sms75@yorku.ca

Stephanie Mackenzie-Smith is an experienced public sector manager with more than a decade of leadership experience in both municipal government and policing. From 2008 to 2016, Stephanie led the Corporate and Strategic Communications teams at York Regional Police, one of Canada’s largest police services. In her role, she was responsible for providing strategic advice to leadership on everything from crisis communications and brand management to the implementation of legislative and policy changes. Stephanie then held the Manager of Corporate Communications position at the Town of Aurora, where she was a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer. Her role primarily focused on developing innovative and leading-edge communications, media relations, and community engagement strategies to meet the diverse needs of Council, staff, residents, and stakeholders. As an expert in professional communications and the use of digital media by government organizations, Stephanie is a sought-after speaker and trainer, presenting at more than two dozen industry conferences and training programs to date. She continues to remain active in the local government community as President of the Local Government Alumni Society at Western University and as a member of their Local Government Conference organizing committee.

In addition to her extensive local government experience, Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Professional Certificate in Communications and Public Relations, a Diploma in Public Administration, and a Master’s in Public Administration specializing in local government, all from Western University. She is completing her PhD in Communications and Culture in the Politics and Policy stream at York University. As a doctoral candidate, her research primarily focuses on agenda-setting, digital activism, and human rights. She also holds micro-credential qualifications in Inclusive Teaching Practices for Post-Secondary and Awareness of Indigenous Values, Identity and Spirit. Her previous research includes her master’s thesis, a Multiple Streams Analysis of the Toronto Police Carding Policy, and the Influence of the Media on Agenda Setting. In 2022, Stephanie co-authored two articles in Legal Policy & Pandemics: The Journal of the Global Pandemic Network, examining the need for urban local governments to enact a Code of Conduct considering civil and political rights in future pandemics. Following her first year of teaching at York University, Stephanie was nominated for the LA&PS Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.