Leading the development and delivery of strategic and meaningful outreach and engagement programs while fostering and strengthening relationships with residential and commercial customers, Hydro Ottawa’s shareholder, and other community stakeholders.

Responsible for the effective development and implementation of programs and initiatives that engage Hydro Ottawa's customers and the community it serves, including sponsorships, charitable donations, and public engagement.•Leading engagement and outreach activities, including strategic planning, to enhance the brand image, mission, and work of Hydro Ottawa to customers, shareholders, and other key stakeholders•Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all internal and external partners including employees, shareholders, customers, community partners and associations in support of corporate reputation and brand building initiatives •Managing and facilitating opportunities, including in-person and virtual open houses and public engagement sessions, in collaboration with managers, directors, and peers across the company to build Hydro Ottawa’s profile with key stakeholders•Creating compelling content to support engagement across multiple platforms, including website, emails, social media and through digital and printed marketing collaterals.•Reporting on engagement and outreach activities and utilizing engagement metrics to recommend ongoing improvements of events and processes

Designed and implemented communication plans, initiatives, and programs that helped enhance NGIF’s - an entity of Canadian Gas Association Enterprises - integrated model with investors, startups, media, government, partners, and other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.-Developed communication goals and strategic initiatives while executing related tactics for all internal and external activities including corporate communications, media engagement, thought leadership, and industry advocacy-Cultivated and maintained relationships among partners while building activation opportunities for NGIF produced and sponsored events-Led and executed the development, planning, and budgeting of NGIF events and webinars-Wrote and produced content for all traditional and social media activities, including press releases, micro-campaigns, and earned media interviews-Led the redesign of the new corporate website to position the value proposition of Canada’s first venture capital firm offering a hybrid investment and market-validation platform for cleantech startups-Contributed to NGIF’s advocacy efforts at all levels of government, including preparation of budget responses and advocacy letters-Drafted and oversaw the production of online and offline written corporate communications products-Curated all keynote speeches, scripts, and event presentations for the President and CEO

Sarah brings big ideas to life. For close to two decades she has led milestone initiatives for not-for-profits, propelling them to greater impact.She brings deep experience with a creative outlook. Sarah draws on her knowledge to craft tailored, integrated approaches. She provides her clients with expertise in strategic planning, storytelling and resource development, with a focus on culture change.

Accountable for developing, championing and implementing a vision and strategic plan for communications, marketing and public relations in support of the best member, corporate partner and stakeholder experience. The scope is broad and varied, covering internal and external communications, media and public relations, issues management, and marketing and branding. Coaching and mentoring a talented team to excel.-Planning, researching, writing and editing publications, reports, articles, press releases, web content and marketing collateral for distribution through both traditional and digital channels to drive brand recognition and enhancement-Developing and managing operational and project budgets to carry out department objectives -Analyzing complex information and translating it into straightforward and easy to understand communications-Developing quality assurance and quality control practices-Embracing best practices, critical thinking, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit with the focus to, at a minimum, achieve objectives-Creating and maintaining master strategy and tactical timeline of all key communication and marketing tasks, activities and deadlines

Shaping the future of healthcare in Renfrew by inspiring community support.Led the development team to advance the RVH Foundation's mission to support excellence in health care, close to home. Responsible for the overall strategic direction, marcomm planning, human capital and finances while engaging donors, sponsors, partners and stakeholders.

Oversaw all strategic marketing & communication initiatives and produced a broad range of stand-out, signature events for Algonquin College and the Foundation.-Developed and implemented strategies to increase the College and Foundation’s brand in the community-Created meaningful content including preparing and writing speeches for senior executives-Developed short and long term marcomm plans-Produced detailed-rich events from vision to logistics to execution-Designed and managed all event logistics and budgets, including sponsorship management, to create memorable guest experiences -Created new branding concepts (case for support, communications plans, etc) to support the fundraising campaigns

I created fresh, original content that people enjoyed reading. Writing and storytelling are my passions, usually done in a playful and cheeky way that keeps my audience engaged and coming back.My weaknesses, err, addictions are travel, shopping and social media. Being able to combine my passion with the things I love is intoxicating and allowed me to work with some incredible companies.

