Stephanie Thornbury, ABC, CCP (She/Her)
Stephanie Thornbury, ABC, CCP is a strategic communications executive whose career has been built around helping leaders strengthen reputation, build trust and create alignment that helps organizations move forward.
For more than 25 years, Stephanie has partnered with CEOs and executive teams through some of an organization’s most important moments, including mergers and acquisitions, executive transitions, organizational change and crisis situations. Her experience spans multiple industries, including professional services, financial services, retail, manufacturing, higher education and life sciences.
Stephanie specializes in corporate reputation, executive communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement and change management, helping leaders translate complex business priorities into clear, meaningful communications that build understanding, confidence and trust. She is known for bringing calm when the pressure is high, asking thoughtful questions and building consensus across diverse groups. She believes communications should help the business succeed and that people are more willing to embrace change when they understand where they’re going, why it matters and how they can contribute.
Stephanie currently serves as Director, Communications at Gowling WLG, where she partners with executive leadership to strengthen reputation, support business priorities and create a more connected employee experience.
A long-time IABC/Toronto volunteer, Stephanie has served in several executive leadership roles, including Vice President, OVATION Awards, Vice President, Programs and Vice President, Member Experience. She has also contributed as a member of the Finance & Sustainability Committee and as an OVATION Awards judge. Through these roles, she has helped strengthen member engagement, professional development and the long-term success of the chapter.
Stephanie holds the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) designation and is a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner. She is passionate about mentoring communications professionals, advancing the profession and creating opportunities for communicators to connect, learn and grow.