Andrew Robertson
Toronto
Summary
Experienced relationship builder and advocate working with key stakeholders including policymakers, influencers, elected officials, community, and patient groups to achieve business objectives. Committed to delivering impactful social and sustainability initiatives for equity-deserving communities in Canada and around the globe. Dedicated to continuous learning and unlearning, while mentoring new talent in public affairs. Working to produce value-added social impact and sustainability initiatives, collaborations, and programs for equity-deserving communities across Canada, with global partners.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGER, CITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH
Novo Nordisk A/S
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Reports to the Senior Director, Global SCD on the Global Public Affairs and Patient Relations Team.
- Responsible for affiliate engagement, strategy, knowledge transfer and related coordination for the global CBH program at Novo Nordisk’s global headquarters.
- Assisting alumni, networker and accelerator cities to develop partnerships, begin or renew their local program, network, access global knowledge hub resources, initiate or utilize existing research and develop, launch and evaluate interventions aligned with the updated CBH strategy and target populations.
- Assisting with the development of the new CBH Playbook and Briefing Book
- Working with the CBH Accelerator Team to determine and manage priority cities and tactics for related workshops and educational materials.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. (NNCI)
10.2019 - Current
- Reports to Director of Public Affairs.
- Plan and execute ‘above brand’ stakeholder outreach and engagement strategies that deliver on the NNCI and NN Public Affairs Strategy and Chronic Disease Narrative while considering risks and opportunities.
- Supporting business objectives in the external environment through participation in a variety of platforms while managing strategies, programs, and funding to improve health outcomes in urban centers and Indigenous communities in Canada.
- Participate in committees designed to improve insights, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the affiliate and with external partners.
- Focus on brand awareness and reputation as a leader in prevention and reduction targeting equity-deserving communities.
- Project lead for Cities for Better Health (CBH) in Mississauga, a public-private partnership focused on health equity through community-led interventions, making this the 40th city to join the global network alongside developing partnerships with the University of Toronto Mississauga (academic partner), Trillium Health Partners (research partner), and community organizations.
- Facilitated a measurable Mississauga-wide community engagement process to inform the Healthy City Strategy and thematic priorities.
- Launched the CBH Catalyst Grants at the University of Toronto Mississauga to deliver up to seven community-based interventions with full monitoring and evaluation in 2025/6, which will then be added to the CBH Global Knowledge Hub.
- Co-lead on, and member of the Steering Committee for, the Novo Nordisk Alberta Diabetes Fund (NOVAD), a $2.5 million fund to advance innovations long-term health outcomes, quality of life, and economic prosperity for Albertans living with diabetes and obesity.
- Lead on the Public Affairs Team Internal Communications Initiative to assist cross-functional teams in understanding how Public Affairs supports the business across all areas through newsletters, an interactive PA fair at head office, an internal podcast, and in-person/online presentations.
- Conceived, co-developed, and currently manage the national Equity Deserving Communities Strategy, now in its third year, with funding for an annual RFP to deliver community-led health-promoting projects for five identified equity-deserving groups across Canada.
- Assisted the Public Health Agency of Canada in the development of the PHAC Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Challenge, represented NNCI on related roundtables, and now act as a Judge for the duration of the Challenge to improve the Canadian health system and patient outcomes.
- Regularly work with Indigenous community groups on Indigenous-led and informed Type 2 diabetes reduction strategies, social impact investing, and Community Driven Outcomes Contracts.
- Founded and co-lead an international Indigenous relations and policy working group with colleagues from the US and Australia which will expand its membership in 2025 to include Brazil and Mexico.
- Organized and executed the first Cities Changing Diabetes Masterclass in Outcomes Finance with Indigenous partners, the Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation.
- Host of The Power of Change(makers), NNCI’s first corporate podcast launching with an eight-episode package in 2025.
- ILEAD (Inclusion, Leadership, Equity, and Diversity ) Committee Member 2019-2023.
- Mentorship Program Project Lead responsible for the development and launch of an equity-based curriculum that has now been running for 3 years, also an informal Mentor at NNCI.
- Member of the Design Committee Team for the Canadian cohort of the Global Obesity Research and Engagement project and related summits focused on the First Nations and Punjabi communities.
