Leah Prestayko Email & Phone Number

Medicine Hat

Senior management position responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, administration, and direction of the Community Development Department. Scope of activities include overseeing, planning and operations of all policies, programs and facilities related to Community supports, arts and culture, entertainment and events and Transit Services. Acts as the City’s resource/liaison with a number of advisory boards/committees and represents the City while negotiating funding/cost sharing contracts and agreements as required.

Accountable for the development and execution of internal and external communication programs that support the corporation’s vision, mission, and strategic and business objectives. Provides strategic and tactical leadership, direction and advice on all aspects of City communications. Plans and develops communications strategies, standards, policies and guidelines as well as training for all corporate communications.

Lead development of organizational Community Engagement Framework. Responsible for managing and improving relationships with 12 Health Advisory Councils and two Provincial Advisory Councils, including establishment of Council of Chairs. Support relationship building and stakeholder mapping and analysis. Identify new community engagement opportunities; lead and collaborate on implementation plans and activities. Integrate communications and engagement planning and functions on various projects and initiatives. Liaise and develop relationships with provincial and municipal levels of government on various issues. Build and lead team, including hiring, onboarding and training new employees.

Lead strategic internal communication planning and delivery enterprise-wide (94,000+ direct employees), promoting workforce awareness and adoption of organizational vision to support engagement and performance. Lead and develop innovative communication strategies and programs, specifically for portfolios within People and Partners, including Human Resources. Support issues management, change management, employee engagement and values-based communications. Leverage internal messaging to external platforms and new platforms internally, including social media. Act as Public Information Officer in Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre. Lead, motivate and coach a team of 12 to provide exceptional client service while seeking to add value. Act as a member of the department’s senior leadership team to foster collaboration, learning and capacity building.

Edmonton, Alberta

Provide communications leadership and support to executive and senior leaders and key portfolios across the organization. Foster improved workforce engagement and support organizational realignment. Lead development of new communication tools and tactics, including tools to support three-way engagement and develop leaders’ communication skill capacity. Collaborate with leaders and teams across organization to increase focus on evaluation and lead process improvement. Provide team leadership, mentor new staff and promote skill development.

Edmonton, Alberta

Provide strategic communications planning to portfolios, including Human Resources, at a senior level across the organization, including emerging issues and long-term initiatives. Develop strategic plans and deliverables. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including government, community groups and general public. Prepare news releases and backgrounders; coordinate media response. Promote internal and external engagement, with focus on developing internal culture of a new organization. Manage staff and contribute to overall planning for Corporate Communications strategic and operational needs.

Medicine Hat, Alberta

Write, design, edit and manage publications. Develop communications plans that support issues management, workplace culture, public relations, program promotion and patient care. Co-ordinate media response. Advise senior leaders of risks and develop strategies accordingly. Work with internal and external partners. Identified as a formal leader and helped lead workplace cultural development.