Irene Derez

About

I’m a Marketing student at George Brown College with a background in hospitality, events, and corporate administration. Before returning to school, I worked at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and later at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), where I supported a busy legal office and coordinated boardroom events and daily operations. These experiences taught me how to communicate clearly, stay organized under pressure, and create meaningful experiences for clients and teams. They also helped me realize how much I enjoy understanding people, solving problems, and helping things run smoothly, which naturally led me to marketing. Now, I’m building my skills in branding, digital literacy, consumer behaviour, and data-driven decision making. I’m excited to combine what I’ve learned in customer experience with the marketing strategies I’m developing in school. I’m always open to connecting with people in marketing, communications, events, or anyone open to sharing insights and opportunities.

Experience

• Office Administrator · Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)08-01-2023 – 09-01-2025

  As an Office Administrative Assistant at one of Canada’s top law firms, I manage the planning and coordination of high-level meetings and events for legal professionals, clients, and stakeholders. My responsibilities include handling all logistics, such as boardroom bookings, catering, AV setup, and calendar coordination, to ensure everything runs smoothly and professionally. I work closely with teams across Facilities, IT, and Events to streamline processes and maintain efficiency. I also keep detailed tracking reports to monitor room usage and support strategic planning. This role has strengthened my attention to detail, ability to multitask, and dedication to providing excellent client service in a fast-paced corporate environment.

• Freelance Marketing & Social Media Coordinator – Pop-Up Business · Merka's Kitchen05-01-2024 – 06-01-2024

  Supported a local pop-up business with social media management, menu design, and customer communication. I created branded thank-you cards, helped deliver a consistent visual identity, and assisted during pop-up events to enhance customer engagement and brand presence.

• Hostess/Administrative Assistant · Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts06-01-2022 – 07-01-2023

  During my time at Café Boulud, I supported both the front-of-house team and the restaurant’s private dining operations. As a hostess, I was the first point of contact for guests, creating a warm and seamless experience from arrival to departure. I managed high-volume reservations, coordinated seating plans, and handled VIP requests with discretion and professionalism. Beyond guest-facing responsibilities, I assisted with administrative tasks that supported the restaurant’s private dining. This included helping organize private events, preparing event materials, creating customized menus, and ensuring all details were aligned with guest expectations and brand standards. I also collaborated closely with the management team to maintain smooth communication between departments.

• Hostess · Air Canada Signature Club08-01-2021 – 06-01-2023

  During my time at the Air Canada Signature Club, a members-only fine-dining restaurant located inside Scotiabank Arena, I supported premium guests, season seat holders, and VIP clients during Leafs and Raptors games. As the first point of contact, I delivered a warm, elevated guest experience while managing high-volume check-ins and coordinating seating in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment. I worked closely with servers, managers, and security to ensure smooth service flow before and during events. My role involved handling guest inquiries, assisting with special accommodations, and maintaining the club’s standards of luxury hospitality.

• Administrative Assistant · Co-operative of Specialty Community Legal Clinics of Ontario09-01-2016 – 01-01-2017

  In this co-op role, I provided administrative and operational support to a network of legal clinics serving diverse and equity-seeking communities. My responsibilities included managing incoming correspondence, updating and organizing confidential client files, scheduling meetings and intakes, preparing documents and reports, and supporting staff with daily office tasks. I collaborated with lawyers, legal workers, and intake teams, ensuring smooth communication and timely client support. This experience helped me develop strong skills in customer service, multitasking, office coordination, and working with sensitive information in a professional and compassionate environment.

Education

• George Brown PolytechnicDiploma of Education, Marketing
• St.Joseph’s College School

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