Dean Maher

Dean Maher

Children's Author

location of Dean MaherToronto, Ontario, Canada

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Analytics & Leadership

  • Education

    • College of the North Atlantic - formerly known as Cabot Institute of Applied Arts & Technology

      1991 - 1995
      Business Management Marketing
  • Experience

    • Author

      Jan 1994 - Jan 1994
      Children's Author

      I am a published author - Frederick the Fisherman Under the Sea. Children's LiteratureCanadian Cataloguing in Publication DataMaher, Dean, 1971-ISBN 0-921692-57-91. Children's poetry, Canadian (English)*

    • Rogers Communications

      Oct 1995 - May 2003

      During the launch of Rogers.com - Navigation testing of the website, creating templates and providing feedback for areas of improvement based on personal usage and customer feedback.Developing test cases and results during the initial launch of Rogers.com while the website was in its testing and rollout phase.Respond to internet-related customer service inquiries from the Rogers.com website.Improve customer satisfaction at every contact within the customer's online experience.Effectively handle incoming calls and email requests generated through the Rogers.com website.Assign website-related issues to specific departments for escalations and resolutions to ensure problems have been resolved.Use an email software tool to retrieve and reply to web-generated emails (Kana System).Support business goals by achieving individual performance objectives, including email quality and daily email targets.Other duties as assigned. Show less

      • E-business at Rogers.com

        Jun 1999 - May 2003
      • Rogers Paging Customer Service

        Mar 1997 - May 1999
      • Rogers Cellular Customer Service

        Dec 1996 - Feb 1997
      • Rogers Telemarketing (Cable Sales)

        Oct 1995 - Nov 1996
    • Out TV

      Sept 2001 - Sept 2007
      Freelance Producer

      Freelance Producer for the Crystal Lite Show and interstitial programming - formerly known as PrideVision TV. (www.outtv.ca)OUTtv is Canada’s ONLY National Gay and Lesbian Television Network.Production CredentialsInterstitials I have produced for Out TV (formerly known as Pridevision TV)A Reading at this ain’t the Rosedale LibraryWhere the Bears AreGay Life in NewfoundlandCats – No shedding pleaseLeather PrideGood for HerSteve WalkerThe Making of a BitchSpa TreatmentNorthbound LeatherThe Triangle SquaresLesbian Love 101Gut SymmetryAIDS Candle Light VigilBy Appointment with Dr. Keith.Fresh FloralsQueer As Folk – warehouse saleFashion CaresMazone Home DécorThe Bears DenSouth Beach MiamiMen of Muscle Beach.Miami Gay and Lesbian Film FestivalA Gay Day at the Beach – a snap shot of life in Miami area.The Versace Murder – a glimpse at famed designerGay/Lesbian Marriage in CanadaA Wedding fit for a QueenGay MarriageCity Hall Issues Marriage LicensesTV Series ProducedThe Crystal Lite Show (13, 30 minute episodes)The Crystal Lite Show was a variety talk show hosted by a local DragTV Series Pilots ProducedPositively LivingPositively Living, a show for people living with HIV/AIDS, their friends, familyand those interested in general overall health.fab TVfab TV was a pilot based on the Toronto gay scene lifestyle magazine, fab.Production CollaborationThere, ThereOne-off SpecialsOoot and Aboot Comedy Troupe at Yuk YuksI produced a comedy show that was filmed at Yuk Yuks by the comedytroupe Ooot and Aboot before a live audience during Toronto’s Gay andLesbian Pride Week. It was aired on Pridevision TV celebrating Gay andLesbian comedians.The Real Queens of ComedyOoot and Aboot Comedy Troupe, with more comedians created a newcomedy stand-up show called the Real Queens of Comedy. This wastaped at a local club/stage in Toronto before a live audience.Job Details:Community EngagementHiring Camera operator and editor Show less

    • Rogers Communications

      Oct 2003 - Apr 2022
      Financial Analyst

      As a Financial Analyst at Rogers, my primary focus was mitigating risk and finding trends negatively impacting revenue from consumers and business lines for Rogers and Fido through analytical research and reporting. I spent years working in the telecommunications industry, working alongside analysts to investigate the history of Rogers' internal data for individuals and companies; this allowed us to provide insights and recommendations with reporting to actions to protect the company from risk in our area of scope. In 2022, Rogers, the company, reported a total annual revenue of $15.4 billion; I was proud to have played a role, within my team, in helping Rogers achieve its financial goals.I am passionate about identifying and mitigating risks, and my role included finding trends that could impact revenue negatively. I can cross-reference, investigate, and interpret customer information across all lines of business that Rogers offers (Rogers Wireless, Cable, Internet, and Fido). I also held many other roles throughout my years with Rogers. My duties as a Financial analyst included reporting, case management, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to address issues and make sound financial decisions.As a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional, I was committed to providing actionable insights that helped businesses meet their strategic objectives. In addition, I was dedicated to collaborating effectively with others and ensuring that all issues were addressed promptly and effectively. Show less

