LONGVIEW COMMUNICATIONS - Key Persons
Alan Bayless is a Partner in Longview's Vancouver office. Alan has been providing financial communications advice and support to large and small corporations for 25 years, including 15 years at Longview and 10 years as an in-house communications and investor relations professional. Alan also has 20 years of experience as a financial journalist, mainly with The Wall Street Journal. He won a Webster Award for journalism in 1995. Alan has completed the ICD Director Education Program and offers seminars on best practices for Investor Relations as part of Simon Fraser University's Public Companies program. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (with Great Distinction) from McGill University.
Andy Lloyd is a Partner in the Toronto office, providing communications counsel on a diverse range of issues. His expertise includes corporate and financial communications, transactions and special situations, media relations, issues and crisis management, and internal communications. Prior to joining Longview, Andy spent nearly 15 years at Barrick Gold, where he was Senior Vice President and Global Head of Communications. Andy oversaw the corporate communications function at Barrick, then the world's largest gold mining company, as the company went through a period of intense change. He led communications for major acquisitions, share offerings and other transactions valued more than US$20 billion on capital markets in New York, London and Toronto, and acted as chief global spokesperson for the company. Andy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Ryerson University.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate & Financial Communications
Anson Lee is a Partner in Longview's Vancouver office. Anson has over 25 years of experience in corporate communications and brand development with a focus on creative and compelling execution to simplify and strengthen a message. Anson advises on design to support investor communications, M&A transactions, proxy fights and corporate advertising campaigns. Prior to joining Longview in 2010, Anson led the communications design practice at one of Western Canada's largest multidisciplinary branding agencies. Anson holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science from Simon Fraser University, and has a broad spectrum of education in fine arts, communications and engineering science.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate Communications
Boyd Erman is a Partner in Longview's Toronto office. Boyd has been focused on telling great corporate stories for two decades; first as one of Canada's leading business journalists and, since 2014, as a Partner at Longview advising clients on a diverse range of issues and opportunities. Boyd's expertise includes corporate and financial communications, media relations, special situations, reputation-building and crisis management. Before joining Longview, he spent eight years at The Globe and Mail, where he was the author of the influential "Streetwise" column and lead reporter on complex transactions, shareholder activism, M&A and investment banking. He was also a daily contributor to Business News Network (BNN). Boyd is a three-time winner of the National Newspaper Award for business coverage. He began his career as a journalist in 1997 and worked for the National Post, Bloomberg and Dow Jones before joining The Globe and Mail. He is an Honours graduate of Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner in Longview 's Toronto
Bruce Drysdale is a Managing Partner in Longview's Toronto office. Bruce has been providing advice and support to leading corporations for more than 25 years. In 2007, Bruce was a founding Principal of DFH Public Affairs, which merged with Longview in 2018. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Inco Limited. Today Bruce advises global and Canadian companies on a variety of strategic, public policy, stakeholder and corporate positioning issues across multiple sectors. Bruce has played a key role in advising on communications and approvals for some of Canada's most significant transactions. He was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Guelph.
Areas of Expertise
M&A
Claude Breton is a Partner based in Montréal. Claude previously served as Vice-President - Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for National Bank, with responsibility for internal and external corporate communications, government relations, public affairs, corporate philanthropy, linguistic services and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy and implementation. Claude has a Bachelor's degree in economics from Laval University, in Québec, a law certificate from the Université de Montréal and a solid entrepreneurial background in real estate and the media business.
David McFarlane joined Longview in an advisory capacity following an extensive career that included vital leadership roles in the private and public sector. From 2016 to 2020, David served as Director of Policy and Interim Chief of Staff to Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. In that role, David led the delivery of Canada's innovation agenda to Cabinet and the Prime Minister, introducing a suite of new programming including the Superclusters initiative, the creation of Innovation Canada and the Strategic Innovation Fund, the reimagining of the NRC, CanCode, and Canada's first national IP Strategy.
