NAVIGATOR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Designer
- Senior Designer at True
Abha is a Senior Designer at true, Navigator's in-house creative and digital agency. She brings a decade of experience in the field of design and visual communications, where she has helped build, shape, and launch successful brands. She is a creative problem solver and focuses on elevating brand offerings by distilling core messages down to the most clear and fresh visual forms to keep the audiences engaged.
Abha has spent most of her career in New York where she led teams as a Creative Lead, Project Manager, and mentor, delivering best-in-class designs across print and digital routes. She has worked with both blue chip and start-up clients and takes pride in forming collaborative partnerships with her team and clients.
A two-time recipient of the Graphic Design USA award, Abha has completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Art & Advertising. She is also an alumna of the esteemed Pratt Institute in New York, where she completed her Master of Science in Communication Design.
As a Senior Consultant at Navigator, Adam brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of media, marketing, journalism and design.
Prior to joining Navigator, Adam led commercial content teams at multiple national media organizations, directing communications strategies for various high stakes campaigns in the financial, pharmaceutical and energy sectors and third parties in federal and provincial political campaigns.
With a postgraduate education including certification in Digital Strategy and Communications Management from the University of Toronto and a diploma in Digital Futures from Ontario College of Art and Design University, he offers Navigator's clients a design thinking approach to the strategy tactics that drive a successful communications campaign.
Adam is a Principal at Navigator. He joined the team after serving over two terms in Parliament as an MP from Toronto. While in government he served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister as well as the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing under the Ministers responsible for Families, Children and Social Development. Adam was one of the architects of the new National Housing Strategy and redesigned the federal approach to fighting homelessness and he led consultations and reported to cabinet on the development of a National Strategy for Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing.
Prior to federal politics Adam served two terms as a City Councillor in Toronto representing the downtown core. While on City Council he served on the Planning and Growth Committee and was member of the Police Services Board. Adam also Chaired the Civic Appointments Committee and served as the City's representative on the Board of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Harbourfront Centre and Artscape.
For more than two decades Adam was a journalist working on-air as a political reporter with CBC, Citytv and CP24. He was also a producer at those organizations and was station manager for CKLN-FM in Toronto. He has written for several magazines and newspapers and is a published author. He began his career as a cartoonist and illustrator.
Adam is a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Toronto's School for Cities and teaches and lectures on a variety of urban issues from transit and infrastructure to housing and architecture.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Consultant
- Associate Consultant With the Discover Team at Navigator 's Montreal
Adeline is an Associate Consultant with the Discover team at Navigator's Montreal office. She holds a Bachelor of Private Law and a Master of Criminology, where she focused on cybercrime prevention.
Prior to joining Navigator, Adeline has held different roles, such as legal expert, teaching assistant in quantitative data analysis, and associate analyst and researcher. She discovered her passion for applied research during her time working at a cybercrime prevention research chair. In this role, she would actively help clients of the chair solving practical issues by carrying out applied research on diverse cybercrime-related subjects, such as training and education programs for employees, internal threats, victimization factors, and police officers' operational needs.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Principal
- Communications and Public Affairs Expert
Alex Shiff is a crisis communications and public affairs expert with a decade of experience managing complex challenges for leaders in government and the private sector.
As an Associate Principal in Navigator's Vancouver office, Alex leads the firm's practice in British Columbia, specializing in issues management, media training and public affairs campaigns for prominent organizations and individuals.
Prior to joining Navigator, Alex served as an advisor to British Columbia's Minister of Environment, where he provided strategic political and policy advice on major issues ranging from the Kinder Morgan pipeline to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant in Navigator 's Calgary
Alistair is a Consultant in Navigator's Calgary office. In this position, he provides national support to senior staff including the drafting of deliverable products, research, and media analysis.
Alistair brings a variety of private sector experience to his work at Navigator. Prior to joining Navigator in 2018, Alistair served as a Research Analyst for Sirona Capital, a private equity firm in Western Australia. He additionally spent time at the Bank of Montreal Nesbitt Burns where he assisted a variety of clients and senior advisers.
Alistair received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Dalhousie University, with a double minor in Political Science and History.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Director of the Canadian Club of Toronto
Amanda is a Principal at Navigator and brings over 15 years of communications experience working in the federal and municipal government, private sector, on political campaigns and as a journalist. She specializes in crisis communications, media relations and reputation recovery.
