Gail Picco
Work Experience Detail
Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Campaign Director, The Self-Employed Women’s Initiative
May 2025 to present
Helping lead a major effort focused on giving self-employed women a stronger voice and advancing solutions to economic inequality. In this role, she is in conversation with leaders, donors, and advocates to build support for work that’s grounded in the realities of women’s self-employment, the care economy, and the need for structural change in Canada’s economy.
Canadian Society of Cinematographers
Strategic Partnership Director
September 2020 – March 2025
Handling all revenue generation partners, government relations, diversity-related program development and campaign direction for the $3.75 million Future is Calling Campaign.
The Osbourne Group
Principal
January 2017 – May 2019
Providing executive leadership on organizational restructuring, specialized project management, campaign direction.
Transformational Philanthropy
Strategist, Communications, Community Organizing
September 2011—2017
Working with organizations looking for transformational impact. Directing campaigns that tackle a clear and defined need. Offering strategic advice on a range of communications and fundraising dilemmas, taking on such roles as:
- Director of Transformation, Assn for Canadian Educational Resources (ACER) April 2015—March 2016
- Capital Campaign Director, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, September 2013—February 2013
- Strategist, ACCES Employment April 2012 – March 2013
Stephen Thomas Ltd
Principal Strategist
July 2006 – August 2010
Developed strategies for well-known Canadian and international charities who presented with a range of communications and fundraising problems or ambitions. Motivated, trained and directed senior campaign volunteers and staff in media relations, public speaking and message adherence. Set project goals. Identified and measured metrics congruous with those goals. Reported on performance.
Gail Picco Associates
President & CEO
April 1990 – June 2006
Ran a marketing company that specialized in providing communications, fundraising and issues management advice to the nonprofit sector. Led a 10-person team of creative and ambitious staff, who provided strategic direction and program execution for international NGOs, national fundraising brands and small grassroots organizations.
Toronto Interval House
Counsellor/Collective Member
August 1982 – March 1990
Provided counseling, court support and advocacy to women fleeing violence; designed and implemented Interval House’s first comprehensive fundraising strategy; conducted media relations and issue advocacy resulting in significantly improved understanding of the issue in Toronto and across Canada.
Education
Awards
Golden Leaf from the Canadian Educational Press Association for the multi-channel Future of Education campaign and We’re Working for You campaigns
Writing & Publications
AFP Global Daily, 2019 – 2025 (Canadian editor)
The Charity Report, 2020 – 2023 (editor-in-chief)
Collecting Courage: Joy Pain Freedom Love, 2021 (publisher)
The 100-Year PR War by Benjamin Miller 2021 (publisher)
Your Working Girl, A Blog, 2010 – 2018 (blogger)
Cap in Hand: How Charities Have Failed Canada and the World, Civil Sector Press, 2017 (author)
What the Enemy Thinks: A Beck Carnell Novel, iUniverse, 2015 (author)
Volunteer
Chair, The Foundation of Cinematography, 2022 – present
Chair, Regent Park Film Festival, 2010 – 2013; 2015 – 2018
Film, Video and Broadcast Credits
Directors Speak for OMNI, 2011, 48:36 Eng/48:36 Mandarin
Unite Against Racism, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, 2010, 3 X :30 Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Tamil, Mandarin, Italian, Urdu
Stand Up, Speak Out, CCCJ, 2005, :2 x :30 Eng Andre Marin, Ombudsman Ontario, 2005, 0:30 Eng/Fr
The High Cost of Hate, CCCJ, 2004, 4:47 Eng
Jay Switzer Tribute, CCCJ, 2004, 4:47 Eng
Understanding Through Action, CCCJ, 2003, 4:47 Eng
Rosalie Abella Tribute, CCCJ, 2003, 4:40 Eng
Hillary Weston Tribute, CCCJ, 2003, 4:42 Eng
Body Image: Reflections Of Me, ETFO, 2003, 13:23 Eng
The Future We Want, Peel Board of Education, 2002, 17:30 Eng
A View of Justice, Ombudsman Ontario, 2001, 14:00 Eng/Fr sub
Patterning In Algebra, ETFO, July 2000, 39:40 Eng
Pensez – Y! Women in Information Technology, December 2000 11:08 Fr
Consider This! Women in Information Technology, 2000,14:45 Eng
Producer, See People for Who They Really Are. Unite Against Racism, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, 1999
- Dana Inkster, “We can go anywhere”, 1:20, :60, :30 Eng/Fr
- Rion Gonzales, “Dub Poets” 1:20, :60, :30 Eng
- Cynthia Lickers, “Ingin Among Us”, 1:20, :60, :30 Eng
- Michael Jarvis, “Angelique” 1:20, :60, :30 Fr/ Eng
- Paul Wong, “Class of 2000″ 1:20, :60, :30 Eng
Governance, Accountability and Human Rights in an Era of Change, Ombudsman Ontario, 1999 54:40 Eng/Fr sub
A Cure for Diabetes Could Be Hiding in Your Closet, CDA/Games Trader Inc, 1999, :30/:60 Eng (Radio)
Why Monitor? Conserving Canada’s Biodiversity, ACER, 1998, 11:00 Eng
Roberta Jamieson, Ombudsman Ontario, 1998, 12:45 Eng/Fr
Women In Trades & Technology, WITT National Network, 1998, 5:00 Eng
Taking the Lead, FWTAO, 1998, 29:20 Eng
The Future of Education, FWTAO,1996, 56:40 Eng
You Can Be There, Interval House, 1995 :30 Eng
We’re Working for You, FWTAO, 1995 23:00 Eng
Someone Else’s Nightmare, FWTAO, 1994 29:00 Eng