Huw Williams, President

Huw Williams is the President of Impact Public Affairs and specializes in government and media relations. With extensive experience in the print and broadcast media, he has appeared frequently as a corporate spokesperson on CBC and CTV national news. Mr. Williams’ government experience is diverse, having served as Acting Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada; as a Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Constitutional Affairs; and as a Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly. He has also served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. Mr. Williams authored “A Government Relations Guide For Directors of Non-Profit Organizations” published by the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE). He also served on the board of directors for the Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC).

In 2010, Williams was named worldwide Public Affairs Professional of the Year finalist by PRNews Magazine. Williams’ other accolades include the CSAE 2010 Griner Award for outstanding “Business Excellence”, one of The Hill Times’ Top 100 lobbyists in Canada in 2009, and the Ottawa Business Journal’s “Top Forty under 40 Award” for professional success and community involvement in 2006.

Mr. Williams holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of Calgary. He has also completed studies at the Université de Tour in France and is bilingual.

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Barb Barrett, Senior Communications Consultant

Barb Barrett is a Senior Communications Consultant for Impact Public Affairs specializing in media relations and corporate communications. Ms. Barrett has over ten years experience directing communications campaigns for some of Canada's leading corporations and associations both for leading communications agencies in Toronto and as the Director of Communications for a major international automaker. Ms. Barrett has coordinated media programs across North America and Europe including the management of major public relations initiatives related to Formula One Racing. Ms. Barrett has extensive contacts in the both the national media and trade media. Ms. Barrett is also an expert in special event coordination and product launches. Ms. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Nipissing University.

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Peter Woolford, Senior Advisor (Toronto)

Peter joined Impact’s team in December 2009 following a distinguished 20-yearcareer as Vice President of the Retail Council of Canada responsible for government relations, and public policy. The Retail Council of Canada is one of Canada’s largest associations and the country’s largest retail association.  Prior to joining the Retail Council, Peter served as a senior public servant in Ottawa in the departments of Finance, Industry and the Privy Council.  While at the Retail Council, Peter worked closely with Impact clients on a number of government relations issues including the HST and other retail tax issues. Peter is bilingual and very experienced working with small and medium sized businesses.    Peter has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

Moving forward, Peter will provide Impact’s clients with advice on advocacy strategy and will use his extensive network of government contacts to advance issues in Finance and Industry.  Peter will also provide insight and advice on matters of economic policy.

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Michael Hatch, Senior Consultant

Michael Hatch is a Senior Consultant for Impact Public Affairs specializing in financial policy and economics. Michael has extensive public sector experience, having served three years as an economic policy advisor on Parliament Hill. He is a frequent commentator on public policy issues on Business News Network and in other major TV, print and broadcast media. He has also been a featured speaker at major events including the Vancouver Board of Trade Economic Growth Forum. Most recently, he worked for a Big-Four accounting firm as a consultant, advising multinational clients on matters relating to multi-jurisdictional tax and compliance issues. Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Toronto and is fluently bilingual.

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Alana Fontaine, Director of Public Affairs

Alana Fontaine has extensive experience coordinating major national advocacy campaigns and is the lead organizer for many industry association lobby days. Alana has been instrumental in providing public relations and government affairs advice to a number of high level clients in Canada, and the United States, including those in the transportation, healthcare and education sectors. Alana maintains a close network of relationships with Members of Parliament and the media.

In 2010, Alana was selected by Manhattan based publication PR News as one of 2010’s top “15-to-Watch”. The award is in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the public relations field. This award is open to individuals worldwide under the age of 30 and honours the top 15 budding public relations leaders and creative practitioners.This year, she was the only Canadian recognized with this prestigious award.

Alana holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and has completed a post-graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa and is fluently bilingual.

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Michael Powell, Government Affairs and Research Associate

Impact Public Affairs. His professional experience includes campaign roles
with the Federal Liberal Party organizing campaign events in targeted
ridings and special events with the Prime Minister's Tour. He has previously
worked as a professional researcher in a variety of fields, with his work
having been published in a peer-reviewed academic journal. Michael holds a
Bachelor of Arts with Combined Honours in History and Political Science from
Carleton University, where he is presently completing a Master of Arts in
Canadian History.

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Emily Reid, Director of Communications and Creative Services

Emily is the Director of Communications and Creative Services for Impact Public Affairs. Emily joined Impact with an extensive background in customer service and special events. Emily previously worked for one of Canada's leading broadcasting corporations where she was part of a large scale national development program. Emily's work with numerous clients has led to recognition from the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) and she has worked on leading advocacy campaigns for some of Canada's largest organizations. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in English and Theatre from the University of Ottawa and is bilingual.

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Cynthia Waldmeier, Public Relations Associate

Cynthia brings several years of event planning and hospitality services experience from luxury hotels both in Canada and the United States. She was involved in a national advertising campaign for the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago where she appeared in Newsweek magazine, ABC news and Fox news.  She also worked in event planning for the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. Cynthia is specifically familiar with non-profit communications strategy, and worked at a prominent international charity prior to moving to Impact Public Affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology from Queen’s University, and a Masters of Arts in Communications from the University of Ottawa.

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Kalene Tilson, Public Affairs Coordinator

Kalene Tilson has several years experience delivering high profile project coordination and events management services. Her project coordination experience has been primarily focused in the arts and she has worked on many successful film and theatre projects in Toronto and internationally. As an event manager, Kalene has also contributed to numerous successful gala events for non-profit organizations including the Make a Wish Foundation and Art With Heart for Casey House. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from York University and is bilingual.

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Matthew Wallace, Web Designer

Matthew is a versatile award winning designer who provides clients with services in both the web and print medium. His distinctive approach to every project and style allow him to provide his clients with exceptional creative solutions, valuable consultation and outstanding products always on time and on budget, even under the most demanding circumstances.

Throughout the last 13 years Matthew has been lucky enough to work with a variety of clients from government agencies including, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Treasury Board, Environment Canada, the Passport Office and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Matt has also had the opportunity to work with the Lung Association, VISA, Diageo, Molson, Nike, Lockheed Martin, NHL Hockey Archive, International  Universal Studios, Alliance Atlantis and the Air Transport Association of Canada.

Matthew is a product of the very best education in this field and, of rich and diverse professional experience. A native of Ottawa, he holds a Graphic Design Diploma (with Honours) from Algonquin College. In 2010 Matthew's work was recognized by the Summit Emerging Media Awards for his website design for the Amethyst Women's Addiction Centre.

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