Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
Other Experience
Additional Interests
Other Experience
Additional Interests
BusinessDevelopmentManager
Tricia Forde

Tricia Forde

Leduc,AB

Summary

Results-oriented strategist and communications professional with a reputation for delivering high-value, innovative, communications solutions.

Experience in strategic communications planning, implementation and evaluation; creative and brand strategy; engagement processes; government-wide oversight; leading multi-faceted teams; creating or improving processes to increase efficiencies and productivity; change management; and driving successful business outcomes.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Manager, Strategic Communications Planning

Government Of The Northwest Territories
05.2017 - 06.2022

Corporate Communications, Department of Executive and Indigenous Relations

  • Responsible to provide central agency strategic communications oversight to departments; ensuring government priority alignment, a 'one government, one voice' approach, and brand compliance
  • Maintained positive relationships with key players at various levels of government and other stakeholders to support communications planning and implementation
  • Lead sensitive, political and interdepartmental files, providing advice across communications business lines as a senior-level strategist and trusted advisor
  • Oversaw the quality of communications planning tools, which often included drafting strategies, messaging and other content as required for high profile and/or political files
  • Maintained, updated and/or developed policies, directives, guidelines and templates to support the streamlining of operations
  • Facilitated the development, implementation and continual improvement of communications processes and supporting systems including evaluation and reporting
  • Facilitated engagement on central agency initiatives with a relationship-first focus to secure early buy-in and active participation
  • Consistently used strong analytical and problem solving skills to address issues from a broad government perspective, and manage day-to-day operations
  • Managed a multi-year major change initiative from concept to implementation, resulting in improvements to how the entire government communicates
  • Managed strategic planning team to ensure effective government-wide communications planning for optimized business outcomes
  • Responsible for hiring processes, and evaluating employee performance to support both organizational objectives and employee growth and development
  • Maximized team performance through training and mentoring initiatives
  • Acted for Director as required

Manager, Legislation

Government of the Northwest Territories
09.2015 - 05.2017

Department of Lands

  • Set up and managed legislation unit in a new government department that was established as part of NWT Devolution. Activities included defining function and roles, managing staffing processes, ensuring effective team integration within organization, and supporting day-to-day operations
  • Liaised regularly with senior management to ensure the alignment of priorities
  • Advanced government mandate commitment to modernize land management legislation by: coordinating legislative reviews; strengthening critical relationships; and conducting stakeholder engagement sessions along with Indigenous consultation processes
  • Reviewed government policies and guidelines to ensure legislative alignment
  • Managed departmental requests and database for legal opinions liaising with the Department of Justice
  • Identified opportunities to improve operations. For example, implementing a board appointment screening process for enhanced consistency and transparency, and establishing a manager-level forum for shared priorities and collaborative working relationships
  • Participated in senior management committee meetings, prepared briefing materials for senior officials, and coordinated inter-governmental meetings
  • Acted for Director of Legislation, Policy and Communications on a regular basis

Manager, Corporate Secretariat & Communications

Government of Canada
04.2014 - 09.2015

Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

  • Managed communications team to ensure NWT regional programs and services were supported by effective, forward-thinking, strategic communications planning and implementation for better business outcomes
  • Oversaw the development and implementation of annual communications plans for all organizational divisions, ensuring they reflected the unique needs of operating in the North
  • Actively involved in ensuring effective communications approaches were used in regional engagement and Section 35 consultation processes with Indigenous governments
  • Liaised with central agency communications team in Ottawa, as well as represented the NWT Region on the nation-wide communications planning committee
  • Supported the establishment of a digital communications team in headquarters by testing processes, recommending themes and feeding content to corporate social media channels
  • Championed the review and enhancement of the employee recognition and merit award program
  • Participated in business planning and organizational risk profiling to provide a communications lens for enhanced operations
  • Coordinated all ministerial event planning in the NWT by producing related communications products and supporting logistics
  • Chaired regional Workplace Wellness Committee
  • Delivered on managerial duties related to finance and human resources
  • Participated as regular member of the senior management team to provide strategic advice

