Susan McLennan

President Reimagine PR

  • Toronto ON

I help leading brands mobilize people through purpose & storytelling. Consultant | speaker | trainer | Emmy Award-winning storyteller

Contact

Social

Biography

I help brands discover their purpose, be the change, and engage others in the compelling stories that help them drive key business results, change minds and open hearts.

As a speaker, I have been highly rated or received top marks at conferences organized by IWF/Harvard/INSEAD, the Smith School of Business at Queen's University and the N.E. Dairy Association.

Our work has resulted in two regional Emmy Awards and recognition from the US Library of Congress, who selected a digital project of ours for inclusion.

Stories we have helped our clients tell have landed them on The Today Show, The View, Ellen, CNN, The Tonight Show, and various other high profile news outlets around the world, including The New York Times and People Magazine.

I have helped unknown brands become household names and stale brands transform into vibrant entities able to attract the customers and talent they need to thrive.

In one speech, I can help your audience discover the 5 shifts they have to make to stay relevant and even thrive during times like these.

Industry Expertise

Women
Social Media
Professional Training and Coaching
Writing and Editing
Public Relations and Communications
Telecommunications

Areas of Expertise

Purpose
PR
Marketing & Branding
Marketing & Corporate Strategy
Storytelling & Public Speaking
Pr and Communications for Non Profits
Media Training
Women in Business
Public Relations
Transmedia Storytelling
Television Production

Accomplishments

Regional Emmy Award

2015-09-24

My partner, Mike Erskine-Kellie and I created and wrote a television show designed to keep girls engaged in science. The show won two regional Emmy Awards, one of which was awarded to us.

Ragan Video Awards

2014-03-27

Brand storytelling shouldn't be boring. We were a finalist for this video which we produced for Seton, a global leader in the safety world. This video was a parody of old style safety videos focusing on signs, one of the core competencies of our client, Seton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSqVR3MocHk

Board President, Openmedia

2015-07-01

I am the chair of Openmedia and its longest serving board member. We campaign to keep the internet accessible and affordable and champion privacy and digital rights.

The organization has gone from 0-800,000 members in the last 3 years.

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Education

University of Toronto

BA (Hons) Dean's List

Affiliations

  • International Women's Forum (IWF) Global Communications Committee Member
  • Immediate Past Board Chair OpenMedia
  • Member of Advisory Board, Skills4Good
  • Member of Advisory Board, Hylo
  • Women in Leadership - Advisory Council
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Testimonials

Executive Director

http://iwforum.org/leadership-foundation-fellows-program-overview/

Leadership Foundation, IWF (IWF/Harvard Business School/INSEAD)

"Susan has superpowers. She is a dynamic, humorous and engaging speaker. It was our privilege to have her involved in the IWF (International Women’s Forum) Fellows Program, and we look forward to working with her again in the future."

Director Channel Marketing, EWS

https://www.legrand.us/

Legrand

"You get us further faster. You give us feedback in such a non-threatening, positive way, when you speak, we listen. Honestly, I've never seen our top executives pay such close attention to any other coach."

Program Coordinator

https://smith.queensu.ca/centres/social-impact/news-blog/blog/speaker-series-susan-mclennan.php

Smith School of Business, Queen's University

Susan is an incredible speaker. Her enthusiasm and professionalism when engaging students is truly one of a kind. Her ability to engage with the audience and keep them immersed in her talk is truly amazing. She is able to speak on issues of social impact with a high level of knowledge but also able to touch on the somber and the awkward moments with grace and humility. She had the audience laughing at times, crying at others and in the end she had them in awe of what they had learned from her talk. I would be honored to work with Susan again on any event and cannot recommend her enough.

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Media Appearances

The List: Subtle Hacks to Win People Over

The List  online

2023-04-14

Susan is one of the featured experts helping people better understand habits and behaviors that win friends and influence people.

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Forbes

Forbes  online

2020-05-13

Susan talks about rebranding and the importance of ensuring your employees are in on the action.

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Global News

Global  tv

2020-05-01

Global reporter Caryn Lieberman and Susan talk about COVID-19 project for kids that helps keep families safe. The interview ran across Global TV stations, nationally on the main website and locally on various stations' websites as well.

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Event Appearances

Armenian Relief Society of Canada

Women by 2030: Inspiring and Empowering Leaders  Toronto

2020-04-18

IWF

Defining Moments  Toronto

2020-03-03

5 Shifts to Building a Powerful Personal Brand

IWF Intensive  Atlantis Hotel, Nassaua Bahamas

2019-09-20

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Sample Talks

Funny Business

Great corporate cultures embrace the range of human existence, from empathy to humor. But how does a button down brand go about becoming a little less button down and a bit more human? I'll show you how.

Find your Story, Build your Brand

Nothing is more powerful than a well told story. A great story has the power to change how the world sees a brand and its leaders. A bad story can be your undoing. This presentation (comes in speech and workshop format) helps brands go from boring to engaging, telling and elevating stories that make people love you.

Kids Rule, Parents Drool

Meaningful social change comes from below, not above, and nothing so meaningful as change driven by children. In this speech, I look at social movements driven by children, and share concrete examples that will help you empower families to make real change happen in the world.

Style

Availability

  • Keynote
  • Moderator
  • Panelist
  • Workshop Leader
  • Corporate Training

Fees

$5000 to $10000*Will consider certain engagements for no fee

Research Focus

The Kratt Brothers

Creators and Stars of PBS's Wild kratts, Zoboomafoo and Kratts' Creatures

2012-07-31

For 15 years, I managed the brand of the Kratts, handling all media, public and special appearances. Helping them identify, create and share their stories to help elevate their brand was all in a day's work.

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The James Fund

One of the leading funds worldwide fighting Neuroblastoma

2014-12-31

The James fund was started by the family of James Birrell desperate to save him from Neuroblastoma, an almost always deadly childhood cancer.

Through effective storytelling, we helped the organization grow from friends who chipped in $30,000 to a $13,000,000 fund recognized around the world with Tom Hanks as its Honorary Patron.

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