Lynda O'Malley Email & Phone Number

Toronto, On, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As the founder of this is willow, a sustainable fashion brand, I oversee the full spectrum of operations, from product development to market entry. I’ve built a company based on ethical practices and operational sustainability, ensuring streamlined processes across production, supply chain management, and marketing.@Established and managed end-to-end operations, overseeing everything from sourcing sustainable materials to product launch and customer outreach.@Developed an operational framework that supported small-batch, ethical production and managed relationships with local suppliers and artisans.@Led digital marketing campaigns and content strategy, driving brand awareness and customer engagement.@Grew brand presence through operational planning, effectively balancing scalability with sustainability.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

At TMU's Creative School, my focus was on enhancing studio operations, building co-curricular programs, and managing high-profile partnerships.@Operational Improvements: Led the reorganization of the Creative Innovation Studio, optimizing space usage and driving long-term operational strategy.@Partnership Execution: Managed partnership projects with Cadillac Fairview and the Toronto Arts Council, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.@Team Leadership: Managed event staffing and supported the smooth running of Studio activities for students, faculty, and partners.

As Acting Manager at the Fashion Zone, I led the development and implementation of operational strategies that enhanced the startup incubator's member experience. My role involved strategic planning, process improvement, and fostering partnerships to elevate startup success rates.@Managed operations for the incubator and accelerator programs, from intake to graduation, ensuring that milestones were met and startups received tailored support.@Led and optimized the advisor network, improving mentor-startup collaborations, and streamlining onboarding and service delivery processes.@Spearheaded service delivery enhancements based on entrepreneur feedback, improving program relevance and impact.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Planning and implementation of the overall member experience strategy for the Fashion Zone, including developing relevant programming for our entrepreneurs, community members and students. I provide mentorship and monitor the progress of our industry and student led startup teams from application through to graduation, and seek to continually improve startup programming, member benefits, service offerings, mentorship and strategies based on entrepreneur feedback and industry best practices. I lead our advisor network, including support for in-house advisors and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR). I also run the Fashion Zone Incubator and Accelerator Programs, and lead the intake process for the Zone.

Toronto, Canada Area

In this role, I combined operational leadership with business intelligence to support Canada’s top cleantech startups. My focus was on operational strategy and market positioning, utilizing data-driven insights to improve cleantech ventures’ competitiveness in the market.@Led market research and strategic consulting projects tailored to the unique needs of cleantech startups, positioning them for growth.@Built and managed partnerships with leading business intelligence providers (Bloomberg, BNEF, GlobalData, etc.), optimizing resource use and operational planning.@Collaborated cross-functionally to scope and develop project pipelines that supported market expansion and operational scaling for startups.@Enhanced operational workflows within the MaRS Market Intelligence team, improving service delivery for cleantech ventures.

Toronto, Canada Area

As Program Manager, I focused on optimizing team operations, continuously improving internal workflows, and building strategic partnerships. I also led market research initiatives that supported startup growth, aligning research findings with operational strategies.@Co-led team operations, improving workflows and testing new tools and templates that enhanced efficiency.@Procured and managed business intelligence partnerships, enabling high-quality market research services that aligned with startup needs.@Supported startups by conducting detailed market opportunity assessments, providing actionable insights to guide business decisions and operations.@Managed a team of four analysts, ensuring the effective delivery of services and oversight of operational priorities.

Toronto, Canada Area

As Head of Research at ArcTern Ventures, I was responsible for streamlining due diligence processes and providing market intelligence for cleantech investments. My role focused on improving operational efficiency in deal flow management and supporting portfolio companies with strategic guidance.@Led the research function for due diligence processes, optimizing deal flow to ensure high-quality investments.@Collaborated with portfolio companies to address operational challenges, delivering actionable insights to improve strategic business outcomes.@Developed investment theses for cleantech subsectors, providing the data and analysis necessary to guide decision-making and operational scaling.

As the first employee at the Centre for Urban Energy, I played a key role in establishing the operational foundations for this research and innovation hub. From budget management to research support, I ensured smooth operations and streamlined processes that supported the center’s early success.@Managed budget administration, procurement, and hiring processes, ensuring the smooth operation of the center’s foundational activities.@Supported research project proposals and funding applications, contributing to the operational growth of the center.@Participated in sustainability initiatives, aligning operational decisions with the center’s goals of energy innovation.

Conducted primary and secondary research on the renewable energy and electricity sector in Ontario

Provided support to the CEI Manager/Director in analyzing new products, technologies and potential projects, and in background research to support ongoing projectsAdministrator for the Industrial & Building Energy eXpertise (IBEX) training program for building and facility managers at the Centennial Energy Institute (CEI)Assisted in the administration of other training programs, such as the new Solar Energy -- Photovoltaic System Fundamentals for First Nations. Plan and organize training workshops for renewable energy and energy efficiency.Researcher and coordinator for the Energy Storage Working Group (www.energy-storage.ca); contact person and project lead for the Group at Centennial Energy Institute. Develop project proposals and compile grant/funding applications.

Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Develop content for a Local Renewable web portal, an online tool to assist local governments in applying best practices for policies to deploy renewables and conservation measuresResearch, write and edit case descriptions and studies for posting on the web portalEdit case studies for publication, including text editing and document design for ICLEI's general databaseCollaborate with project partner REN21 on the Local Renewables Status ReportCommunicate and coordinate with participants, recommend speakers, and write and edit program texts for ICLEI's Local Renewables 2009 and World Congress 2009 conferences.

Perform a number of research tasks and information searches for various events, reports and meetings.Draft and edit documents.Plan, coordinate, organize and participate in various events relevant to renewable energy in the Greater Toronto Area.

Research tasks include fact-finding, proposal writing, drafting and editing documentsLogistical tasks include organizing and attending campaign events, setting meetings, ensuring members meet deadlines

Literature review of recent reports for renewable energyResearch, write and edit text as a collaborative effortOrganize a workshop for the publication, including logistics, budget and design Coordinate with the designer for the final document layout

Honours Bachelor Of Arts, Environment And Human Society, Geography, And Anthropology

Activities and Societies: Green Team member, and member of the Erindale Environmental Association Graduated with High Distinction

Masters Of Environmental Studies, Renewable Energy Policy

Focus: Renewable energy policy and local action Thesis: The Greater Grid Integration of Renewable Sources of Power in Ontario: The Role.