Grace Lai

Experience

• 

  Cineplex

  Jul 2010 - Aug 2011

  Cast Member

  • Provided excellent customer service in a large, fast-paced and unpredictable environment• Juggled multiple tasks and responsibilities to develop strong work ethic and ability to stay calm under pressure• Learned how to adapt to various situations, such as taking on more tasks when short-staffed and handling customer disputes• Increased interpersonal skills and comfort level in working in stressful environments

• 

  Adventure Valley

  Jul 2012 - Aug 2012

  Arts and Crafts Specialist

  • Co-planned weekly art projects for children ages 6-13• Independently supervised projects with high energy and encouragement and ensured tight deadlines were met• Utilized different communication techniques and strategies to suit age groups and personalities while establishing meaningful relationships and friendships• Learned how to be proactive in the case of changes to camp schedules, difficulties with certain art projects, and other unexpected situations

• 

  University of Waterloo

  Sept 2013 - Aug 2015

  • Sole designer for the Waterloo Professional Development Program (WatPD) at the University of Waterloo• Created several marketing materials, including promotional videos, surveys, posters, graphics, pitch decks, and buttons• Redesigned the Employee Online Training Course by improving the user experience and visual aesthetics• Strengthened presentation skills, teamwork, attention to detail, and technical skills throughout the four month internship• Trained as a part-time marker for the department's online professional development course (PD1: Career Fundamentals) and moved on to becoming a Teaching Assistant on a bigger capacity Show less

  • Digital Project Assistant

    May 2015 - Aug 2015

  • Proctor

    Sept 2013 - Aug 2015
• 

  University of Waterloo

  May 2016 - Dec 2017

  Promotions Specialist and Teaching Assistant

  After interning at WatPD as a Digital Media Assistant, I was a Promotions Specialist full-time and was in charge of various digital and print projects to promote the program across campus, enhance online courses, and market a newly-created certificate program to students and campus partners.• Designed digital and print material for the Waterloo Professional Development Program (WatPD), the Experiential Education Certificate Program (EDGE), and the Waterloo Centre for Advancement in Co-operative Education (WatCACE)• Managed creative and marketing projects, including website redesigns, concept mock-ups, promotional videos, brochures, posters, and presentations• Organized outreach events and research seminars to connect with parents, students and members of the University• Initiated social media channels and newsletter campaigns for WatCACE to increase department awareness and connection with colleagues across campus and Canadian institutions• Frequently collaborated with staff and co-op students on internal projects and supervised WatPD Digital Media Developer interns• Continually honed in skills with a variety of tools and software, such as Powerpoint, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, InVision, and Sketch• Strengthened understanding of important marketing practices to ensure accessibility and consistent branding in all digital materials and spaces• Trained as a Teaching Assistant for PD1: Career Fundamentals and mentored co-op students from various faculties on resume writing, interview skills, and on-the-job skills Show less

• 

  Work-Learn Institute

  May 2016 - now

  As a Promotions Specialist since May 2016 (and currently hired for casual projects), I currently support the growing team on branded digital projects and knowledge mobilization projects, such as research reports, presentation decks, research summaries, and more. Some of my accomplishments to date include:• Website content management and transition from the old website to the current website• Management and engagement of digital platforms (website, LinkedIn, X, and Mailchimp)• Continuously staying informed about work-integrated learning and experiential education across Canada to better promote Work-Learn resources across all platforms• Creating copy, designing assets, and scheduling social media posts and the monthly CEWIL Research Matters newsletter• Providing input on projects surrounding marketing collateral, website capabilities, and more Show less Work-Learn Institute (University of Waterloo) is the only research unit of its kind researching the development of talent through quality work-integrated learning programs. As a Promotions Specialist, I was part of a small-knit research and coordination team to oversee website development, email newsletter campaigns, and branded materials for presentations and conferences. During my time, I also launched the department's social media profiles for new audience development and dissemination of research through short-form content. Show less

