Heather Young, Mba Email & Phone Number

Canada

Onna-Son, Okinawa, Jp

I lead integrated marketing-communications with strategic plans that build, enhance, and protect the university’s reputation and brand locally, nationally, and internationally. I champion collaboration and cooperation across the university, influencing others to follow suit and reduce organizational silos. ➟ Started measuring and evaluating media outcomes. Led the media relations team and strategy that earned 6,000+ stories last year, which was a 165% increase over previous year with 400+ in top-tier outlets (130% over previous year). ➟ Significantly boosted crisis communications capacity to include risks assessments, roles and responsibilities, stakeholders’ needs, pre-approved holding statements, and templates. Participated in annual crisis training for key executives.➟ In partnership with the OIST Foundation, reacted quickly to the newly formed Ukraine Scholar & Student Support Fund, securing 43 news stories and helping to inspire 100+ donors to bring refugee students and faculty to OIST.➟ Lend SME as an active executive representative on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Working Group, Diversity Committee, Female Faculty Recruitment Working Group, Philanthropy Network, Donation Review Committee, Government Liaison Team, Suzuki Safety Fund, and Culture Committee.➟ Contribute as an enthusiastic spokesperson for dozens of diplomatic visits to campus, at local community events, and at student events.

I convened 14 sessions at the Science Summit at the 77th, 78th, and 79th United Nations General Assembly with 50+ speakers, including entrepreneurs, humanitarians, scientists, authors, university presidents, and a former ambassador.➟ Shared purpose-driven topics, including measuring ESG/impact/value, decolonizing science, supporting women in STEM, and communicating social and environmental issues.➟ Produced significant outcomes: 95% of attendees had a positive impression of the sessions, while 92% of session partners’/speakers’ opinions of OIST improved (8% were unchanged) and 100% would partner with OIST again in the future.

Boston, Ma, Us

I shared insights on reputation and leadership on Forbes.com via the Forbes Communications Council, an invitation-only opportunity for senior-level marketing and communications executives.

Vancouver, Bc, Ca

As a member of the senior leadership team, I provided strategic leadership, operational planning, and tactical direction on all external and internal communications strategy while managing public relations, public affairs, media relations, crisis communication/issues management, and events.➟ Directed 180+ “impact stories” in 5 years, showcasing innovation-research partners, including local, provincial, federal, and international governments, as well as industry partners like Canadian Mental Health Association and Centre for Addictions Research of BC, Reebok, Mercedes, Ford Motors, and Ericsson; readers spent 2+ minutes on each story, well above industry benchmarks.➟ Increased news media stories 66% in the first year and an additional 177% in the second year. ➟ Directed social media content strategy (in 2 languages), which saw 900+ posts resulting in 7,500+ visits to the website for 117+ hours spent on pages (in Q1–Q2 of 2021).➟ Created 2-person Events Team that presented two flagship events and numerous others each year: At 2019 Mitacs Awards, 83% of guests greatly improved their opinion of the organization. In 2019, the team delivered 39 events across the country, involving 14 elected/appointed officials and hundreds of students and faculty, reaching 20,500+ people.➟ Initiated, planned, and hosted weekly virtual townhalls with executives during the pandemic, increasing information flow, productivity, motivation, and feelings of connection; 93% of staff participated and engagement scores increased in 4 related areas.➟ Partnered with Human Resources on the first employee engagement survey and strategies, including launch of an intranet, CEO updates, and training, resulting in staff engagement up 20% over 3 years.➟ Developed the first thought-leadership strategy (see samples below); published 28 op-eds in top-tier outlets in 4 years, totaling 16M+ impressions, helping to increase trust with government stakeholders.

Richmond, Bc, Ca

I transitioned in 2010 to oversee all proactive communications and community relations. I managed 12 team members encompassing the creative services team (editors, designers, video producers, and a photographer) and the public affairs team. ➟ Transformed a dysfunctional team in a unionized environment into a collaborative, cohesive team through performance management, attendance management, productive feedback, and coaching.➟ Orchestrated the largest Day of Mourning event (3% under budget) in the province to date, in conjunction with Ministry of Labour, achieving an earned media reach of 2.3M and helping raise the public contribution index from 90% to 93%.➟ Activated Guinness World Record: Raise Your Hand For Young Worker Safety, with silver medalist Team Canada Para athlete Josh Dueck, which boosted visits to young worker website 187% and reduced injury claims for young people by 9.9% (see video below).➟ Planned and carried out a zero-budget ladder safety awareness initiative for employers. Page views for online resources increased 304%. Reached 240K people through print media in BC and thousands more through TV, radio, and digital engagement.➟ Engaged partners, including the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the North American Occupational Safety and Health Committee, and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. through events, sponsorships, award presentations, and speakers.

Richmond, Bc, Ca

Joining the organization in 2008, I developed and executed integrated marketing-communication plans and projects in support of organizational goals. ➟ Delivered projects inclusive of annual reports, media releases and advisories, external website and intranet news content, employee newsletters, employer communications, statistics books, briefing notes, events, and translation.➟ Managed 100-page annual reports, which successfully passed audits by the government for transparency and accountability (see work samples attached below). ➟ Developed the first multi-language integrated marketing-communications in simplified and traditional Chinese, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Tagalog.

Burnaby, British Columbia, Ca

Hired into a new position to manage all communications activities serving athletes, families, coaches/volunteers, donors, and staff. Supported 24 volunteer PR coordinators, providing tools and templates to empower communities. Served as the bilingual media liaison and spokesperson at the 2007 Provincial Games and the 2008 National Games.➟ Activated national partnerships with Toyota, Subway, and Staples throughout the region to recruit volunteers.➟ Worked alongside local organizing committee at the 2007 Games to produce sponsorship opportunities package; secured 9 media sponsors, including competing newspapers, and maximized their involvement, including engaging their staff as volunteers.➟ Published 16-page newsletter quarterly for thousands of internal stakeholders. Improved publishing process to make it easier and faster to execute. Received significant anecdotal feedback on the quality, relevance, and meaningfulness of the content.

My early career includes publishing in Canada and China—with proficiency in editing, finance, production, distribution, and publicity.➟ Developed financial models and broke even in 6 months on own Canadian book. ➟ Edited "The Picture Cookbook: No-Cook Recipes for the Special Chef," a cookbook for individuals with developmental disabilities.➟ Consulted for other small publishers on best practices. *Also enjoyed a stint at Granville Island Publishing.*

Master Of Business Administration (Mba) Degree, Leadership

Foundations Of Purpose Leadership Intensive

Stragetic Communications Management Certificate

Foundations Of Effective Management & Leadership Certificate

Master Of Publishing (Mpub) Degree

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba) Degree, Sociology And Humanistic Studies