Industry Leadership

Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to lead within the higher education communications industry, sometimes by seeking out opportunities, and other times by simply saying yes when they found me. Each experience has shaped how I view leadership: as something rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and shared growth.

When I began my career, especially as part of the first generation of social media professional, imposter syndrome was very real. It took time to build confidence and to see myself not just as a practitioner, but as a leader in a still-emerging field.

That confidence started to grow when I discovered the #HigherEdSocial community, a global network of digital communications professionals. I quickly became an active contributor—sharing insights, offering support, and connecting with peers around the world. Over time, I went from being affectionately known as “the Canadian voice” in the group to serving as one of its moderators, helping to foster community and mentor others in the field.

In 2020, I took another leap and presented my first sessions at #PSEWEB, Canada’s leading higher-ed digital communications conference. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and I’ve presented at PSEWEB every year since. Those sessions opened the door to further invitations, from SEMM, Keystone Education Group, and Dr. Josie Ahlquist’s Student Social Media Academy, among others. Speaking alongside senior leaders from major institutions around the world helped me realize that leadership isn’t defined by title—it’s defined by contribution, confidence, and the ability to create value for others.

These experiences, along with leading Fanshawe’s Social Media Representative Team and the co-op students I’ve supervised, have shaped my leadership philosophy. I see leadership as a shared process: one that empowers others to grow, cultivates confidence, and encourages creativity. My greatest satisfaction comes from helping others discover their own potential and watching them thrive.

One of my earliest mentors, Professor Barry Joe at Brock University, often said he learned as much from his students as they did from him. That perspective has stayed with me. True leadership isn’t about being the expert in the room, it’s about creating the conditions for others to shine, and remaining open to learning from them in return.