Emily Gayle Aitken

Here’s a little about me I’d like you to know: 

• Digital– I use story telling to engage people and I work to ensure consistency across platforms, including websites, e-newsletters, social media, and the rest.
• Strategic– I have developed integrated annual and multi-year plans to demonstrate the value of the organization.
• Outreach and networking– From working with customers, committees to reaching out to voters, I am energized by networking. I have developed a number of stakeholder engagement initiatives that I would love to tell you about.
• Passionate about learning – I don’t shy away from learning new technology and coaching styles. I thrive on putting what I’ve learned into action.

I have a wealth of relationship building skills, especially in my career in the non-profit sector. I use the improv skills I developed on-line during the covid lockdown to develop relationships and keep people engaged. I have taken on remote customer experience roles where I needed to have above average persuasion, active listening, and time management skills. I have been recognized for being professional and empathetic when speaking with customers.

I thrive in innovative environments working with a small team where there is lots to do, accuracy is appreciated and there is a lot of variety every day.Here’s a little about me I’d like you to know: 

• Digital– I use story telling to engage people and I work to ensure consistency across platforms, including websites, e-newsletters, social media, and the rest.
• Strategic– I have developed integrated annual and multi-year plans to demonstrate the value of the organization.
• Outreach and networking– From working with customers, committees to reaching out to voters, I am energized by networking. I have developed a number of stakeholder engagement initiatives that I would love to tell you about.
• Passionate about learning – I don’t shy away from learning new technology and coaching styles. I thrive on putting what I’ve learned into action.

I have a wealth of relationship building skills, especially in my career in the non-profit sector. I use the improv skills I developed on-line during the covid lockdown to develop relationships and keep people engaged. I have taken on remote customer experience roles where I needed to have above average persuasion, active listening, and time management skills. I have been recognized for being professional and empathetic when speaking with customers.

I thrive in innovative environments working with a small team where there is lots to do, accuracy is appreciated and there is a lot of variety every day.v

 
Profile
•  Empathetic collaborator and creative problem solver. Recognized for exceeding expectations, calmly listening, and resolving issues quickly.  
•  Developed content for a wide variety of digital platforms and print.
•  Fearless persistent learner adept at helping others and seeking help too.
•  Effective time and priority management with excellent attention to detail.

Experience
Elections Ontario, 03/2023 Supervising Deputy Returning Officer (Hamilton Centre Provincial Byelection)
•  Created positive team spirit and friendly voting environment, poll set up, closing, and reporting.

Vote Tammy Hwang #ONWARD4, 06/2022 – 10/2022 
Campaign Ambassador
•  Reached out to voters as part of a small team. Promoted candidate’s position on issues (LRT construction, road safety, affordable housing). Results: Canvassed poll on election day, resulting in high voter turnout; Candidate won election in field of 11 candidates.

Customer Sales and Service Organization 03/2020 – 08/2022 
Customer Success (Contract Work at Home)
• Exceeded sales targets using Salesforce CRM. Start-to-finish nurturing of customer journey from lead to completed enrollment. Highly recommended by client consultants for achieving client retention.
• Technical service representative on leading technology and cloud client. Top team representative May, June 2022. Achieved 95% KPI rates.

Women Leaders Take Flight 04/2015 – 2020
Founder (paused due to covid lockdown)
• Coaching and community digital hub for professional parents in times of change. •  Results: Coached over 20 women to balance work/family.
Launched online conference. Created online course to help clients achieve success in identifying values, implementing good habits, and creating work life balance.

Sabbatical 04/2015 – 03/2020
• During two house moves: decluttered and renovated two properties; hosted international students; travelled to Nova Scotia to house-sit a dog and two cats; learned improvisation; volunteered as guest ambassador at SheEO World Conference; and co-authored “Dreaming Big Being Bold Vol 4.”

Camarderie Co-Working 01/2015 – 12/2015
Community Manager
•  Developed relationships with community members, increased recruitment and retention. Results: Increased customer satisfaction scores.

Canadian Standards Association, Healthcare Standards 1/2008 – 12/2008 (maternity leave replacement) Project Manager
•  Researched and provided committee communications guidance for a variety of issues including Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Inclusive Design for an Aging Population, Hospital Facilities (Building) Systems, Green Buildings. Created Meeting minutes, Edited draft standards  Advised senior healthcare committee members.

KTG Studios Inc 09/1990 – 05/2015
Co-Founder/Business Development Director
•  Managed projects, deliverables and accounts payable/receivable
•  Created website using Dreamweaver 
• Created lead generation email programs and prospect outreach 
•  Generated $50K/ year in revenue.

Ontario Institute of Supply Chain Professionals 03/2005 – 12/2007
Member Communications and Programming Manager
•  Created strategic plan for consolidated province-wide professional development programming Results: increased revenue by 20%.
•  Project manager for website renewal following consolidation. Results: Increased membership attendance and renewals.
•  Introduced webcast programming Results: Record attendance in Northern Ontario during a snowstorm.
• Wrote speeches for senior executives and volunteers.
•  Lead team of five and volunteer membership committee in developing annual conference, annual general meeting and awards program Results: Increased attendance and reduced budget.
•  Advised senior executives, board members and senior leadership on industry issues and new developments. Created Board minutes, briefing notes and research reports.

Professional Engineers Ontario 01/2000 – 07/2004 
Research and Communications Manager 
•  Created strategic communications plans for annual communications.
•  Wrote policy briefs and executive responses to government.
•  Briefed and scheduled media interviews for senior executives
• Responsible for development, writing, editing, production and publication of Association Annual Report, Membership Directory. and quarterly newsletter
•  Staff Advisor, Environment Engineering Committee (Organized sustainability workshop, supported Walkerton Inquiry Phase II Report from history research of water conservation in Ontario, to editing final report).
•  Staff Advisor, Women in Engineering Committee (Organized annual meetings, wrote/edited monthly magazine column, managed Girls in Engineering summer program sponsorship).
Staff Advisor, Awards Committee (Organized nomination process, venue selection, keynote speaker selection, award recipient profiles.  Introduced newspaper supplement and obtained sponsorship funding) 
•  Promoted in 2002 to have responsibility for Annual General Meetings, Conference, Public Relations and Diversity.

Toronto Board of Trade 01/1995 – 08/1995
Member Events Manager (maternity leave replacement) 
•  In collaboration with volunteer events committee, planned and rolled out events calendar. Results: record revenue and increased renewals. 

Chubb Security 03/1988 – 08/1994
Marketing Communications Lead
•  Created annual strategic communications plans.
•  Managed press relations relating to crisis communications.
 

Bachelor. Journalism