About Us

A dedicated team

In an ever-changing complex multi-channel world, we are accomplished navigators. We pride ourselves on having a knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced team, complemented by a carefully selected network of partners across North America, to provide best-in-class counsel, insightful strategy and measurable success to every mandate. We are big enough to provide high-quality strategic counsel and specialized services, but nimble enough to respond quickly and personally.

Janine Allen

President & Partner

Bio

David Kaiser

Managing Partner

Bio

Diana Conconi

Senior Vice President & Partner

Bio

Gwen McGuire

Vice President

Bio

Joyce Fergusson

Vice President, Finance & Administration

Bio

Janessa Bishop

Senior Account Director

Bio

Catherine Snider

Account Director

Bio

Maggie Hall

Account Director

Bio

Chloé Lebouc

Account Director, Montreal

Bio

Angela Pinzon

Account Manager

Bio

Keera Hart

Account Manager

Bio

Taylor Gadde

Account Manager

Bio

Jennifer Farr

Account Manager

Bio

Shane Madill

Senior Coordinator

Bio

Raphaël Chemla

Account Coordinator, Montreal

Bio

Emily Ellis

Account Coordinator

Bio

Lauren Bech-Hansen

Account Coordinator

Bio

Onyinye Mbachu

Account Coordinator

Bio

Mohammad Raza

Account Coordinator

Bio

Estefanía Lovera Marín

Account Coordinator, Montreal

Bio

Our community

Each year Kaiser & Partners donates up to $50,000 in both professional fees and direct donations to charitable organizations in the areas that provide education and shelter, to youth and families in need.

Janine Allen, CM

President & Partner

Janine Allen is a seasoned senior communications advisor for clients across all the agency’s industry sectors. As president, she also oversees and has responsibility for the overall operations and strategic direction for the agency.

Janine specializes in developing strategic communications platforms that enhance visibility and transform relationships with key media, stakeholders and influencers, aligning with and advancing corporate business goals. Before joining Kaiser & Partners, Janine served as senior director of marketing at a national retailer where she managed brand marketing and communications activities for the organization. Earlier in her career, she held the position of vice president at a global communications agency where her clients benefited from her extensive experience in change and issues management, stakeholder, media, employee and investor communications, marketing communications and social media.

Janine holds a post graduate degree in public relations from Humber College and an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Queen’s University. She also holds her Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. In 2017, the Canadian Public Relations Society honoured her with the award for PR Practitioner of the Year.

Work superpower: “Tenacious in helping our clients and our team achieve their goals.”

Non-work superpower: “Mom.”

janine.allen@kaiserpartners.com

David Kaiser

Managing Partner, MBA, CM

As one of Canada’s leading financial and corporate communication advisors, David combines financial acumen and communications expertise to deliver on transactional communications, strategic business positioning, issues and crisis management, as well as internal and investor communications. He works with companies and organizations across sectors and with regional, national and international operations. David has deep experience in managing complex, high-profile and often sensitive client transactions, bankruptcy filings, and restructurings.

Prior to co-founding K&P, David was a Senior Vice President, Partner, and Global Co-Chair for the Financial Services Practice Group at a multinational communications agency. During his six years with the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange he was responsible for developing the exchanges’ mining and oil & gas listings business.

David completed his MBA at Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. He also completed the Canadian Securities Course (honours), the London Metal Exchange Hedging with Futures Course and acquired his Chartered Marketer designation. He is on the boards of West Park Foundation and Centennial College’s Public Relations Program Advisory Committee. He previously served on the boards of the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Investor Relations Institute and the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries, as well as serving as Chair of the TheatreFront board of directors.

Work superpower: “Empowering others.”

Non-work superpower: “Sarcasm.”

david.kaiser@kaiserpartners.com

Diana Conconi, CM

Senior Vice President and Partner

Diana is a communications veteran with a client portfolio that includes Fortune 100 companies and extensive brand and issues experience in both the US and Canada. At Kaiser & Partners, she delivers strategies and counsel through comprehensive and creative client solutions with an integrated and collaborative approach. Her areas of expertise include corporate communications, professional services, business-to-business (B2B) and consumer (B2C) marketing. Diana also provides internal communications programming and has managed several crisis programs.

Having held executive positions at multinational agencies and owning her own businesses for many years, Diana has built and lead strategic communications campaigns for a wide range of clients.

