Kristen Lipscombe

Hi, I'm Kristen, President of First Line Communications. I know the first line is pivotal, on the ice, on the page, in the story, and in life. My first line always "leads" with integrity.

I'm a committed, conscientious, compassionate communications and marketing leader with experience in print, television and multimedia reporting, as well as in social media management and analytics, high-stakes media and public relations, crisis and corporate communications, issues management, media coaching, leadership and mentorship.

I'm a skilled organizer, confident speaker, strong relationship builder, careful editor and naturally talented writer with a warm personality.

I'm passionate about telling, sharing and promoting stories in unique and creative ways.

I'm especially inspired to help other women find their voices so they can share their own inspiring stories and help others.

I'm an equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) activist.

I've also won a couple of journalism awards and world championship medals here and there.

More about me:

* Principal of First Line Communications (clients include governments, universities, healthcare authorities and institutions, companies/businesses, non-profits and charities, publications including books, magazines and media outlets ranging from The Canadian Press to TSN).

Roles and work:

* Director of Marketing and Communications for The Grindstone Award Foundation.

* Four-time world champion as media manager for Team Canada women’s hockey.

* Media operations manager for hockey at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

* Media manager for Canada's National Women's Hockey Team for Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014 Olympic cycles.

* Versatile across all media and communications platforms and subjects, from politics, health and education; to equity and diversity; to music, books, arts and culture; and everything in between.

* Believe in mixing traditional and emerging multimedia trends to help our industries grow.

* Active volunteer at major sports and music events, as well as for various non-profit groups, regularly working as Chairs on host committees and boards.

* Always strive to meet and exceed personal bests while making a positive difference in the lives of others.

* Highly respected in media industry across Canada and internationally.

* Passionate about telling stories in thoughtful ways and helping other people tell their own inspiring stories.

* Story-telling often focuses on people impacted to properly highlight larger societal challenges: putting human faces on the truth.

* Writing captures the true essence of a unique person or complex subject using simple but highly impactful language.

* Committed to leading with excellence, empathy and integrity.

* Be grateful.

* Be kind.

* Writer at heart.