Drew Davidson

Background

About Drew Davidson

I’ve never met a problem I don’t like. Whether it's making sense of a complex process, finding a way to make something seemingly impossible happen or even a good logic puzzle, finding solutions and implementing them is where I get excited. I started out my career as a journalist, mostly because I liked asking questions. But the more people I interviewed, the more I realized I was asking questions because I wanted to be part of finding the answers. This led me on a decade-long journey through non-profits, government and the private sector working on projects aimed at helping better our world. Currently, I am VP, Enrollment, Marketing and Communications at Wesleyan College, the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. Prior to this, worked in post-secondary education heading up marketing and communications as Associate Vice President at Huron University and led the expansion of IBM’s P-TECH educational model in Canada, working to connect underserved students with STEM degrees. In government, I led teams that created policy solutions for autism services that put children, youth and families at the centre of our work. I led strategic communications planning for a public pension plan, including leading a marketing campaign around retirement savings and financial planning. Through public consultation, innovative thinking and strategic communications, I was able to bring together stakeholders to implement solutions around anti-racism initiatives, health care, education and economic development. I have developed a reputation for effectively telling stories about complex issues, navigating bureaucratic and legislative landscapes and keeping a cool head in crisis situations. I have led large teams and small, remote-based teams, and always put an emphasis on mentoring, coaching and developing new leaders. Further, I have proven myself a trusted advisor to executive leaders in both the public and private sectors. Skills: Leadership, Management, Project Management, Internal and External Communications, Issues Management, Budgeting and Financial Planning, Strategy, Change Management, Government Relations, Partnership Development, Indigenous and Community Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, Anti-Racism Areas of Interest: Healthcare, Education, Future of Work, Social Services, Corporate Social Responsibility