Prior to joining Navigator, Amanda was the Director of Communications to the Mayor of Toronto. While in the Mayor's office she played a key role in shepherding two multi-billion dollar budgets and the city's successful labour negotiations. Amanda was also co-chair of Mayor Tory's successful 2018 re-election campaign.
Amanda held a senior leadership position at a boutique public affairs firm where she provided strategic communications, media relations and created multi-faceted communications campaigns for leading organizations in the energy, technology, health, government and infrastructure sectors.
Previously, Amanda held a range of senior communications roles in the federal government with the Prime Minister of Canada and as Deputy Director of Communications for the Minister of the Environment.
Frequently called on for her public affairs expertise in the media, Amanda is the host of Free for All Friday, a weekly national radio show on the iHeartRadio Talk Network tackling the biggest national news stories from coast to coast. She is also a regular contributor and guest-host on Newstalk 1010 and her commentary can be found on BNN, TVO, CTV, CBC, CityTV, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun. Amanda is also the host of Political Traction, a weekly political podcast powered by Navigator.
Amanda currently serves as a Director of the Canadian Club of Toronto, Canada's oldest podium of record. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Victims Services Toronto, a volunteer with the Art Gallery of Ontario, the President of the Toronto Chapter of the Carleton University Alumni Association and a volunteer with Fetch+Releash animal rescue where she fosters rescue dogs. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Associate Professor at Carleton University 's School of Journalism
André Turcotte has more than twenty-five years of experience in public opinion and public affairs research. During that time, he conducted opinion research projects from varied perspectives. He began his career with the Gallup Organization and was given the opportunity to be the co-editor of the prestigious Gallup Report in Canada. He then became involved in political polling and provided strategic advice to leaders and parties at all levels of government in Canada. André has also provided public opinion research advice to many of Canada's leading private sector firms as well as several government organizations. His advice is focused on integrating advanced quantitative and qualitative approaches to isolate key public opinion trends with the aim to implement specific actionable strategies. One of his important strengths is his broad experience in conducting hundreds of focus groups and elite interviews in both French and English. Most recently, he was the Head of Audience Research for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
André Turcotte is Associate Professor at Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication. His lectures, publications and conference presentations focus on the latest applications in qualitative and quantitative research methods, strategic communications, political marketing and applied public opinion research. Between 2002 and 2015, he was the co-Director of the Carleton University Survey Centre where he was part of the Canadian team within the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP).
He has written several books including "Political Marketing Alchemy: The State of Opinion Research", as well as "Dynasties and Interludes: Past and Present in Canadian Electoral Politics" and numerous book chapters and journal articles. A native of Montréal, André Turcotte holds a PhD in Political Behaviour from the University of Toronto. He also holds a Masters in Public Policy Analysis from Concordia University. He is fluently bilingual in French and English.
Job Titles:
- Digital Designer
- Digital Designer at True
Anshul is a Digital Designer at true, Navigator's digital and creative agency. He brings nearly a decade of design experience, previously working in the tele-health, insurtech and public relations industries.
Anshul comes from a diverse design background, most recently working with multiple hyper-growth startups in the US and Canada. He specializes in developing websites and creating delightful digital experiences that convert. Anshul also has a background in graphic design with a focus on branding and social media. His wide-ranging skillset is a great addition to the growing creative team at true.
Anshul holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Robotics and Biotechnology.
Benjamin Richard is an associate consultant at Navigator in the Montreal office. At Navigator, Benjamin assists clients on various public affairs, issue management and government relations mandates, in both French and English.
He is a graduate of Laval University's Graduate School of International Studies in Quebec City, where he completed a master's degree in International Studies with a specialization in international relations and environmental governance. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Public Affairs and International Relations from Laval University, during which he studied law, economics and political science.
Prior to joining Navigator, Benjamin worked as a research assistant for the Canada Research Chair in International Political Economy on a large-scale project related to the global space governance, as well as a teaching assistant for an introductory course in international relations. Benjamin also gained valuable experience in public affairs while working as an intern for the United States Consulate General in Quebec City.
Brayden is an Associate Principal at Navigator and more than 10 years of experience working in the federal, provincial and municipal government sectors, in crisis communications, media relations and issues management roles.
Prior to joining Navigator, Brayden was Director of Communications to Ontario's Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs, where he led proactive communications and issues management for key priorities for the Ford government including provincial energy sector reform, Ontario's Ring of Fire, and Indigenous relations.
