Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Volunteer Experience
Speaking And Awards
Timeline
Generic

Karen Traboulay

Mississauga,ON

Summary

Strategic communications leader with over ten years of experience in post-secondary and nonprofit sectors. Expertise in building high-performing teams and enhancing communication functions to boost engagement and visibility. Demonstrated success in developing integrated strategies, conducting brand audits, and launching internal newsletters to connect with diverse audiences. Strong skills in executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and fostering cross-functional relationships while promoting equity and inclusion.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO)

COSTI
07.2023 - Current
  • Conducted a full communication and brand audit
  • Managed the RFP process to select an agency of record
  • Led a brand refresh and the development of a new corporate website
  • Developed communication and marketing policies and processes where none existed in alignment with the corporate mission.
  • Facilitated a Board strategy retreat as to review and develop the 2025-2030 strategic plan. Collated all material, synthesized all input from Board and leadership and wrote the strategic plan
  • Implemented a corporate brand audit and refresh to align with organizational goals; executed a website redevelopment project to enhance digital presence and storytelling.
  • Introduced a bi-monthly internal newsletter to improve employee engagement and alignment with mission and values.
  • Expanded the communication function by establishing new engagement channels across departments and stakeholder groups.
  • Managed a high-performing communication team; fostered collaboration across departments to support fundraising and impact measurement.
  • Oversaw development of strategic messaging for advancement campaigns, donor proposals and annual giving communications.

Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing

York University
08.2022 - Current
  • Leading the internal and external communication and marketing efforts for York’s largest Faculty of over 22 thousand students and almost a thousand staff and faculty, I support and promote the Faculty’s comprehensive positioning and marketing strategies.
  • Guided by data to inform decisions and create strategy, and utilizing an omni-channel approach to marketing and communications.
  • Working collegially with partners from across the University to coordinate on issues, maintain cohesion with University-level priorities and campaigns, and ensure continuous alignment of best practices and university brand.
  • Develop and monitor annual communication budget.
  • Leading a team of 11 full-time staff and five work study students.
  • Implemented an internal communication process to ensure equity and effectiveness of delivery of communication and marketing services.
  • Developed and launched an internal training program within a one-month time frame, to empower employees; program includes AODA and corporate brand standards.
  • Successfully executed more than 12 community events, surpassing goals for attendance in each instance by 15-35%.
  • Conducted social media audit and realigned channels for wider audience reach.
  • Developed a communication strategy and successfully launched York University’s Black Staff Network.

Senior Communications Manager

York University
01.2020 - 08.2022
  • Developed strategic internal and external communication and change management plans; provided strategic communication advice to senior leaders; developed high-quality communications for print and digital channels; managed conflicting and demanding priorities and deadlines.
  • Wrote executive remarks, speeches, presentations, and blogs; planned, managed, and hosted town halls and other employee engagement events.
  • Led cross-functional teams in the implementation of transformational initiatives.
  • Fostered employee engagement, enhanced organizational culture and created awareness of strategic priorities.
  • Member of the issue management committee, the emergency planning committee and the mental health committee.
  • Led a team of ten communication specialists.
  • Developed an internal communication and culture strategy to enhance employee line of sight to organizational priorities and objectives; demonstrated alignment of roles to the organization’s strategic vision; fostered a sense of belonging and organizational pride and provided coaching while ensuring consistent brand messaging across the organization.
  • Developed a communication strategy for Sustainable Investing, ensuring ESG factors were woven throughout.
  • Oversaw the planning and execution of more than 15 town halls and leadership meetings.
  • Established a communication network— an employee mentoring and professional development program to empower colleagues while establishing consistency of communications.
  • Introduced Conversation Corner- a series of interviews with employees and leaders to foster employee engagement and build trust.
  • Developed and executed an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy; established an employee led EDI council and managed and monitored implementation and actions to advance the EDI agenda.
  • Developed an integrated communication strategy for York’s Security Services Review using an anti-racism and equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, and informed by extensive community consultations.
  • Developed a strategic communication strategy for York’s Social Procurement Policy and Diverse Vendor Portal to embrace and improve an EDI culture.
  • Developed an integrated communication and marketing strategy for Sustainability and oversaw plan implementation.
  • Revised and launched 11 websites - aligned sites with corporate brand.
  • Revitalized, expanded and managed social media channels.

