Andrew Dickson Email & Phone Number

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Developed and executed on strategic communications plans for Manulife’s new CFO, providing sound advice focused on increasing his visibility and improving financial results education across the company.• Worked collaboratively with senior executives and key stakeholders to educate employees about the company’s quarterly financial results, strategic progress, and how their day-to-day work drives results by launching live, global “Quarter Explained” events. In-person and virtual attendance was strong, with survey results indicating they were very well received and metrics continued to improve quarter over quarter. • Led the continued rollout of data-driven decision making and analysis across Global Communications by enabling improved campaign planning, measurement, and reporting. Expanded on this rollout by integrating easy-to-use content approval systems for social media and media relations teams.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• Built out a strategic plan to overhaul Global Communications’ approach to planning, measurement, and reporting, following a detailed audit of all existing systems and processes.• Executed this plan by taking an agile approach to developing, testing, and rolling out a solution providing integrated calendaring, dashboards, and reporting, providing “one source of truth” for data across the Global Communications team. Ensuring successful execution involved securing full leadership buy-in, identifying key advocates on the team, and providing training and ongoing education for all team members.• Led a collaborative project to set and track team-wide KPIs to improve the effectiveness of future campaigns, initiatives, and events — a first in Global Communications.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Successfully managed Manulife’s Annual Report Communications project for four years, working with multiple senior stakeholders and vendors to deliver the company’s first digital annual report, first annual report CEO video, a “Go Digital” initiative, and annual meeting remarks for the CEO and Chairman in three of those years. The report and remarks were produced with updated branding, on-time, on-budget, and error-free every time. • Provided strategic communications counsel for the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Global Head of Private Markets, and other senior leaders. This work focused on improving awareness, understanding, and execution related to organizational strategy, priorities, and initiatives, which were regularly measured to ensure continued improvement. • Served as a key member of the company’s pandemic response and return-to-office communications teams. Worked with a diverse group of senior stakeholders to lead our internal and external listening and measurement efforts, providing sound advice that helped evaluate and shape the company’s ongoing strategy and approach. • Led the development and rollout of strategic communication plans supporting the launch of two company-wide sustainability initiatives - Impact Agenda and Journey to Net Zero - and the rebranding of a major business line, Hancock Natural Resources Group to Manulife Investment Management Timber and Agriculture.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Successfully developed and executed on multiple communications plans, helping identify potential issues and ensuring each project proceeded as smoothly as possible. With topics ranging from the firm’s investment outlook publication releases to major organizational changes, these involved managing relationships with multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts, balancing business and legal requirements, and successfully obtaining timely approvals. As part of executing these plans, I also wrote and edited a wide range of intranet articles, leadership messages, and press releases. • Coordinated event management for executive-led town halls, quarterly updates, and team meetings. Conducted surveys following these events to provide useful, relevant insights to improve future events.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Provided previously-unavailable measurements and actionable insights to communications leaders by utilizing new systems and developing well-researched reports and presentations with detailed analysis. • Managed the company’s digital and social media monitoring programs, working with vendors and multiple internal partners. Successfully handled all potential issues with no major incidents.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Created and improved intranet-based communications content for clients around the company. Ensured a high level of quality and attention to detail in all my work, up to and including CEO communications.• Built relationships throughout the organization and encouraged innovative thinking to improve communications and processes, with materials being written, approved, and published in a timelier manner than in the past.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Planned, wrote, edited, and obtained approvals for communications from a diverse set of stakeholders and subject matter experts, completing these on time while balancing multiple ongoing projects.• Project managed Canadian division-wide town halls for head office staff, with a focus on increased engagement and higher-quality presentations.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Wrote internal communications and edited content for external publication in a deadline-driven environment.

Toronto, Canada Area

Toronto, Canada Area

Certificate, Corporate Communications

B.A., Political Science

Activities and Societies: Editor-in-Chief, The Muse student newspaper