I uncover issues and then I solve them. I put out fires, big and small. I build a better, smarter process so that others worry less.
My name is Christian and I’m pleased to meet you. I’d like to tell you a bit more about myself.
I’m a strategic ops guy.
I help small organizations scale and big organizations pivot. I help determine long-term vision and how to get there. I’m an accelerator and a change agent.
As Executive Vice President of Operations for Knocking Inc., I built a team from 4 to 100 creating a culture of excellence which led to sales doubling every year from 2018 to 2021. In this role, I was a producer on over 500 commercial segments that were syndicated across the US.
Before Knocking, I was an early Shopify user (2011) and then an early Shopify employee (#145 in 2013). In my 3+ years there, I built the customer experience for Shopify Plus users and launched the Shopify VIP influencer program.
And an IRL events guy.
I help organizations connect with others in real life. Digital and virtual aren’t enough, people want to meet you. I create events that engage your audience with your message.
I founded A Social Affair Event Management Inc. in 2017. We managed a city-wide festival, Capital Pride. That involved a lot of people, plenty of important stakeholders, tons of infrastructure and logistics, and a steady stream of fires. That’s where I proved I’m really good at solving issues.
I’ve planned commercial real-estate launch parties, fundraisers in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, veterans, and first-responders, and brand activations at global tradeshows.
And a comms guy.
I help organizations have effective conversations with their audience across multiple channels.
I was interim head of marketing at Knocking Inc., wrote scripts for syndicated broadcast in the US and Canada, managed multiple paid marketing campaigns, and supported a national non-profit HR counsel during a critical reorg.
I have an Advanced 3-year Diploma in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications. As a student, I won a Canadian Marketing Award in 2007 for direct-to-consumer content.
My work gets me out a lot. I’ve broken news to the media, helped a rockstar with her Instagram account while in a golf cart, held a giant sponsorship check, and been a producer on film shoots. Take a look!
(and maybe we can take a cool photo one day?)
Thanks for indulging me. Let’s get back to basics, and dive deeper into what I’ve accomplished with amazing teams over the years.
(What amazing things can we accomplish together?)
A Social Affair, Founder
2017 – Present
I founded A Social Affair in 2017 because I really wanted to create events where people would say “wow!” In our first years of operating, we:
Co-produced the 2017 Capital Pride Festival.
Managed the 2018 Capital Pride Festival, managing all logistics and a budget of $500k, a staff of 3, a volunteer force of 200+, over 100k attendees and 100 performers across 7 days of programming. Check out the 2018 Capital Pride report here.
Planned commercial real estate development launch parties for Zinati Realty and Colonnade Bridgeport.
Designed and executed brand activations for Davie Shipbuilding and Federal Fleet Services at Canada's global defence and security trade show.
Partnered with Vixens Victorious in support of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, and To The Stan and Back in support of front-line workers, first responders and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Knocking Inc., EVP Operations
February 2018 – February 2022
I was Knocking’s first full-time employee. I worked closely with the 3 founders in building a global tech, e-commerce, and media company.
As a member of our executive leadership team, I led operations, human resources, and culture. During this time, we:
Doubled sales every year from 2018 to 2021
Grew our workforce globally from 4 to over 100
Grew our customer base ten-fold
Increased media partnerships from one to over 14
Shopify, Shopify Plus, and Shopify VIP
2013–2017
I joined Shopify in 2013 before we had our first slide in the office, but once beer was available on tap.
I started as frontline support and immediately noticed a gap in the client experience for multi-million dollar subscribers.
I was tasked with developing and managing a client experience tailored to our top brands at the time: BlackMilk Clothing, The Chivery, Shoes.com, Patagonia, Strava, and so on… This evolved into the Merchant Success program at Shopify. Then I noticed a lot of influencers and celebrities were getting into Shopify…
As my last act at Shopify, I headed up Shopify VIP. This is now a major component of Shopify’s marketing strategy to drive new subscribers.
Other Stuff
Mid 2000’s - 2012
Alright, let’s go back to those pre-Shopify days, to the mid-aughts and early ‘10s, when I was starting my professional journey.
In 2012, I spent a year as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for BioTalent, a national non-profit supporting the biotech industry. Vaccines were not a hot topic in 2012. When Shopify called, I answered.
From 2007 to 2011 I did b2b sales for Grand & Toy (That’s like Office Max for my friends in the US.)
After high school, I became the counter manager for a skincare brand at Holt Renfrew (again, for my friends in the US, that’s like Saks or Nordstrom.) I left around 2007 when I graduated from college.
Ok, so I do work a lot. But I work smart, and know that prioritizing my health and well-being and having time for my passions makes me a better problem solver. Here’s how I have fun.
Travel
I love so much about Ottawa, including our simple, clean, and modern airport. From there you can see the world, and I have. I’ve seen a lot of South America, including Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and 5 regions of Colombia. I’ve visited Iceland 3x. It’s the land of ice and fire and it keeps drawing me back.
When I want to relax, you’ll likely find me on Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast or South Florida on the Atlantic coast. My husband and I always make friends when we travel and often find ourselves back in old haunts.
Cooking
Full disclosure, I saw Julie and Julia in 2009. I was captivated by Meryl Streep as Julia Child (Meryl tends to do that…) I found “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” on Craiglist, stopped at the butcher, and a passion was born.
I excel at the classics (think Sunday roast or a really good fettuccini alfredo), appreciate vintage (I once deboned and reshaped an entire chicken and wrapped it in pastry) and love the application of science in determining if you really do need to bring meat to room temperate (you don’t, thanks Kenji Alt Lopez!)
Cats
During the pandemic, we were lucky enough to welcome two Maine Coons to our family. Reykjavík (big boy) and Isobel (little girl) are a pair of clowns. They’re brimming with mischief, shenanigans, and love for both us and each other.
Their favourite things are sitting on the countertop when the dishwasher is on, destroying plants, and learning how to be aerodynamic. I’m trying to convince my husband to start a TikTok for them, but he’s not sure anyone would watch. If you disagree with him, let me know.
I’d love for you to tell me about yourself!
Let’s talk.
christian@socialaffair.ca
(613) 796-3211
151 Bay Street
Ottawa, ON K1R7T2