Alison Lawler-Dean is a Toronto-based marketing and communications executive.

With diverse marketing, communications and digital expertise developed from working for groundbreaking companies in growth and transformation mode including Canada’s largest national retailer, a hyper-growth CPG start-up, and an extremely savvy, entrepreneurial charity. Her professional background started in editorial, evolving into communications, digital and social/content marketing, and now into 360-fully integrated brand-building MarComm strategy to help businesses thrive and grow.

Leadership Experience

Alison currently leads Digital, Social and Editorial at Metrolinx, while pursuing a passion project to help people navigate death called PAPILLON.

Prior to that, as VP Marketing for Indigo, from 2020 to 2022 she led the marketing team to develop omni-channel plans to support print, living, kids, and baby businesses plus strategic initiatives, building the brand and driving millions of customers online + in-store.

As VP Marketing + Communications at premium, eco water brand Flow Alkaline Spring Water, from 2017 to 2019 Alison oversaw marketing activities for the start-up CPG brand embarking on global retail and DTC expansion. Alison led an international team to execute consumer, trade, field and digital marketing. She also helped drive direct-to-consumer e-commerce revenue, grow the brand into top three in the Natural Channel in the US, and launch in the UK.

From 2014 to 2017, Alison was responsible for overhauling the marketing, brand and digital strategy for an award-winning Canadian charity, Rethink Breast Cancer. During her time at Rethink, she helped launch innovative awareness, support and fundraising programs like the Clio and Cannes Lion award-winning Give-A-Care. Alison still proudly sits on the Rethink Board of Directors.

Early Career

After graduating from McGill University, Alison joined FASHION Magazine, first assisting the fashion department and then as Photo Editor. A strong interest in writing and styling brought her to be part of the launch team for Wish magazine in 2004 where she became intricately involved in both the fashion and beauty sections of this lifestyle magazine eventually becoming Fashion Market Editor. 

In 2008 she left to start her own freelance agency offering clients an intelligent voice to writing, a sharp eye for styling and an editorial perspective on public relations.

Alison joined the public relations team at Loblaw in 2009 overseeing the apparel, home and entertainment brands including Joe Fresh. At Joe Fresh, Alison led the brand's Canadian internal and external communications, digital, social media, strategic partnerships, CSR, events and experiential marketing.