Jennifer Lay

Executive Director at Riverside BIA

Canada

About

Sparking connections and positive action for a healthy community is my specialty and passion.

Experience

  • Riverside Business Improvement Area (11 yrs 2 mos)
    • Executive Director
      May 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 2 mos

      *Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Riverside BIA, which includes managing committee, staff and volunteers as well as developing business plans in collaboration with the board *Manage execution of Riverside BIA programming including marketing & communications, year-round festivals & events, streetscape & maintenance programmes

    • Director, Marketing and Public Programs
      May 2015 - Present · 11 yrs 2 mos

      * Plan and execute all aspects of the day-to-day and strategic marketing and programming of the BIA, with a strong focus on social media and online tools as well as traditional media * Develop and implement the Riverside’s Signature community events including a variety of festivals and guided walking tours throughout the calendar year * Manage communications with businesses, the BIA Marketing Committee, residents, volunteers and other stakeholders * Active involvement in the BIA's street scape and planning initiatives as well as reporting to the Executive Director and Board of Directors

  • Assistant Lunch Club Coach at Real Food For Real Kids
    2015 - Present · 11 yrs 6 mos

    *Work as part of a team to do quick and efficient service of healthy food in an elementary school setting *Encourage and inspire kids ages 5-13 to enjoy new flavours *Trained on: food safety and handling as per Toronto Public Health requirements

  • Communications Manager at Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation
    Oct 2016 - May 2017 · 8 mos

    *Researched and assessed programme demand in order to increase it by developing promotional campaigns and strategies based on target audience. *Established and maintained brand image and ensured compliance with the organizational vision and values. *Supervised different stages of marketing efforts, from logos and design, to advertising campaigns and pricing strategies. *Developed sponsorship programmes in coordination with Executive Director and team.

  • 2016 Census Enumerator at Statistics Canada
    Jun 2016 - Jul 2016 · 2 mos

    *Daily interviewing and enumeration of the 2016 Census with dwellings including individuals and families *Liaised with local property managers, superintendents and landlords *Excelled as part of a team covering my local area, completing 98% of assigned cases in the given timeframe

  • Metrolinx (Toronto)
    • Program Advisor - School Travel
      Apr 2012 - Apr 2015 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      • Developed and led Metrolinx’s School Travel Program to promote active and sustainable methods of transportation among children and youth in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; in partnership with more than 100 stakeholder organizations, including provincial ministries, school boards, regions and municipalities, national, local not-for-profit associations, and community residents (adults, youth and children). • Coordinated all program aspects: policy and program development, work planning, budgeting, procurement, grant writing, policy and program delivery, stakeholder committees, research/ data collection, presentations, partnership agreements, communications/ website/ social media/ webinars/ events, stakeholder consultation/ facilitation/ outreach, reporting, monitoring, and awards/ recognition.

    • Program Coordinator, School-Based TDM
      May 2009 - Mar 2012 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      •Project-managed award-winning Stepping It Up school travel planning project in collaboration with five partner organizations (project steering committee), two municipal steering committees and 30 pilot schools. • Organized regional workshops and consultations, engaging 200+ stakeholders from over 80 organizations. • Coordinated regional attitudinal studies. • Presented at professional conferences and forums, ran successful webinars, and co-authored published professional papers; and coordinated development of professional educational videos. • Developed a successful sustainability proposal for program continuation • Contributed input to draft transportation, planning and education policies