Curriculum Vitae

In the Department of Sociology.

 
PhD STUDENT |  2022 - present

• Researching how non-profit organizations utilize social media to influence societal norms.

TEACHING ASSISTANT |  2022 -  present

• Courses: SOSC 1140 Self, Culture and Society; SOSC 1000 Introduction to Social Science.
• Hosting weekly tutorials and office hours, and evaluating and grading examinations, assignments and papers, as well as recording and distributing grades.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT - GLOBAL DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP LAB | 2024 - present

• Project lead: Dr. Fuyuki Kurasawa.
• Research areas: computational grounded theory, non-profit organizations, and artificial intelligence. 
• Methods/activities: web scraping, topic modeling and semantic network analysis. 

RESEARCH ASSISTANT - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY | 2024 - present

• Project lead: Dr. Muyang Li.
• Research areas: artificial intelligence, think tanks, and governance/policy.
• Methods/activities: data cleaning, and frequency and network analysis.

Part of the Non-profit and Social Sector Management program.

PROFESSOR | 2022 - present

• Course: Leadership Approaches in the Non-profit Sector.
• Developed curriculum, providing weekly lectures and office hours, evaluating and grading examinations and assignments.

Mitacs is a national not-for-profit that helps close the innovation gap in Canada by connecting industry with academia to solve their greatest R&D challenges. 

CONTRACTS SPECIALIST - PART-TIME CONSULTANT | 2022 - 2023

• Worked on a part-time basis to maintain business continuity after resigning to pursue a PhD.

MANAGER, CONTRACTS |  2021 - 2022

• Minimized risk while optimizing program flexibility and financial stability while managing internal review and negotiations for government funding and financial agreements.
• Established process flow optimization to improve team efficiencies and cross-departmental collaboration, thus reducing miscommunication and redundancy. 
• Led the Contract Review Team and identified contractual risks  and mitigations in the contract review stage. 

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS | 2018 - 2021

• Increased Canadian Science Policy Fellowship government partners by building the marketing/communications plan and leading direct outreach (increased 2021/22 YOY host submissions by 83%).
• Registered lobbyist that scaled federal advocacy efforts (e.g., increased 2018/19 YOY annual  Delegation Day touchpoints by 200%), leading to the signing of a $708M agreement with the Government of Canada in 2021.
• Managed large-scale/cross-departmental communications exercises and events to boost reach and strengthen Mitacs’s brand;
• Lead the expansion of Mitacs programming to colleges, including consultations with colleges to understand needs, and working with internal departments to update processes.
• Negotiated sponsorship and funding contracts and executing large scale impact analysis and KPI reporting.
• Fostered relationships with elected officials, public servants and industry associations to advance Mitacs’s interests and advocate for stronger public policy.

Appointments and Committees:
•  Chair, Ideas Incubator | 2018 - 2022
The Ideas Incubator is responsible for quickly reacting to market needs by testing new programs and initiatives, with the goal of providing the tools businesses need to succeed:

• Expanded program offerings by developing programs from idea to functioning market test, including the creation of workflows, evaluation metrics and applications, and the operations of the live market test.

•  Member, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee | 2020 - 2022

• Member, Strategic Planning Steering Committee | 2020 - 2021  

• As part of a team of three, led corporate strategic planning for the 2021 Plan, including culture and program reviews, further building Mitacs’s strategic direction.

•  Member, Data Governance Committee  | 2020 - 2021

•  Chair, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee | 2019 - 2020

• Responsible for ensuring corporate compliance with Mitacs's CSR policies, managing CSR Scorecard and KPI reporting, executing activities, and recommending new initiatives.
• Initiated and driving the re-design of Mitacs's CSR Mandate to embed CSR principles in every department within the organization and increase impact.
• Leading the development of stronger evaluation metrics

• Member, Privacy Working Group  | 2019 - 2021

•  Member, CRM Development Working Group | 2019

The C.D. Howe Institute is an independent not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies. 

MANAGER, PROGRAMS | 2016 - 2018

• Led department's strategic direction, managed an annual $1M+ budget and 100+ events, and oversaw a team of seven.
• Oversaw the ideation and completion of major projects including annual events, advocacy efforts, and educational programs.
• 2016/17 YOY increases: total revenue 26.6%, total registration 64%, total sponsorship revenue 40%, and new sponsors 15%.
• Engaged 6600+ unique senior government / industry executives and elected officials in 2017 to advance economic policy in Canada.
• Influenced senior leadership’s decision making by presenting detailed analytics, concise executive communications, weekly updates and briefings.
• Enhanced strategy by conducting alpha/beta testing, and ongoing analysis of social media and marketing metrics.
• Protected the brand and reduced error rates on event communications by enforcing quality control and introducing a brand voice document.
• Advanced strategic policy discussions by maintaining a strong and current knowledge of all policy issues the Institute covers, including but not limited to health, human capital, financial services, and innovation.
• Conducted issue and opportunity monitoring to increase corporate and government partnerships.
  

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, PROGRAMS | 2016

• Implemented an advanced marketing and communications strategy that increased the number of sold-out Toronto Roundtables by 100% between 2016 and 2017, and increased registration revenue by 41% in that same time.
• Optimized lead generation by enhancing internal databases, distribution lists, and communication logging.

Founded in 1979, ALM Media's Insight Information is a Canadian business, legal, and public policy education provider. Insight's portfolio is defined by content-specific programs; further stressing the importance of highly specialized educational development for professionals. 

MANAGER, CONFERENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | 2016 

• Provided insight and direction, and acted as the strategic lead for a team of eight; while continuing to research, design, execute and market educational programs in Indigenous affairs.
• Engaged in proactive media relations and liaised with government agencies to expand program portfolio and brand recognition.

