Shayla Saluja Ghelani
Brampton,ON
Summary
A highly motivated, creative, innovative, results-oriented self-starter with over 20 years of experience in Strategic Multimedia Communications Planning & Execution, 25+ years in Customer Care, and 14 years as a Global Communications Consultant focused on Health & Wellness.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Content Creator & Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher
Self-employed
01.2016 - Current
- Freelance Writer: Create Alumni communications with images (emails, Intranet content and WhatsApp messages) for the Isha Hatha Yoga School (India, USA & Europe)
- Freelance Blogger: Created compelling content for the Spirit & Conscious Living sections of Bali Pure Living Magazine
- Isha Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher: Teach in-person and online Yoga workshops in Toronto through my brand Ananta Yoga & also through Isha Foundation in Toronto, Ottawa & Montreal
- Taught yoga extensively in the UK, Ireland & Canada (2016-2023), in Geneva (2019) and in Greece (2020-2023).
Communications Manager
Eventologists
02.2016 - 08.2020
- Researched, wrote and posted blogs with image galleries to WordPress website: www.eventologists.co.uk
- Also created Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube content
- Primed WordPress website migration and content creation (2018-2019) liaising with Web/SEO agencies
- Managed Mitchells & Butlers’ annual PRIDE Awards project (2016-2019)
- Created website and database, and managed entire event registration process (6-month project each year)
- Led delegate registration process each day of PRIDE events week, checking-in and supporting 400-600 delegates per day
- Duties included: Morning delegate registrations, hotel room check-ins, luggage drop-off, day and evening event support (including lunch, conferences, gala dinner, awards ceremony and after-party).
Multimedia Communications
Isha Foundation & Isha Hatha Yoga School
11.2012 - 04.2019
- Editor of Isha Hatha Yoga School’s Align magazine – focused on health and wellness content
- Content Creator for Isha Outreach: Created website and Facebook page for new “Government School Adoption Program” (GSAP) in 2013
- Developed quarterly reports, blogs, e-letters, DM and CRM content for existing and new donors
- Researched and wrote proposals for grants, including MacArthur Foundation’s PSIPSE.
- Compiled Isha Outreach’s 2010-2012 annual reports, focused on health, wellness and environmental projects in rural areas and schools in South India.
- Created content for Mahindra’s “Spark the Rise” contest where “Empower Generation Next” project won second place grant.
- Managed public voting campaign via social media, securing most mobile votes in online campaign spanning six months.
- Collaborated with internal teams to create compelling multimedia content, driving audience growth and retention.
- Streamlined internal communications processes, improving overall efficiency and productivity within the team.
Web Development & Multimedia Communications
Self-employed
02.2010 - 06.2015
- Delivered high-quality Content and Website development for Financial Simplifiers’ group of ‘On Demand’ companies, Reverse Aging Clinic (Canada), and Experience Uganda (Africa & UK).
- Worked with Appachi Cotton & Ethicus (India) to streamline internal business processes, improve internal communications and increase employee engagement.
- Worked with Net 4 Hope Foundation (Uganda) on fundraising and CRM content.
- Created website and Facebook page for Nirvana School (India) and taught English to students.
Senior Program Manager, Segment Marketing
TELUS Mobility
10.2006 - 11.2009
- Established new Segment Marketing team for Multicultural Markets, increasing market share by 25% YoY
- Developed new processes in research, reporting, promotional offers, and client referral program which were adopted by other Marketing teams
- Created targeted marketing strategies (traditional & digital) and quarterly, annual and long-term project plans
- Presented campaigns to executive team, company boards, and sales channels, outlining consumer offers, marketing mix, KPIs and ROI
- Managed advertising and events, working with cross-functional internal teams and external advertising agencies to plan and execute marketing campaigns and launches
- Wrote website content and marketing bulletins for sales channels; employee communications for campaigns; advertising briefs for external agencies, and direct marketing and advertising copy
- Negotiated sponsorships with event organizers and co-marketing opportunities with external telecom partners
- Managed team budget of $30 million (CAD), staying within < 0.1% variance
- Recruited, trained and managed University Interns & Summer Students
- Presenter at conferences and panel member at marketing events
- Worked closely with core internal teams and key stakeholders.
- Led process improvement initiatives by conducting thorough analyses of existing workflows, identifying bottlenecks and redundancies that hindered progress toward established targets.
- Delivered engaging presentations to stakeholders at all levels, effectively communicating complex information clearly and concisely.
- Mentored and supported department employees to create a strong workplace culture.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives within the organization, driving efficiency gains across all projects.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the organization's needs
- Improved project efficiency by streamlining communication channels and optimizing resource allocation.
- Facilitated stakeholder communication, leading to improved alignment between business objectives and program goals.
- Managed cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products within scope and budget constraints.
- Established clear performance metrics for tracking program success, enabling informed decision-making processes throughout each project''s duration.