Senior Communications Advisor

Government of Canada
03.2011 - 03.2014

Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

  • Supervised a team of strategic communications officers, supporting assigned departments and delivering on corporate initiatives
  • Provided strategic communications advice and support from idea or issue identification to implementation and evaluation
  • Developed communications products including news releases, media lines, backgrounders, Q&As, speeches, newsletters, brochures, digital content, exhibit materials, promotional items, internal communication, etc.
  • Prepared and monitored the implementation of an annual communications plan for each program area of responsibility, supported by additional planning as required
  • Responsible for media monitoring, media relations and spokesperson coaching
  • Proposed and launched a multi-year Communications in Communities Mentoring Program to build communications capacity across the North, including establishing program criteria, selecting a review committee, developing programming and in-person mentoring for select Indigenous governments and organizations
  • Organized regular team-building activities
  • Responsible for quarterly staff performance reviews and evaluation

Senior Communications Officer

Government of Canada
05.2007 - 03.2011

Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

  • Provided strategic communications advice and support to internal clients with a focus on environmental and regulatory files
  • Prepared and monitored the implementation of an annual communications plan for each program area of responsibility, supported by additional planning as required
  • Developed communications products including news releases, media lines, backgrounders, Q&Asp;As, speeches, newsletters, brochures, digital content, exhibit materials, promotional items, internal communication, etc.
  • Provided media monitoring and issues management services, including mediating press conferences
  • Supported department from a communications perspective at public hearings for multiple high profile regulatory files
  • Provided communications support for public engagement processes
  • Developed a comprehensive orientation program for regional staff to enhance employee onboarding
  • Built positive working relationships within department and with external stakeholders to advance communications work

Researcher

Government of Northwest Territories
10.2006 - 05.2007

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

  • Lead the territorial nominee program in its development phase
  • Compiled information to support the development of an NWT immigration program
  • Prepared proposal to secure federal funding to advance work
  • Represented the GNWT on cross-jurisdictional working groups
  • Drafted all related briefing and presentation materials for decision-makers and others

Manager, Public Affairs

Government of the Northwest Territories
02.2006 - 10.2006

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

  • Supported Minister's office and departmental activities, with a direct report to the Deputy Minister
  • Managed departmental media relations for a large department with diverse programs areas having significant public interest
  • Attended events with the Minister to support effective communications
  • Drafted all communications materials from key messaging, communications plans, web copy and other program-related content
  • Developed communications products ranging from strategies, reports, brochures, advertisements to major marketing campaigns
  • Coordinated photoshoots to create a library of images for communications products
  • Responsible for brand management through visual identity and official language compliance
  • Streamlined internal communications processes and development templates for increased efficiencies throughout the department

Account Manager, Client Services

Artisan Press
07.2004 - 09.2005
  • Provided front-line customer service and account manager supporting company growth
  • Communicated effective print and/or design solutions to public and private sector clients
  • Liaised between client, graphic designer and printer
  • Supported senior management by providing communications advice to successfully enhance business development initiatives to reach a broader audience to expand client base
  • Offered extensive knowledge of offset and digital printing processes, production and job costing options (3 years of previous printing industry)
  • Provided copy writing and editorial services to enhance the service delivery model

