The Hacker Collective Model:
Amplifying
Impact
Through
Collaboration
The “Hacker Collective Model” unites a network of diverse, specialized talents to work harmoniously on every project. This collaboration between passionate experts amplifies the effect of every strategy, delivering results that are far greater than the sum of their parts.
Each partner in our collective brings unique skills, creativity, and experience to the table, allowing us to take a holistic approach to branding and marketing. By combining emotional insight with a deep understanding of your audience, we create authentic, impactful stories that drive real engagement and lasting loyalty.
From crafting purposeful strategies to delivering measurable success, our collective thrives on forging meaningful connections that amplify your brand’s presence in a way that resonates, inspires, and grows your business.
Meet Our Founder, Leslie Hacker
Leslie Hacker is a PR, social media, and brand activation strategist with over 15 years of experience helping brands forge meaningful connections with their audiences. Her expertise spans hospitality, travel, tourism, lifestyle, consumer goods, food, beverage, tech, and real estate, with a hands-on approach that blends strategic storytelling, digital marketing, and experiential brand-building to create lasting impact.
Her career began as a business reporter for the New York Daily News, where she developed a deep understanding of corporate narratives and media influence. She later transitioned into hospitality marketing at Sheraton Hotels before being recruited to lead PR efforts for a multi-million-dollar restaurant chain in Toronto. Her ability to craft compelling brand stories and drive engagement quickly caught the attention of Cara (now Recipe Unlimited), where she took on marketing leadership roles for national franchises like Milestones, Kelseys, and Montana’s. Her innovative campaigns boosted sales by 20% in just months, solidifying her reputation as a results-driven marketing strategist.
In 2014, Leslie moved into agency life, supporting high-impact campaigns for national brands like Sears and Morneau Shepell. She also worked on marketing and brand strategy for Just Eat, Chefs Plate, and Roots, further refining her expertise in brand positioning, influencer partnerships, and digital engagement. But it was a personal challenge that set the course for her next chapter—when both of her parents were diagnosed with cancer, Leslie made the decision to build something of her own that offered both flexibility and purpose. In 2015, she launched Hacker Communications, a PR, social media, and brand activation collective that unites the top specialists across PR, branding, digital marketing, SEO, influencer relations, experiential marketing, and advertising to deliver unparalleled strategy and execution.
Under Leslie’s leadership, Hacker Communications has grown into a trusted partner for brands like Parkbridge, AromaTech, Grüvi, Mother Raw, and many more, helping them cut through the noise with creative, emotionally resonant campaigns. Her collective model ensures brands have access to the best talent in the industry, delivering tailored strategies that amplify brand presence, increase visibility, and drive measurable success. Leslie believes that impactful marketing goes beyond transactions—it builds relationships, and she remains dedicated to working hands-on with meaningful brands that inspire, connect, and leave a lasting impression.