AE Public Relations
Who am I?
Former Journalist
Communications Expert
Author
Former President, IABC/Toronto Accredited Business Communicator (ABC)
As a PR strategist, Accredited Business Communicator (ABC), writer and entrepreneur, I am as comfortable in the boardroom discussing financial results as I am brainstorming ideas for a creative strategy.
I developed my keen understanding of the business world through working in the news media and managing a number of marketing and communications departments at a time when they were struggling to carve out their unique place in the changing marketplace.
A proud graduate of the University of Windsor and Ryerson’s specialized journalism program for university graduates, I spent the first few year of my career on a whirlwind tour of Ontario meeting many fascinating people and gaining practical reporting experience at the St. Catharine’s Standard, the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder and CBC Radio in Windsor.
In search of other challenges, I entered the corporate world in the early 1990s, starting out as a senior communications specialist at Canada Life where I produced an employee magazine that won an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). From there I worked my way up to the Manager, Marketing and Communications at Royal Bank. My business unit was eventually sold to ADP Canada to create the largest payroll provider in Canada. I led the creation of their first Marketing and Communications Plan to raise awareness this new exciting organization in the marketplace. Just before starting my own business in 2000, I took on the role of Director of Marketing and Communication at a national not-for-profit organization that wanted to increase its profile among key business leaders.