Brayden previously served as a senior political staffer in Ottawa under the Harper government, where he worked in communications and media relations roles at Transport and Infrastructure Canada and as an advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Breen Wilkinson is a Senior Consultant at Navigator with over six years of experience at Queen's Park in strategic communications and engagement. He recently co-authored the national best-seller What I Wish I Said with Navigator's Chairman Jaime Watt.
Before joining Navigator, Breen was Senior Advisor, Research and Communications, at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (LGO) where he served as the office's lead writer, managing speechwriting and correspondence operations.
Additionally, during his time at the LGO, Breen led a wide range of impactful projects and events, including international goodwill missions, policy symposia, the production of an art exhibition, and constitutional ceremonies.
Breen holds a master's degree in English literature from McGill University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and English literature from the University of Toronto.
Passionate about the literary arts, Breen has presented his scholarship on modern theatre at the annual MMLA Convention, written a published play, and recently completed a novel at the Humber College School for Writers.
As a client concierge at Navigator's Toronto office, Caroline is responsible for planning and executing social events and meetings, maintaining Navigator's culture by ensuring clients always feel welcome.
Caroline has extensive working experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in event planning and meeting preparation.
Caroline holds a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the Toronto School of Management and is fully bilingual.
Catherine Bell is a member of the expert panel of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation (CCPC) and a Senior Advisor with Navigator working out of the Calgary office. Catherine is a successful entrepreneur, business leader and award winning, best-selling author. Catherine's experience in building effective leaders and impactful businesses will drive her work with the CCPC.
Catherine founded BluEra, a Profit 500 executive search firm that was named a top 200 growing company in Canada and a top ten growing firm in Alberta. As Founder of The Awakened Company, Catherine focuses on building transformative organizations that merge wisdom traditions, business research and practical know how to empower leaders. Catherine is the best-selling author of The Awakened Company and has been published in Fortune, Harvard Business Review and Profit-among many other publications.
Catherine recently served as the Jarislowsky Co-Fellow at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Catherine has served on the board of Distress Centre Calgary and Open to Grow, is currently serving on the Advisory Council to the Impact Society, and has completed the Not for Profit Essentials Program offered by the Institute of Corporate Directors and has an MBA from Queens School of Business.
Catherine is an accomplished public affairs professional with 30 years of experience in stakeholder relations, public policy development and corporate event management.
Her professional career began on Parliament Hill, where she strategically advised Cabinet Ministers and Senators on public policy, stakeholder engagement and issues management. Since 1993, she has played key roles in election campaigns across Canada, including serving as the Alberta election co-chair for the federal Liberal Party in the 2015, 2019 and 2021 elections.
Prior to joining Navigator, Catherine ran her own event planning and management company, where she orchestrated and executed events for some of Western Canada's top corporations and cultural institutions. She also has broad experience with sponsorship and fund development, protocol offices and VIP hosting.
She has used her valuable skills to volunteer with many community organizations and events, including the Shaw Charity Classic, Terry Fox Run, Grey Cup Hosting Committees (Calgary, Ottawa), and the Ottawa Senators Foundation.
She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Lethbridge and an MA in Political Campaigning from the University of Florida.
Chris Hall is a principal at Navigator working out of the firm's Ottawa office.
Chris brings an extensive background in strategic communications, political and policy analysis.
Prior to joining Navigator, he spent 24 years covering Parliament Hill with the CBC, where he served as National Affairs Editor and host of The House, CBC Radio's weekly political affairs program.
In those roles, he helped lead coverage of major political events and government initiatives. He also wrote regular analysis columns for the news website and has appeared as a commentator on Canadian politics for NPR and the BBC, among other foreign media outlets.
His work has been recognized with a number of journalism awards, including an RTDNA Canada award for investigative journalism and two for Best News Information Program while host of CBC's The House.
He's also a sought-after speaker by parliamentary and professional organizations interested in public policy.
Chris is a political studies graduate of Queen's University at Kingston.
Christina is a Consultant in Navigator's Toronto office.
Prior to joining Navigator, Christina served as Director of Communications for Ontario's Minister of Transportation, where she led strategic communications and issues management on key government files, including Ontario's subway program and priority highway projects. In this role, Christina provided strategic advice on contentious matters and was instrumental in the delivery of Ministerial announcements and keynote addresses. Previously, she worked in the Office of the Premier as an issues manager.
