Join PAAC Ontario on Tuesday, October 19 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a free event on how to start a career in public affairs/government relations. From 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, meet fellow public affairs professionals and meet our esteemed panelists in virtual breakout networking sessions!
Considering a career in Public Affairs/Government Relations? Are you new to the profession and looking to learn more from seasoned lobbyists about their career path?
On Tuesday, October 19, join PAAC Ontario to learn what it’s like to work in Public Affairs, and advice on how to enter the profession. In this FREE event, you’ll hear from experienced Public Affairs professionals about how they got into the industry and their career path!
Our expert panel will answer questions like: Do I need to be involved in Politics? What educational background should I have? What does a day in the life of a Public Affairs professional look like? What are the different types of Public Affairs positions? How can I navigate finding a job in Public Affairs?
There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask Questions to panelists.
Following the event, join individuals across the Public Affairs sector for an optional post-event networking session that will include Zoom Breakout Rooms!
Moderator:
Kristen Neagle, Government Relations & Strategic Partnerships, Achēv
Panelists:
Lindsay Broadhead, Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Lindsay is currently the SVP, Communications and Public Affairs at Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Lindsay has 20+ years of experience providing clients with corporate communications, campaign, and issues + crisis counsel and project support. This includes eight years in London, England where she led international clients and then returned home to Toronto, Canada where she managed a number of large, complex files.
Throughout that time, she has had the opportunity to work for a number of integrated communications agencies such as H+K Strategies, Ogilvy PR Worldwide, and Counsel Public Affairs, working closely with a broad array of disciplines such as advertising, marketing, government relations, digital and social communications. Providing strategic counsel on all files, Lindsay loves to also roll-up her sleeves and get the work done well, be it writing, planning, media relations, training, or stakeholder engagement.
Lindsay also launched and continues to run her own communications business, Broadhead Communications.
For over two years she has been honoured to serve on the Board of Directors for Casey House Hospital.
Lindsay holds a master of arts in contemporary art history from Goldsmith’s College, University of London, and a bachelor of arts in both international development and classics from the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University.
Hershell Ezrin, Professor, Seneca Government Relations & Senior Fellow, Global Public Affairs
Hershell Ezrin is a leading Canadian business executive, political advisor and strategic communications consultant. Over the last three decades, Ezrin has been involved in the private and public sectors, and brings his years of experience to the Ted Rogers School of Management. Appointed as a distinguished visiting professor in September 2013, Ezrin lectures and teaches seminars in various courses, and led the coordination of a public conference for business leaders.
Ezrin has served as CEO of multinational automotive services SMK Speedy Muffler, chairman and CEO of public affairs and strategic communications firm GPC International, and head of corporate and public affairs at Molson Companies Limited. Currently, he is managing director of Tipping Point Solutions, a social media advocacy consultancy, and of Ezrin Communications, a strategic communications group. Throughout his career, Ezrin served as a trusted advisor to political leaders at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. He was a Deputy Minister to a former Premier of Ontario and a former Canadian diplomat. Ezrin also remains active in numerous not-for-profit organizations, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and is on the Board of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.
Lauren McDonald, Director, Digital & Campaign Strategy, Creative Currency
Lauren McDonald is Director, Digital &Campaign Strategy at Creative Currency, an advertising agency and contentstudio. Lauren leads the digital and strategy team, supporting clients by developing audience-led and insight-driven approaches that reach and change minds. Lauren served in the Office of the Premier of Ontario as the Director of Marketing and a member of the Premier’s Strategic Communications Leadership Team. She also managed advertising for the Ontario PC Party during the successful 2018 provincial election campaign. Lauren has worked in digital advocacy and public affairs at some of Canada’s top strategic communications firms and is a regular media commentator on CTV National News and Global News Radio. Lauren is a member of the Board of Directors of Destination Ontario, the lead tourism marketing organization for the province, and served on Ontario’s Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force.
George Wamala, Director, Regulatory & Government Affairs, RBC
As Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs for RBC, George Wamala manages the Canadian policy and government relations activities of the organization.
Prior to joining RBC, George was the Director of Government Relations and Policy with the Forest Products Association of Canada. Before his career as a government relations professional, he was a legislative advisor to a federal Member of Parliament and an advisor to a Councillor at Ottawa City Hall.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bakulu Power, a renewable energy company focused on serving communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
George is a graduate of the University of Ottawa.
Agenda:
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Panel Discussion with Audience Q&A
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Networking Session
Tickets:
Members: Free
Non-Members: Free
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNER:
SENECA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS (GRM)
Thank you to Seneca Government Relations for partnering with us on this event. Endorsed by the Public Affairs Association of Canada and the Government Relations Institute of Canada, the Seneca Government Relations eight-month graduate certificate program features specialized practical government relations training that will prepares students for careers in government relations.
