We take your work seriously.
Ourselves? Not so much.

At Blakely, we believe the secret to great work is a great team. And a great team is built on collaboration, honesty, respect and diversity of ideas. It’s how we discover unexpected solutions to difficult business problems – and create an amazing agency culture. So come meet our team of seriously hard workers and creative problem solvers.

WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Leadership

Ago Guastella

Creative Director

YOUR WHY

I love solving problems through creativity and doing some good while I’m at it.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

None. Gelato is where it’s at! LIMONE & PISTACHIO!!!

Amy Pawluk

Chief Operating Officer

YOUR WHY

Two things: Number 1 – The causes and variety of causes we get to work with everyday, truly allow me to feel like we’re making a difference in the world.
Number 2 – Hands down the people. Whether it’s the incredible team at Blakely that has truly become family to me, or the amazing clients that we get to work with. The people are what makes you want to do more and do better.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

I’m not sayin, I’m just sayin.

Jeff Eland

VP, Insights & Analytics

YOUR WHY

Mostly it is about solving challenges and figuring out the answers to those tough questions.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

Anything chocolate.

Kesheyl van Schilt

President & CEO

YOUR WHY

Hands down the people. Our team, our clients. They are truly the best part of my day.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

You never stop learning (and act natural).

Kimberley Blease

EVP, Strategic Solutions
 & Consultancy

YOUR WHY

I love connecting the dots and finding solutions with other passionate people who care – clients, colleagues, team members at Blakely, or our partners!

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

It’s too late to be early!

Maeve Strathy

VP, Client Relationships

YOUR WHY

The people. My colleagues feel as much like family and friends as they do teammates.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Just do it, cuz once you’ve done it, you did it.

Oliver Hibbs

Director, Digital Strategy & Integration

YOUR WHY

I am really a curious person and love finding new and creative solutions to problems.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

It is what it is.

Rachel Hunnybun

Director, Strategic Solutions

YOUR WHY

I love listening to challenges, creating solutions and helping to support change and transformation in our clients’ teams to raise more money for great causes!

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Go big or go home.

Sara Campbell Mates

VP, Client Development

YOUR WHY

I really enjoy the collaboration, with clients and with the team. I feel so fortunate to work with so many amazing people.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Nothing good happens at the second location. 

Winston van Schilt

Chief Financial Officer

YOUR WHY

I love numbers.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Bruh.

YOUR NEW BEST FRIENDS

Client Relationships

Alec Cumming

Account Director

YOUR WHY

I love working as a team to build something better – there’s nothing more exciting!

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

Haagen-Dazs Mayan Chocolate

Ben Schattmann

Account Director

YOUR WHY

I love working with our amazing clients and delivering impactful campaigns that help to further the important work that they do.

FAVOURITE FLAVOUR OF ICE CREAM

Mint Chocolate Chip.

Brianne Dales

Senior Account Manager

YOUR WHY

I love the challenge, and being able to see the impact of my work. Meeting and seeing different faces every day always keeps my days fun.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Bri (lol jk) Breakfast.

Candice Gillman

Senior Account Manager

Deidre Causton

Account Manager

YOUR WHY

I have a personal relationship with fundraising, having been instilled in me after a life-changing event. Being part of the journey that has a chance to make the world a better place; for everyone, for one person, for one moment – cannot be properly put into words for me.  

FAVOURITE B WORD

BHAG – A “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”  

Elijah Marentette

Digital Account Director

YOUR WHY

Not only do I get to wear many different hats, but I also get to be a part of creating a lasting impact. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work on important causes every day!

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE LINER

“What? Like it’s hard?” -Elle Woods

Ericka Tovey

Sr. Fundraising Strategist

YOUR WHY

I am a passionate fundraiser and driven to help our clients raise more money for their missions. I love how fundraising is truly an art and a science.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it’s the courage to continue that counts.”

Graeme Kembel

Account Director

YOUR WHY

I love helping our clients connect with people, and the causes they care about.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Bodacious.

Juliana Rodger

Fundraising Strategist

YOUR WHY

I love that fundraising is both an art and a science, and the satisfaction that comes with making something better than you found it.

FAVOURITE QUOTE

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott

Kelly Lachance

Director, Client Relationships

YOUR WHY

I always feel challenged by my colleagues and our clients! I love that! Never bored that’s for sure.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“You may as well laugh because if you don’t, you just might cry.”

