Steve Virtue Email & Phone Number

Canada

Vaughan, Ontario, Ca

Reporting to the Executive Chair & Founder, responsible for developing and executing political engagement with all levels of government in Canada. Works closely with EVP/SVP’s to deliver strategies to improve engagement with the federal government, nine provincial governments and more than 100 municipalities on key priorities. National responsibility for corporate communications (public relations), public engagement, thought leadership, Indigenous relations, and corporate philanthropy. Principle contact for numerous boards and sector associations. Provides oversight and guidance on ESG and works closely with marketing to build effective brand positioning for a variety of stakeholders.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Led a global external affairs team with operations and interests across the Americas (Canada, USA, Argentina, Brazil, and Chile). Ensured that political and legislative risks are resolved quickly through exceptional strategy development and advocacy. Provided strategic counsel to senior executives and operational leaders in the development of essential objectives. Established and maintained government relationships in federal, state, and provincial (F/S/P) legislatures. Identified and managed reputational risks. Directed and analyses a range of external consultant agreements, and navigated all areas of political risk management, policy analysis, and monitoring. • Initiated and directed series of global external affairs workshops to deliver strategy, messaging and policy alignment, and implement an intelligence gathering framework.• Improved public policy based on the results of analysis and introduced crisis monitoring framework.• Uncovered areas for improvement and encouraged open communication by developing and delivering quarterly External Affairs executive briefing package.• Successfully employed regional risk management matrix and delivered executive briefings to ensure complete comprehension of the matrix.

Founded a public affairs, marketing and communications consultancy with clients across a broad spectrum of sectors, including mining, government, legal, post-secondary, education, technology, and finance. Built and managed a dispersed North American team throughout Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico. Delivered significant improvement in external affairs, communications, rebranding, marketing, business strategy, and policy analysis as a result of effective corporate strategies.- Expanded the business to encompass a worldwide client list (Chile, Australia, South Korea, the United States of America, and the Republic of South Africa).- Successfully built boutique, award-winning public affairs organization that includes a dispersed team of consultants located across North America and serving a worldwide clientele.- Earned the trust of the British Columbia government to create and execute global research, engagement, and market strategy, as well as campaign execution.-Awarded for creativity, engagement, and execution/design.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

A key member of the executive team, was responsible for the development and successful execution of the association’s integrated communications and public affairs program. Developed a vision for the association and successful execution created an array of inspiring new print and digital products. Re-positioned the PDAC into true global brand. Rebuilt the association’s public affairs (government relations) program leading to demonstrable growth in political engagement and participation. Led the re-branding and repositioning of the organization both to the associations 10,000+ members, industry and to countless federal and provincial stakeholders.Key AchievementsPublic Affairs- Led the PDAC’s award winning, multi-party government relations strategy which successfully advocated for numerous inclusions in the 2012-14 federal budgets. This strategy also delivered:- 53 MP’s to the 2014 PDAC Convention including: the Prime Minister, eight cabinet ministers and the Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair;- 125 Meetings with parliamentarians, key ministers, Prime Minster’s Office and key officials.Communications and Media Relations- Led the development of a new website, a series of new award-winning publications and marketing materials and branded content.- Created an engaging annual report, quarterly member magazine, and earned and paid media campaigns have all played a role in improving mindshare and credibility.- Developed a strategy that attracted 458 journalists to PDAC Convention resulting in 30 million impressions and 13,000 brand mentions.Digital/Social Media- Developed a digital/social media strategy and execution plan that has delivered 14,000 followers, over one million impressions and 100,000 video views.- Improved email marketing and lead generation from 10,000 to 40,000 targets, while revitalizing the delivery program.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Toronto, On, Ca

As part of the senior management team who led a staff of eight professionals in the development and execution of all marketing and communications activities at North America’s premier Art and Design University. Responsible for stakeholder communication, media and public relations activities, as well as event management and university marketing. Led the university rebranding, including providing leadership to the external design and consulting firms - considered one of the most successful rebranding processes in Canadian university history. Managed the development of all recruitment campaign materials that resulted in 30% enrollment growth.Delivered an award winning strategy that delivered integrated brand planning, media relations, and communications products that brought together cross-functional teams from across the organization. Provided key guidance on how the integrated brand and value proposition is best applied and leveraged. Led the production of numerous award winning publications, digital production and crisis and issues management.

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Primary liaison with various federal government departments and political offices, Crafted CMA’s key public policy positions on issues that included: health care, consumer protection, environment, telecommunications regulations, competition regulations and e-commerce. Created collaborative relationships with industry experts to obtain information and advice that helped inform decision-making and government submissions. Provided ongoing communication support to the organization and its membership through various communications channels and led the development of the Associations’ inaugural social media strategy.

Hamilton, Ontario, Ca

Senior leader, responsible for a team of eight professionals. Provided the Board of Trustees and executive team with strategic counsel in marketing and communications, crisis management and government relations. Developed corporate communications and marketing strategies for various internal clients that delivered improved awareness and brand positioning. Led a pioneering district wide market research campaign that not only helped to improve communications efforts and effectiveness but also worked to shape a variety of operational areas and continues to be utilized as foundational data by the organization. Developed a broadcast media relations strategy to increase awareness and improve positioning that resulted in a biweekly audience of over 350,000 viewers in a community of 500,000. Improved operational efficiency increased publication distribution by over 1,000% while reducing production costs by 30%.

Ontario, Ca

Responsible for the development of corporate communications and public relations strategies and products designed for distribution throughout executive levels of the Ontario government, as well as private sector vendors and the public.Design and delivery of communications initiatives designed to convey complex I&IT projects - ensuring maximum understanding and complianceRecommend, develop and implement a wide range and diversity of enterprise-wide internal and external communications initiativesDeveloped marketing, communications and outreach strategies for www.ShowcaseOntario.com Resulted in increased participation by over 50% in two consecutive yearsManaged communications/creative team as well as third-party consultants in the ongoing development of communications and marketing products targeted at senior executives, key political figures and the public Developed, and designed a management level training course in “Stakeholder Relations” for senior staff

Ontario, Ca

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

President of the Student Association

Mba Essentials Certificate Program

Master Of Education - Med, Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

Ba, Political Science

Architecture

Master Of Education - Med, Academic Administration