She began her career in media relations and public affairs in Washington, DC, where she also served as Deputy Director of Marketing on the 52nd Presidential Inaugural Committee (for President Bill Clinton). A Chartered Marketer, Diana currently serves on the Board of Governors for Centennial College and Chairs the Learning and Engagement Committee. She also sits as the Co-Chair of the Brand Strategy Council at the Canadian Marketing Association and as a Board member and Chair of the Communications Committee of the Ireland Park Foundation.

Work superpower: “Bringing creativity to everything we do.”

Non-work superpower: “Parallel parking.”

diana.conconi@kaiserpartners.com

Gwen McGuire, CM

Vice President

Gwen is an experienced corporate communications practitioner with a proven track record in delivering successful strategic communications programs for a diverse range of clients. At Kaiser & Partners (K&P), she leads a number of major accounts and oversees the firm’s real estate practice.

Gwen has done extensive work for some of Canada’s most respected real estate, financial and professional services firms and provides a strategic approach that is directly aligned with clients’ broader business objectives. She consistently secures organizational profile and media results that exceed program objectives. She also has a strong skill set in presenting client research, products, expertise and announcements in a compelling and newsworthy way and has worked on several award-winning public relations campaigns.

Gwen regularly provides issues and crisis counsel to clients, supporting them with complex reputation management efforts. Her experience includes working with Maple Leaf Foods in the aftermath of the 2008 listeria crisis.

Gwen graduated from Concordia University’s Communications Studies program with distinction and Carleton University’s Masters of Public Policy and Administration program and holds her Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association. She has also completed MBA seminars in marketing, communications and enterprise development.

Work superpower: “Bringing a strategic mindset to all mandates – and mastering complex accounts.”

Non-work superpower: “Choosing the wine.”

Joyce Fergusson

Vice President, Finance and Administration

Joyce is a senior financial and accounting professional with over three decades of experience with both public and private Canadian companies. At K&P, she manages all aspects of the company’s financials and reporting, payroll, employee benefits program, risk management, vendor relations and office operations, while providing extensive input into the firm’s overall business strategy.

Joyce’s financial and business planning experience includes several years in senior-level positions in the retirement, professional services and corporate banking sectors.  She also spent over a decade as lead Controller for a major Canadian pharmacy chain, as well as several years as Controller for a private real estate development and property management company.

Joyce is a CPA, CMA and completed her MBA at Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Work superpower: “Battling numbers.”

Non-work superpower: “Big batch baking.”

Janessa Bishop

Senior Account Director

Janessa is a seasoned communications professional with experience developing and executing communications programs for a variety of industries, including healthcare, non-profit, technology, government, and professional services. She has executed and managed strategic programs for national, regional and local clients, which improved their position in the market and differentiated them from competitors. At Kaiser & Partners (K&P), Janessa serves as senior lead on a number of accounts across multiple industries.

Janessa previously led media relations at two large, non-profit organizations (Sinai Health Foundation and SickKids Foundation) and worked with donors and stakeholders across Canada to raise awareness of the need to fund health care for children and adults. Janessa developed and implemented strategic communications plans for awareness campaigns and major gift announcements and worked on issues management and crisis communications in the non-profit sector.

Her experience also includes creating extensive internal communications plans and developing digital and social content strategies.

Janessa graduated from Carleton University’s Journalism program with a combined honours degree in Journalism and English. She is fluent in English and French.

Work superpower: “Designing multi-channel, integrated communications programs”

Non-work superpower: “Cat whisperer”

Catherine Snider

Account Director

Catherine Snider utilizes her strengths in client management, media relations, writing and research for a diverse range of clients across a vast variety of industries including professional services, human resources, real estate, technology and health.

She provides project management and day-to-day support for companies such as Morneau Shepell, Canada’s largest human resources consulting firm; FCT, industry-leading title insurance and real estate technology provider; Meatless Farm, plant-based food company helping Canadians reduce meat consumption; and AIRMILES, Canada’s most recognized loyalty program.

Her work has contributed to the success of award-winning public relations campaigns, recognized by both the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)’s prestigious awards programs.

Catherine received a Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson University. She also completed a post-graduate certificate in public relations from Humber College and is currently completing her Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association.

Work superpower: “Relationship building – being both a trusted strategic advisor and friend to many clients!”

Non-work superpower: “Pop culture encyclopedia.”

