Lisa Brody Hoffman Email & Phone Number

I manage a team of 9 people in all policy, operations, communications and resident engagement for a Deputy Mayor's Office, representing locally 150,000 residents, 14 neighbourhoods in Canada's largest municipal government.Lead office strategy and tactics for addressing local issues across municipal divisions, including safer streets, healthy development, complete communities, increased access to parks and recreations, climate resilience, public health strategy, youth engagement, and more. Establish best-practices and logistical processes for being the connective tissue between City of Toronto staff divisions, residents, industry partners, advocacy organizations and local service delivery partners. Work with the Mayor’s Office, City Councillors, and key political and government decision-makers to advance strategic policy and programs forward.Engage senior officials across City of Toronto’s 43 divisions, 14 resident associations, and dozens of community organizations to achieve strategic priorities and outcomes.

Toronto

Directed consultant teams on high-profile public and community engagement mandates using best-team approach to serve client needs.Created and implemented communications and engagement strategies to reach, inform and engage communities and industry audiences using a variety of tools and channels. Led public participation and community engagement training and internal capacity building for industry clients.Designed and facilitated robust integrated communications and engagement programs on-time and on-budget on municipal, provincial and federal mandates.Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with clients and partners and ensured regular communication with clients and relay information to internal team members involved in the mandates. Supported new business development activities by identifying opportunities to expand business with current clients, promoting H+K services and specialties to existing clients, contributing research, analysis, and content to new business proposals, and participating in pitches.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Providing communications, facilitation, workshop design, and civic engagement leadership for clients, including Watershed Partners (2020), Courage to Act, Civic Hall Toronto, Ryerson’s Democratic Engagement Exchange (2021), and City Councillor Amber Morley (2022).As Watershed Partner's Communications Lead, I built out their first communications strategy and led the development of unique communications collaterals, while supporting the design and facilitation of digital multi-stakeholder engagement and alignment sessions with 100+ participants. I produced impact reports and white papers for clients and community. At the Democratic Engagement Exchange, Ryerson University, I was National Manager, VOTE 2021 Stakeholder & Community Engagement. I co-designed and co-created a national non-partisan campaign that worked with hundreds of community-based social sector agencies and local leaders across Canada to support and enhance local efforts to get out the vote in the 2021 federal election.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

One-year maternity leave cover. I managed the Marketing & Communications team at the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund in working to move reconciliation forward across Canada through awareness education, connection, and community and foster meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.Some incredible things our team has done together:Over 198 teams across the country Walked for Wenjack, including students and educators from over 90 schools, with 27,040 total participantsOver 6,000 active educators in 4438 schools and clubs involved across the country, including Girl Guides and Boys and Girls Club using DWF learning tools and resources to teach about reconciliation in the classroom and community.Over 15,000 people took the 215+ Pledge: the campaign included advocacy tools to engage your local Member of Parliament and elected officials, as well as curated recommended resources to continue your learning journey.Two of my most favorite projects: A Day to Listen and the Oshki Wupoowane | The Blanket Fund.Oshki Wupoowane launched on September 30, 2022 with an initial $1 million investment from Hudson’s Bay Foundation and a commitment to direct 100% of net proceeds from the sale of all HBC Point Blankets to The Blanket Fund moving forward. Since then, The Blanket Fund has grown to more than $1.5 million, which will be disbursed to successful applicants over multiple years.In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) partnered once again with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada on A DAY TO LISTEN 2022, which aired nationally from 6AM – 6PM local time. With more than 540 radio stations participating, spanning different markets, regions, and formats, A DAY TO LISTEN 2022 leveraged the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways.

Promoted to Chief of Staff for the Office of Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam.Managed a team of 9 people in all office operations and communications for a downtown City Councillor representing 120,000 residents and 14 neighbourhoods in the economic centre of Canada.Worked with elected officials, the Mayor’s office, and the City of Toronto’s major division areas to advance strategic priorities, including the Youth Equity Strategy, Confronting Anti-Black Racism, and the Downtown East Action Plan.Engaged senior officials across the City of Toronto’s 43 divisions, 14 resident associations, and dozens of community organizations to achieve strategic priorities and outcomes. Built relationships to create and scale innovative municipal initiatives, including establishing Toronto’s first Gender Equity Office and the City’s first Gender Responsive Budgeting framework.Produced executive communications and strategy on behalf of the Councillor, including official statements, briefing notes, letters of support, public motions, community liaison materials, and more.Built a full portfolio of community engagement campaigns and events, and mobilized thousands of residents as well as hundreds of key partners to advance progressive policy; organized 20+ events.

