Providing leadership over Sanguen’s communications, fundraising, and government relations activities, through communications strategy and donor engagement to support the organization’s strategic goals. Using my creativity, experience, and existing relationships in the wonderful community of Waterloo Region to lead the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy that provides Sanguen with the resources it needs to meet the growing and increasingly complex needs of our community.

Providing strategic leadership, planning, communications and advocacy expertise to support the continued membership engagement as well as the implementation of the association’s strategic plan and advocacy agenda.

Welcome to JK Communications & Public Relations! I am an experienced strategic leader with a profound commitment to crafting meaningful communications. Over the years, I have been a guiding force in internal and external communications, specializing in strategic communications, issues management and public relations for large organizations and diverse audiences.My passion extends beyond professional endeavors—I am deeply dedicated to making a meaningful impact within communities. At JK Communications, we believe in the power of effective and authentic communication to drive success and foster strong connections.Let's work together to elevate your organization's communication strategy to create lasting impressions and meaningful engagements with your audiences.

Responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to a team of communications and marketing professionals. Member of the Corporate Leadership Team. Act as Emergency Information Officer on behalf of the City during emergency events.

Issues management and crisis communications leader, responsible for preparing for and responding to situations and events that have the potential to cause reputational harm to the institution. Works closely with the President’s office and other senior leaders to manage critical situations effectively and in a way that best mitigates risk to the university. Proactive in the development and fostering of relationships with media, as well as media monitoring and evaluation. Directs the university’s social media strategy while providing direction and support to other areas of the university as required. Develop and implement strategic communications tools for issues and crisis communication needs, including: briefing notes, key messages and communications plans.Fostering an environment of issues monitoring and management through processes, presentations and cross-department training sessions. Supports the university in responding to sector-specific issues such as illegal street parties, campus violence and freedom of expression.Alerts senior leaders to potential media issues and recommended courses of action.Coaches senior administration and faculty members on effective media response and provides guidance to the designated spokesperson through key message development and coaching.Oversees the university’s social media strategy and framework. Implements an issues management process with social media stakeholders to ensure they are knowledgeable and confident in their roles in the issues monitoring process.Strategizes responses to challenging inquiries from the general public and members of a wide variety of external audiences. Fosters campus collaboration amongst communicators to ensure consistency and alignment of messaging.

Accountable for all communications delivered by Public Health to an audience of over 500,000 community members. Responsible for developing systems and strategies that aligned the department’s communications efforts while reflecting the corporate brand. Developed and executed an integrated communications strategy to support Public Health in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included multiple communications channels, audiences and resources under an ever-changing landscape of information and high-pressure timelines. Led communications strategy for high-profile and contentious Consumption and Treatment Services implementation in Waterloo Region. Included public information sessions, support for senior level presentations and key message development to support the senior leadership team as well as Regional Councillors. Developed and implemented a comprehensive communications campaign to address the complex issues associated with problematic drug-use in the community. Worked closely with harm reduction experts and Region senior leadership to build capacity for compassion in our community through communications and public education. Strategic oversight of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Medium. Development of approaches to grow followers and increase engagement including a story-telling campaign that improved Public Health’s Facebook engagement by 11,000%. Chair of the Unsanctioned Public Gatherings communication group with the objective to guide system partners through a coordinated communications strategy for unsanctioned public gatherings such as St. Patrick’s Day in order to minimize the safety concerns as well as the resource impacts that these illegal events have caused for the community.Directed the media strategy for Public Health. Worked with the medical team on media responses and approaches. Supported spokespersons with development of key messages and coaching for interview best practices

Within the Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR) unit of the University of Waterloo (UW), held a key senior management position and was accountable for the direction of recruitment and enrolment management strategies as they relate to the domestic market. Responsible for the integration of these strategies with other MUR initiatives. Played a leadership role in leveraging the university’s brand and visual identity to strengthen recruitment efforts and further build on the University’s reputation in the marketplace.Responsible for the development of marketing collateral including the production of the Admissions View Book—UW’s premiere recruitment publication which is produced for over 100,000 undergraduate prospects and their influencers. Provided strategic oversight and content development for all marketing and recruitment websites and digital strategies.Managed a multi-disciplinary team of five, responsible for tactical delivery of all print and electronic strategies related to recruiting undergraduate students to UW. With recognition and understanding of the multiple priorities of campus partners, worked collaboratively with faculties, departments and programs from across campus.

Responsible for developing strategic marketing plans and the on-campus visits strategy for the purpose of recruiting undergraduate students to UW. Represented the entire university, while ensuring effective positioning of brand and visual identity in all MUR communications. Played a crucial role in the successful achievement of institutional enrolment management, retention and revenue goals by ensuring that all prospective audiences received accurate and timely print and digital communications while delivering effective on-campus visits plans that integrated and leveraged other recruitment and marketing strategies. Managed and oversaw all aspects of UW’s participation in the Ontario Universities’ Fair, a complex three-day event involving over 100,000 visitors and participation of more than 450 faculty, staff, students and alumni. Required to negotiate effectively with the inter-university organizing committee to safeguard UW’s interests and reputation at the event.Ensured the development and execution of targeted liaison scripts, visual presentations and display materials as well as timely, accurate and consistent follow-up with key audiences. Represented UW on a variety of external inter-university committees.

Managed the Domestic Liaison Visits strategy for the University of Waterloo. This included the development of a travel plan, the hiring, training, and management of a contract Liaison team, presentation development and visits to high-priority schools in targeted regions.Team management, presentation development, public speaking