Maggie Hall

Account Director

Maggie helps lead and drive success for client accounts within the corporate, financial, investor relations and technology practice groups at Kaiser & Partners.

She provides expertise in media relations, financial markets, strategic planning, stakeholder relations and crisis communications to deliver high-quality results that exceed client expectations.

Maggie’s deep understanding of today’s dynamic and competitive financial and technology landscapes helps set the agency a step above its peers. She works with stakeholders, including journalists, to position her clients positively where it matters most. Maggie’s clients trust her to act as a strategic advisor who is laser-focused on helping them achieve long-term growth aligned with business goals.

Prior to joining K&P, Maggie worked at Scotiabank, primarily in Global Banking & Markets. There, she supported the equity sales, trading and corporate access teams, helped plan and execute the equity industry conference series and liaised with Scotiabank offices worldwide to streamline procedures. She also worked on the bank’s retail side in Donations, Sponsorships & Executive projects.

Maggie is an alumnus of McGill University and completed a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Centennial College. She is Fluent in English and French.

Work superpower: “Multi-tasking.”

Non-work superpower: “Power napping.”

Chloé Lebouc

Account Director, Montréal

Chloé helps clients navigate the Quebec media and influencer market. She also shares responsibility for the day-to-day operations and administration of the Montreal office.

Chloé’s endless curiosity has led her to work on three different continents. It was in New Zealand, working for the NGO Oxfam, that she began to build her communications and marketing skills. She broadened them working for a world-renowned corporate communications agency in Lyon, France and has been growing since then in the Quebec and Canadian public relations markets. Inspired by these different experiences, Chloé knows how to develop captivating content and put herself in the shoes of each of her clients.

Chloé developed her breadth of experience managing the reputation of major international brands, leading the coordination of large events, carrying out public affairs campaigns and providing communications counsel to business leaders, government representatives, and advocacy leaders.

Her experience in issues management allows her to develop both sharp media and influencer strategies, for B2C as well as B2B audiences. Chloé’s experience also includes co-developing a public affairs department and a PR office for two different agencies, along with successfully securing many business opportunities in different Canadian markets.

Chloé holds a Master’s degree in Communications and Sociology from the Political Science Institute of Lyon, France, received with honours, and has carried out several field research projects, including receiving a mention for her final thesis. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

Work superpower: “Developing concurrent and complementary strategies for both Francophone and Anglophone markets.”

Non-work superpower: “Canvas watercolors and interior design freak.”

chloe.lebouc@kaiserpartners.com

Angela Pinzon

Account Manager

Angela plans and successfully executes media relations and strategic communications programs with major real estate, financial, human resources and technology companies in Canada and the United States and consistently exceeds expectations in strategic planning and execution, meeting deadlines and managing client budgets. She also oversees K&P’s internship program.

Angela has worked as a journalist, communications advisor, digital strategist and marketing coordinator for public and private organizations in Colombia including Lonja de Propiedad Raiz de Bogota, a non-profit organization supporting the real estate industry in Colombia’s capital city. She also brings deep experience in digital communications to K&P, from strategy to design to successful implementation and results-driven measurement.

Angela completed a postgraduate certificate in corporate communications and public relations from Centennial College in Toronto, Canada, and holds a B.A. in social communication from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. Angela is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.

Work superpower: “Project management, measurement and reporting.”

Non-work superpower: “Design and art direction.”

Keera Hart

Account Manager

With experience in finance and public relations, and expertise in proactive media outreach and content development, Keera’s clients benefit from her diverse approach to financial and corporate communications.

She began her career in Toronto at a boutique financial communications firm where she developed and executed campaigns and strategies for clients across sectors, including asset management firms, mortgage brokers, and financial technology applications.

Her experience includes proactive media outreach, strategic positioning, brand and reputation management, custom content creation, media training, and employee communications.

At Kaiser & Partners, Keera supports a variety of clients in the financial and corporate sectors, including ADP, Cambridge Global Payments, FICO, Purpose Investments, and Travelers Insurance. She also oversees K&Ps intern program.

Keera received a Bachelor of Psychology degree from York University and holds a post-graduate certificate in public relations and corporate communications from Centennial College.

Work superpower: “Quickest to reply to emails, messages etc.”

Non-work superpower: “The person people come to for advice.”

