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
Vice President, Creative
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 Growth & Innovation
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
VP, Digital & Data Solutions
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
VP, Donor Experience
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
EVP Strategy & Planning
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
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.”
Anita Dundys
Account Director
YOUR WHY
I’m excited to get up in the morning and get to work! How many people can say that? I love being able to make a difference in the world by helping our clients raise more money and deliver on their missions. At the end of each day, no matter how challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this small way.
FAVOURITE B WORD
Beach
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.
Candice Gillman
Account Director
Graeme Kembel
Account Director
YOUR WHY
I love helping our clients connect with people, and the causes they care about.
FAVOURITE B WORD
Bodacious.
Alyssa Hunter
Account Director
YOUR WHY
Since we have only one life, I want my small role in this world to make a meaningful difference.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. — Attributed to Confucius
Hanna Velovic
Account Manager
YOUR WHY
It’s exciting to play a part in empowering organizations and connecting them with the people who need them the most!
FAVOURITE B WORD
Beatrice. My mom’s name!
Justine Smith
Account Manager
YOUR WHY
Every donor engagement is a chance to tell a compelling story and connect people to a cause they believe in. Knowing that our work helps organizations achieve their goals and make a real difference is what motivates me and why I love what I do.
FAVOURITE B WORD
Buffalo …hot sauce!
Laura Downing
Account Manager
YOUR WHY
I love being able to work alongside an amazing team to help bring a client’s vision to life and help meet their goals.
FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line” – Lucille Ball
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.
Marie Whalen
Senior Account Manager
YOUR WHY
Every day is different and I love the people (clients and co-workers).
FAVOURITE B WORD
Beer.
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!”
Miranda Fuller
Account Director
YOUR WHY
I love partnering with passionate fundraising teams to make a big impact through creative strategies. It’s exciting to blend traditional tactics with innovative approaches, leading to breakthroughs that create positive change, one campaign at a time.
FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER
Respect the ask by understanding the effort.
Fleur Cooper
Account Director
YOUR WHY
I believe you should leave this world better than you found it. I love working with our clients to deliver the most impactful and engaging campaigns that inspire the community to support their important work.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
Appreciation is the key to motivation
Erika Lopes
Account Director
YOUR WHY
I’ve always been driven to make the world a better place, and I love that my work allows me to directly help organizations create meaningful impact.
FAVOURITE B WORD
BYOD – Bring your own dog!
Natasha Gisondi
Account Manager
YOUR WHY
I love what I do because I get to help non-profits achieve their goals and make a real impact. Working with passionate colleagues and seeing the direct results of our efforts is incredibly rewarding and motivating.
FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER
Be a voice for the voiceless
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
Kendall McCoy
Client Relationships Coordinator
YOUR WHY
A sense of pride – I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment I feel from completing a project to the best of my abilities for a client.
FAVOURITE B WORD
Balance
STRATEGY ARCHITECTS
Planning
Ericka Tovey
Director, Strategic Initiatives
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.”
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
Megan Feltham
Senior Strategist
YOUR WHY
I’m driven by providing joy and working with clients and teammates in supporting the greater good. I’m a future thinker and love creating strategies that help organizations grow.
FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” Winston Churchill
Monica Lelarge
Director of Planning
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.
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.
Mike Quade
Strategist
YOUR WHY
I love diving into data and uncovering the secret sauce to success. Empowering non profits and watching them grow and support their communities is highly rewarding.
FAVOURITE B WORD
Bonsai
GIVING LIFE TO AN IDEA
Creative
Autum Rayne
Graphic Designer, Production
YOUR WHY
I strongly believe in the transformative power of design in our daily lives. My goal is to tell stories in a way that is accessible to everyone.
FAVOURITE FLAVOUR OF ICE CREAM
Butter Pecan is underrated!
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
Jr. Production Designer
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
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 Solutions
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.
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
Print Production
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.”
Catherine Ellis
Print Production Specialist
YOUR WHY
I find the ever-changing world of Direct mail and variable messaging, print and marketing, challenging and exciting!
It is very fulfilling to be able to apply my knowledge to help Not-for-Profit organizations connect/engage their Donors and community.
FAVOURITE QUOTE/ONE-LINER
Work like you don’t need money…Love like you’ve never been hurt…and Dance like no one is watching!
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
Director, Digital Solutions
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”
Timothy Siu
Digital Marketing Specialist
YOUR WHY
My passion is with digital marketing, and to have the opportunity to use my skills to help not for profits is something I am looking forward to.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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
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
Senior 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.
Sean Fidler
Agency Workflow Specialist
YOUR WHY
The best outcomes are achieved by a well-run organization. Being part of the Operations team is an opportunity to maintain an optimal workflow, find efficiencies, and help reduce our teams’ and our clients’ anxiousness
FAVOURITE B WORD
Bucolic
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.
