Darlene Francis
Kitchener,ON
Summary
My professional goal is to inspire a dynamic team in an environment that values communications as a partner to help achieve strategic business objectives of the Town of Milton.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Ontario EServices Program, Communications Lead
EHealth Centre of Excellence
01.2018 - Current
- Lead the development and delivery of the communications strategy supporting the Ontario eServices Program, a Ministry funded program
- Collaboratively work with all program areas including Change Management, Knowledge Translation and Evaluation, Privacy and Security and Project Management to deliver on the program's strategic goals
- Oversee all internal and external communications activities; ensures consistent, clear, appropriate and effective communications with internal and external stakeholders
- Provide strategic communication counsel to leadership
- In collaboration with colleagues, deliver training and onboarding program to our regional deployment teams
- Manage all aspects of the Ontario eServices Program brand, including the website and social media content
President
Golden Rule Communications Inc.
12.2008 - 12.2017
- Provided strategic communications consulting on a project basis for clients including Advocis, University of Waterloo, Loblaw Companies Limited, Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) and Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing
Advocis
07.2014 - 06.2017
- Led all internal and external communication including strategic communications, public relations, media relations, government communication, member communications, brand management and the oversight of the Advocis chapter network
- Responsible for the creation of the Advocis story and co-leading the development of the Advocis value proposition targeted to key audiences
- Developed and executed strategic communication strategies - internal and external - in support of the association's overall goals
- Advanced the association's regulatory positions through effective presentations and public appearances
- Responsible for increasing Advocis' profile with industry and main stream media as well as governments
- Part of the leadership team responsible for crisis management
- Oversaw the volunteer network of 40 chapters across Canada
- Managed a team of eight professionals responsible for all aspects of internal and external communications including multi-media design and web development
- Created and managed annual budgets for corporate communications and marketing as well as the chapter business unit
- Responsible for maintaining all aspects of the Advocis brand
Corporate Communications Manager
OTIP
03.2012 - 04.2013
- Provided internal and external communication support to the CEO and other executives, including speeches, presentations, blogs and industry articles
- Developed and implemented strategic communication plans to ensure the alignment of key messages
- Built and maintained strong relationships with all levels of OTIP employees, external partners and vendors
- Created and managed the corporate communications budget as well as the event budget for the OTIP Corporate Meeting
- Responsible for all communication-related activities in a time of crisis
- Mentored and managed team members
- Maintained the integrity of the brand in all written materials and represented OTIP at high profile events
- Worked with the CEO and other senior leaders to ensure communications were aligned with the business objectives
- 13 Month Contract
Communication Advisor
Research In Motion
02.2010 - 03.2012
- Provided internal and external communication support to the CTO, Software and the COO, Product and Sales
- Created an overall R&D communication plan to increase employee engagement using a variety of vehicles including leader messages, intranet content and videos
- Built relationships with various R&D senior leaders, organizational development business partners and communicators
- Developed interactive employee events, from small group meetings to full-scale global Town Halls and conferences
- Supported organizational change through communication tactics
- Participated in corporate communication initiatives with a focus on representing the communication needs of the R&D organization
Communications Specialist
Loblaw Companies Limited
09.2005 - 11.2008
- Implemented and managed the bilingual employee intranet as a new vehicle for internal communications
- Supported a variety of company-wide initiatives
- Worked with various business clients on a daily basis
- Managed vendor relationships
- Monitored usage of the intranet using Webtrends
Communications Consultant
Sun Life Financial
01.2004 - 09.2005
- Managed complex initiatives from start to finish on time and on budget
- Creative development and writing of project elements in all media formats (online, print, video)
- Managed vendor relationships to ensure best use of resources
- Monitored and evaluated projects based on measurable outcomes
- Managed day-to-day activities and work experience of a co-op student every quarter in 2004
Communications Co-ordinator
Sun Life Financial
07.2002 - 12.2003
Communications Associate
Clarica
05.2001 - 07.2002
Education
Post-graduate Certificate - Public Relations
Humber College
Toronto, ON05.2001
BA - Communication Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON04.2000
Conflict Resolution and Mediation course -
Community Justice Initiatives of Waterloo Region
Waterloo, ON01.1999
Skills
Strategy
Collaboration
Leadership
Negotiation
Mediation
Conflict Resolution
Storytelling
Presentation Skills
Project Management
Writing
People Management
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Friends
- Fitness
- Fun
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Ontario EServices Program, Communications Lead
EHealth Centre of Excellence
01.2018 - Current
Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing
Advocis
07.2014 - 06.2017
Corporate Communications Manager
OTIP
03.2012 - 04.2013
Communication Advisor
Research In Motion
02.2010 - 03.2012
President
Golden Rule Communications Inc.
12.2008 - 12.2017
Communications Specialist
Loblaw Companies Limited
09.2005 - 11.2008
Communications Consultant
Sun Life Financial
01.2004 - 09.2005
Communications Co-ordinator
Sun Life Financial
07.2002 - 12.2003
Communications Associate
Clarica
05.2001 - 07.2002
BA - Communication Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University
Conflict Resolution and Mediation course -
Community Justice Initiatives of Waterloo Region
Post-graduate Certificate - Public Relations
Humber College
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