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners, ensuring effective collaboration on joint projects and initiatives.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify potential issues early in the project lifecycle, mitigating potential delays or setbacks.
- Delivered engaging presentations to stakeholders at all levels, effectively communicating complex information in a clear and concise manner.
- Developed comprehensive project plans, resulting in successful on-time delivery of multiple programs.
- Tracked and reported program results to customers and stakeholders to facilitate change management activities.
- Enhanced team collaboration by implementing agile methodologies for better project execution and adaptability.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the organization's needs.
- Spearheaded change management efforts during organizational transitions, minimizing disruption while maintaining focus on key objectives.
- Mentored and led new employees to enhance program production.
- Leveraged industry best practices to optimize program management processes throughout the company.
- Networked in local community to identify business opportunities.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
Corporate Communications Manager
TELUS Mobility
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Crafted compelling daily homepage content and images for company Intranet, Channel Partners’ site and Media portals.
- Managed content for external websites: telusmobility.com and mytelusmobility.com.
- Authored internal newsletters, speeches and presentations for executive team, content for weekly CEO newsletter, weekly TeamVision employee broadcasts and monthly management newsletter.
- Developed communication plans for major internal projects, HR, Change Management & Crisis Communications.
- Created PR articles, press releases, media events’ content, and coordinated B-roll and photography
- Wrote client-facing Direct Marketing content, Client Welcome Kits, Emails, Newsletters and Loyalty & Retention letters
- Worked in a fast-paced environment with various internal cross-functional teams, key stakeholders and external telecom partners and media representatives.
- Managed company events, town halls and meetings.
- Boosted website traffic by overseeing content development initiatives, including blog posts, articles, and case studies.
- Improved overall message consistency by creating and enforcing corporate communication guidelines across all departments.
- Promoted specific messages to internal and external stakeholders.
- Capitalized on carefully built media relations to enhance outreach and public image.
- Increased employee engagement through the creation of targeted internal communications campaigns.
- Optimized internal communication channels for seamless information flow between departments, reducing redundancies in processes.
- Wrote executive speeches and talking points to deliver consistent message across all internal and external communication channels.
- Managed crisis communications effectively, minimizing negative impact on company reputation.
- Led crisis communications and media relations activities in response to challenging situations.
- Managed editorial calendars and rescheduled PR events and meetings.
Education
Inner Engineering & various Yoga & Meditation Courses -
India
University of Western Ontario: BA (Hons), Linguistics: French/Spanish/English -
Canada
Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) & Ontario Academic Credits (OAC's) program (Honours) -
Canada
Story Brand Marketing Program -
Online
01.2021
The Copy Cure Program -
Marie Forleo
01.2020
Isha Hatha Yoga Teacher Training -
India
01.2015
Ayurveda School: Certificate Course in Ayurveda Bodywork -
India
01.2010
Ryerson University: Online Marketing -
Canada
01.2006
University of Toronto: Creative Writing, Non-fiction -
Canada
01.2005
Oxford Seminars: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) 100-hr Certificate -
Canada
01.2003
Skills
- Strategic Communications Planning & Execution
- Content Creator, Editor & Proof-reader
- Intranet, Web, SEO & Social Media Expertise
- Change Management & Crisis Communications
- Executive Communications & Presentations
- Brand Management & Marketing Strategy
- Event Planning & Execution
- Project Management & Coordination
- Stakeholder Engagement & Team Collaboration
- Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
- Team Leadership, Coaching & Recruitment
- Organizational Insight & Systems Thinking
- Content Creation for Key Business Stakeholders
- Budget Management, Analytics & Reporting
- Fluent in English, Proficient in French & Spanish
- Global Experience in Health & Wellness Communications
- IT Skills: Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Google Analytics, Canva, HubSpot, Trello, WordPress, SEO, HTML, CMS & CRM apps more
Timeline
Communications Manager
Eventologists
02.2016 - 08.2020
Content Creator & Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher
Self-employed
01.2016 - Current
Multimedia Communications
Isha Foundation & Isha Hatha Yoga School
11.2012 - 04.2019
Web Development & Multimedia Communications
Self-employed
02.2010 - 06.2015
Senior Program Manager, Segment Marketing
TELUS Mobility
10.2006 - 11.2009
Corporate Communications Manager
TELUS Mobility
01.2000 - 01.2006
Inner Engineering & various Yoga & Meditation Courses -
India
University of Western Ontario: BA (Hons), Linguistics: French/Spanish/English -
Canada
Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) & Ontario Academic Credits (OAC's) program (Honours) -
Canada
Story Brand Marketing Program -
Online
The Copy Cure Program -
Marie Forleo
Isha Hatha Yoga Teacher Training -
India
Ayurveda School: Certificate Course in Ayurveda Bodywork -
India
Ryerson University: Online Marketing -
Canada
University of Toronto: Creative Writing, Non-fiction -
Canada
Oxford Seminars: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) 100-hr Certificate -
Canada
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