Toronto, Canada Area

I was recruited by Councillor Wong-Tam to her office as Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Initiatives in July 2017.I produced internal and external communications for senior officials across City of Toronto’s 43 divisions and built widespread support to achieve strategic outcomes, including the Downtown East Action Plan, the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Toronto's first Gender Equity Office, declaring Housing a Human Right and more.I developed the full communications strategy for the office and oversaw the production of all brand collaterals, including brand guidelines, media release templates, multi-media videos, graphics, and a full data-driven website/CMS; wrote social media content for 40k followers and grew mailing list by 200%.I managed all media relations activities, including 20+ press conferences, 5+ digital press conferences, 50+ press statements, and liaised with 100+ local, regional and national news networks (CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CityTV, CTV, Global, Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and more); served as official spokesperson for the Councillor. During the fall of 2018, I was the Campaign Director on her election campaign in the new Ward 13 Toronto Centre. I managed the campaign through the doubling in size of City Council ward boundaries half mid-way through the election. I built out the full campaign strategy and workback plans, facilitated training and development sessions, served as Chief Communications Director, and led a team of 20+ senior staff, 300+ volunteers, and one incredible candidate to victory.

Toronto, Canada Area

Women Win Toronto is an organization dedicated to train and prepare women from diverse backgrounds to run winning campaigns in the 2018 municipal election. In order to build a fair and equitable city, we need political leaders that represent the diverse needs of all residents.This series of workshops and training sessions walks through many aspects of running of winning campaign, including crafting a narrative, building a campaign team, and leading fundraising initiatives, stakeholder engagement, media and communications, and data management, and health and well-being on the campaign trail.I led all aspects of program design and development, communications and public engagement, including call for participants, volunteers, organizers to bring Women Win TO to life; led weekly meetings and debrief sessions with participants and drove strategic planning.I worked with a core team of 5 people to develop full program plan, including pedegological topics: building an election campaign team, developing relationships with key stakeholders, fundraising and the art of “the ask”, election day, data collection & door knocking, crafting a communications strategy, and taking care of yourself during the campaign.I designed and delivered the session on Political Communications, Design & Digital Strategy (with former candidates Jennifer Hollett and Li Koo), which included an overview of narrative and storytelling, writing and designing effective print literature, web design and digital strategy for voter mobilization, media relations and issues management.

Toronto, Canada Area

Developed full campaign strategy for Kristyn Wong-Tam's run in Ward 13, Toronto Centre, including all communications and creative direction, community outreach and engagement, data management, volunteer recruitment, digital strategy, voter contact, fundraising, and stakeholder engagementManaged a campaign team of 10 directors, 20 staff, 300+ volunteers, created and executed our strategic plan despite uncertainty, preparing for two election scenarios and a drastically shortened campaign period.Produced all communications and led creative direction, including print literature, posters, website content and design, fundraising copy, e-communications, volunteer scripts, volunteer training documents, press releases, and more.Managed all campaign media coverage, including coordination of press conferences, media statements, press releases and key messages; liaised with journalists and outlets, including coverage on CBC’s the National, Global News, CP24, Toronto Star, CBC News and other news outlets.Led a campaign team through the the most challenging elections in Toronto’s history, adapting to seismic changes with a steady hand and a clear vision.

Toronto, Canada Area

Provided strategic planning and coordination for all paid, earned, and owned media at Canada’s largest multi-service women’s organization; produced advocacy and marketing campaigns to advance the mission of the Association; ensured ethical storytelling best-practices. Strengthened the Association’s suite of marketing collaterals: interviewed staff and participants to create story-based communications materials, including articles, op-eds, press releases, brochures, and web and social media content; created 3-year marketing plan for YWCA Toronto’s Employment and Training division.Produced digital campaigns to drive engagement: responsible for growing and managing all YWCA Toronto’s social media accounts; co-developed #ActOnHousing advocacy campaign; led #ConsentOnCampus Twitter chat reaching 1M impressions.Devised media relations on two Women of Distinction Awards fundraisers: secured buy-in from senior leadership and produced all collaterals; successfully pitched to The CBC, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and more; co-ordinated 30+ media interviews; doubled media hits from 9M to 18M.Wrote development communications: created fundraising toolkits and guides, wrote donor-centric content for print, web and social; coordinated with 50+ organizations to promote and raise the profile of Women of Distinction Awards recipients; produced all content for #GivingTuesday campaign.

