About
Creative and organized
With an artistic flair, superior writing skills and abundant passion, Debra brings innovation and creative solutions to your projects.
Debra has managed everything from campaigns, community events to international conferences. Every event is a showcase - important to clients, audiences and participants. In-person, virtual or hybrid, she's done it all.
An experienced professional
A director-level communications specialist, Debra started her career in Montreal working in an advertising agency before moving to Ottawa where she worked for three Prime Ministers. Debra was appointed to the Canadian High Commission in London in 1997 - and stayed for 17 years! Debra returned to Canada in 2014 and Ottawa in 2016 where she resumed her career with the Government of Canada.
FOCUSING ON
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
Meaningful and inclusive engagement - virtual, in person or hybrid - is essential to connecting with the public and stakeholders. Debra can lead the way with engagement planning, design, implementation and evaluation that is inclusive.
Stakeholder and case management
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
As business lead for an IT-enabled project, Debra supports the development of a government department-wide stakeholder and case management system using an agile scrum framework. The platform allows users from across Canada to track groups, activities and initiatives.
Working effectively and efficiently
Meaningful and inclusive engagement
Working effectively and efficiently
Debra is tenacious. Whether it's special events, campaigns or engagement, she pays attention to the smallest details: financial plans, logistics, digital and technical support, risk assessments and public engagement - with a great sense of humour!
experienced
Government
Private sector
Private sector
Debra started as a political organizer in the 1980s, then transitioned to the federal government. More significantly, she directed corporate communications with a budget of £3 million and 70 staff for Birmingham City Council (2007-2010) - the largest local authority in Europe. Issues included safeguarding children, culture & leisure, environment and sustainability, regeneration, emergency planning & resilience, transformation, diversity and social inclusion.
Private sector
Private sector
Private sector
From 2001-2007, Debra provided consultancy services to a number of UK-based organizations and Canadian organizations wanting access to the UK market. An early advocate of local television in the UK - seen here with Jeremy Hunt, former UK Secretary of State Media, Culture & Sport, now Chancellor. Debra developed the business plan, programming and community engagement for a local television channel in Birmingham (2010-2014). Awarded the OFCOM license in 2012 in a competitive application process.
Not-for-profit
Private sector
Not-for-profit
Long-time activist and advocate for women's equality, Debra is the Co-founder and President of The Women's History Project - a new national organization promoting women trailblazers, the campaigns and their contributions to Canadian history. Debra was a Board Member of Arab International Women's Forum 2001-2011. She coordinated two major conferences in London, one at the European parliament in Brussels and two at the League of Arab States in Cairo.