Dayna Maki
Turning ideas into systems that work!
About Me
Hi! I’m Dayna. And I live and work in rural Alberta, where small businesses, community organizations, and local initiatives often need support to move plans and ideas ahead.
Small business owners and non-profit executives often wear many hats, and resources can be limited. Sometimes what’s most helpful is someone who can step in, connect the dots, and help move projects and ideas forward. This is where I shine!
I provide management levels skills and expertise to help turn your plans into reality.
By understanding how small businesses and non-profits operate, I can help make complex plans, projects and ideas happen, by using a variety of tools, systems and processes.
Whether you need help with a single project or ongoing support, my focus is simple: helping you turn ideas into clear processes, effective communication, and systems that work. Let’s connect!
My Philosophy
I believe businesses, organizations, and people function best when supported by tools, systems and processes that bring clarity, support stability, and enable progress.
When the right tools, systems and processes are in place, organizations operate more efficiently, with less complexity and risk of errors.
My goal is to help small business owners and non-profit executives achieve their goals, by creating tools and systems that work efferently.
I focus on strengthening what’s already working, organizing ideas into practical systems, and helping projects grow at a pace that feels sustainable and realistic.
The result is strategies and systems that feel aligned, manageable, and built to last.
How I Support Clients
I work as an extension of your team, stepping in where where support is needed.
Many organizations are doing meaningful work but find themselves navigating gaps in processes, communication challenges, or projects that need help moving. My role is to put simple, practical solutions in place.
Whether supporting a specific project or providing ongoing assistance, my goal remains the same: helping you turn ideas into systems that work.
I begin by understanding your company or organization including capacity, goals, customers, and constraints so the work I do is grounded in reality. From there, I help organize projects, simplify processes, and build systems that support the work already underway.
I work independently, anticipate needs, and move projects forward without adding unnecessary complexity or management overhead. My focus is always on practical solutions that help your organization operate more smoothly.
Where I Can Help
Small businesses and non-profit organizations often have strong ideas and capable teams, but there are often gaps where extra support, structure, or specialized skills are needed. These are some of the areas where I commonly step in to help:
- Marketing & Communications – Strategy, messaging, and content that make complex ideas clear, both internally and externally.
- Design & Digital Presence – Graphic design, websites, and visual communications, from strategy and concepts to finished designs.
- Documents, Reports & Technical Writing – Handbooks, training manuals, policies and processes, reports, proposals, grants, and other structured documents.
- Project Management & Systems – Workflows, tools, and coordination that help teams work more effectively.
- Operations & Administrative Support – Flexible virtual support so you can focus on the work that matters most.
- Campaigns, Events & Fundraising – Planning and execution for initiatives of all sizes.
Who I Work With
- Small and medium-sized businesses
- Nonprofits, charities, foundations and associations
- Municipal and public-sector organizations
- Research, science and medical organizations
- Arts, culture, and community organizations
If you’re doing important work but feel stretched, scattered, or under-supported, I can help.
Tools & Systems I Work With
I regularly work with a range of digital tools and platforms to support communications, systems, and project work.
- Web & CMS – WordPress, Shopify and other content management systems
- Content & Design – Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, GIMP
- Documents & Collaboration – Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Google Docs
- Marketing & Analytics – Google Analytics, SEO tools
- CRM & Email Platforms – Bravo, MailChimp, Constant Contact
- AI-Assisted Research & Drafting – Tools like ChatGPT, Grok
Experience & Background
Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked across government, nonprofits, research institutions, arts and culture organizations, and private enterprise. Much of my work sits at the intersection of communications, systems development, and project coordination, serving as the bridge between management and staff as well as ideas and implementation.
Throughout my career, I’ve helped organizations clarify direction, strengthen communication, and put practical systems in place so complex work can move forward more effectively.
Experience highlights include:
- Generating millions of dollars for nonprofits via fundraising campaigns and sponsorships.
- Developing marketing strategies and systems for nonprofit and arts organizations.
- Supporting medical research teams with marketing, grant writing and conferences.
- Creating communications systems, websites, and digital platforms.
- Designing systems, toolkits, and workflows that manage and coordinate complex projects.
- Managing complex proposals and securing multi-year government contracts.
Today, I live and work in Trochu, Alberta, where I remain actively involved in local initiatives and small businesses. I serve on the Trochu Arboretum Board, operate a booth at The Otherside in Trochu, and assist local businesses with websites, marketing, and business administration.
Being part of a small-town community reinforces the same principle that guides my work: practical support, strong relationships, and systems that help people and organizations thrive.
At its core, my work is about helping people turn good ideas into systems that work.
My Commitment to You
My goal is simple: to step in where support is needed and help your organization work more smoothly.
Whether the challenge involves administration, communications, marketing, content development, project coordination, or digital systems, I bring a broad range of skills that allow me to help in many different ways, often filling the role of several specialists without the need to build a large team.
I focus on understanding what’s already working, identifying where support is needed, and putting practical systems in place that help’s your business advance with confidence.
At the end of the day, my role is to help simplify complexity, solve problems as they arise, and create solutions that keep your work moving forward.
Contact Me
Click for my contact info.
Dayna Maki
dayna@daynamaki.com
Email me your phone # and I’ll give you a call!