Today, the day after Canadian Thanksgiving, marks 24 years working in Email Marketing (with October 9th being the official start date). From time to time I get asked “How did you get here?” and it’s been a ride that is for sure.
Graduating in 2000, getting my first job, getting fired from my first job, and then finding this thing called an Email Service Provider (ESP) to go work for. Here is the story from that point to today. This was originally a LinkedIn post but I thought I’d also put it here for posterity!
My journey began, as a Network Operator (NOC), in 2000 at a little Canadian email company called Flonetwork, later navigating acquisitions by DoubleClick and Epsilon, eventually becoming the first ISP Relations Manager.
In 2006, I transitioned to TC Transcontinental as Director of Client Support & ISP Relations, focusing on deliverability and client support. By 2013, I moved to Inbox Marketer as Chief Privacy Officer and Manager of Deliverability, where I balanced privacy regulations and deliverability strategies.
In 2017, I joined 250ok as Director of Privacy & Industry Relations, continuing in this role through its acquisition by Validity Inc. in 2020. During my brief tenure at Validity, I focused on building relationships with key industry players and leading privacy initiatives. Soon after, I took on a senior role at Netcore Cloud, serving as VP of Deliverability ENSA from 2020 to 2024, where I helped improve email performance and authentication for global clients.
Currently, I’m Principal Email Advisor at Email Industries. Leading a team that is working hard at guiding brands on best practices in deliverability, privacy, and email security.
I also continue my work as Editor-in-Chief of EmailKarma, a blog I founded in 2007, which remains a valuable resource for professionals in email marketing. In 2019, I founded the Canadian Email Summit, a space for professionals to network, learn, and shape the future of email marketing. The event has since become a cornerstone in Canada’s email marketing landscape.
Beyond my full-time work, I’ve been actively involved in the email industry through volunteer roles. I serve as Communications Chair for the Authindicators Working Group, Director at Large for CAUCE, and a board member of VGETS. I also hold leadership positions with the Email Experience Council (EEC), where I previously served as Chairperson and Vice Chair, and currently as Co-Chair Emeritus. Additionally, I’m the Training Vice Chair for M3AAWG, where I help shape training initiatives.
Looking back on 24 years, I’m proud of how far the industry has come and grateful for the opportunities to help shape its future. From deliverability to privacy and industry advocacy, it’s been an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and making meaningful contributions. I look forward to continuing to lead and collaborate with the global email community in the years ahead.
But really – Where has the time gone? A lot of this just feels like it was yesterday…