Following her years at Queen's Park, Christina brings extensive experience in crafting narratives for a variety of audiences and an acuity for navigating high-risk issues.
Chris Kelly has more than thirty years of experience as a professional researcher, starting in 1987 as a Vice-President with Decima Research. After six years with Decima, Chris, together with three partners launched The Strategic Counsel, a national public opinion and market research firm, where he served as President for a period of almost twenty years.
In 2014, Chris moved to Navigator, where he expanded the firm's market research capability and built its quantitative research offering. After pursuing academic opportunities, Chris has rejoined Navigator working with the research team.
Chris has worked with clients in a wide variety of sectors including public policy research and research studies in the financial services, telecommunications and broadcasting fields. His specialty is in the design and analysis of quantitative research, especially research that is intended to elicit an in-depth understanding of consumer and public assessments, motivations and choices of products, services and programming options. Chris is also an experienced and frequent moderator of qualitative research programs, including focus group research, large-group studies, dyads, triads and one-on-one interviews.
Clare is an Associate Principal in Navigator's Toronto office.
Clare previously served as the Director of Strategic Communications and Principal Writer for the Premier of Ontario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported the Premier through over 200 daily press conferences on the government's response to the pandemic to ensure Ontarians stayed safe and informed. She also worked closely with two of Ontario's Finance Ministers to script the government's communications through provincial budgets and fall economic statements during her time in public service.
As a professional wordsmith, Clare helps senior executive officers and political decision-makers craft the right words to say at critical moments in their careers. From speeches to communication strategies to public affairs campaigns, she brings extensive experience and insight to a breadth of clients from different industries and sectors. She also continues to play an active role in the political process at the provincial and federal levels.
Clare currently serves on the Board of Directors for Participation House Durham, a non-profit organization serving youth and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.
Clare holds a master's degree from the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and a bachelor's degree from the University of Ottawa.
Job Titles:
- Executive Producer
- General Manager
- Executive Producer & GM
Claudette is the Executive Producer and General Manager at true, leading Navigator's award-winning creative team. Bringing over a decade of experience in visual communications and dynamic storytelling, she helps clients solve business problems by fusing distilled insights with creativity, strategy and craft.
At true, Claudette leads client-focussed solutions that resonate across motion and still content marketing and digital experiences through radical collaboration rooted in public affairs and strategic communications. Along with leading Navigator's in-house team of creative practitioners, she is also a specialized Video Producer and Director with deep experience in short and long-format storytelling.
Prior to her role at true, Claudette has driven and nurtured production evolution in senior creative roles, creating strategic commercial and editorial content for a roster of legacy media brands in Canada and the US, while leading multi-platform creative teams.
Job Titles:
- Executive Advisor
- Principal
- Member of the Board of Directors of Stella 's Place
Colin MacDonald is a trusted executive advisor, specializing in issue management, strategy development and campaign execution. Based in Toronto, Colin's work nationally is frequently in support of clients across a wide variety of sectors as they confront enterprise threats or seek to shape public opinion.
Prior to joining Navigator, Colin served as a senior policy advisor to several Ontario cabinet ministers across a variety of ministries. During his time in portfolios as diverse as Natural Resources, Labour, Citizenship & Immigration and Finance Colin developed a broad-based understanding of government decision-making processes and the political imperatives that guide these decisions. Colin also served as director of policy for one of the candidates for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party during that party's 2012-13 leadership contest.
Colin is a member of the board of directors of Stella's Place, a community-based, young adult mental health organization, where he serves as chair of the governance committee.
A frequent media commentator on Canadian and American politics, Colin has a master's degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario and a bachelor's degree from the University of Guelph.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Senior Executive
- Senior Executive Assistant in Calgary
Coralee Peters is a Senior Executive Assistant in Calgary's office, supporting Principals and the day-to-day operations of Navigator's western office. Coralee brings over 18 years of experience supporting management consultants and leading administrative teams across a variety of sectors.
Prior to Navigator, Coralee spent four years operating her own company where she provided business support services to various clients and industries, including private management consultants, executive search firms and non-profit organizations. In addition to traditional administrative support, her professional services also included support for strategic planning workshops and initiatives, board secretarial support, graphic design, social media and online survey services. Coralee has also worked in human resources in the hospitality industry where she delivered training, participated in the employee hiring process, onboarding and employee relations services.