    • CityPlace Residents' Association - Not-for-profit corporation

      Jan 2010 - May 2018
      Founder, Board of Director President, Managing Director

      Built over 54 acres, CityPlace comprises 29 towers (31 once complete) over 9.5 million square feet with over 12,000 units and accommodating 21,000 residents and has thrived under my leadership, teamwork and dedication to community engagement and later as a Not-For-Profit.Utilizing my expertise in program management, social media marketing, program development, social networking, marketing communications, leadership development, press releases, strategic communications, public policy, and data analysis, I have driven our association's success and fostered a vibrant community. My key responsibilities have included:Designing and implementing innovative community programs tailored to our diverse neighbourhood, utilizing data analysis to measure their impact and drive continuous improvement.Employing social media marketing platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to engage the community, recruit volunteers, and promote events. Our collaborative approach has even led to cross-promotion by all three levels of government elected officials on their social media platforms.Developing strategic communications and press releases to local media to highlight our accomplishments, promote the area, and showcase our community's vibrancy. Additionally, I have used residential building postal rooms for poster placement, effectively advertising events to residents.Expanding our social networking presence to establish CityPlace as a prominent and influential neighbourhood in Toronto.Advocating for public policy changes that address the needs of our expanding community, engaging with local government and stakeholders to drive positive change.Fostering leadership development among board members and volunteers, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the association.Advised elected officials on policies that affect condo and highrise communities, such as changes to Ontario's Condominium Act (CBC news story, https://bit.ly/3ZW1ptu) Show less

    • Animal Advocacy

      Sept 2010 - Sept 2011
      Animal Welfare Advocate

      I was successful in asking Toronto City Council to ban the sale of cats and dogs in Toronto Pet Shops and later in Mississauga, Ontario, City Council.

    • Fort York Neighbourhood Association

      Jan 2012 - Jan 2016
      Founder, Advisor

      I am the founder to this dynamic group. I helped establish a community of 15+ condos and helped them organize and be effective in change. https://www.facebook.com/groups/fortyorkneighbourhood/Job Details:Community Engagement

    • Toronto Humane Society

      May 2012 - Jun 2015
      Member Board of Directors (past Board Vice President)

      Below was copied from the Toronto Humane Society`s website - under Leadership/Director ProfileThe Board provides independent and objective oversight of the Toronto Humane Society andacts in the best long‐term interests of the THS and the animals.While day‐to‐day operations are led by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board‐CEO relationshipis a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Collectively, the Board:Oversees the development of the strategic plan (mission, goals and objectives).Ensures that THS’ financial and operational plans align with the strategic plan, whilestriking the right balance between the prudent use of resources and providing highquality animal care and services.Establishes, reviews and monitors policies that guide core operational practices andconfirms that effective controls are in place to guarantee the health and welfare of theanimals, safeguard the Society’s assets, uphold a positive public image, and manageoperational, reputational and financial risk.Assists in planning and achieving the THS’ financial goals, which includes working to aspecified budget and revenue generation (i.e. fundraising). Oversees the preparation of,reviews and approves the budget and financial statements.Approves audit reports and material business decisions; being informed of, and meetingall legal and fiduciary responsibilities. > Ensures that performance measures and targets are established and monitored, andthat they are both realistic and challenging. Recruits, retains and releases the CEO and sets the terms of his/her employmentcontract, participates in his/her evaluation, and ensures a strong succession plan is inplace.When necessary, directs corrective action be taken by management and arranges foraudits as needed.To view the full profile description please visit www.torontohumanesociety.com/about-us/leadership Show less

    • MyMarket at Concord CityPlace (CityPlace Farmers' Market)

      Jun 2013 - Dec 2014
      Chair, Advisor

      A seasonal community Farmers' Market hosted by the City Place Residents' Association and Organized by FMO (Farmers' Market Ontario) and the market sponsors. 2013 was Concord Adex. The market ran from June to Oct.I created and managed the community marketplace by bringing Concord Adex, Scadding Court Community Centre, the City Place Residents' Association and the Parks Department of Toronto.Concord provided funding support.Scadding Court provided the vendors who were marginalized business people growing their businesses, which was a great hit in the market.The City Place Residents' Association promoted the market on the neighbourhood's social media and with posters on the area condo's mail room bulletin boards.The City of Toronto Parks department donated a small shed to the neighbourhood so we could store supplies for the City Place Residents' Association and the Urban Market.Job Details:Managing DirectorCommunity EngagementStakeholder and municipal government relations Show less

    • City of Toronto

      Nov 2013 - May 2015
      Chair/Panel Member - Toronto/East York Community Preservation Panel

      This panel position will advise on heritage property designation in Toronto and offer guidance to the Heritage and Urban Planning departments in the City of Toronto. The Panel Chair sits on the Board on the City of Toronto's Preservation Board.Job Details:LeadershipRepresenting our panel on the city's Toronto Preservation Board

