Kim ELLIOTT

With over 20 years of experience in program management, policy analysis, and program audit, I help organizations turn complex challenges into actionable solutions. My expertise spans government relations, program evaluation, human resources auditing, and stakeholder engagement, with a track record of delivering high-impact results for federal departments, nonprofits, and private sector clients.

Core Expertise:

✔ Program & Policy Development – Designing, evaluating, and optimizing programs for measurable impact.
✔ Government & Stakeholder Liaison – Bridging gaps between policymakers, industry, and community stakeholders.
✔ Research & Analysis – Conducting qualitative/quantitative research, HR audits, and sensitive interviews to inform decision-making.
✔ Strategic Communications – Clear, persuasive writing, editing, and curriculum development for diverse audiences.
✔ Regulatory & Bylaw Frameworks – Specialized knowledge in Employment Equity legislation and North American taxi bylaw development and compliance.

I enjoy projects that demand critical thinking, meticulous research, and strategic execution.

Selected projects:
* Custom Taxi Cost Indexes for Five Regions of British Columbia, Passenger Transportation Board, Ministry of Transportation and Infrascructure, Province of British Columbia. (Prinicpal, Hara Associates) (2024)

* Employment Equity Benchmark Review. Treasury Board Secretariat, Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (Principal, Hara Associates) (2022-23)

* Natural Resources Canada. Employment Systems Review – employment equity. (Principal, Hara Associates). (2019)

* City of Halifax, Vehicle for Hire Study. As project manager, coordinated research and held interviews (Principal, Hara Associates). (2017)

* Transportation Safety Board. Employment Systems Review – employment equity. (Principal, Hara Associates). (2017)

* Vehicle for Hire Study. City of San Francisco. (Principal, Hara Associates) (2013)

Independent Media Leader - Nonprofit Strategist - Digital Transformation Consultant

For 20 years I had the privilege of steering rabble.ca—Canada's award-winning, nonprofit news organization—through periods of profound transformation in journalism. What began as a project under a NGO evolved under my leadership into an independent nonprofit and eventually a federally recognized Qualified Journalism Organization, all while navigating the digital revolution from engaged journalism to social media to AI.

How we contributed to the transformation Canadian Independent Media:

Organizational Architect: Led the full operational transition from project to sustainable nonprofit—establishing governance (first Board of Directors), financial systems, and HR structures that shifted the model from freelance collective to salaried workforce.
Digital Pioneer: Spearheaded 3 platform migrations (ActionApps → Drupal → WordPress - the latter using agile methodology) and adapted emerging tech—from early blogging tools to a first podcast network and first live video, to AI applications—without compromising journalistic integrity.
Revenue Innovator: Built fundraising, membership, and earned revenue streams, through grant writing, partnerships, and creating paid learning programs for emerging journalists.
Community Builder: Launched the organization’s social media presence, live event programming, and marketing and partnership strategies

My career demonstrates a blend of:
✔ Adaptive Leadership – Navigating sector disruptions from print decline to platform algorithms
✔ Holistic Management – Balancing editorial vision with financial sustainability
✔ Stakeholder Alignment – Bridging journalist, donor, and reader priorities in a polarized media landscape

I now leverage 20+ years of nonprofit media expertise to advise organizations on:
→ Digital transformation in mission-driven sectors
→ Sustainable revenue models for independent media
→ Governance transitions
→ Strategic communications

Selected highlights:

Leadership in Digital Journalism & Nonprofit Media Innovation
• Directed award-winning national coverage of pivotal movements (Idle No More, BLM, Red Square) for Canada’s leading progressive digital outlet
• Transformed rabble.ca into a training ground for emerging journalists through paid programs:

• Founded Labour Reporter position and Jack Layton Journalism for Change Fellowship
• Engineered financial sustainability via innovative revenue streams, including Canada Summer Jobs Grants and Magnet, to fund early-career talent
• Developed membership programs, partnerships & crowdfunding initiatives
• Launched event coverage services and premium content (Best of rabble Books)
• Won $500K+ in grants (Google News Initiative, Canadian Periodical Fund, Lush Charity Pot)

Digital Transformation & Team Leadership
• Led 3 major platform migrations (ActionApps → Drupal → WordPress) the latter using agile methodologies
• Managed remote teams (8-25 staff) via cutting-edge tools (Slack, Zoom, Toggl) – pioneering distributed work before industry adoption
• Oversaw the development of rabble’s innovations including first podcast network (2005), BookLounge (2008) and live video series (Off The Hill panels)

Award-Winning Content & Partnerships
• Canadian Online Publishing Awards: Best News Website (2021, 2022), Best Column (2019)
• Spearheaded high-impact projects:

• Nurses’ Voices: COVID-19 frontline stories anthology
• Everything on the Line: history of rabble book with BTL Books

Forged alliances with labor/civil society groups for special coverage:

• World Social Forums
• National anti-war protests
• Combatting Islamophobia panels
• National politics

Public Engagement & Thought Leadership
• Produced nationwide live events (Media Democracy Days, post-election analysis)
• Secured Google News Initiative funding for Digital Foundations Lab (year-long tech upskilling program)