Samantha Gayfer Email & Phone Number

International, Based In Bc.

At The Discovery Group, we pride ourselves on being a consulting firm that specializes exclusively in the social profit sector. Our team of experts comes from the field with deep knowledge, understanding and expertise of the work that you do. We consist of former CEOs, Executive Directors, Fundraisers, Lawyers, Board Members, Researchers and Communicators all of whom have worked in the social profit sector. Our team members are passionate in supporting you to advance your mission so that we can collectively tackle societal issues.

South East Asia

Company: Asia Pacific's senior consultant for The Jane Group, a Chicago-based company specialising in crisis communications and risk management training for independent schools. Role: Deliver communications and business advice to assist in risk management, change management, media and crisis communications. In this role, I also train school boards and mentor senior leaders across Asia Pacific, as well as manage casework during school crises or large transitions. Successes: - 100 per cent client satisfaction rating across issues ranging from child safeguarding to organizational change. management through a focus on engagement and relationship development/management.- Researched, built and delivered several new presentations to add to the company portfolio including media training, managing difficult conversations and managing cascading crises post-COVID. - Built a new revenue stream mentoring and developing communications professionals. - Regional conference presenter and a trusted thought leader.- Revised the company’s visual presentation identity.

Thailand

For when you need to get your ducks in a row. The founding of Duck Feet Communications was inspired by the desire to do good work for good people who need a hand getting all their ducks in a row. We want to surround ourselves with clients who inspire us to not only do better work but to also be better people. Duck Feet brings over 20 years of communications experience to the table ranging from big pharma and FMCGs to education and editorial. We currently work within the public relations, crisis communications, brand development, consulting, and content generation spaces—with a splash of design here and there.Duck Feet Communications is committed to helping you sail smoothly across turbulent waters by paddling double-time for you below the surface.Successes:- Support of Pearson College UWC's external communications regarding its Climat Action Leadership Diploma, the first of its kind within the IB. - Created the branding, marketing, communications and fundraising strategy and assets for One Phuket, a relief organization in Phuket, Thailand feeding those impacted by COVID-19. Fundraised enough to provide nearly one million Life Bags (groceries) to those in need over one year.- Ongoing communications and philanthropy work for UWC International including the Davis Partnership Impact reports for the organization’s largest benefactor of more than US$5 million per year. - Pro bono creative marketing campaigns for Canine Point, a dog-training academy in Phuket hit hard by the pandemic. Developed the strategy, content and creative execution for its first-ever Investor Update. - Reputation and media management consultant for a dignitary involved in 1MDB, one of the world’s highest-profile trials.- Content strategy, development and design to support the launch of Uncommon Courage, a book and online community created by Andrea Edwards, The Digital Conversationalist.

Phuket, Thailand

Company: UWC Thailand is one of 18 non-profit United World College schools around the globe. UWCT relies on millions of dollars in scholarship donations each year to educate exceptional young people from around the world who have shown their commitment to creating a more peaceful and sustainable future. Role: Build a culture of philanthropy to support the school’s need to raise USD 5 million each year for scholarships and bolster the school's brand and reputation to expand its market presence. Also seconded to UWC International's core crisis communications team, advising the group's 18 schools during the pandemic, in times of war, media scrutiny and through historical allegations.Successes:- Raised more than US$14 million and co-facilitated the community purchase of the school amid the COVID pandemic and an existential funding crisis. - Established a UWCT endowment and laid the groundwork for a new scholarship pipeline with Trinity College Dublin. - Established the Future Women Leaders Scholarship fund through high-touch, HNW donor cultivation. Saw the school through CIS, IB, and UWC re-accreditation, which was in jeopardy due to funding changes in January 2020.- Handled numerous high-profile crises for both UWCT (child safeguarding, health, funding, safety) and the wider movement for the UWC International crisis team (war, health, safeguarding, COVID).- Built a strong relationship with local and international media outlets securing international coverage that included major American networks and Al Jazeera (Crisis Comms | UN Summit, Afgan Student Denied Visa) - Hosted a two-day Mindfulness Summit featuring Alan B. Wallace in addition to several visits from French monk and writer Matthieu Ricard- Led all external and internal communications, marketing and branding with an eye on community engagement. - Transitioned the school from its former brand (PIA) into the UWC family.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company: Stratford Hall is a non-profit independent school in Vancouver that educates students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 using the International Baccalaureate framework. Role: Oversee and further develop the school’s fundraising, communications, marketing, admissions, events, public relations and re-branding.Successes:- Raised over $2 million over 18 months, including $385,000 in a one-day Giving Tuesday and community action campaign.- Won a Platinum Case District VIII Communications Award for Best Practices in Fundraising for #SaveClarkPark- Raised almost half a million at the school’s gala to fund the creation of a new maker space. Visually re-branded the school in 2015.- Revamped and streamlined communications.- Built strong PR programs and media relationships to bolster the school's reputation in the community (Straight Times, Vancouver Sun).- Built and managed a team capable of delivering communications and marketing assets internally. - Helped manage the selection and integration of a new SIS and website.- Forged a CSR partnership with Ultimate Peace.- Managed crisis communications during the legalization of marijuana in Canada and its impact on the school.

Company: IFA Hotels & Resorts is a billion-dollar real estate and development company with a global real estate portfolio. IFA Hotels & Resorts is also the largest foreign investor in The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Role: Direction of all public relations, investor relations, and corporate and crisis communications across the global portfolio; overseeing a budget of US$1 million and managing the company's image during the Dubai World Tribunals. Successes:- Corporate re-branding of the company in 2014 and all PR initiatives from 2007-2015.- Project branding for "The 8" and Aria Vacation Club as well as the event and media management for the launch of dozens of global projects including the following (linked by brand) Fairmont, Mövenpick, Raimon Land, Four Seasons, Sheraton, YOTEL, and Zimbali Coastal Resort. - Management of the company’s annual presence at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. - Creator and Editor-in-Chief of award-winning Living à la carte magazine (print only).- Numerous World Travel Award Middle East wins, including Leading Middle Eastern Overseas Developer.- Reputation management during the company’s involvement in the largest single lawsuit in the Dubai World Tribunal.- Investor relations management and production of the annual report.

Company: A family-owned and operated North-American expat magazine in Dubai. Role: Oversee the editorial, creative design, and production of an 80-page monthly magazine designed for the North American expatriate community.Successes:- Contributing writer to The American Business Council Magazine and The Canadian Business Council Magazine.- Generated USD$250,000 in new business revenue.- Copy and creative concept design for several of the magazine’s advertisers.

Company; UK-based International Customer Loyalty Programmes (now Collinson) is a billion-dollar loyalty management company, best known for its airport lounge product Priority Pass and for the numerous airline, hotel and banking customer programmes it runs. Role: Work with Account Directors to develop creative and strategic marketing plans for the company’s largest direct marketing and customer relationship marketing clients.Successes:- Copy and creative direction for Emirates Skywards, Porsche Middle East, DHL, Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Oman Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines.- Won two Freddie Awards for Skywards Frequent Flyer Programme and a Gulf Marketing Award for DHL.

Digital Disruption

Marketing Certificate, Marketing

Public Relations, Public Relations

Masters, Sustainable Development

Undertaking a two-year masters degree in sustainable development.