Fractional Creative Director & Brand Strategist

I'm a creative director and brand strategist with 25 years of experience helping organizations translate their mission across campaigns, fundraising initiatives, rebrands, and creative that moves people.

My career started in journalism, where I developed a journalist's instinct for narrative and a designer's eye for clarity. When the media industry reinvented itself, so did I — moving into brand, design, and marketing leadership roles at Destination Toronto, The Royal Conservatory of Music, and Branksome Hall. The thread through all of it has been the same: what does this organization need to say, and how do we bring it to life?

Today I run Studio Lorealis, a fractional creative practice in Toronto. I work with organizations that need senior creative and strategic leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire — and I operate at both levels. I can set the direction and I can produce. Whether that means developing a brand narrative, concepting a campaign, writing the copy, or designing the collateral, I show up as a full creative partner, not a hand-off specialist.

I believe great creative isn't just about looking good — it's about making people care. If you're trying to get there, I'd love to help.

Work Samples slide 2 of 8

Video Samples slide 1 of 1

The Best Fit

My sweet spot is organizations doing meaningful work in the world — nonprofits, cultural institutions, educational organizations, and mission-driven brands. These clients tend to have big goals, lean teams, and a genuine story worth telling.

I'm most valuable when the challenge is creative and strategic at once: a fundraising campaign that needs a compelling narrative, a rebrand that has to honour a legacy while opening new doors,



or a communications program that needs to reach recent audiences without losing its community. I bring the strategy and I bring the craft — and I care about the mission as much as you do.

Awards & Accomplishments

- Web Excellence Award - Branksome Hall website redesign - 2026
- Silver: Admissions Marketing - Council for Advancement & Support of Education - 2024
- Gold: Special Event / Gold: Marketing - InspirED School Marketers - 2023
- Gold Award for Creative Storytelling - Canadian Marketing Association - 2018
- Marketing Campaign of the Year - Tourism Industry Association of Ontario - 2018
- Quill Award: Best Graphic - Melbourne Press Club, Australia - 2008
- Directions Award: Art Direction - Advertising & Design Club of Canada - 2007

slide 1 of 1 Donna's creative ideas, communication style and attention to detail were a breath of fresh air and my entire team feels the same way. Donna is an astute marketer and creative leader whom I look forward to working with in the future.

Shez Mehra President, The 194 Group

Working with Donna

I’m located in Toronto, Ontario. I’m available for

- Projects

Connect with me

Specialties





Branding & Marketing Strategy Ad Campaigns Brand Development Brand Guidelines Brand Management Brand Messaging Brand Positioning Brand Voicing Campaign Development CMO Competitive Analysis Content Marketing Corporate Identity Digital Marketing Direct Mail Email Marketing Experiential Marketing Market Positioning Market Research Marketing Audit Marketing Communications Marketing Strategist Marketing Strategy Media Planning Online Marketing PR Campaigns Traditional Print Campaigns Design Creatives Art Director Branding Brochures Collateral Design Concept Development Corporate Design Creative Director Creative Strategy Design Publication Digital Design Editorial Design Graphic Designer Infographics Magazine Design Marketing Design Presentation Design Print Design Social Content Posts CRMs, Sales, Marketing Tools & Softwares MailChimp Monday.com

Client Resume

Food & Beverage (Tim Hortons; Earth’s Own; Restaurant Brands International)

Consumer & Retail (Mobismart; GE Monogram; Ketch Shoes)

Professional Services (Boychuk Fuller Design; Sutton Group Realty Inc; Golden Thread Leadership)

Non-Profit (Haven Toronto, Ovarian Cancer Canada; Earth Day Canada)

Education (Branksome Hall, The Royal Conservatory of Music)

Journalism (The Globe & Mail; Post Media; Rogers Sports & Media; Fairfax Media)

Connect with Donna

First name

Last name

Email

Phone

What's your budget?This helps us make sure we have the right cost match.

$100-$500$500- $1K$1K- 5K$5K - $10K$10K–$25K$25K–$50K$50K-$100KMore than $100K

When can we get started?Please include any must-hit dates in your message.

Very quicklySoonNo rush

How can we help?

Let’s not make this creepy. We’ll email you just once and not again unless you explicitly ask us to.

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