Experience

Ontario Ancestors, The Ontario Genealogical Society

• Canada
• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Chair, Scottish SIG (Special Interest Group)

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  We focus on delivering programming and information for those interested in researching their Scottish ancestors. As co-chair, I am the webmaster, treasurer and social media manager.

• Past President - Board of Directors

  • Jun 2022 - Present

  After serving my term as President, I am continuing to volunteer with the Board of Directors as the Past President. I will be an Advisor to the incoming President and will continue to work on a few strategic projects to deliver them to completion.

• President - Board of Directors

  • Sep 2020 - Jun 2022

  Elected to the Board of Directors to lead the organization for a two year term. My mandate was focused on shoring up the governance practises, reversing the negative financial trend, adding value for the membership and creating a more cohesive team culture.

• Director at Large - Board of Directors

  • Jun 2017 - Sep 2020

  * Current Project Lead advocating for the genealogical community about the closure of Ontario's Land Registry offices* Developed and launched the new logo for Ontario Ancestors* Guest and Interim Editor for the Families journal in 2018 and 2019



Dig Ancestry Services

• Professional Genealogist

  • Jan 2014 - Present

  I help people discover their family history. Family trees, pedigrees, finding source information, coaching others on how to find their own genealogy, DNA and analysis. I help people discover their family history. Family trees, pedigrees, finding source information, coaching others on how to find their own genealogy, DNA and analysis.



Coaches Association of Ontario

• Canada
• Spectator Sports
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Coach Mentor

  • Sep 2017 - Sep 2019

  This was part of the "Changing the Game - Changing the Conversation" program. The program placed a focus on helping female coaches feel empowered to take on coaching roles. Personally mentored several other female coaches, in different sports, through whatever challenges they were facing and learning that they were thinking of under-taking. This was part of the "Changing the Game - Changing the Conversation" program. The program placed a focus on helping female coaches feel empowered to take on coaching roles. Personally mentored several other female coaches, in different sports, through whatever challenges they were facing and learning that they were thinking of under-taking.



The Ontario Ringette Association

• Vice President of Communications - Board of Directors

  • Jun 2017 - Jun 2019



Mississauga Ringette Association

• Coach

  • Sep 2005 - Apr 2018

  Coached a variety of teams over the past 12 seasons. Started as an Assistant Coach at the Bunny (U8) level through Novice (U10). Then moved into a Head Coaching role for Petite Provincial (U12) for two years. The team won the league championships (CORL) in the first year. Assisted the following year for Tween (U14AA). Head Coached a team for the following five years from Petite Provincial (U12PP) through Tween (U14AA) and then Junior (U16AA) in 2016-17. This team was highly successful having won multiple tournaments over the years, a silver medal at Provincials (tier 2) in year 1, a gold medal at Provincials (tier 2) in year 2 and a gold medal at Provincials (top tier) as well as a silver medal at the Eastern Canadian Ringette Championships in year 4. I also coached the Open A (adult) team at the Provincial championships (the head coach was absent) and helped them to win the gold medal in the second tier. I was the recipient of the GrassRoots female Coach of the year award from the Ontario Coaches Association in 2015, for coaching excellence. Currently an Assistant Coach for the Mississauga Open A team.

• President

  • May 2013 - Apr 2015

  Managed the business of the not for profit community based ringette association. Responsible for over 250 members and a board of 5 elected officials. During my tenure, was able to introduce an Open (adult) house league program and an annual tournament to bring in funds for the association and keep fees in check.

• Vice President of Operations and Director of Player Development

  • Sep 2010 - Apr 2015

  Volunteered to spearhead a new player development program for the Mississauga Ringette Association Executive in the Fall of 2010, upon the start of the season. Over the next several years, I implemented association-wide power skating programs, summer development programs, weekly provincial level dryland programs and team building activities. All were led by qualified instructors. I also introduced a framework for teaching the foundations of ringette (Ringette 101, 201) as well as Mississauga Ringette specific key strategies and tactics which defined how all teams would focus their play. As a result, more of our A teams qualified for provincials, even making it to the medal rounds and our U14AA team won Provincials in 2015 and claimed silver in the Eastern Canadian Ringette Championships.



Heads Up! Consulting

• Principal

  • Jun 2010 - Dec 2014

  Growing International Businesses in Canada. Building Canadian businesses with a consumer focus to ensure profitability. Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Business and Sales Planning, New Product Innovation, Process Improvement, Cost Savings and ROI generation, Go To Market Strategies and endless energy to see you succeed. Growing International Businesses in Canada. Building Canadian businesses with a consumer focus to ensure profitability. Strategy, Sales and Marketing, Business and Sales Planning, New Product Innovation, Process Improvement, Cost Savings and ROI generation, Go To Market Strategies and endless energy to see you succeed.



Hain Celestial Canada

• Vice President of Marketing, Research & Development

  • Jan 2011 - Jul 2013



Dare Foods Limited

• Canada
• Manufacturing
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Vice President of Marketing

  • Jul 2006 - Jan 2010

  Active and vocal member of the family-owned, privately held company's Executive Committee. Responsible for leading all aspects of Marketing (consumer and customer), Strategic Planning, Consumer Services and Innovation for the company. Full P&L responsibility for the domestic business across the cookie, cracker, fine bread, fruit snack and candy (non-chocolate confection) categories. Track record for turning un-profitable categories around through brand renovation, launching value-added new products and simplifying the offering. Major brand growth on Bear Paws, Wagon Wheels, Whippet, Simple Pleasures, Breton, Vinta, Crispy Baguettes and RealFruit over my tenure. Received two company awards for leadership and business results as well as three industry new product awards.

• Director of Marketing

  • Jul 2003 - Jun 2006

  Joined the company to re-build the cookie portfolio after the acquisition of Culinar. Led the team to establish the strategic direction, introduce lean thinking to reduce costs and complexity, identify consumer insights to target growth brands and work collaboratively across the organization to deliver award winning innovation. Within two years, turned a negative P&L to positive. Created a continuous improvement mindset by envisioning and establishing a Marketing Services team that could lead cross category and function projects and processes. Through my leadership and strategic thinking I specifically introduced:* the company's crisis management plan* a strategic/annual planning process and template* the stage-gate process for managing innovation and brand renovation* corporate marketing through the development of the tagline of "Feel Good Food" and the consistent upgrading of the company website* trade promotion, account specific activities and the creation of a Trade Marketing team



Parmalat Canada

• Canada
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Marketing Director

  • 1998 - 2003

  For this internationally owned, public company, I held increasingly responsible positions across the milk, beverage, cheese and cultured products categories. Led all Marketing activities (annual planning, promotions, advertising development, new product launches, customer meetings) for these well known brands: Lactantia, Beatrice, Cheesestrings, Astro and Sensational Soy. Created the first Marketing services team bringing consumer response, website development, corporate sponsorships and account specific programs together under one Director. Renovated the cultured products business focusing on growing higher margin items to transform profit. Led the organization's thinking on soy products and grew that business ahead of the market. Asked to take on a North American perspective playing a key role in the development of the first ever US strategic plan as well as researching and planning for several major new product launches. Selected as a Member of the President's Council in recognition of leadership and achievement.



Pizza Hut

• United States
• Restaurants
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sr. Manager, New Business Initiatives

  • 1997 - 1998

• Manager - New Products

  • 1996 - 1997



Procter & Gamble

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Brand Manager

  • Jul 1993 - Oct 1996