The story so far

My story starts in Toronto but quickly spans the globe – from Montreal to NYC, South Africa, France, and a significant chapter in the UK. My early days were at Ruder Finn in NYC, after which I transitioned to the UK's tech PR scene. In time, I led and later bought out the PR agency where I worked, evolving it into a well-regarded reputation management firm which my partner and I sold in 2018.
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In 2014, I was commissioned by Harriman House to write The Reputation Playbook, a practical guide to understanding the influence of digital and social media on B2B businesses. While the world has since changed, I think my insights remain pretty relevant. Though the idea of writing a book on reputation that includes no reference to Trump or Elon seems kind of quaint these days.
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My core belief is simple: good and profitable business practices aren't mutually exclusive. And as a result, I want to contribute to a world where businesses behave better. This philosophy led me to OMERS Ventures in 2019, where I sort of fell into the role of global head of communications, supporting the company’s portfolio companies and helping to build the OV brand internationally. Supporting municipal workers through my work aligns perfectly with my values. When we succeed we don’t make rich people richer…we contribute to the retirement plans of people who uphold our communities.
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OMERS Ventures feels like a natural career progression, combining past lessons with new challenges. Although technically I ran and built a business, it was nothing compared with the ambitious paths of OV’s portfolio founders. It is such a privilege to be able to play even a small role in supporting the next generation of innovative, world-changing businesses.
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Having spent my formative childhood years growing up in South Africa, although I didn’t know it at the time, I learned the importance of understanding the culture in which you operate. These lessons have been woven into my DNA and provide a foundation for all the advice I give today. The perception of how a company reacts to any situation will change dramatically depending on the cultural zeitgeist of the moment.
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I know there’s never just a single perspective on any situation. Maybe the fact that I feel an emotional connection whether I am singing O Canada, Nkosi Sikelel, or God Save the King tells you all you need to know about how deep my multicultural roots run.
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‍What should founders and others know about you? 
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I am at my best when facilitating high stakes conversations. I won’t be rushed into giving an opinion, because I have learned from experience that sometimes snap decisions can be dangerous. I bring my whole self to work. Sometimes I have trouble separating work from everyday life, but I’m working on it. My guiding principle when dealing with a difficult situation, or crisis, is to ask of myself and those involved: ‘what is the right thing to do’ and then let the answer be our guide.