Montreal, Quebec & Toronto, Ontario

Co-founded national bilingual civic tech and engagement firm: recruited designers and community organizers to innovate offering, developed and executed firm’s strategic plan.Acquired contracts, provided strategic direction and managed client relationships: fostered relationships with key decision-makers, developed partnership opportunities, negotiated and finalized contracts of $15,000+, worked with clients across the non-profit sector, including the Chiefs of Ontario, Expo 2025 Canada, Rivo-Résilience, Union Étudiant du Québec, SEIU Healthcare Canada, the New Democratic Party, the Coalition for Gun Control, Greenpeace Canada and the City of Toronto; provided campaign metrics and achievement outcomes for clients and their Boards. Directed 10+ provincial and national advocacy campaigns: responsible for strategic and creative direction of each campaign to surpass clients’ expectations; worked with clients, community groups and sector organizations to build partnerships and coalitions for maximum impact, oversaw the full-scope project delivery, led public engagement for the largest climate action rally in Canadian history with 25,000+ participants.Managed a team of six in the design and production of all campaign collaterals across multiple cities in both official languages, managed contract web designers, video producers, graphic designers and community organizers, produced and oversaw work plans to ensure deliverables were met on time and on budget, provided feedback and on-going mentorship for staff; designed and delivered 15+ advocacy workshops and training sessions for a diversity of clients from the non-profit sector.

Toronto, On

Initiated and planned high-profile events: co-ordinated press conferences with 40+ journalists, planned five fundraisers with 200+ attendees recruiting on average 10 volunteers, managed weekly events with 50+ volunteersManaged communications and digital strategy: developed comprehensive communications strategy and timeline, produced written materials for website, fundraising, and print literature, grew mailing list from 300 people to 10,000 people, built 40 person digital rapid response teamBuilt one of the largest campaigns of the 2015 federal election: developed campaign strategy, led community engagement, hosted community events, and recruited more than 400 volunteers over the course of the campaign

Toronto, Canada Area

Responsible for teaching 200+ students in small-group tutorial contexts. Created and evaluated coursework and examination materials, designed and led tutorial sessions, and mentored and guided students. Managed interpersonal conflicts and nurtured positive learning environment for students of diverse backgrounds and skill-level.

Montreal, Quebec

Produced promotional and communications materials: successfully pitched creative ideas to Senior Management, designed advertisements, posters, and promotional materials for various audiences (alumni, donors, parents, prospects), ensured the production of high-quality print and digital marketing materialsDesigned marketing materials for Alumni-related activities: produced designs for Annual Homecoming, Spring Fundraiser, and other special events, supported Alumni Association and Advancement Department to plan, market, and manage major events, built strong relationships with parent and alumni donorsDeveloped high-quality visual concepts, tools and templates: produced original content while maintaining brand integrity, photographed School events and managed database of photographs, designed graphic templates for print and web, managed web-based CRM toolFostered relationships between alumni, the School, and the student body: developed strategies to enhance alumni engagement, supported the Advancement Department in organizing special events that connected current students with alumni, developed engaging content to increase alumni involvement

Montreal, Quebec

Supported the Director of IT in developing and facilitating media production in the classroom and provided guidance with audio, graphic, and web design components of the curriculum. Maintained the school's website and provided support to the IT, Communications and Alumnae Departments.

Masters Of Arts, Communications And Culture

Activities and Societies: Programme Vice-President Graduate Student Association Ryerson Student Union Graduate Council RepresentativeJoint.

Bachelor Of Fine Arts, Studio Arts & Art History

Activities and Societies: Fine Arts Student Association Stingers Women's RugbyFocus on visual, web and communication design, multimedia.