Division of Family Practice South Okanagan and Similkameen

Family Physician Recruitment and Community Engagement Specialist, current/part-time

Lead the development of a family physician recruitment strategy. Liaise with community partners, physicians and medical office staff to prepared for recruitment visits and to foster relationships.  Tour visiting physicians and their families. 

Project Coordinator, 2016 - 2017

Doctors of BC and the BC Government committed to increase timely access to support for Children and Youth with Mental Health Substance Use issues in BC through funding one of the largest initiatives of its kind - the CYMHSU Collaborative. 

The purpose of the Collaborative was to increase the number of children, youth and their families receiving timely access to integrated mental health and substance use services and supports in BC.  Based on a model used worldwide as a method of rapid continuous quality improvement in healthcare, the initiative first started in the Interior Health region in June 2013.   I coordinated the work of the Collaborative for OK Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos.

City of Penticton

Project Consultant, 2013 - 2015 

I worked closely with and reported to The City of Penticton’s Economic Development Officer. Having researched, developed and operationalized business cases, I advised and contributed on Resident and Business Attraction and Retention Initiatives.

Procured $71, 330 in partnership funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation to research and address South Okanagan skilled labour market issues.  Project success was dependant upon my ability to engage with South Okanagan business leaders. 

Managed a $50,000 marketing investment to position Penticton as a Virtual Worker hub.  Led a very competitive RFP selection process for a creative development team.   

Grew relationships with stakeholders such as Tourism Penticton, Penticton Hospitality Association and local media to initiate ‘Welcome Team’, a group to enhance visitor engagement while leveraging tourism into resident and business recruitment.

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Penticton was rated the top mid-sized Canadian Entrepreneurial Community in 2015 by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, up from 20th place in 2014. 

Boonstock Music and Arts Festival

Director of Corporate Engagement,  2014

Procured and maintained over $500,000 in sponsorship dollars, in-kind services and promotional value in a very competitive industry.  Sponsors included both national and local brands. 

Aligned the festival’s demographic profile to sponsors’ goals to maximize a return on investment for all parties. Relationship building and management were key to maintaining sponsorship trust during exceptional media attention. 

United Way of South Okanagan and Similkameen

Director, 2011 - 2013

Developed and implemented annual fundraising campaigns. Managed budgets, agency allocations and communications strategies throughout the South Okanagan Similkameen.  Leveraged a multi-media approach to engage with communities and donors including annual reports, donor stories, newsletters, press releases and social media campaigns. 

Increased the number of donors, volunteers and sponsored events.  Implemented a systematic donor stewardship and recognition plan. 

Created and delivered successful new ‘first-annual’ events such as the Lakeside Resort Drive-Thru Breakfast, the City of Penticton Toonie Swim and the 5K4UW. 

Collaborated with cabinet members, non-profit social services, health agencies, facility-based service providers, media, donors and businesses to promote positive social change in the South Okanagan Similkameen. A key partner in the development of youth self-esteem project.

Downtown Penticton Association

Marketing Director, 2010 - 2012

Managed a multi-media marketing approach that included traditional marketing while growing the online presence of the DPA via the website, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts.  Marketing efforts resulted in record-breaking attendance at DPA events, national recognition of the Downtown Community Market and a 505% increase in Facebook ‘likes’. Initiated the DPA’s first partnership with a private business for sponsorship. Sourced and managed relationships with external agencies and supervised a seasonal team to ensure execution of the communications plan. Developed communications plans for members, residents, sponsors, potential sponsors and partners.

Civic and Volunteer Roles

100 Women Who Care, Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen  

Steering Committee Member since 2014

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Official Community Plan Advisory Committee, Area F RDOS

Committee Member 2017 - 2018

Community and Business Development Committee, City of Penticton

Committee Member 2011 - 2014 

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Education

The University of Calgary, Bachelor of Arts 1997

Majored in Social Anthropology with a focus on International Communications and Business Relations.  Studied the communications and marketing techniques of international businesses and developed an appreciation of how cultural norms affect communication practices and marketing initiatives both internationally and locally. 

Mount Royal College, Public Relations Diploma 2001

A comprehensive curriculum included courses in writing for Public Relations Strategies, Relationship Building, Event Planning and Workplace Communications.