- Co-founder and member of NNCI’s first LGBTQ2S+ Employee Resource Group.
SENIOR MANAGER, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Ontario Centres of Excellence
07.2019 - 10.2019
- Reported to Vice President, Business Development & Commercialization, with one direct report, and several direct reports during the annual Discovery Conference and major media events.
- Planned strategic and integrated communications, traditional and digital media strategy, and editorial and executive outreach for a domestic and international portfolio of innovation/entrepreneurship programs on behalf of the Government of Ontario, government and stakeholder relations; managed risk while building OCE brand as a leader in the innovation ecosystem.
- Created and executed ongoing communications strategies and products, event planning and logistics for innovation programs with industry, academia and international partners including the $400 million ENCQOR 5G program, the Next Generation Network Program and all streams of the internationally recognized Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN).
- Integrated social and digital media assets with a broader communications strategy to build the OCE brand.
- Developed success stories (written and video) to promote the innovative technologies of OCE’s Ontario-based project teams, and content for quarterly and annual reports as well as program-based materials.
- Managed upskilling of team members through collaborative learning opportunities, training staff on business communications and empowerment through language, participating in OCE’s Cultural Ambassador’s Team.
MANAGER, MEDIA RELATIONS
Ontario Centres of Excellence
10.2016 - 07.2019
- Reported to the Vice President, Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs with one direct report (more during media events and tours).
- Planned all media strategy, communications, and outreach for a domestic and international portfolio of innovation/entrepreneurship programs on behalf of the Government of Ontario; managed reputation while increasing OCE presence in the media.
- Managed all media and related logistics at the Discovery 2018 conference which drew a record 3,600 attendees and 540 exhibitors, and between 2016-2018 doubled the number of reporters and cameras on the show floor, doubled the number of stories filed, and increased media impressions by 50%.
- Media outreach, crisis, and issues management wrote and edited news releases (primary and third party), and managed established approvals protocol.
- Directly involved in all government relations strategy and communications planning.
- Managed an extensive, 14-stop, province-wide media tour with the government for the Health Technologies Fund (HTF).
- Executed high-profile media launches for AVIN in Stratford, ON and the ENCQOR 5G program in Ottawa with multiple levels of government, C-level executives from Anchor Firms, on-site showcase and demonstrations.
SENIOR ADVISOR, PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
Office of the Premier of Ontario
03.2016 - 10.2016
- Reported to the Deputy Chief of Staff.
- Reviewed and made recommendations on all applications for public appointments in Ontario to ensure transparency, ethics, representation of diverse communities, accountability and candidate viability.
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERATIONS ADVISOR
Ministry of Economic Development (MEDEI)
08.2015 - 03.2016
- Reported to Minister’s Chief of Staff and Director of Communications, MEDEI.
- Responsible for developing top-quality communications strategies for a variety of government programs, drafting remarks and briefing notes for the Minister, and planning, logistics, and execution of Ministry events and social media presence.
- Provided confidential briefing materials to the Premier, Ministers, and Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPP’s) and answered related questions.
- Led strategic communications and digital outreach for the Red Tape Reduction Strategy, monthly employment updates and funding announcements.
- Long- and short-term communications planning, logistics for local and international outreach tours including China, Silicon Valley and France.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR AND PRESS SECRETARY
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
08.2014 - 08.2015
- Reported to Associate Minister’s Chief of Staff, MOHLTC.
- Handled communications, media relations, policy, issues, and crisis management for the Ontario Long-Term Care Homes Act, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, the Healthy Kids Community Fund, and the Making Healthier Choices Act.
- Assisted with Minister’s House Book.
- Managed traditional and digital media outreach for the launch of the Making Healthier Choices Act including spots on CP24, Global News, and CHCH Hamilton.
- Developed and wrote speeches/speaking remarks for the Minister, drafting and editing news releases, key messages, FAQs.
- Participated in roundtables on MOHLTC ad campaigns including feedback on creative and scripts.
- Planned and executed Minister’s site visits, long-term care home outreach tours, and all logistics including on-site for events and the Minister’s outreach tour to India.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, COMMUNICATIONS LEAD
Office of MPP Laura Albanese
03.2010 - 08.2014
- Reported to MPP Albanese.
