Meet Leslie Hacker

Leslie Hacker Headshot

Leslie Hacker | Founder, PR Strategist, Author & Speaker

Leslie Hacker is a Toronto and Vancouver-based public relations and marketing strategist, entrepreneur, author and speaker with over 15 years of experience helping brands get seen, trusted and chosen across Canada and the U.S. As Founder of Hacker Communications, she specializes in modern PR at the intersection of earned media, influencer marketing, experiential marketing, social media, SEO and AI search visibility (AEO).

Leslie began her career as a business journalist at the New York Daily News, developing the editorial instincts that continue to shape her approach to storytelling and media relations. Her career spans hospitality, tourism, food and beverage, wellness, lifestyle, technology and consumer brands, including Sheraton Hotels, Quesada, Chefs Plate, Just Eat, Vancouver Canadians and the Shipyards Christmas Market.

Founded in Toronto in 2015, Hacker Communications has evolved into an integrated PR and digital marketing collective connecting storytelling, search discoverability, creator partnerships and real-world experiences to drive measurable business growth.

Beyond her agency, Leslie serves as President of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Vancouver, helping shape the future of the communications industry. An invited business and community speaker, she shares insights on entrepreneurship, brand storytelling, resilience and human connection. She is also a contributing author of RESILIENT A.F.: Stories of Resilience, Volume 3, an Amazon bestselling anthology.

Career Highlights

  • After three years of serving as Vice President and Director of Special Events at CPRS (the Canadian Public Relations Society of Vancouver), she was voted in to lead as President in June 2026, managing a board of 25 communication professionals.

  • In 2026, she was featured as an author in best-selling book, RESILIENT A.F.: Stories of Resilience Vol. 3, sharing her powerful story of personal loss and trauma recovery, published by The Global Resilience Project.

  • In June 2026, she authored a widely shared industry opinion piece for BCBusiness arguing for a "human premium" in PR and advising professionals to stop chasing AI algorithms to focus instead on human trust.

  • Leslie was invited to speak at Kollel Vancouver, where she delivered “How Losing Everything Taught Me What Home Really Means,” a deeply personal talk exploring resilience, courage, human connection and belonging. Drawing on her journey through loss and entrepreneurship, she shared how life's greatest challenges can become catalysts for purpose, community and meaningful connection.

  • Invited to speak at a sold-out JBiz Vancouver business networking event, Leslie Hacker shared her entrepreneurial journey and expertise in public relations, brand storytelling and emotionally intelligent marketing. Her presentation inspired business owners to build trust, strengthen their brands and create meaningful customer connections through authentic storytelling.

  • After a year of rapid agency growth in the Pacific Northwest, she was featured in an extensive profile by CanvasRebel Magazine detailing her 15-year career trajectory, entrepreneurship advice, and how her agility helped her business thrive through periods of deep personal adversity.

  • After building Hacker Communications into a premier boutique PR agency, she was invited onto The Stern Truth podcast to share her core business philosophies, breaking down how to prioritize mental health, identify the right clients, and avoid the trap of chasing empty marketing trends.

  • After establishing her reputation as a forward-thinking industry leader on the West Coast, she was featured as the headline guest on the RW Digital Marketing Podcast to provide expert analysis on how PR, SEO, and artificial intelligence search algorithms intersect.

  • Following the sold-out success of her first presentation at Kollel, Leslie was invited back to host a special community Shabbat dinner, bringing people together through Jewish tradition, meaningful conversation and shared experiences. This event reflects her passion for creating spaces where people feel welcomed, connected and a genuine sense of belonging.

  • After her sold out event, Leslie was invited back to speak at another Jewish business community event hosted by Burquest and JBiz. Leslie presented three principles for business growth: connection creates trust, consistency builds credibility and emotion makes brands unforgettable. Drawing on 15 years of experience in PR, influencer marketing and experiential campaigns, she shared real-world strategies to help entrepreneurs build memorable brands and lasting customer relationships.