About

I am a strategic communications director with experience leading communications functions in complex, research‑driven and mission‑focused organizations. My work sits at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and public narrative: helping organizations articulate what they do, why it matters, and how they earn trust with the audiences that matter most.

I currently serve as Director of Strategic Communications at the University of Waterloo, where I lead communications for the Faculty of Mathematics. In this role, I advise academic and administrative leaders, oversee integrated communications planning, and translate highly technical research and institutional priorities into clear, credible narratives for public, media, and stakeholder audiences. The environment is fast‑moving and high‑stakes, requiring sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to align communications with organizational strategy rather than react to noise.

Before moving into leadership roles, I spent more than a decade as a journalist and communications consultant. As a freelance journalist, I published reporting, interviews, and analysis with outlets including CBC, Ricochet, and Independent NL. This work sharpened my editorial judgment, strengthened my commitment to accuracy and public trust, and trained me to work independently under pressure. As a consultant, I advised organizations on corporate social responsibility, stakeholder communications, and research‑informed messaging, often supporting leaders navigating change, scrutiny, or reputational risk.

I hold a PhD and have an academic background in literature, phenomenology, and applied ethics, as well as experience teaching at the university level. This training continues to inform my professional practice. I approach communications challenges analytically, attend carefully to context, and prioritize ethical clarity alongside strategic effectiveness. In practice, this means resisting oversimplification, asking better questions, and grounding decisions in evidence rather than instinct alone.

Leadership approach:

• Strategy-first communications: I prioritize clarity of purpose and alignment with organizational goals before tactics, channels, or outputs.
• Judgment over noise: I focus on discernment, risk awareness, and long-term reputation rather than reactive or performative communications.
• Trust and accountability: I believe effective communications leadership depends on clear ownership, mutual respect, and earned trust across teams and with senior leaders.
• Research-informed decision-making: I draw on evidence, context, and ethical reasoning to guide communications strategy, particularly in complex or contested environments.

Across roles, I am drawn to work environments where communications is treated as a leadership function rather than a service layer. I do my best work where authority and accountability are aligned, expectations are clear, and leaders value communications as a strategic tool for coherence, credibility, and long‑term impact.

For a detailed overview of my professional experience and responsibilities, please see my resume.

This site provides a high‑level professional overview. Additional materials and work samples are available upon request.