Election Talk 2026

• Non-partisan communications strategies
• Encouraging civic participation and voter engagementè
• Prepping for potential crises
• Combatting misinformation
• Connecting with hard-to-reach audiences

With Vancouver municipal elections coming up in the fall, join us for a timely discussion on elections and how staff ensure communications remain non-partisan while still encouraging civic participation and voter engagement.
This lively panel discussion will feature Natti Schmid (City of Vancouver Elections), Danielle Johnston (Elections BC), and Michelle Johnston (Syntax Strategic).
Learn how to ensure that communications remain consistent and accurate in a high-stakes and high visibility situation. Get some key takeaways on how to prep for potential crises and what strategies they use to combat misinformation and connect with harder to reach audiences.

Location: SFU Harbour Centre Campus, McCarthy Tetrault lecture room (2245)

Light refreshments will be provided (non-alcoholic beverages and snacks).

Danielle Johnston is the Senior Director of Communications at Elections BC. In her role, she helps British Columbians learn about democracy, election integrity, and how to participate in the Provincial electoral process. With a background in civic education and public participation, Danielle brings experience from both the public and private sectors. Her work is grounded in building strong partnerships and meeting communities where they are, ensuring election information is accessible, relevant, and inclusive.

Michelle Johnston has built a career as a trusted communications advisor at the highest levels by providing strategic and tactical advice on issues that demand both nuance and clarity. Before joining Syntax, she spent over a decade helping senior government leaders make complex decisions and communicate with confidence. Her steady leadership helped governments reach key audiences, keep their message on track, and cut through the noise. As a former Deputy Director of Communications to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior advisor to cabinet ministers across Parliament Hill and Queen’s Park, she has an insider’s understanding of how political actors get things done. She has also managed and advised on several political campaigns, bringing a deep understanding of how to reach voters, shape narratives under pressure, and execute winning strategies.

Whether navigating policy intricacies, crafting compelling narratives, or managing crises, Michelle delivers thanks to her extensive experience in policy development, communications strategy, media relations, and issues management. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto.

Natti Schmid (she/her) is Manager of Communications and Outreach for City of Vancouver Elections, with 13 years of experience in public‑sector communications focused on social issues, accessibility, and community engagement. She led the 2025 by‑election campaign that saw a 105% increase in vote by mail participation and a 31% rise in voter turnout over the 2017 by‑election, directing all communications, media relations, multilingual messaging, and digital campaigns that reached hundreds of thousands of voters. Having navigated the by‑election as a team of one, Natti now leads a small but mighty team of three into the 2026 Vancouver Election, ready to make sure the public is well informed as Vancouver heads into a large‑scale, high‑profile election. In her free time, you can find Natti running on the seawall or enjoying Vancouver’s fantastic food scene.

SFU Continuing Studies - PR Program

SFU’s fully online Public Relations program delivers in-demand skills through stackable microcredentials—so you can advance your career, one course at a time, on your schedule. More info: Public Relations Certificate - Continuing Studies - Simon Fraser University

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Simon Fraser University - Vancouver Campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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