Jessey Bird

Jessey Bird is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at United Way East Ontario. She leads integrated marketing, communications and government relations strategies that connect the community with United Way’s mission and inspire action on key social issues.

For Jessey, trust is key—ensuring the community not only understands United Way’s work but also sees the organization as a reliable partner in addressing local challenges. She is committed to building strong relationships with stakeholders, including the people United Way supports, donors, volunteers, and partners, ensuring they feel connected, heard and valued.

Jessey played a key role in launching Local Love in a Global Crisis, United Way East Ontario’s rapid response initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, an initiative that extended across Canada. 

Jessey has been with United Way since 2017. With a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, Jessey has worked as a journalist, a content strategist, and a communications consultant advising start-ups, entrepreneurs and seasoned executives. Jessey also has a passion for investing in and has served as an instructor at Carleton’s School of Journalism, a mentor in Carleton’s Job Shadow Program, and is a member of Algonquin College’s Public Relations Program Advisory Council.

Jessey enjoys being an active member of her community – contributing to the causes she cares about, championing local business, and embracing the region’s vibrant events and beautiful outdoor spaces.

In 2022, Jessey was named one of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal.