Ontario Racing is a not-for-profit corporation established to serve as the voice of the Ontario horse racing industry and is responsible for directing breed improvement programs, setting an annual program of races and purses, attracting new horse owners, building a fan base and connecting the industry with government and the general public.Ontario Racing works with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and industry regulators the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) to help secure horse racing’s future in Ontario.The organization distributes up to $120 million annually in government funding to the industry through purses, breeder awards and incentives, capital funding and programs including the Standardbred (SIP) and Thoroughbred (TIP) Horse Improvement Programs components of Ontario’s Horse Improvement Program (HIP) as well as the Quarter Horse Racing Industry Development Program (QHRIDP).As the Executive Director, Ontario Racing Management, I am responsible for ensuring the development of staff (ten full time), proper engagement and governance with our Board of Directors, as well as oversight of all finance, programs, marketing and communications functions for Ontario Racing.As part of this role, I routinely work with industry participants, regulators, crown corporations and private operators. I represent the association in various industry committees that help to move the sport forward and am a confident speaker capable of successfully handling media opportunities.

Corporate Communications• Media monitoring, Community Relations, Property DevelopmentInternal Communication• Stakeholder engagement, Newsletters, Company bulletins, Town Halls, Engagement Surveys, Intranet, Workplace Culture.Marketing Communications• Reputation / Review management, Targeted email marketing copy, Web copy (corporate), Branding / Guest Experience signage.Leadership• Onboarding, performance reviews, goal setting and coaching.

Specializing in property development, stakeholder relations, community engagement and corporate communications. In addition to the duties associated with the previous position, the following accountabilities were added to my portfolio: Talent development Web asset managementStakeholder communications and relationsExecutive supportPress releases

I help to develop a first class company culture at one of the world's premier racetracks through creative communications that connect team members and foster pride; including:Weekly newsletterTown Hall MeetingIntranetSpeciality newsletters CEO and Leadership messagesCulture engagement strategy, analysis and execution, including participation in the Great Place to Work Canada programProminent company-wide communications Responsible for one direct report

I direct, create and edit all communications for an industry-leading manufacturer of high-end fine art and photo frame mouldings. Roma Moulding operates in five countries with four distribution centres across North America, multiple European suppliers and has more than 150 employees. Social media: I manage Roma’s five social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram) using analytic reporting software to track data and facilitate growth. At Roma, social media presents a cost effective marketing method that allows us to directly engage our stakeholders. I run contests, promote the work of our partners and the success stories of our employees.Direct marketing e-newsletters: I initiated Roma’s direct marketing and manage a growing subscriber lists totalling more than 10,000. By carefully studying analytics, I’m able map out the best time to send key messages to ensure they are received and write with the needs of the reader in mind to ensure they are understood. Marketing materials: As a B2B enterprise, valuable, enticing and effective marketing material is vital to maintaining Roma’s position as the industry leader. With a creative team, I create advertisements, brochures, beautiful catalogues as well as promotional materials related to Roma’s two annual product launches. External communications: I author a popular company culture blog, write all copy on the company’s website and have developed outstanding biographies for key personal. I also write all news and press releases and any other external communications.Internal communications: I write or edit all important internal company communications including those that contain sensitive or confidential information. Additionally, I am an engaging and confident public speaker. I regularly host presentations or professional development seminars for senior staff, internal stakeholders or business partners.

I supported a close friend and business colleague during the early start-up stage of his technical recruiting company. I wrote all the company’s marketing materials and set-up social media networks that generated leads.

I planned and created all communications for the not-for-profit governing body of basketball in Ontario. The Ontario Basketball Association has tens of thousands of members (players, coaches and team personnel); hundreds of members’ organizations (community and performance basketball organizations) and dozens of business partners (sponsors, advisories and facilities) and regularly supports Canada Basketball to host national and international events. Beginning with an internship that resulted in full-time employment, I progressively increased project scope and responsibility with one of the largest sports non-profits in Canada.SkillsSocial media: I managed Ontario Basketball’s social media across three networks (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) resulting in an outstanding period of growth from 2010 to 2012. In 2010, the combined number of Facebook “Likes” and Twitter “Followers” was 1,200; less than two years later the combined number was over 10,600.Media Liaison: While with the OBA, I created powerful media releases and advisories that were picked up by news outlets across the province such as the Ottawa Citizen, the Hamilton Spectator and CBC news. I would carefully monitor where news about the association was being produced and followed up with outlets to cultivate a better media relationship and more media partners. Additionally, I coordinated interviews with media outlets such as CBC radio and Rogers TV, among others, for promotion of key events and initiatives.Internal / external communication: I wrote all copy including web, news releases, game recaps, long-form articles, scripts, speeches, biographies and event programme content. I brought to life success stories that fostered a positive association with the brand while delivering valuable information to stakeholders in a timely and engaging manner.

Four month internship which resulted in full time employment.