Senior Internal Communication Advisor – Communication & Public Affairs

York University
07.2013 - 12.2019
  • Provided professional, confidential, and expert advice regarding communication policy, planning and strategy for the advancement of the University’s strategic objectives and the enhancement of institution-reputation.
  • Developed integrated communication and marketing plans and project managed.
  • Administration of two Employee Engagement Surveys with 35% response rate.
  • Re-branded and relaunched intranet- 75 % usage within first three months.
  • York’s Indigenous Framework with 85% awareness.
  • York’s Mental Health Strategy with 75% awareness.
  • Opening of two TTC Subway stations on campus, working with multi-levels of governments with 95% awareness three weeks prior to opening.
  • Rebranded and relaunched the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education.

Senior Communications Advisor

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
12.2012 - 06.2013
  • Provided strategic communication guidance and counsel to Deputy Minister.
  • Developed a communication strategy for Ontario Refugees with a 15% increase in inquiries about the refugee health insurance plan with Medavie Blue Cross.

Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, North America

Ingram Micro Inc.
06.2011 - 11.2012
  • Provided strategic communication counsel to senior team.
  • Developed relationships with various media outlets.
  • Crafted and distributed media releases, responded to media inquiries and acted as company’s spokesperson.
  • Developed and implemented media-training to all colleagues approved to respond to media.
  • Directed employee communications; led global Social Media strategy; developed and conducted leadership media-training program.

Education

MBA -

California Southern University

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

McMaster University

Certificate - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

York University

Certificate - Enhancing Leadership

York University

Communication Certificate -

University of Toronto

Certificate - Change Management Professional

Acuity Institute

Rights, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion (REDDI) series - The Impacts & Effects of Microaggression in the PSE Environment; Challenging Bias in Decision-Making & Approaches to Difference; Challenging Notions of Ableism; Understanding & Addressing Sexual Harassment & Discrimination; Creating & Maintaining Positive Space

York University

Skills

  • Communication strategy alignment
  • Proactive challenge identification
  • Business strategy synthesis
  • Multi-platform communication
  • Research-driven strategy development

Certification

  • Accredited Business Communicator, IABC
  • Certificate: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, York University
  • Certificate: Enhancing Leadership, York University
  • Communication Certificate, University of Toronto
  • Certificate: Change Management Professional, Acuity Institute

Volunteer Experience

Vice-President, Professional Development and Networking, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Toronto chapter, Currently

Speaking And Awards

  • Conference speaker
  • National and international awards judge
  • Mentor
  • Course developer for the IABC Academy: Courses developed: Strategic Communication Planning; Strategic Communication Management, Research and Measurement.

Timeline

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO)

COSTI
07.2023 - Current

Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing

York University
08.2022 - Current

Senior Communications Manager

York University
01.2020 - 08.2022

Senior Internal Communication Advisor – Communication & Public Affairs

York University
07.2013 - 12.2019

Senior Communications Advisor

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
12.2012 - 06.2013

Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, North America

Ingram Micro Inc.
06.2011 - 11.2012

MBA -

California Southern University

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

McMaster University

Certificate - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

York University

Certificate - Enhancing Leadership

York University

Communication Certificate -

University of Toronto

Certificate - Change Management Professional

Acuity Institute

Rights, Equity, Diversity, Decolonization & Inclusion (REDDI) series - The Impacts & Effects of Microaggression in the PSE Environment; Challenging Bias in Decision-Making & Approaches to Difference; Challenging Notions of Ableism; Understanding & Addressing Sexual Harassment & Discrimination; Creating & Maintaining Positive Space

York University

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Karen Traboulay