- Managed the Queen’s Park and Constituency Offices of MPP Albanese, including up to ten direct reports and the $300,000 budget.
- Responsible for staffing at both offices and managing relationships with staff and elected officials at the municipal and federal levels.
- During this time at Queen’s Park, MPP Albanese was Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Finance, Labour, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the Premier’s Office.
- Developed long- and short-term communications, advocacy, and community outreach plans including those related to the UP Express, resulting in Weston being the site of one of two UP Express stops, a new GO Station, and a $1 million investment in a year-round Farmer’s Market and Arts Hub.
- Participated in research, primary interviews and the writing of the Underground Economy Consultations Report for the Ministry of Labour, all Standing Committee-related tasks.
- Assisted in the introduction of MPP Albanese’s Private Member’s Bills.
PRINT AND BROADCAST JOURNALIST
Various Outlets
01.1995 - 01.2013
- Writer and Editor of features for national and international print and digital publications.
- On-air personality and script writer for on-air specials for MuchMusic and CityTV.
- Co-host and producer of a weekly call-in talk show focused on diverse communities and related politics on CKLN 88.1fm.
Education
Master’s of Science -
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
01-2025
Graduate Diploma - Social Responsibility And Sustainability
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
01.2022
Post-Graduate Diploma - Marketing Management
HUMBER COLLEGE
01.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Gender And Equity Studies
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
01.2005
Skills
- Equity-Based Coaching
- Strategic Leadership
- Issues Management
- Continuous Learning
- Project Monitoring and Evaluation
- Cross-Functional Engagement
- Innovator
Certification
- Pride At Work Canada’s THRIVE: Virtual LGBTQ2S+ Leadership Development Program (2024)
- Indigenous Canada Certificate, University of Alberta (2020)
- Pride At Work Canada: LGBT Workplace Inclusion Certificate (2020)
- Pharmaceutical Challenges and Opportunities Program, IMIX Executive Programs, University of Toronto Mississauga (2020)
- First Peoples Group Indigenous Awareness Training (2020)
Timeline
GLOBAL PROJECT MANAGER, CITIES FOR BETTER HEALTH
Novo Nordisk A/S
01.2025 - 05.2025
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. (NNCI)
10.2019 - Current
SENIOR MANAGER, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Ontario Centres of Excellence
07.2019 - 10.2019
MANAGER, MEDIA RELATIONS
Ontario Centres of Excellence
10.2016 - 07.2019
SENIOR ADVISOR, PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS
Office of the Premier of Ontario
03.2016 - 10.2016
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OPERATIONS ADVISOR
Ministry of Economic Development (MEDEI)
08.2015 - 03.2016
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR AND PRESS SECRETARY
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
08.2014 - 08.2015
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, COMMUNICATIONS LEAD
Office of MPP Laura Albanese
03.2010 - 08.2014
PRINT AND BROADCAST JOURNALIST
Various Outlets
01.1995 - 01.2013
- Pride At Work Canada’s THRIVE: Virtual LGBTQ2S+ Leadership Development Program (2024)
- Indigenous Canada Certificate, University of Alberta (2020)
- Pride At Work Canada: LGBT Workplace Inclusion Certificate (2020)
- Pharmaceutical Challenges and Opportunities Program, IMIX Executive Programs, University of Toronto Mississauga (2020)
- First Peoples Group Indigenous Awareness Training (2020)
Master’s of Science -
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Graduate Diploma - Social Responsibility And Sustainability
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
Post-Graduate Diploma - Marketing Management
HUMBER COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts - Gender And Equity Studies
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
Similar Profiles
David FrielDavid Friel
Senior Materials Engineer at Novo Nordisk A/SSenior Materials Engineer at Novo Nordisk A/S
Peter Nørkjær LaursenPeter Nørkjær Laursen
International Medical Director at Novo Nordisk A/SInternational Medical Director at Novo Nordisk A/S
Cecilie Nguyen BrønsCecilie Nguyen Brøns
Quality Control Laboratory Technician at Novo Nordisk A/SQuality Control Laboratory Technician at Novo Nordisk A/S