Hey there! I am from the charming seaside town of White Rock, British Columbia, I cherish the tranquil coastal life. Yet, a serendipitous meeting in 1995 in Kitchener, Ontario, with my cousin’s pastor dramatically altered my path. Overcoming a 5,000 km distance, and just 40 days in each other’s presence over 9 months, we celebrated our union with a move to Ontario. There we served together as co-pastors for nearly 30 years.
Fast forward, and the hubby and I are proud parents to three sons (19, 21, and 25) and a daughter (24). Love stories in our clan? Oh, they’re quite the thrill! Our eldest tied the knot pandemic-style with his high school sweetheart in 2020, and I became a grandma (call me Mimi) not once but twice with two adorable grandsons! Not to be outdone, our daughter swiped right on Tinder, met her match, and just a year later, in May 2023, they were married.
The year leading up to that wedding was wild – in 2022 we wrapped up three decades of church leadership, packed up our youngest trio, and boomeranged back to the West Coast.
My work life…
I spent 17 years in the finance sector, honing my skills and developing a deep understanding of the banking industry. However, life had more in store for me. I started flirting with blogging in 2006, and the next thing I knew, I was headhunted in 2008 to spearhead a digital marketing revolution.
From 2012 to 2020, as the founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency, channelling the power of storytelling, we specialized in utilizing bloggers and influencers to create authentic brand narratives in the digital realm and offered expertise in social media consulting, and community management. Collaborating with high-profile brands across the U.S. and Canada, we notched up impressive wins, including a staggering 322% surge in e-commerce sales and a significant 42% increase in online donations for a national charity.
My career in digital marketing has been a thrilling journey. Some personal highlights include leading BlissDom Canada from 2011 to 2014, sharing moments with Oprah, experiencing a P!NK concert backstage with my daughter, appearing on Canadian billboards for a Dove campaign, and ringing the NASDAQ bell with PayPal in NYC in 2015. I’ve had the privilege of working with leading brands, engaging in influential ambassadorships, and contributing to memorable campaigns for companies like Manulife Financial, The Grocery Foundation, Procter & Gamble, and Microsoft Canada.
2020-2024, I slayed it at Graf-Martin Communications, advocating for hope, generosity, and justice.
Now, as the Director of Development at the Canada Institute of Linguistics, I’m focused on securing critical funding that supports our students in their pursuit of Bible translation and linguistic work. I’m passionate about alleviating financial burdens and enabling students to graduate with minimal to no debt—essential for serving organizations like Wycliffe and SIL Global. My mission is clear: to ensure financial barriers never stand in the way of this important work.
When I’m not changing the digital world, you’ll find me tumbling down the TikTok rabbit hole or indulging in my true love – coffee. ☕️
Are you craving more information or itching for a collaboration? Check out my “Work with Shash” page or slide into my DM’s 💋