    • INSPIRE Awards

      Jan 2014 - Sept 2014
      Member Board of Directors

      Inspire Awards honours the most inspiring people, youth, businesses and organizations in the LGBTQ community in the Greater Toronto Area.Board of Director lead for the Steering committee for the Monument & Walk of Heroes Design Team.http://inspireawards.ca/

    • City of Toronto -Community-Mirvish-Gehry Working Group

      Jan 2014 - May 2014
      Appointed Member of working group

      The 18 City of Toronto appointed member working group will work with all stakeholders to offer suggestions/solutions to the proposed Mirvish-Gehrey development proposal. The original proposal asked that the East Parcel would be developed with an 82-storey mixed use building complete with a six storey base. The West Parcel would be developed with two tower elements having total heights of 84 and 86 storeys from John Street to Ed Mirvish Way respectively, including a six-storey base. The original proposal was not deemed acceptable by the city, thus, a working group was created.Job Details:A representative for the CityPlace areaCommunity Engagement Show less

    • Principal Purpose Inc.

      Jun 2014 - May 2015
      Advisor

      I advise Tiberiu Scrieciu from Cityfest's Festival Development on local neighbourhood issues in the Cityplace neighbourhood, the Fort York Neighbourhood and Entertainment District neighbourhood and the venue, Canoe Landing Park, that may be of interest to the festival. I also assist in residential building outreach involving property management to promote the festival to their residents.

    • Urban Market

      Jan 2015 - Aug 2016
      Founder, Advisor

      I brought together the Scadding Court Community Centre, Concord Adex and the CityPlace Residents’ Association to start a new market in the CityPlace neighbourhood. After a few trial markets, the group created the Urban Market.Job Details:Community EngagementProject ManagementVolunteer recruitment and retentionMarketing strategist

    • The Dean Maher Media Group

      Feb 2015 - Apr 2022
      President, Publisher, Creative Director, Editor-in-Chief

      I have published the 416 Mag print magazine, with a print run of 10,000 copies, and two video social media Facebook pages, 416 Mag videos after the publication stopped print runs as the industry moved digital and SoGay.ca, tailored to the Toronto LGBTQ community. I was leveraging my background in community engagement and my relationship with the Toronto business community, national corporations to local businesses, my entrepreneurship, business planning, and sales management. The print magazine was a free community-oriented magazine targeting the area of downtown Toronto. Its demographic was condo residents in their 20s to 50s. It highlighted local food eats and attractions and showcased the area decision-makers on topics of interest and importance.Key Responsibilities:Entrepreneurship: Established Dean Maher Media Group from scratch, developing a clear vision and executing strategies to create a thriving media enterprise.Human Resources (HR): Managed recruitment, training, and retention of a talented team of writers, designers, and marketers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.Business Planning: Developed and implemented comprehensive business plans to ensure the growth and sustainability of the media group, focusing on both short-term goals and long-term objectives.Sales Management: Directed and managed to achieve revenue targets, cultivating relationships with advertisers to drive business growth.Start-ups: Spearheaded the launch of the 416 Mag print magazine and two successful video social media Facebook pages - 416 Mag and SoGay.ca - targeting the Toronto LGBTQ community.By leveraging my skills in entrepreneurship, human resources, business planning, sales management, new business development, and start-ups published a print magazine and was a self-taught publisher. Show less

    • CityPlace BIA

      Mar 2015 - Feb 2016
      Steering Committee Coordinator

      I brought together key stakeholders from the City of Toronto and select business in CityPlace to form a steering committee to start the process of creating a BIA (Business Improvement Area) in CityPlace that would include the CityPlace neighbourhood businesses west of Spadina Avenue and includes the Fort York Neighbourhood and the Fort York National Park. https://www.facebook.com/CPFYBIA/A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of business people within a specified district who join together, with official approval of the City, in a self-help program aimed at stimulating local business.The CityPlace/Fort York BIA was officially established February 2016.Job Details:ResearchStakeholder relationsCommunity Engagement with local businesses Show less

    • Metrolinx

      Feb 2024 - now
      Community Engagement Advisor, York/Simcoe Region, (YNSE) Yonge North Subway Extension

      Key Responsibilities:Develop and implement community engagement strategies for infrastructure projects and transit operations.Foster strong relationships with residents and stakeholders to enhance Metrolinx’s public communications.Communicate key messages about project plans and construction impacts.Conduct site visits, meetings, and surveys to address public concerns and mitigate issues.Organize and lead stakeholder meetings, community events, and project tours.Utilize issues management to resolve challenges with residents and businesses during construction.Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including MTO, for information exchange and strategy execution.Utilize strong influencing, negotiating skills, and political acumen with various stakeholders and agencies.Adhere to Metrolinx brand guidelines in all communication materials.Prepare briefing notes and summaries on construction activities for internal stakeholders. Show less

  • Licenses & Certifications