Katrina King
Chelsea,QC
Summary
Senior communications leader with extensive experience advancing brand, engagement, and reputation strategies for national organizations. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, team leadership, and high-profile, mission-driven campaigns. Known for aligning communications with organizational priorities, assessing brand effectiveness, and developing targeted strategies to strengthen positioning, and drive measurable impact.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Communications Specialist
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)
Ottawa, ON
01.2022 - Current
- Led strategic communications planning for national programs, high-profile events, and advocacy initiatives, reinforcing CICan’s brand presence, and strengthening member engagement across 140+ institutions.
- Advised senior leadership on member-focused communications, collaborating with the Member Relations team to deliver content that promoted service value, highlighted institutional achievements, and reinforced the impact of membership.
- Designed and executed a multi-channel editorial and email marketing calendar, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, and delivering timely, data-informed content to diverse audiences.
- Collaborated closely with Government Relations, contributing to advocacy campaigns by crafting persuasive messaging and co-authoring op-eds on complex policy issues, enhancing CICan’s credibility with policymakers and decision-makers.
- Directed the communications approach for federal budget announcements, orchestrating cohesive, multi-platform messaging to support advocacy priorities, and influence public discourse.
- Oversaw multi-platform content production (including blogs, podcasts, and social media campaigns), positioning CICan as a trusted, national voice for the sector.
- Led the development of CICan’s first Email Marketing Guide, and modernized subscription workflows for enhanced CRM integration, significantly improving segmentation, targeting, and performance analytics.
Communications Director
Actua: Canada's largest STEM learning organization
Ottawa
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Executed a $175K annual communications strategy that elevated Actua’s brand visibility and increased engagement across 45 member institutions.
- Initiated and led a full rebrand in partnership with a creative agency, refreshing Actua’s visual identity and relaunching the website with improved navigation, WCAG 2.1 accessibility compliance, and audience-centric content.
- Managed and mentored a team of three while overseeing strategy and contracts with key external partners: a media relations agency, a branding firm, and a federal government relations consultant.
- Strengthened national program delivery by collaborating with program leads to develop compelling, targeted content, improve the member portal to enhance access to resources, and reinforce the value proposition of Actua membership.
- Advised and prepared the CEO for high-profile engagements (media appearances, keynotes, and major public addresses), positioning Actua as a national thought leader in inclusive STEM education.
Communications Lead & Senior Marketing Lead (Acting)
Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI)
Ottawa
01.2018 - 12.2020
- Directed social media and corporate dashboard analytics, providing data-driven insights to enhance member communications.
- Developed a content management strategy focused on creating and distributing relevant and timely content (i.e. webinars, podcasts and blogs) to better attract, acquire and engage audiences.
- Spearheaded the redesign of CFHI's newsletter, increasing engagement metrics by 10%.
- Led the development of videos highlighting core priorities, working with senior leadership and agencies.
- Supervised external contractors to develop audience personas, improving audience segmentation, and positioning.
- Developed, managed, and reported on numerous projects and activity budgets ranging from $20,000 to $75,000.
- Represented CFHI at relevant workshops and conferences, and provided strategic counsel on marketing activities and speaking engagements.
- Oversaw the daily workflow of a direct report while serving as a mentor to junior team members.
Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN)
Toronto
05.2014 - 12.2017
- Designed and executed multi-channel communications strategies, leveraging digital, print, and event-based approaches to enhance member engagement and increase OTN's brand visibility
- Played a critical role in launching the OTNhub, onboarding 1,000+ members in six months and achieving high user satisfaction through targeted outreach
- Collaborated with in-house stakeholders (i.e. Customer Call Centre) and outsourced vendors to determine priorities, manage workflows and deliver communications and marketing initiatives on time, and on budget
- Developed and co-executed multi-day communications workshops, training staff on branding, key messages, and audience engagement
- Created an internal change management plan to support brand repositioning
- Organized professional eLearning events, regularly attracting 200+ healthcare professionals
Communications Manager
Ten Thousand Coffees: All-In-One Platform for Inclusive Mentoring
Toronto
09.2011 - 09.2016
- Provided ongoing communications and marketing counsel for the launch of TenThousandCoffees.com
- Engaged over 2,000 users within two months, with 60% classified as highly engaged
- Built awareness and acquired users through targeted campaigns and direct liaison with prominent Canadian business leaders
Consultant
FleishmanHillard: Global PR and Marketing Agency
Toronto
09.2011 - 08.2013
- Collaborated with high-profile clients, including MOHLTC, Cancer Care Ontario and AstraZeneca to develop budgets, critical paths, and strategic communications plans
- Delivered measurable results, such as 15M+ media impressions for MOHLTC's public health campaign
- Planned and executed 20+ stakeholder engagement events across Ontario to support MOHLTC's funding transformation
- Mapped client stakeholders to influence/support levels, providing strategic engagement recommendations to enhance understanding and alignment
Education
Public Relations - Postgraduate
Humber College
Etobicoke, ON01.2011
Honours Communications - Major, Business Administration Option
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, ON01.2010
Skills
- Stakeholder Mapping
- Reputation & Brand Strategy
- Public Affairs & Government Relations
- Executive & Thought Leadership Communications
- Integrated Campaign & Content Strategy
- Data-Driven Decision Making & Analytics
- Digital Communications & AI-Enabled Tools
- Organizational & Change Management
- Project & Event Management
- Inclusive Leadership & Team Development
- Strategic Planning & Performance Measurement
Languages
- English, Native
- French, Intermediate
Volunteer Experience
Communications Director & Board Executive
Gainline Africa | Sept 2010 – Sept 2016
Vice-President, Marketing & Communications
IABC Ottawa | Sept 2018 – July 2020
Director of Events
IABC Ottawa | Sept 2017 – Sept 2018
Speaker Director & Event Organizer
TEDxHumber | Mar 2011 – June 2011
Public Relations Committee Member
Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union | Sept 2006 – April 2007
Timeline
Senior Communications Specialist
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan)
01.2022 - Current
Communications Director
Actua: Canada's largest STEM learning organization
01.2021 - 01.2023
Communications Lead & Senior Marketing Lead (Acting)
Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI)
01.2018 - 12.2020
Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist
Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN)
05.2014 - 12.2017
Communications Manager
Ten Thousand Coffees: All-In-One Platform for Inclusive Mentoring
09.2011 - 09.2016
Consultant
FleishmanHillard: Global PR and Marketing Agency
09.2011 - 08.2013
Public Relations - Postgraduate
Humber College
Honours Communications - Major, Business Administration Option
Wilfrid Laurier University
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