Tom Henheffer

Background

About Tom Henheffer

My work focuses on long-term strategic visioning and implementation, executive management, board management, team building, stakeholder relations, storytelling in digital media, and government relations. I am also proud human rights advocate, an experienced political and public relations consultent, and a former journalist and entrepreneur. At the Arctic Research Foundation I develop and implement long-term strategy, oversee hiring, budgeting, communications and the management of: relationships with communities, government, corporate and university partners; seven research vessels; 8 renewable-powered Arctic-hardened laboratories; and ARF's ArcticFocus website and Arctic Research Database. As a Senior Political Consultant I led the federal Green Party's War Room in the 2019 federal election, and advised Annamie Paul during her successful campaign for GPC leadership. I was also Director of News and Digital at VICE Canada, an editor at the Toronto Star, and a reporter at Maclean's Magazine. I also worked as the Executive Director of Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, an organization protecting the right to free expression in Canada abd around the world. Originally from New Brunswick, I have consulted on and helped pass crucial legislation in Canada and Ontario. This includes reforming Bill C-51, successfully lobbying for Canada’s first Press Shield Law, and passing Ontario’s anti-SLAPP legislation. I helped fight a major crackdown on the free press in Croatia; a fight contributed to the formation of a new, democratically elected government. I have successfully advocated for the release of jailed journalists around the world, and has facilitated the disbursement of dozens of life-saving grants to journalists in distress throughout the globe. As a journalist I've covered everything from food insecurity, to resource extraction, serial killers, and the Toronto International Film Festival. I've also launched numerous digital and print products including Canada’s first national Web TV program, Macleans.TV, and the Toronto Star’s Small Business Section and Star Business Club. As former videographer and small business owner, I've also designed, patented and licenced innovative products for shooting video with digital SLRs.