Karina Rolland

Senior public affairs, external relations, government relations, and strategic partnerships professional with extensive experience advancing advocacy initiatives, stakeholder engagement, business development, and funding strategies across government, nonprofit, community, and private-sector environments. Proven ability to build trusted relationships with elected officials, senior government leaders, corporate partners, health organizations, insurers, financial institutions, philanthropic stakeholders, chambers of commerce, sporting organizations, and community groups to advance organizational priorities, strategic partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and funding objectives. Recognized for identifying opportunities that improve outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations, including veterans, first responders, youth, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, substance use concerns, social isolation, and barriers to care.

Experienced in leading high-profile stakeholder engagement initiatives, national advocacy campaigns, partnership development activities, and executive communications in politically sensitive and high-profile environments.

Senior Consultant - Homeward Public Affairs - Ottawa, ON

(2026-02 - 2026-09)

• Advised clients across the health, mental health, housing, homelessness, environmental, veterans, sport, and community development sectors on government relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and strategic growth opportunities.
• Developed advocacy strategies, stakeholder engagement plans, and political analysis to support organizational positioning, policy objectives, partnership opportunities, and long-term strategic priorities across federal, provincial, and municipal jurisdictions.
• Identified prospective client, partnership, sponsorship, and funding opportunities across public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors, with a focus on initiatives that improve outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Advised clients on government funding programs, emerging policy opportunities, budget measures, and stakeholder engagement strategies that support housing, mental health, homelessness, and community development objectives.
• Built and maintained relationships with government officials, private-sector leaders, financial institutions, insurers, health organizations, chambers of commerce, sporting bodies, community organizations, municipalities, and sector stakeholders to support client objectives and partnership opportunities.
• Supported business development and organizational growth initiatives through strategic networking, relationship management, lead generation, and identification of prospective client, partnership, and engagement opportunities.
• Prepared pre-budget submissions, policy papers, executive briefings, correspondence, stakeholder engagement strategies, and public affairs materials aligned with client priorities.
• Developed strategic communications materials, public affairs messaging, and executive social media content aligned with advocacy objectives, stakeholder engagement priorities, and organizational goals.

Principal, External Affairs and Government Relations - Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) - Ottawa, ON

(2024-03 - 2026-02)

• Led federal government relations and external affairs strategies for a national organization focused on mental health, substance use, youth wellbeing, workplace mental health, and population health outcomes.
• Served as strategic advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on parliamentary engagement, stakeholder relations, political developments, advocacy opportunities, and external partnerships across federal and provincial jurisdictions.
• Led stakeholder engagement and parliamentary outreach for the inaugural National Mental Health Summit, bringing together Members of Parliament, Senators, senior government officials, researchers, service providers, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to advance national mental health priorities.
• Coordinated parliamentary roundtables and policy discussions involving Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators, political staff, Deputy Ministers, Assistant Deputy Ministers, health organizations, insurers, researchers, and sector leaders.
• Supported national advocacy initiatives related to youth mental health, men’s and boys’ mental health, veterans and first responders’ mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, workplace mental health, and psychological health and safety.
• Built and maintained strategic relationships with government, private-sector, nonprofit, academic, grassroots, and community stakeholders, including financial institutions, insurers, health organizations, philanthropic donors, chambers of commerce, sporting organizations, and corporate partners.
• Identified and advanced partnership, sponsorship, philanthropic, and funding opportunities that supported organizational priorities, social enterprise initiatives, and improved outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Facilitated international stakeholder engagements and knowledge-sharing initiatives involving Global Affairs Canada, embassy officials, High Commissioners, academic institutions, and international delegations, including mental health exchanges involving Ukrainian stakeholders and Canadian sector leaders.
• Engaged directly with grassroots organizations, community advocates, and individuals with lived and living experience to ensure community perspectives informed policy development, stakeholder engagement strategies, and advocacy priorities.
• Developed executive briefings, speeches, correspondence, strategic communications materials, and social media content to support government relations, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs objectives.
• Represented the organization as a trusted ambassador in engagements with Parliamentarians, government officials, health organizations, insurers, philanthropic partners, corporate stakeholders, international delegations, and community organizations.

Senior Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations - Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) - Ottawa, ON

(2022-01 - 2024-03)

• Supported the development and execution of federal and provincial government relations and stakeholder engagement strategies across mental health, substance use, youth wellbeing, suicide prevention, workplace mental health, and health policy portfolios.
• Coordinated stakeholder engagement initiatives involving Parliamentarians, government officials, health organizations, insurers, advocacy organizations, researchers, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience.
• Supported national awareness initiatives, stakeholder roundtables, policy discussions, and engagement activities focused on strengthening mental health systems, improving access to care, and reducing stigma.
• Built relationships with health-sector organizations, community partners, insurers, philanthropic stakeholders, advocacy organizations, and private-sector stakeholders to advance collaborative initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Supported strategic outreach, partnership development, and funding discussions involving health organizations, insurers, philanthropic stakeholders, community organizations, and sector leaders.
• Assisted in identifying opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement that supported organizational priorities and improved outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Produced briefing notes, policy summaries, speeches, correspondence, environmental scans, and stakeholder engagement materials for executives and external audiences.
• Monitored parliamentary activity, committee proceedings, budgets, and legislative developments, providing strategic analysis and recommendations to support organizational priorities and advocacy efforts.

Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations - Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition - Ottawa, ON

(2018-04 - 2021-11)

• Supported parliamentary affairs, stakeholder engagement, and policy coordination activities across health, mental health, finance, education, technology, hospitality, environment, agriculture, foreign affairs, defence, veterans affairs, public safety, pandemic preparedness, and social policy files.
• Conducted daily monitoring of House of Commons proceedings, committee hearings, Question Period, and legislative developments, producing briefing materials, issue summaries, and stakeholder analysis for Members of Parliament and senior staff.
• Supported parliamentary and stakeholder engagement efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including monitoring public safety, pandemic preparedness, emergency response measures, and evolving federal policy developments.
• Drafted Question Period notes, briefing materials, stakeholder correspondence, and policy-related content supporting parliamentary, caucus, and stakeholder engagement priorities.
• Maintained legislative and issue tracking systems to support coordinated policy, communications, stakeholder outreach, and political engagement activities.
• Supported stakeholder outreach and engagement initiatives involving grassroots organizations, advocacy groups, community representatives, individuals with lived experience, embassy officials, High Commissioners, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and stakeholders across multiple policy portfolios.

Vice-President, Business Development - NOMADiQ Shelter Solutions

• military procurement, humanitarian aid and crisis response

Director, Business Development - ActiveCARE Physiotherapy

• concussion and baseline testing

Vice-President, Administration - Hockey Eastern Ontario AAA

President / Event Planner - Australia & New Zealand Ex-Pat Group of Ottawa

• Led stakeholder engagement and community initiatives involving diplomatic representatives, embassy officials, High Commissioners, government stakeholders, business leaders, and community partners in support of cultural, business, and international engagement activities.

Bachelor of Arts - Queensland University of Technology (Australia)

Professional Certificate - Human Resources Consulting - Monash University (Australia)