Madeleine Gray

Senior Account Manager

YOUR WHY

I’m thrilled to work alongside such clever and creative minds, helping bring visions to life!

FAVOURITE B WORD

Banter.

Marie Whalen

Senior Account Manager

YOUR WHY

Every day is different and I love the people (clients and co-workers).

FAVOURITE B WORD

Beer.

Matthew Tavares

Fundraising Strategist

YOUR WHY

I’ve always enjoyed working with wonderful people to discover the most authentic approach to drive action.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Let’s take a breath and think this through.

Megan Vandekerckove

Account Director

YOUR WHY

I love using my powers for good! It’s an honour to focus my curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills to help build lasting impact for incredible causes.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE LINER

“Let’s make good things happen!”

Melanie Ventura

Account Manager

YOUR WHY

I love that the work we do is making a positive impact in people’s lives. Using my skills to be part of that impact is a huge win in my books.

FAVOURITE QUOTE

Grow through what you go through.

Monica Lelarge

Senior Fundraising Strategist

YOUR WHY

I have fun and love developing and executing strategies. I truly enjoy it when the teams I work with bring them to life.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Bambú.

Nikini Yakandawela

Account Manager

YOUR WHY

I absolutely love collaborating with remarkable organizations that are dedicated to making a positive impact. The joy and satisfaction I derive from assisting in conveying their impactful stories make every moment in my profession both fun and fulfilling.

FAVOURITE QUOTE

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

THE STRATEGIC MINDS AT YOUR TABLE

Strategic Solutions

Adam Hussein

Strategic Solutions Project Specialist

YOUR WHY

I love the everyday challenges and problem solving which keeps things interesting. Also, the amazing people I get to work with everyday!

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

All in it together!

Jennifer Meriano

Senior Strategic Lead

YOUR WHY

I love uncovering what it is that people truly care about. I feel really lucky that I have a job that is about listening to stories and sharing them.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE LINER

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

GIVING LIFE TO AN IDEA

Creative

Celine Parisien

Associate Art Director

YOUR WHY

I am passionate about graphic design and thrive on offering the best visual creative solutions.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Do what you love!

Christy Mayer

Art Director

YOUR WHY

I love creatively solving problems, telling stories, influencing people, and making a positive impact on the world is my jam.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“But first, Matcha.”

Dana Nixon

Associate Art Director

YOUR WHY

It’s fulfilling to be able to use my creative and practical skills to work with organizations that are making a meaningful impact in so many communities.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE LINER

“Jogging is the worst, Chris! I mean I know it keeps you healthy, but God, at what cost?” – Ann Perkins, Parks and Rec

Etery Podolsky

Production Design Team Lead

YOUR WHY

Love doing creative things and being part of an amazing team.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

Oreo cookie.

Ilyas Mashanlo

Mac Operator

YOUR WHY

I love anything creative, I always loved the design courses when I was in high school and it kind of snowballed to what I am today.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Jabroni.

Jenn Brown

Associate Art Director

YOUR WHY

I love seeing ideas come to life that can make a positive impact!

FAVOURITE B WORD

Beluga.

Lisa Smit

Art Director/Marketing Strategist

YOUR WHY

I’ve always loved creating and thinking creatively. Getting to create for such wonderful causes just makes it even better! 

FAVOURITE B WORD

BOGO, because who doesn’t love a good deal? 

Matt Ng

Art Director

YOUR WHY

I love finding simple creative solutions to complex problems.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Find your own process within the process.

Shannon Parker

Associate Creative Director

YOUR WHY

I love the challenge of creative problem solving. Seeing my idea come to life and thrive in the wild is amazing.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Brie.

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY WITH THE DETAILS

Data Execution

Anton Hofman

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

It’s what I was good at in school A++

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

Not chocolate.

Dan Mullin

Senior Manager, Data Execution

YOUR WHY

I like helping clients achieve their goals and seeing programming solutions come to life.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Beethoven.

Jeff Tomlinson

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

What may be boring to 99% of everyone, I love seeing the final product of cleaned names and addresses. Knowing that our team has built the tools ourselves to accomplish that is what makes working here very enjoyable.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

There is no such thing as “mail ready data”.