DEVELOPER, INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC POLICY | 2015

• Conducted qualitative and quantitative research to recognize effects of industry and government policy, and market trends on Indigenous communities' economic and social development to develop educational programs designed to support grassroots poverty reduction.
• Rebranded product portfolio, and updated marketing and stakeholder relations strategy through the development of sophisticated data analytics, new CRM system, SEO, and content marketing including the creation of the first content marketing program that increased website traffic by 21%.
• Managed social media and website updates to promote programs and protect the brand and reputation.

ASSOCIATE DEVELOPER, CONFERENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT | 2014 - 2015

• Liaised with industry professionals such as government and private sector executives, to consult, identify, evaluate, and respond to stakeholder’s priorities through the production of educational programs.
• Introduced new means of revenue through the identification of alternative stakeholder groups to partner with, gain sponsorship from, and attend said educational programs.
• Established new communications metrics that increased the ROI.

Utilizing technologies that leverage African engagement with mobile devices, social media, and digital interconnections, Africa Border Monitor changed the way researchers approached Border Studies through policy analysis, journalism and real-time border updates.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER | 2014 

• Supported the development of the organization's operations, as well as, researched and wrote accurate narratives on issues faced within the continent of Africa regarding economic development and poverty alleviation.
• Investigated stories via press releases, regular coordination with contacts and other media sources.
• Created technical protocols and guidelines that supported the organization’s daily operations, marketing, and business development strategy. 
• Transcribed and edited news releases, blogs, social media posts and features in the publication's house style.

The University of Waterloo

The MA in Political Science offered by the University of Waterloo, goes beyond the rigidities and formalities of established academic boundaries by drawing on a variety of disciplines, including economics, politics, history, and sociology.

Specializing in International Affairs, courses taken had focused on international institutions, democratic theory in rising states, global economics, public policy, research methodologies, alongside a for fun extra course in the Department of History (focusing on the history of human rights in international institutions). Opting for the Thesis Option, a 100+ page paper was written on the topic of norm diffusion as a means for international human rights promotion, followed by the successful completion of an oral defense. 

Committees:

 •  Elected President of the Political Science Graduate Student Association

 •  Policy By-Law Review Committee Lead

The University of Waterloo

The goal of the Department of Political Science is to study global responses to complex problems including conflict and peace-building, humanitarian crisis, global economic inequality, and environmental change. The goal of the Department of Peace & Conflict Studies is to educate students to pursue peace and justice in the context of diverse investigations into the origins and nature of conflict and violence.

Through the combination of these two programs, knowledge of both bottom up and top down approaches to socioeconomic international development and human rights promotion was pursued.  

Committees:

• Elected Communications Executive of the Political Science Student Association

Part of the Political Sociology and Social Movements (PSSM) Research Cluster.

The PSSM research cluster was established to connect a diverse group of Canadian scholars examining questions of power, state formation, civil society, and social movements across local, national and international scales.

BEST PAPER AWARD ADJUDICATOR | 2024

• Reviewed and adjudicated student papers.

Headed by three former National Chiefs and the current Regional Atlantic Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Gitpo S.T.O.R.M.S. endeavors to be the partner of choice for Indigenous Peoples to help bring in a new era in resource management, project negotiation and execution, and sustainable and socially responsible development. 

MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT | 2016

• Supported the initial launch of Gitpo S.T.O.R.M.S. to the public.
• Consulted on Gitpo S.T.O.R.M.S. brand design and public relations strategy.
• Offered advice on brand development, by building attractive media and PR to support the organization's partnership building strategy.
• Redesigned and edited content, including press releases, presentations, and online resources.

The Policy By-Law Review Committee was designated by the University of Waterloo's Graduate Student Association to draft new policies in accordance with the Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act, and provincial and federal legislation. 

POLICY BY-LAW REVIEW COMMITTEE LEAD | 2013 - 2014

• Accomplished complex assessments and investigations of post-secondary education, legislation, regulations, and provincial and federal public policy. 
• Led a small team to re-negotiate the University’s Graduate Student by-laws and corporate documents to match those of the Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act.
• Gathered and analyzed data, identified and evaluated possible alternative solutions, and drafted new policies that both fit the school’s structure and the provincial government’s structure.

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank. Led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. 

PUBLIC EVENTS VOLUNTEER | 2012 - 2014

• Provided customer service in fast-paced atmosphere, managing customer experience, the book desk, and assisting customers with purchases.
• Assisted with onsite logistics including the coordination of distinguished faculty, emergency services, implementation of technical production, and the delivery of special event services. 
• Supported the flow of public lectures and events.

MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY

Community Investment Professional Extension Certificate | 2021

INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR AGILE (ICAgile)

Agility in Marketing | 2021

AMERICAN MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Women's Leadership Certificate Program | 2021

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Multimedia Storytelling and Content Marketing  | 2019 - 2020

BRITISH COLUMBIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Indigenous Awareness | 2020

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN 

The Sustainable Development Goals – A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future | 2020   

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Content Strategy for Professionals: 5 Course Specialization | 2018 - 2019   

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

Inspired Leadership: 5 Course Specialization | 2018 - 2019

MARS DISCOVERY DISTRICT

Customer Development Immersive | 2018 

RED CROSS 

Standard First Aid & CPR/AED | 2018 - Valid to 2021

THE WORLD BANK GROUP

Risk and Opportunity: Managing Risk for Development | 2016

The RBC Future Launch Scholarship is awarded to those who show a clear vision for their future.

An award that is given annually to graduate students at the MA or PhD levels who have achieved academic excellence and have demonstrated leadership in improving their department.

 An award granted to students in their second semester if they have achieved high levels of excellence in their first semester’s courses. 

 An entrance scholarship granted to students who achieved high levels of excellence in their undergraduate career.