Greg Burch is a Partner in Longview's Winnipeg office. Greg has been providing strategic advice on corporate communications, public and government relations for over 15 years. Prior to joining Longview, Greg worked in leadership communications roles in both the private sector, as Director of Corporate and Employee Communications at MTS Allstream, and political offices in Manitoba, including serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition in Manitoba. He serves on the Board of Governors at Red River College. Greg earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Manitoba and a Creative Communications Diploma (honours) from Red River College.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Heather Tory is a Partner in Longview's Toronto office. She has experience working in government and on political campaigns. Prior to joining Longview, Heather was the Issues Manager and Press Secretary to the Federal Minister of Labour and Status of Women. Heather has also played an active role on several political campaigns, including senior operations and communications advisory roles. Heather's expertise includes government relations, media relations, issues management, communications strategy and stakeholder relations. Heather co-founded a young professional group to fundraise and raise awareness for Dixon Hall Neighborhood Services and is the fundraising co-chair for Fashion Heals for SickKids Hospital.
Areas of Expertise
Government Relations
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Senior Advisor in Longview 's Toronto
Holly Winter is a Senior Advisor in Longview's Toronto office. Prior to joining Longview, Holly worked in investor relations at a financial services firm, where her responsibilities included media relations and shareholder communications. Holly previously worked for a Toronto-based public relations firm where she developed proficiency in the areas of social media and stakeholder relations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in International Development from The University of Guelph and a postgraduate certificate in corporate communications from Seneca College.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Hugh McFadyen is a Managing Partner in the Calgary office. Hugh has been advising leading corporate clients for over 10 years. Prior to joining Longview Hugh was Leader of the Official Opposition in Manitoba for 7 years and previously spent over 5 years as a senior advisor to a number of Canadian politicians, including Director of Policy and Chief of Staff to the Premier of Manitoba. He is a lawyer by training and started his career as a commercial litigator. Hugh has worked on a range of significant assignments including investment political risk analysis, M&A approvals, major project approvals, crisis communications and general government relations. He is an instructor with the ICD's political intelligence program and has served as a volunteer director with community arts and educational organizations. Hugh has Bachelor degrees in Arts (political studies and economics) and Law from the University of Manitoba.
Areas of Expertise
Political Risk Assessment
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner in Longview 's Toronto
Ian Hamilton is a Managing Partner in Longview's Toronto office and has been advising companies in Canada and abroad for more than 25 years. In 2007, Ian was a founding Principal of DFH Public Affairs, which merged with Longview in 2018. Prior to that, he was Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Falconbridge Limited and Xstrata Nickel. He was a journalist earlier in his career, working in both print and radio news. Ian advises clients on a wide variety of corporate communications issues, including corporate and financial communications, mergers and acquisitions, brand and reputation management, crisis and issues management, media and investor relations, and stakeholder relations. Ian has worked on some of the largest and most complex transactions in Canadian history. He has served as a director of non-profit community organizations. Ian holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Certificate in Public Relations from Ryerson University.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Jeff Smith is a Partner in the Toronto office. Jeff leverages more than 30 years of diverse global experience in the world of government relations, issues and stakeholder management, governance and corporate communications to serve clients who want to understand and communicate more effectively with their audiences. Whether they face sensitive or high-profile business decisions such as a merger, sale, purchase, or restructuring; find themselves with a sensitive issue or crisis; or face business challenges dealing with regulation and government policy, Jeff's background in government working for cabinet ministers at both the federal and provincial levels including for the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, and 18 years at an international public relations and public affairs consultancy provides a unique and valuable perspective on all elements of communications and government relations. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he studied political science, history and philosophy. He has also completed the Directors Education Program at Rotman School of Management.
Areas of Expertise
Government Relations
Jeremy Sawatzky is a Partner based in Winnipeg's Longview office. He has nearly 20 years of experience in public affairs, corporate and crisis communications, and media and government relations. Jeremy has provided strategic advice and counsel in a number of roles, including as a senior communications strategist during BCE Inc.'s acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services in 2017. He has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, having worked as a communications and media relations specialist at Manitoba Public Insurance, an advisor to the Leader of the Official Opposition at the Manitoba Legislature, and as a journalist and broadcaster for media outlets across Manitoba. Jeremy has a strong understanding of how to navigate complex issues within the political, business and media landscapes. He earned a Media Communications Diploma from Assiniboine College.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate Communications
Jill MacRae is a partner based in Longview's Toronto office. She brings more than 20 years' experience as a portfolio manager and a partner with a leading independent firm. She was most recently head of Investor Relations and ESG at a Canadian financial services firm where she led the rebuild of the website, upgrade to board communications, planning for investor days, communication around capital and funding transactions and launch of ESG reporting and education. Her background includes strategic communications through periods of major change, strengthening relationships with key stakeholder groups and capital markets-facing activities. Jill has an MBA and holds the CFA designation. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto.