Managed key strategic donor relations and marketing activities including the development and execution of business transformation initiatives. Identified, cultivated and capitalized on strategic partnerships that increased revenue for United Way Ottawa through the design of new business development programs. -Defined the vision, strategy and road-map for business transformation initiatives-Led a team of corporate professionals to implement business development tactics, monitoring progress and ensuring follow up with both corporate and individual donors-Developed communications and marketing strategies to generate brand awareness, driving stakeholder engagement of business development initiatives-Evolved and expanded the role of email marketing including creativity, personalization, segmentation, social media integration, testing and list management-Identified risks and formulated recommendations for senior executive teams -Worked cross-functionally across United Way to lead key programs that drive operational excellence in support of United Way’s business objectives-Drove a high performing and engaged culture to optimize a business to customer (B2C) experience-Identified issues and opportunities in the business transformation initiatives, provided support (e.g. process redesign) and ensured resources are available for priority projects

Coordinated all marketing programs and communication initiatives. Oversaw the development of the strategic plan and tactics that align to the overall corporate objectives. -Produced compelling content that resonated with a variety of stakeholders including community and corporate partners, donors and volunteers-Provided strategic direction on key branding activities including corporate communications and traditional and social media activities-Developed and communicated organizational and departmental direction, gaining buy-in from senior management -Managed complex projects using project management methodologies, managing scope, resources, time, cost, quality, risk and communications -Driving member of CRM implementation team-Oversaw $13.7M departmental budget, including community investments-Held self and group accountable for performance and maximum results, identifying and managing organizational risks where necessary, ensuring operations are carried out efficiently and effectively-Integral member of the Community Services senior management team

Operated as the key relationship manager with stakeholders, demonstrating United Way's commitment to partner agencies, volunteers and donors. Stewarded community investments to ensure that the greatest impact was achieved and that programs were being delivered as intended.-Designed or identified community based programs aligned to prospective donor philanthropic interests-Developed the grant management process and tools for Hydro Ottawa's Brighter Tomorrows Fund including a transparent open call for proposals process and proposal evaluation rubric-Negotiated service delivery, project management and associated expenditures with agency partners-Created customized evaluation reports, agreements/contracts, and communications for both investors and agency partners

Oversaw all aspects of concurrent projects setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities within the project team, monitoring the progress of the project and reporting. Regularly engaged with a multi-disciplinary of stakeholders including United Way's Executive team, community leaders, agency representatives, senior level government personnel and businesspersons. -Assembled project team/task groups, identified required resources, assigned responsibilities within project teams, and developed timeframes to facilitate successful completion of project activities and deliverables -Negotiated consensus on final vision and intended results of the project, scoping and taking into account the requirements of multiple stakeholders -Provided workgroup with direction and vision, including motivating people to perform, listening to people, providing constructive feedback and recognizing strengths and weaknesses. Assessed progress constantly and intervened when necessary.-Maintained active relationships with and managed the expectations of senior community volunteers including the Mayor of Ottawa (current and former), the former Chief of Police, CEO of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, Director General of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs for TELUS, President of Osgoode Properties

Responsible for the planning and execution of all United Way Ottawa special events to increase the public profile of United Way Ottawa. -Planned and managed more than 20 high profile events, delivering on time, on budget and on brand -Managed staff and volunteer teams at key events, assigning roles and responsibilities, providing training in advance, and following through on feedback received after each event -Led inter-departmental working groups in the planning and executing of major events, from creative concepts and agenda development to post-event evaluations

Organized and executed successful community promotions & marketing initiatives, ensuring key sponsors expectations were exceeded; managed the involvement and participation of various team members from management to players as well as fans of all ages