Clear and effective communication is essential to driving engagement and alignment as organizations navigate complex systems, fast-paced changes, and diverse stakeholders. This session will highlight the evolution of UBC IT’s Communication Team and how we use marketing strategies to increase awareness and access for IT services.

We'll show you how we’ve crafted a strategic approach using a mix of content channels to deliver timely, relevant, and accessible information about IT services. By aligning our messaging with campus priorities and fostering engagement, our goal is to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are not only aware of the IT resources available to them but are empowered to use them effectively.

This session will demonstrate our communications approach, including:

  • How to build an effective communications framework
  • Creating a balanced communication channel mix and content strategy
  • Amplifying content themes aligned with institutional values
  • Integrating automation and data-driven decision making
  • Balancing between proactive and reactive communications
  • Managing pitfalls and lessons learned

Attendees will gain practical strategies for building their own IT communications ecosystem by integrating business processes, strategy, content, analytics, and technology for maximum impact. Join us to see how communication has evolved to become a key driver in improving campus-wide IT engagement, responsiveness, and service accessibility.

Aisha Sinclair

Aisha Sinclair

Manager, Communications, UBC

Aisha is a leader with 25+ years across public, private and non-profit sectors. She specializes in aligning community needs with business strategy, driving results and enhancing an organization's brand and reputation. Aisha is Director of Communications at UBC supporting the Office of the CIO, Information Technology and Privacy & Risk Management. Previously, Aisha led Brand & Marketing for Interior Health, and Public & Employee Communications for The City of Calgary. She champions projects that spearhead innovation and thought leadership. Aisha is a member of the Generative AI Committee at UBC and uses AI to improve strategic communications and audience experience.   

Aaren Lin

Aaren Lin

Marketing Assistant, UBC

Aaren is a marketing professional and digital creator with over 5 years of experience delivering multimedia ad and communications campaigns. At UBC IT, Aaren helps manage the communications team’s channels and analytics, bringing a data-driven perspective to identify and add value to its systems. Aaren holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC’s Sauder School of Business, specializing in marketing with a concentration in business analytics. 

Lili Sabirova

Lili Sabirova

Content Strategist, UBC

Lili is a content strategist specializing in cybersecurity, privacy, and risk communications. With 8+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and event planning, she develops clear, engaging strategies to make security topics accessible at UBC. As part of the PrISM office—encompassing the Cybersecurity team, University Counsel, and PrISM SRS—she collaborates with stakeholders to enhance awareness and engagement.

Lili is passionate about brand, strategy, and communications. She takes a thoughtful, human-centered approach to storytelling and engagement.

Mark Montgomery

Mark Montgomery

Content Designer, UBC

With 20+ years of experience in the communications field, Mark brings a comprehensive skill set encompassing event planning, crisis management, content design, digital marketing, and front-end web development. His background spans the full communications spectrum, from strategic messaging to hands-on execution, resulting in clear and impactful engagement. Known for his ability to adapt in fast-paced environments, Mark excels at learning new AI concepts and integrating them into practice. Mark was integral in conceptualizing and building UBC’s Generative AI website - a reference for people in the technology and higher education sector.   

Technology Track