Jo el Shaffer is a Partner in Longview's Toronto office. In addition to advising on corporate and financial communications, he has particular expertise advising boards and other stakeholders in "bet-the-company" engagements, including the conduct of proxy contests, friendly and hostile M&A, restructurings and other crisis or special situations. Prior to joining Longview, Joel led the communications department of a leading shareholder services firm and assisted clients on a number of high profile proxy fight and M&A engagements. Joel holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business (York University), a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Sociology from York University and a Public Relations Certificate from Humber College. He has also completed the ICD Directors Education Program.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
John Knubley joined Longview following a distinguished career in public service at the senior levels of the Government of Canada.
John most recently served as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development from 2012 to June 2019, where he had oversight and responsibility for the innovation agenda, industrial and economic policy, telecom policy and foreign direct investment reviews. His leadership roles put John at the nexus of federal decision-making. Over his federal government career, John's experience spanned eight different departments including Agriculture and Agrifood, Transport and Infrastructure, Natural Resources Canada and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
John advises global and Canadian companies on strategic, public policy and regulatory issues across multiple sectors. John has degrees in politics and economics from Yale, Oxford, Harvard and Nice universities.
Areas of Expertise
Government Relations
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner in Longview 's Vancouver
Josh Pekarsky is a Managing Partner in Longview's Vancouver office. Josh has been providing advice and support to leading corporations for more than 25 years. Prior to founding Longview in 2003, Josh was a Partner at Kekst and Company, a leading strategic communications firm based in New York City. Josh's expertise includes corporate and financial communications, special situations, reputation-building and crisis management. In addition to his client work, Josh has completed the ICD Director Education Program and served as an advisor to the ICD's Blue Ribbon Panel on Board-Shareholder engagement. He has also served as a director of non-profit community organizations. Josh earned a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in English Literature from Tufts University and has completed an additional year of graduate level course work at McGill University.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Longview professionals bring decades of experience in financial and corporate communications and government relations.
Justine Hall is a Partner in Longview's Vancouver office. Justine has experience providing advice and support in both the public and private sectors on policy, communications, and government and stakeholder relations. Prior to joining Longview, Justine was the Manager of Partnership Development for an industry association in B.C.'s health care sector. Justine has worked on local, regional and international issues in the public sector, including for the B.C. Lottery Corporation, Global Affairs Canada, and the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York. Justine has also worked with local and national media, assisting in on-location coverage of the 2011 Royal Wedding in London, U.K. and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Justine has a Master of Arts in Public and International Affairs from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication from Simon Fraser University.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Liam Lawson is a Senior Advisor based in Victoria, bringing nearly a decade of experience in government, with a focus on strategic communications, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and issues management. Prior to joining Longview in 2023, Liam served as Chief of Staff to three of British Columbia's Finance Ministers where he helped oversee the development and roll-out of various high-profile policies, including five provincial budgets. He has also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Public Safety and Government House Leader in British Columbia, Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in the Alberta Premier's Office, Manager of Stakeholder Relations and Legislative Affairs in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and worked in Canada's aerospace engineering sector. Liam earned a degree in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia.
Maeghan Dewar is a Partner in Longview's Vancouver office. Maeghan brings more than a decade of issues management and strategic communications experience, in government and working with some of Canada's leading businesses and associations. Maeghan has an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of government policy development and has supported clients on complex regulatory reviews and overcoming reputational challenges to build common ground with government and stakeholders.
Prior to joining Longview as a Partner, Maeghan was a senior advisor to Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and was a key part of Jack Layton's team during the 2011 federal breakthrough. Maeghan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Winnipeg.