Taylor Gadde

Account Manager

Taylor is an accomplished communications professional with experience developing and executing public relations and communications programs in a variety of sectors including technology, cyber security and real estate. He has managed and executed strategic communications and public relations programs for national, regional and local organizations which have differentiated them in the market and contributed to increased brand awareness and recognition.

Prior to joining Kaiser & Partners, Taylor worked at leading global public relations firm where he built communications programs for a variety of clients including SAP Canada, Western Union, Darktrace, Enercare and MARS Canada.

Work superpower: “Daily time entry.”

Non-work superpower: “All-you-can-eat sushi expert.”

Jennifer Farr

Account Manager

Jen believes in taking a 360-degree approach to communications – ensuring the right message is delivered to the right audience, the right way and at the right time – and applies this to all her client accounts.

Jen contributes on programs across real estate, technology, corporate and HR sectors, and has provided instrumental support to clients on crisis communications throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining the K&P team, Jen interned at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, where she elevated communications materials, advocacy efforts and stakeholder engagement to help shape public opinion. In her first agency job, she developed engaging written content including media pitches, executive briefs, weekly newsletters to global teams and quarterly coverage reports. She also worked for a community-focused, mixed-use real estate developer, where she honed her focus on everything digital; from formalizing internal communications channels to developing and implementing a social media strategy from the ground up.

Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre from University of Toronto. She completed the Public Relations and Corporate Communications post-graduate certificate program at Centennial College.

Work superpower: “Personalizing corporate content for blogs and internal audiences.”

Non-work superpower: “Putting on one-woman theatre shows.”

Shane Madill

Senior Coordinator

Shane uses his strengths in writing, editing and research to support the K&P team with a focus on media and investor relations across a variety of sectors. His current client work includes the Canadian Marketing Association, Morguard, SecureKey and Sleep Country.

Prior to joining K&P, Shane worked as the editor-in-chief of The Silhouette where he helped the publication receive a win at the Hamilton Independent Media Awards for Best Media Outlet in 2018 and was nominated for Best Journalist – Next Generation in 2017. He helped spearhead the paper’s reintroduction into the Canadian University Press and introduction into the National News Media Council while upholding the ethics, ideals and journalistic integrity promoted by both. He also worked at The Silhouette as an online editor, opinion editor and reporter.

Shane joined K&P through the agency’s internship program, following his graduation from public relations and corporate communications post-graduate certificate program with honours at Centennial College where he won IABC Toronto’s Student of the Year award and received a Silver award for CPRS Toronto’s Student Communications Plan of the Year. He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics from McMaster University.

Work superpower: “Logical and technical writing.”

Non-work superpower: “Consuming large quantities of ramen.”

Raphaël Chemla

Account Coordinator, Montreal

Originally from France, Raphaël arrived in Canada in 2018, and settled in Montreal. Through his diverse work experience, Raphaël combines public relations and marketing skills to assist his clients with their communications objectives.

Raphaël eagerly takes on new challenges to help clients realize their objectives. He excels in advancing client communications programs and thrives in a fast-paced agency environment. He is able to analyze complex business situations and develop clear key messages that benefit the companies and organizations he works with.

In Montreal, he worked as a party digital mobilization manager during the 2018 general election, as a communication coordinator for a cultural communications agency and as a consultant for two retail companies.

While in France, he interned with the current Paris Mayor’s local campaign team to coordinate volunteer activities and communications tactics. Following that, he worked at the French Assemblée nationale as an MP assistant. He also had the opportunity to work in the office of the Mayor of the 14^th district of Paris, as a cultural, youth and sport counsellor and as a project manager in the Youth Department of the City Hall of Paris. He is fluent in French and English.

Work superpower: “PR magician.”

Non-work superpower: “Making the best coffee in town.”

Emily Ellis

Account Coordinator

As a coordinator at Kaiser & Partners, Emily utilizes her passion for writing, media and PR to support her team with media monitoring, reporting and pitching across her various finance and technology clients. Emily’s client work includes LHH, Numinus, ORSIC, SecureKey, FCT Insurance and Travelers Canada.

Prior to joining K&P, Emily was a student Humber College’s Public Relations postgraduate program, where she gained insightful knowledge and skills she now applies throughout her tasks at our agency.

