Gillian Vrooman founded Empath Leaders to share her thoughtful and socially conscious approach to communications. She brings over 15 years of experience helping public service organizations expertly communicate and engage on critical issues. A creative and results-driven communicator, she cares deeply about the outcomes of her work and draws on the thoughtful consideration needed to expertly communicate on sensitive and complex topics.
She has broad public sector knowledge, including experience with health, regulation, anti-racism, and local government. In particular, Gillian is experienced in responding to the many challenges communities are facing, from the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid overdose crisis, and climate emergency, to developing guidance and best practices for local governments, through serving as Director of Communications and Engagement with the College of Pharmacists of BC, and Manager of Communications and Engagement with the Auditor General for Local Government. She is a leader in developing thoughtful purpose-driven communication strategies, meaningful public engagements that support decision-making, and transforming complex information into clear messages.
Anti-racism and inclusiveness are strong values Gillian holds and applies to communications through inclusive non-stigmatizing language and thoughtful planning that incorporates an understanding of inequities, and the colonial, historical and current context of racism. Gillian led the College of Pharmacists of BC’s strategy to improve BC pharmacy professionals’ work with Indigenous people for the College of Pharmacists of BC, and served on the BC Health Regulators Cultural Safety Task Force BC and the College of Pharmacists of BC’s Black Lives Matter Working Committee.