  • Promotions Specialist

    Jan 2018 - now

  • Promotions Specialist

    May 2016 - Dec 2017
• 

  Queenie's cards

  Feb 2018 - Mar 2021

  Creative Manager

  Queenie's Cards is a Toronto-based stationery and small business with products found at Indigo and international retail stores.As the Creative Manager, I oversaw brand awareness online and in-store, managed the online Shopify store and wholesale systems, and fostered the support of local artists and Canadian makers. With my experience in digital content creation across print and digital, website management and event planning, my achievements include:• Implementation of new systems to increase sales and promotion, including the new e-commerce website, wholesale ordering platforms, and print-on-demand platforms• Local and international customer and wholesale newsletter campaigns to increase sales and awareness• Supervision of Production Assistants and staff projects and tasks while providing mentorship through regular check-ins, team meetings, and individual reviews• Organization and execution of large-scale Toronto events (including the Pin and Patch Show Toronto and Toronto Stationery Show with 1000+ attendees) Show less

• 

  STEPS Public Art

  Mar 2021 - now

  STEPS Public Art is a Canadian charity and social enterprise. We offer services in public art management, hoarding exhibits, cultural planning, and artist capacity building. We run charitable programs that support artists and foster vibrant and inclusive communities. Our team cares deeply about building inclusive communities, amplifying the voices of equity-deserving artists, and fostering relationships to produce meaningful cultural projects across Canada.As the Communications Manager, I oversee the marketing, communications, and digital engagement of our national public art projects and programs. Some of my day-to-day consists of:• Managing the Communications Team to approve promotional materials and smooth execution of campaigns across online platforms• Working closely with the leadership team on budgeting, marketing strategy, financial goals, and tracking key performance indicators for organizational sustainability• Liaising with clients, artists, and other stakeholder groups to ensure communication materials meet the expectations of all parties involved (such as CSR/ESG goals)• Building new audiences and continued relationship building with existing stakeholders to be Canada's leading public art resource and service provider in shaping the Canadian arts and cultural landscape Show less STEPS Public Art is a Canadian charity and social enterprise. We offer services in public art management, hoarding exhibits, cultural planning, and artist capacity building. We run charitable programs that support artists and foster vibrant and inclusive communities. Our team cares deeply about building inclusive communities, amplifying the voices of equity-deserving artists, and fostering relationships to produce meaningful cultural projects across Canada.As the Engagement Manager, I managed Engagement Assistants, Associates, Coordinators, and Documentarians to support the promotional needs of our public art projects and programs across the country. My accomplishments include:• Project management of marketing and communications initiatives for temporary and permanent public art projects• Supervision of 5 staff during our busiest summer public art production season with several promotional campaigns for community and artist participation• Promotion of several national Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), including the City of Airdrie Public Artwork for the Multi-use Facility and Library; City of Hamilton Public Art for the Pipeline Trail; Indigenous Artist Call for the Town of Whitby Sports Complex• Support in the accessible design of STEPS-led research and cultural projects, including Inspired Art Impact (Main Street Public Art Toolkit); Shaping Space: Culturally Responsive Public Spaces; City of Stratford Municipal Cultural Plan; and the Downtown Stratford BIA Public Art Plan•Managed the launch of STEPS Public Art's thought leadership blog series (Fieldnotes), new email list for artists, and the organizational website and social media rebrand to strengthen brand awareness Show less STEPS Public Art is a Canadian charity and social enterprise. We offer services in public art management, hoarding exhibits, cultural planning, and artist capacity building. We run charitable programs that support artists and foster vibrant and inclusive communities.My accomplishments include:• Implementing new marketing and communications workflows and project management systems for efficient planning and execution of marketing and social media campaigns• Enhancing paid social media campaigns, communications, email marketing, and SEO/website strategies to strongly connect with stakeholders across the country• Launched the STEPS Public Art App, a web and mobile app to help audiences interact with public art safely during the COVID-19 pandemic while highlighting artist talent• Supported the development of STEPS' thought leadership blog series to provide meaningful knowledge and community resources for stakeholders (artists, clients, community members)• Developed several sizzle reel video campaigns with emerging documentarians to showcase public art impact on communities across the country Show less

  • Communications Manager

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Engagement Manager

    Feb 2022 - Jan 2024

  • Engagement Coordinator

    Mar 2021 - Feb 2022