Judith Elardo

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

I love what I do because it keeps my mind alive!

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Learn from your mistakes and move on.

Samin Shariat

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

Data processing is like cooking. Each ingredient doesn’t taste good on itself, but we can enjoy a delicious meal after they are all mixed in a right way. Similarly, we can get the same result if we process our raw data in a right way.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

I’ve been there too.

Sukhjit Johal

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

Always looking to automate repetitive tasks. It may be because I hate typing. I love challenges, it keeps my mind sharp.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

Just do it.

Varala Venugopal

Database Programmer

YOUR WHY

Every day is new when you learn something cool and exciting. I love working an amazing team!

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Better to ask, than assume!

Getting your message in the mail

Alex Wilson

Production Specialist

YOUR WHY

I thrive on deadlines and challenges but the best part of what I do is working with an amazing team.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“Everything you can imagine is real.”

Jennifer Beaton

Print Production Manager

YOUR WHY

Even after all these years at Blakely, there’s still new things to learn and challenges you don’t expect.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“Please tell me it was just the seeds.”

Jennifer Ingwersen

Print Production Specialist

YOUR WHY

I love seeing a campaign come together from start to finish.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Balance.

Sandi Ruffo

Production Specialist

YOUR WHY

Conquering the almost impossible. The thrill. Magic, rabbits, and pixie dust.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

That put a smile in my bucket.

MOVING US FORWARD

Digital Marketing

Kurtis Ledingham

Digital Marketing Specialist

YOUR WHY

I love being involved with digital marketing because of the ever-changing online environment.
It always keeps things interesting and allows me to channel my creative side.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE LINER

“Impossible is for the unwilling!”

Matthew Lee

Digital Marketing Manager

YOUR WHY

I love taking lots of data and dissecting it to find what I really need.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like, “Whaaaat?”

Sarah Ashenhurst

Digital Marketing Specialist

YOUR WHY

I love having the opportunity to work with a team that genuinely cares about the work they do and affecting real, positive change.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

“Don’t threaten me with a good time”

MAKING US LOOK AND FEEL GOOD

Employee Engagement & Marketing

Adryanna Doobay

Employee Experience Associate

YOUR WHY

It is both challenging and rewarding!  

FAVOURITE QUOTE

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” – Dumbledore

Carolyn Miller

EA, New Business Development

YOUR WHY

Love when the Blakely fam hustles to get ‘er done, no matter what. It gets the blood flowing and lets you know you’re a part of something bigger.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Buzz.

Mackenzie Grayson

Marketing Manager

YOUR WHY

Getting to use the right side of my brain daily.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Always aim to lead with positive problem solving.
A poutine station is always a good idea.

KEEPING US ORGANIZED & GETTING THE BILLS PAID

Finance & Operations

Anne Parkinson

Finance Manager

YOUR WHY

I love the challenge of working with numbers all day and knowing in the end everything balances!

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

To infinity and beyond.

Jon Hillen

Quotation Manager & Operations Specialist

YOUR WHY

I love problem solving, wrangling the unknown and working with these amazing Blakelians everyday. When those worlds collide with a little elbow grease, high expectations, and tight timelines – that’s when we show our mettle and the impossible becomes reality.

FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR

Haagen-Dazs Cookies & Cream Ice Cream.

Megg Sweeney-Hockin

Estimator / Operations Specialist

YOUR WHY

Finding the best deal with the best delivery dates is my jam! I love solving problems and I love Procurement.

FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER

6 of 1 – 1/2 a dozen of the other.

Tanya Bordun

Project Manager, Operations

YOUR WHY

It’s in my DNA to have a schedule/list of things to do. This satisfies my love of getting the job done and marking things as completed.

BEST BLAKELY ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN

Keep it moving.

HELPING YOU SEE NEW OPPORTUNITY

Insights & Analytics

Desmond Anthonipillai

Business Intelligence Developer

YOUR WHY

Amazed at how far we have progressed in data and analytics from when Blakely started to now. Can’t wait to see it all unfold with our growing Analytics Team.

FAVOURITE B WORD

Bread.

Harshil Shah

Analyst

YOUR WHY

Data can be both beautiful and informative when presented in the right way. Analyzing trends and history, and combining everything to gain a comprehensive understanding of the future, is the best part.

FAVOURITE QUOTE

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. 

Want to join the team?