Ilana Friesen
Greater Toronto Area,Canada
Summary
Communications professional with extensive experience designing and delivering strategies and programs that engage employees, support change, and strengthen organizational impact. Skilled in writing, editing, and managing content across multiple channels and digital workplace platforms. Known for building trusted relationships with leaders, business and project teams, simplifying complex topics into clear stories, and delivering high-quality communications with strong attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to balance multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Strong focus on team collaboration and adapting to changing needs. Known for achieving measurable results and fostering trust within teams.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Technology Adoption & Communications Consultant
Change Champions Consulting
Toronto, ON
2020 - Current
- Deliver communications for IT initiatives across banking, government, gaming, beverage distribution, and forestry clients, including Microsoft 365 adoption (SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), intranet upgrades, and digital workplace transformations, driving sustained employee usage and technology engagement.
- Write and edit audience-focused content across multiple channels (intranet, newsletters, blogs, email, FAQs, how-to guides, executive and manager messaging, video, Microsoft Teams, digital signage).
- Design and lead cybersecurity awareness and education campaigns, including phishing simulations, Proofpoint, and Microsoft Attack Simulator, combining storytelling and training content to improve security culture.
- Partner with executives, project teams, and employees to align communications, creating consistent, plain-language messaging that supports employee adoption and awareness.
Communications & Change Consultant
Ludere Management Consultants
Toronto, ON
01.2015 - Current
- Partner with clients in healthcare, education, financial services, government, and technology to design communication strategies and produce content across a variety of digital platforms.
- Develop intranet and website content strategies using SharePoint, social intranet and other platforms, improving usability and navigation while producing high-quality updates including e-newsletters, blog posts, corporate and HR updates.
- Write and edit executive communications — speeches, leadership messages, and change narratives — ensuring consistent, clear content that builds alignment, trust and visibility.
- Deliver communication support for IT, HR, and enterprise programs, including crisis response, simplifying complex initiatives into plain-language updates that support employee awareness.
Digital Communications & Intranet Project Lead, Development & Alumni Engagement (contract)
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Revitalized and launched the Development & Alumni Engagement HR SharePoint intranet site, improving accessibility, navigation, and overall employee experience.
- Partnered with cross-functional team of 15 content owners to audit existing pages, rewrite messaging in plain language, and align content with organizational and project priorities.
- Designed and implemented new information architecture, streamlining navigation and making key resources easier to find
- Trained content owners, provided support and resources to sustain quality, ensuring consistent and impactful updates.
- Delivered new intranet on time and within budget, resulting in better access to important HR resources and updates.
Corporate Communications Manager
Central 1 Credit Union
Vancouver, BC
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Developed and published dynamic, audience-focused content across intranet, member SharePoint extranet, and public website to enhance engagement and usability.
- Acted as key content specialist, writer, and editor for major intranet upgrade project involving moving from SharePoint to a social intranet, ensuring clarity and consistency.
- Acted as content manager, providing coaching and support to intranet and extranet content authors to maintain quality and messaging consistency.
- Managed content strategy and governance for the newly launched social intranet, driving adoption and engagement.
- Owned and managed the member extranet for 200+ credit union clients, leading content creation, editing, publishing and site administration to support business objectives.
Senior Communications Specialist (contract)
Insurance Corporation of BC
Vancouver, BC
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Led migration of intranet to new SharePoint platform for 5,000+ employees, resulting in increased site visits and engagement.
- Developed project communications and supporting materials including emails, intranet posts, video and e-newsletters.
- Managed and coached distributed network of content contributors pre-and-post launch
- Post-launch: directed site administration, content strategy and development, and measured outcomes.
Client Account Communications Lead, BC Hydro Client Account
Accenture, BC Hydro Client Account
Vancouver, BC
2008 - 2010
- Provided end-to-end communications support by designing and delivering strategies and producing content including intranet updates, newsletters and leadership messaging, improving engagement and workplace culture.
- Created and supported change communications for recognition programs, HR and IT initiatives, and leadership updates, ensuring employees understood impacts of new programs and changes.
- Planned and facilitated biweekly all-employee town halls with senior executives, building visibility across 1,500+ staff, increasing attendance by 40% over one year.
- Established communications measurement program, tracking program outcomes and using data/KPIs to refine strategies and showcase impacts to leadership.
- Led an intranet redesign for 1,500+ employees including managing a global project team and delivering change communications. Post-launch, owned governance, site strategy and content delivery, ensuring consistent employees updates and ongoing enhancements.
Employee Engagement & Communications Specialist
Accenture, BC Hydro Client Account
Vancouver, BC
2006 - 2008
- Designed and executed internal communications, leadership development employee recognition programs to enhance engagement and workplace culture.
- Developed a variety of communication materials and managed the writing, editing, and distribution of the client account print and e-newsletter for both internal and external audiences.
- Coordinated all aspects of the account’s quarterly leadership learning events, ensuring seamless execution and meaningful impact.
Education
Certificate - Strategic Communication Management
IABC And Ithaca College
07-2010
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of British Columbia
04-2002
Skills
- Executive messaging & leadership support
- Change management communications
- Writing and editing proficiency
- Effective multi-tasking in dynamic settings
- Cross-channel content creation
- Organizational communication management
- Web content management
- Strategic communication planning
- Project coordination
Websites
Technology Experience
- Microsoft 365 Suite (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Viva Engage, Excel, Word)
- Intranet & Digital Workplace Platforms (SharePoint Online, ThoughtFarmer)
- Cybersecurity Tools (Proofpoint, Microsoft Attack Simulator)
- Analytics & Measurement (MS Forms, intranet analytics)
Timeline
Communications & Change Consultant
Ludere Management Consultants
01.2015 - Current
Digital Communications & Intranet Project Lead, Development & Alumni Engagement (contract)
University of British Columbia
01.2014 - 01.2015
Corporate Communications Manager
Central 1 Credit Union
01.2012 - 01.2014
Senior Communications Specialist (contract)
Insurance Corporation of BC
01.2010 - 01.2012
Senior Technology Adoption & Communications Consultant
Change Champions Consulting
2020 - Current
Client Account Communications Lead, BC Hydro Client Account
Accenture, BC Hydro Client Account
2008 - 2010
Employee Engagement & Communications Specialist
Accenture, BC Hydro Client Account
2006 - 2008
Certificate - Strategic Communication Management
IABC And Ithaca College
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of British Columbia