A consumer insights expert and a keynote speaker that lives & breathes trends & innovation
Skills
Trend Research Storytelling Consumer Insights Research Brand Experience Keynotes Events Presentations & Workshops Foresight
Work Experience
Freelance Business Strategist & Consultant
2021-Present
•Provide consultation for businesses on how to thrive by better understanding consumer needs through research and develop new/enhance old revenue streams
• Helping my clients leverage shifts in consumer mindsets and culture to enhance their brand
• Projects include acting as the Managing Director for one of Canada’s top independent creative and brand strategy agencies; hired on to launch a net new service called ThinkShop
Trend Hunter - 12 Years
President
2014-2021
• Working with an industry-spanning roster of clients to deliver exceptional research:
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• Grew Future Festival from a one-off Toronto event to a 20-city, 7-country event series where thousands of senior execs in consumer insights, marketing and innovation gather to learn about upcoming trends and plan for their future
• Streamlining scalability of Trend Hunter as it grew to 75+ members and advising eight different department heads on ways to improve metrics/output
• Recieved Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada award for my work and was also listed as one of 15 Women to Watch by Social Media Week, on of 10 Women Taking Tech by Storm by Notable and a Change Agent by Canadian Business
VP of Operations
2011-2014
• Personally handled hundreds of client renewals from brands such as Crayola, Hasbro, Spin Master and Chicago Tribune
• Built and launched the first Future Festival event within a two month period, orchestrating efforts between client success, sales & marketing. By year 2, we grew revenue by over 5x on this event
• Led client strategy including retention, product development, elements of sales, etc.
• Set new initiatives, goals and projects across entire team
• Awarded "Top 30 Under 30" for Marketing Magazine for my work
Community Manager
2009-2011
• Created engaging, insightful and client-ready articles/research and coached and edited direct reports on quality and output
• Responsible for a growing community of millions of monthly visitors and hundreds of thousands of social media followers as well as 100,000 registered "Trend Hunters"
• Managed launches including the bestselling book “Exploiting Chaos” which was downloaded 400,000 times, tweeted 100,000 times, and the promotional video 1,100,000 times
Education
& Certifications
University of Toronto, Trinity College
Disney Institute
English Literature & Political Science
Disney's Approach to Quality Service Certificate
Queens School of Business
University of Toronto
Executive Leadership & Project Management Certificates
Qualitative Research & Product Innovation Certificate
Interests
I'm an avid traveler and have explored over 35 countries and counting. I love discovering different cultures -- especially when it comes to different types of food! Whether it's a new restaurant opening or an old faithful, I love a night out with good eats, drinks and company. I'm also an avid reader whether it's fiction or the latest business book.