Areas of Expertise
Government Relations
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Senior Advisor in Longview 's Calgary
Nick Schumacher is a Senior Advisor in Longview's Calgary office, with experience advising on energy and environmental policy, stakeholder engagement, and government relations. Prior to joining Longview, Nick worked on clean energy and decarbonization files at the Pembina Institute, where he lead the organization's Alberta-focused electricity work. He has previously held policy advisory positions with the federal government at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada. During his tenure with the federal government, he advised on key policy files including natural resource development, Indigenous economic reconciliation, telecommunications, and COVID-19 response. Nick holds a Masters of Public Policy degree from the University of Calgary as well as a Bachelors of Science (Honours) in Biological Science, with a Minor in Economics.
Peter Block is a Partner in Longview's Toronto office. Throughout his 20 years as a consultant, Peter has supported organizations during periods of major change, including M&As, proxy contests, divestitures, leadership changes and other major transformation initiatives. Peter has also worked with a number of organizations in the development of robust crisis communication plans, including those specific to cyber incidents. Prior to joining Longview, Peter led corporate communications for Maple Leaf Foods, Canada's leading protein company, supporting its business operations and strengthening its reputation amongst key stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, customers and consumers. Prior to joining Maple Leaf Foods, Peter was the head of the financial communications practice of a national Canadian communications firm.
Peter is a past president of CIRI Ontario and has participated in a number of industry panels and presentations. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Alberta.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications
Phil Harwood is a Partner based in Ottawa. Phil has more than a decade of experience providing strategic advice to corporate clients, organizational leaders, and policymakers. In addition to other high-profile roles, Phil served from 2012 to 2015 as the Policy Advisor for Fiscal & Economic Affairs to the Prime Minister, helping manage some of the most important priorities for the Government of Canada, including budget planning, tax policy, economic and industrial policy, telecom policy, government-wide operations, foreign direct investment, and cybersecurity. During his time in the Prime Minister's Office, Phil was involved in a large number of Investment Canada Act processes and national security reviews, where he dealt with key players across the machinery of government. With a reputation for collaboration and providing insightful analysis on complex issues, Phil draws on his deep expertise in policy development and communications to help clients accomplish their objectives. He earned his Master of Arts from McGill University and a Bachelor of Arts from Briercrest College.
Areas of Expertise
Government Relations
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Senior Advisor at Longview 's Toronto
Sandy Blackwood is a Senior Advisor at Longview's Toronto office. Prior to joining Longview, she worked as an Account Executive for a government relations and public relations firm. While there, she contributed to the success of multiple public relations campaigns by lending her skill and expertise in the areas of strategic communications, media relations, stakeholder relations, social media, and issues management. Sandy holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Communication Studies from Carleton University, where she also minored in political science. In 2014, she completed a postgraduate certificate in corporate communications and public relations. Sandy is currently working towards her Canadian Securities Course designation.
Areas of Expertise
Corporate Communications
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in Longview 's Toronto
Sophia Spencer is an Associate in Longview's Toronto office. Sophia has experience in student journalism, academic research, and financial services. Before joining Longview, Sophia managed the non-profit, Queen's Female Leadership in Politics, an organization dedicated to empowering young women to enter the political field. Sophia has also previously worked as a Research Assistant where she conducted psycho-political analyses for the Department of Psychology at Queen's University. Prior to that, she worked in Advisory Sales for Fidelity Investments and as the Opinions Editor for the Queen's Journal. Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology from Queen's University, as well as a Certificate of Business from the Smith School of Business.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Director and Committee Chair at Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Trevor Zeck is a Partner in the firm's Vancouver office, bringing 20 years of communications and public affairs experience in both the private and public sectors. Trevor joined Longview as a partner in 2011, and has advised clients on a range of high profile, high stakes issues, including hostile and friendly M&A, proxy fights, litigation and regulatory matters. He also supports clients with complex and unusual disclosure and announcements, as well as ongoing investor communications and positioning.
Prior to Longview, Trevor spent almost a decade with the federal government in Ottawa with roles at the Privy Council Office and Industry Canada. He was also a member of the team supporting the work of the Competition Policy Review Panel, a group of five CEOs chaired by Red Wilson which issued an influential report on Canadian competitiveness and foreign investment policies. Trevor began his career in London, England at Ogilvy, a global public relations agency.
Trevor is a Director and committee chair at Family Services of Greater Vancouver, a prominent social services agency. He holds a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Arts from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (Carleton University).
Areas of Expertise
Corporate and Financial Communications