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Categories: Career Blogs

At SearchSmart, we love checking in on leaders we’ve placed to see how their careers have evolved—and Kristina Schrieber’s story is one we’re especially proud of. 

We first worked with Kristina 11 years ago when we placed her as Director of Expeditions & Events at the True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL). During her six years with TPL, she developed a deep appreciation for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. “I enjoyed working closely with Veterans to improve their quality of life after service,” she said. “The role gave new meaning to creating engagement experiences that raised highly impactful funds.” While it was rare to find someone with experience executing complex expeditions around the world, Kristina’s strong event management skills and meticulous attention to detail stood out—earning consistently positive feedback from both participants and donors. 

Fast forward to today, and Kristina is thriving as the Executive Director of Community Relations at Upper Canada College (UCC)—a role we helped her land five years ago. Through every interaction, Kristina has impressed us with her drive, passion, and dedication to building meaningful connections through impactful programs and events for alumni, parents, and the broader community. For Kristina, “it’s a privilege to collaborate with such an engaged community. My focus is on strategically aligning individual and collective aspirations to drive results.” 

Volunteer to Learn, Share, and Grow 

When we asked Kristina what advice she’d give to early-career professionals, her answer was simple: volunteer—even if you already work in the nonprofit sector. Why? 

“You build your network, learn how other organizations operate, and better understand how to treat volunteers and donors. You also build your personal brand and gain references that may not be possible within your current organization.” 

Kristina knows this firsthand. She has volunteered with organizations like Rethink Breast Cancer and recently helped CCAE select topics for alumni conferences.  

Great Leadership Leaves a Mark 

When talking about the best leaders she’s worked with, Kristina names two mentors who shaped her career: 

  • Bronwen Evans at True Patriot Love: “She took an interest in me as a person, not just an employee, and helped me think beyond my current role. She ran the organization with a strong ROI mindset.” 
  • Brendan Dellandrea at UCC: “He has a gift for envisioning the future and creating the environment to make it real. He’s also a phenomenal storyteller—something I aspire to become.” 

Turning Engagement into Data—and Impact 

One of Kristina’s proudest accomplishments at UCC has been bringing KPIs into engagement work. “Traditionally, engagement has been a ‘feelings’ business,” she says. “Now we’re using two years of data to clearly show why engagement matters.” 

Looking ahead, she’s already thinking big—like how to shape a meaningful legacy for UCC’s 200th anniversary in 2029. “I want to make sure we create something that truly matters.” 

Kristina’s story reminds us that great careers are built through a mix of courage, connection, and continuous learning. We’re honored to have played a part in her journey—and excited to see what she builds next. 

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