 2026
Bachelor of Arts in English (Honours)
University of Calgary
Certificates: Print Publishing and Web Design
Mount Royal University Continuing Education
Recognition and achievements
Impact Award in Digital Futures | 2025
University of Calgary Faculty of Arts
Recognizes awardee's sustained impact and influence, and how their work contributes to meaningful changes within their role or beyond.
Silver Award: Innovation in Alumni, Student, Donor, and Community Engagement (Team Award) | 2016
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VII
Roles highlights
SENIOR DIGITAL SPECIALIST / DIGITAL SPECIALIST UCALGARY BRAND EXPERIENCE TEAM / UCALGARY FACULTY OF ARTS
WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER
SCHULICH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
MANAGING EDITOR
EVENT MAGAZINE
COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT / RESEARCHER
CBC VANCOUVER
OFFICE MANAGER
KOOTENAY SCHOOL OF WRITING
Professional development
Email Marketing: Strategy and Optimization
LinkedIn
Project Management and Change Management Courses
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Professional Editing and Publishing Courses
Simon Fraser University Continuing Education