Director, Marketing & Sales

Aurora World
10.1999 - 07.2004
  • Directed marketing strategy for innovative fast-growing tour company that pioneered the way for aurora tourism in northern Canada
  • Communicated company vision to secure buy-in and facilitate strategic partnership and investment opportunities, and to garner support of ongoing product development
  • Drafted funding proposals to support business expansion
  • Researched marketplace trends to forecast business activity and conduct risk analysis
  • Participated in new tour/product development in a culturally diverse and multi-lingual environment
  • Prepared marketing strategies and related communications materials for multiple target audiences
  • Managed media relations, including: responding to reporters on a regular basis, proactively pitching ideas to raise company profile, preparing spokesperson messaging, and acting as spokesperson when required
  • Represented company at domestic and international industry trade shows to market the aurora experience
  • Facilitated all corporate events, often for high profile dignitaries
  • Lead merchandise development processes to support brand recognition
  • Created the company's own "legendary story" based on a young client's aurora experience as a marketing tactic which developed into a collection of retail items, ranging from plush dolls to diamond jewelry
  • Participated as an active member of senior management team

Education

Bachelor of Arts - International Development, Culture & Communication

University of Calgary
Calgary, AB

Skills

  • Communications leader
  • Strategic advisor
  • Engagement processes
  • Government policy and legislation
  • Media relations
  • Product development
  • Social media
  • Marketing and sales
  • Coaching and mentorship
  • Improvement initiatives
  • Event planning
  • Writing

Certification

  • International Association of Public Participation Certification
  • Opposition and Outrage in Public Participation - IAP2
  • Neuro-linguistic Programming Licensed Practitioner
  • Fundamentals and Co-active Coach Training - Co-active Training Institute (CTI)

Accomplishments

  • Circle of Excellence Award for Communications, Excellence and
    dedication to the organization (INAC, 2015)
  • Commitment to Learning Award, Developing and implementing the Communications in Communities Mentoring Project (INAC, 2012)
  • NWT Premier’s Award for Collaboration, Excellence in developing the Northwest Territories Water Strategy (GNWT, 2011)
  • Deputy Minister’s Award, Contributions in the development of the
    Northwest Territories Water Strategy (INAC, 2011)

Timeline

Manager, Strategic Communications Planning

Government Of The Northwest Territories
05.2017 - 06.2022

Manager, Legislation

Government of the Northwest Territories
09.2015 - 05.2017

Manager, Corporate Secretariat & Communications

Government of Canada
04.2014 - 09.2015

Senior Communications Advisor

Government of Canada
03.2011 - 03.2014

Senior Communications Officer

Government of Canada
05.2007 - 03.2011

Researcher

Government of Northwest Territories
10.2006 - 05.2007

Manager, Public Affairs

Government of the Northwest Territories
02.2006 - 10.2006

Account Manager, Client Services

Artisan Press
07.2004 - 09.2005

Director, Marketing & Sales

Aurora World
10.1999 - 07.2004

Bachelor of Arts - International Development, Culture & Communication

University of Calgary

Other Experience

  • Independent distributor for Young Living Essential Oils | Wellness advocate, leading a community of business builders, networking, marketing and sales, public speaking, event management, educating and training (2011 - present)
  • Business owner and creativity coach at Wild Sky Originals in Yellowknife, NT | Managed all business aspects for an art studio where local clients and tourists created water marbling masterpieces often inspired by the aurora. Closed due to Covid-19 (2018-2020)
  • Classroom instructor for Yukon Tourism Education Council, Ready to Work Program | Taught workforce entry program with focus on empowering youth (2006 - 2008)

Additional Interests

  • Business development strategy to support for creative entrepreneurs
  • Entrepreneurship education and empowerment sessions for kids



Other Experience

  • Independent distributor for Young Living Essential Oils | Wellness advocate, leading a community of business builders, networking, marketing and sales, public speaking, event management, educating and training (2011 - present)
  • Business owner and creativity coach at Wild Sky Originals in Yellowknife, NT | Managed all business aspects for an art studio where local clients and tourists created water marbling masterpieces often inspired by the aurora. Closed due to Covid-19 (2018-2020)
  • Classroom instructor for Yukon Tourism Education Council, Ready to Work Program | Taught workforce entry program with focus on empowering youth (2006 - 2008)

Additional Interests

  • Business development strategy to support for creative entrepreneurs
  • Entrepreneurship education and empowerment sessions for kids



Tricia Forde