Meet Our Founder, Leslie Hacker
Leslie offers her high-level PR and digital marketing services to a variety of clients in the tech, health and wellness, food & beverage, consumer, cybersecurity, and retail space. She has secured media coverage and managed national marketing campaigns and social media accounts for iconic brands.
Business is in Leslie’s blood. Literally.
Leslie Hacker’s passion for amplifying brands began early in her career. Fresh out of university, she was recruited to lead PR efforts for a multi-million dollar restaurant chain in Toronto, where her ability to adapt quickly and think creatively helped build the brand from the ground up. Her success in shaping public perception soon led her to Cara (now known as Recipe Unlimited), where she took on marketing leadership roles for franchises like Milestones, Kelseys and Montana’s. Her innovative campaigns delivered impressive results, driving a 20% increase in sales within months.
In 2014, Leslie transitioned to agency life, working with renowned clients such as Sears and Morneau Shepell. But it was a personal challenge that set the future direction for Hacker Communications. In 2015, with both parents diagnosed with cancer, Leslie launched Hacker Communications to gain the flexibility to care for her family while continuing to build thoughtful, impactful marketing strategies for her clients.
Since then, Hacker Communications has grown into a trusted partner for iconic brands like Roots Canada, Lee Valley Tools, and Mother Raw. Leslie’s approach is rooted in authenticity, driven by a desire to create emotional connections between brands and audiences. Every campaign is designed with purpose, integrity, and the belief that impactful marketing goes beyond transactions—it builds lasting relationships.
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Early Life as a Business Mentee
90's
From the time Leslie was in diapers she was surrounded and mentored by successful business owners; both sides of her family owned and led businesses in the finance, beverage, and consumer package goods industries. Business is in her blood. Literally.
Education and Student Work
While studying public relations at the prestigious journalism program at Syracuse University, she worked as a business reporter for the New York Daily News and as a marketing assistant at the Sheraton Hotel.
00's
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Beyond The Diploma
00's
Upon graduation she was recruited to become the PR manager for the launch of a multi-million dollar funded restaurant chain in Toronto. Thanks to her quick ability to learn and adapt her skills, she was able to help the restaurant build their brand from the ground up including all communications from the brand to its public.
First Marketing Manager Roles
Her efforts did not go unnoticed, and she was approached by Cara Foods (now, ‘Recipe Unlimited Corporation’) who hired her for in-house local store marketing for several of their restaurant franchises- Milestones, Montana’s, and Kelsey’s. She created engaging, out-of-the-box campaigns to increase lunch and liquor sales, which grew over 20% in just 3 months.
2010
Public Relations Agency Life
2014
She went on to work for a public relations agency in Toronto, Kaiser & Partners, and assisted writing press releases, media relations, and built media lists for clients such as Sears, Morneau Sheppel, and various real estate and insurance companies.
Launching Hacker Communications
By this time she had made a name for herself in the Toronto marketing community and was getting many calls for her expertise.
But then both of her parents tragically and unexpectedly were diagnosed with cancer.
She launched Hacker Communications to have flexibility to manage her clients and support her parents simultaneously.
2015
Life at Hacker Communications
present day
​Some highlights include securing thousands of media hits and managing many influencer campaigns for iconic brands such as Chefs Plate, Lee Valley Tools, Roots Canada, Quesada Burritos & Tacos, Mother Raw, and many more.