Government Affairs and Media Relations Advisor

May 2010 – present

Port Metro Vancouver

• Prepare briefing notes including analysis and advice for the executive in advance of meetings with elected officials and senior government officials at municipal, provincial, and federal levels
• Develop relationships with government officials and elected officials at municipal, provincial, and federal levels
• Organize meetings with government and elected officials at municipal, provincial, and federal levels
• Monitor municipal, provincial, and federal governments policy initiatives that impact on the Port’s operations and customers and provide briefings and advice to colleagues and the executive
• Ensure the Port and its customers benefit from access to government and elected officials by organizing opportunities for Port customers with relevant officials
• Identify opportunities that the Port and governments can mutually benefit from
• Identification, analysis, and tracking of emerging issues
• Provide government affairs and communications advice and support to colleagues and Port customers, in support of strategic initiatives and programs
• Responsibility for media relations including building and maintaining relationships with local, regional and national media outlets, pitching and writing press releases, handling all media calls, providing briefing and background materials for the executive, and acting as the official spokesperson when required
• Prepare quick response strategies for emerging and ongoing issues, write key messages, and presentations and speeches for the executive

Freelance: Government Affairs and Issues Management Consultant

August 2009- May 2010

• Provided government affairs, strategic communications, and issues management advice to private sector clients including the following industries: green energy, environment, industrial development, and labour
• Client relations
• Development of integrated government affairs and marketing communications strategies and tactics
• Writing and editing of government affairs communications materials including briefing notes, speaking notes, and key messages

Senior Advisor, Economic Development

September 2008 - August 2009

Office of the Minister of Economic Development, Government of Ontario

• Managed a team of fifteen policy, strategic communications and marketing staff responsible for $1.8 billion government and business innovation fund
• Responsibility for domestic economic policy development, related communications strategies, and marketing programs
• Researched and planned strategic policy initiatives
• Managed internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Provided strategic advice and analysis regarding the economic development mandate to the executive leadership
• Responsibility for advancing specific files: pharmaceuticals industry, steel sector, manufacturing sector, forestry, natural resources, national and interprovincial trade, and the regulatory framework that affects business in Ontario

Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Affairs

January 2007 - September 2008

Office of Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Government of Ontario

• Lead government strategy to improve relationships with First Nations leaders and communities
• Responsibility for building and strengthening social and economic relationships with local, provincial and national First Nations leaders and communities
• Managed improved government consultation processes with First Nations, including energy, environment, mining, land claims and infrastructure
• Provided the executive leadership with detailed policy briefings including analysis and strategic advice
• Provided strategic advice to the executive leadership including issues and communications planning
• Lead communications and issues management teams consisting of researchers, writers, communications assistants, legislative affairs staff and a media relations team

Assistant Director, Issues Management - Legislative Affairs

January 2004 - January 2007

Office of the Premier of Ontario

• Directed the daily activities of a team of 26 issues managers and associated government staff
• Managed all freedom of information requests and responses for the Office of the Premier, and provided oversight for all freedom of information requests to the Government of Ontario
• Identified emerging issues and trends
• Responsibility for daily analysis of all contentious issues in the province of Ontario
• Wrote and edited quick response strategies for emerging and ongoing issues
• Wrote and edited daily key messages for the Premier of Ontario
• Prepared daily briefing notes for Question Period for the Premier of Ontario
• Provided communications direction to planners and policy advisors across government
• Monitored ministry budget accountability and transparency
• Oversight of allocation and fulfilment of marketing and communications budgets
• Developed and provided oversight in the implementation of communications and marketing strategies for a portfolio of fourteen ministries, including: environment, municipal affairs, infrastructure, natural resources, energy, mining, aboriginal affairs, attorney general, community and social services, children and youth services, community safety, francophone affairs, citizenship, and culture