Additionally, Emily holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in English and Cultural Studies from McMaster University. During her time at McMaster, Emily took on experience as a Social Media Intern at a non-profit arts organization known as the Hamilton Arts Council. There, Emily helped grow an online awareness behind the importance of arts and culture, promoted job opportunities and events for local artists and established a more concise digital brand amongst competitors throughout the GTA.

Emily was also VP Social for COPE: A Student Mental Health Initiative and was a member of the Communications and Multimedia Society at McMaster University.

Work superpower: “Delivering projects early.”

Non-work superpower: “Mastering recipes on the first try.”

Lauren Bech-Hansen

Account Coordinator

With a background in financial services, marketing, and communications, Lauren approaches her work from a client-focused perspective. Her passion for communications enables her to tackle challenges with confidence and make valuable contributions to the efforts of those she works with.

Prior to joining K&P, Lauren worked at several investment management firms where she facilitated major public affairs initiatives, monitored high-level news pertinent to the public perception of the company, and prepared weekly briefs, reports and presentation decks for the senior management team. She also handled complex account issues for a large base of investors across Canada, fostered positive relationships with key clients, and refined various internal materials in support of a more consistent communication strategy. More recently, she led a campaign to build out a professional online presence for a small, family-run general contracting firm.

Her experience includes coordinating marketing/communications projects, producing strategic communications materials and establishing positive rapport with a diverse range of clients.

Lauren is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Development, with a minor in Law, from Dalhousie University.

Work superpower: “Proactivity.”

Non-work superpower: “Mastering TikTok choreography.”

Onyinye Mbachu

Account Coordinator

Onyinye is a communications professional with experience in managing innovative communication campaigns for B2B and B2C companies.

In a nutshell, her experience has revolved around the implementation of strategic communications plans, brand management and content creation for various channels.

She began her career in Africa and joined K&P a few months after relocating to Canada. In her previous role, she worked as an account executive in a full-service public relations agency, where she led the strategy and execution of communications programs for clients across a variety of industries including financial services, energy, health, technology and consumer goods.

Onyinye’s interests range from business innovation, to marketing, brand strategy and communications. She aims to use her skills to position brands for sustainable success.

Work superpower: “Developing creative concepts to meet client objectives.”

Non-work superpower: “Dancing!”

Mohammad Raza

Account Coordinator

Mohammad leverages his extensive writing, editing and research skills to support the K&P team across a variety of accounts in many industries. His unwavering passion for storytelling is critical in helping clients create more meaningful engagements with their audiences.

Prior to joining K&P, Mohammad worked as a communications intern at University Health Network in the Facilities, Management and Projects (FM-PRO) department. Here, Mohammad created a series of essential communications materials that highlighted FM-PRO’s often underrepresented staff such as porters, maintenance and housekeeping personnel, and the amazing work they have done supporting hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also worked at Hill+Knowlton Strategies as assistant consultant, where he provided support on multiple communications programs for a variety of corporate clients.

Mohammad graduated from the public relations and corporate communications post-graduate certificate program with honours at Centennial College, and also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and political science with a minor in English literature from University of Toronto.

Work superpower: “Creative storytelling and out-of-the-box ideas.”

Non-work superpower: “Finding the best meme to fit any situation.”

Estefanía Lovera Marín

Account Coordinator

With knowledge and experience in public relations and social media, Estefanía is a creative communications specialist responsible for supporting K&P’s team and clients in their communications efforts and goals. She believes that integrated communication solutions are much more effective and cohesive when it comes to shaping a brand’s image and reputation.

Estefanía loves tackling challenges and learning new things along the way. She has a keen eye for detail and thrives in dynamic settings where she can constantly bring innovative ideas to the table. Her enthusiasm, sense of initiative and proactivity help her deliver results that go beyond expectations.

In her previous role as social media manager for a digital marketing agency, Estefanía successfully planned, created and delivered content for a variety of brands and their different social media platforms, all while building engaged audiences and keeping track of metrics and KPIs.

Having worked as a client content specialist for a leading global newswire service, she acted as a liaison between a wide variety of corporate clients as well as Canadian institutions across all levels of government and the local, national and international media.

Estefanía holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Concordia University, where she also completed a Diploma in Journalism Techniques. She is fluent in Spanish, English and French.

Work superpower: “Switching hats gracefully as needed.”

Non work superpower: “Aspiring minimalist with a knack for photography and a mild obsession with Olivia, her French bulldog.”