In her downtime, Coralee is passionate about nutrition and healthy living, and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Designer
- Senior Designer at True
Cris is a Senior Designer at true, Navigator's in-house creative and digital agency. Cris is a creative professional with diverse artistic design and campaign-development history, with a demonstrated track record for leading cross-functional creative and marketing teams. He is accomplished in brand development, marketing strategies and business implementation, and experienced in all aspects of advertising, print, retail merchandising design and manufacturing.
Cris is multi-disciplined in his craft with over 18 years of experience, from graphic design, creative direction, industrial design to AR/VR development. His previous accomplishments include winning Corel Draw's $1,000,000 World Design Contest Best of Show and founding ATK Integrated Communications, a full-service advertising agency that was featured on the front page of the Toronto Star Business section with the headline: "3 Men and One Hot Idea - Taking on the advertising world and winning!"
Cris' passions and hobbies include photography and illustration and is an alumnus of the Ontario College of Art and Design University in Communication and Design.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Senior Consultant With
Daniele is a Senior Consultant with Navigator, with experience as a communications strategist in government and on political campaigns.
Daniele has served in various media relations and communications roles in the federal government, including most recently as a Director of Communications for the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, and previously held the role in the Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. She has supported and advised multiple Cabinet ministers on high-profile issues throughout her career.
Daniele has also worked on numerous election campaigns at the federal level and continues to be actively involved.
Daniele holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from McGill University.
As Managing Principal, Danielle Parr is a seasoned leader and trusted advisor to senior executives and boards of directors in both Canada and the US. She specializes in complex public affairs and strategic communications matters across a variety of sectors.
Prior to joining Navigator, Danielle spent 8 years as the Executive Director of the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. As the chief spokesperson for the video game industry in Canada, she was a frequent commentator on industry issues including on CBC's Fifth Estate, BBC Politics, CTV National, the Globe and Mail and National Post. She established the industry as a thought leader and as a key player in the federal debate on copyright reform and the national digital strategy, lobbied policy makers on issues including intellectual property enforcement, labour mobility, tax credits and the trade classification of the industry's products under the GATS.
Prior to joining ESAC, Danielle worked in communications and public affairs at both General Motors and Investors Group. She also spent several years as a political aide in provincial and federal governments across the country, including the offices of two provincial premiers, two provincial cabinet ministers, and a federal party leader in addition to numerous provincial and federal campaigns. She has been featured in Maclean's magazine as one of Canada's 25 "Leaders of Tomorrow", and recognized as one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in Canada by the Hill Times, Canada's Parliamentary newspaper. Danielle currently serves on the board of the Toronto Arts Foundation, and is a committed local community volunteer.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant
- Communication Advisor and Strategist
With a proven track record in reputation and social license issues, David possesses an expertise in the fields of intelligence, strategic digital communications and activism. Based in Montreal, he supports clients facing challenges in moving and complex environments.
David has been a communication advisor and strategist for over 15 years. The first stretch of his career took place in France where he worked as a Communications and Public Affairs manager in the health and pharmaceutical sector (for the French National Blood Service). The challenges involved in this position have led him to hold various positions in France and overseas, where he managed one of the most important health crises of the 2000s (Chikungunya epidemic, Reunion island, 2005-2006).
Having completed two Master's degrees, one in law and one in communications (Aix-Marseille University), David perfected his training by entering the Economic Warfare School (Paris, 2008) before moving to Canada. He was trained as a competitive intelligence analyst and has since applied his knowledge in the field of issue management and digital strategies.
With a track record in reputation and social license, David has recognized expertise in the fields of intelligence, strategic communications and activism. In 2013, he co-authored a book dedicated to these issues: "Influence and reputation on the Internet: communities, crisis and strategies".
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor
- Director of McMichael Canadian Art Foundation
- Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs
Don McCutchan is a member of the expert panel of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation (CCPC) and a Senior Advisor at Navigator based out of Toronto. Prior to joining Navigator, Don was a partner and international policy advisor at Gowling WLG LLP, one of Canada's leading law firms. Don's clients included those in the financial services, real estate, energy and mining.
Don spent the early part of his career with the Government of Canada, primarily the Department of Finance. Don was involved in virtually all areas of government policy, playing an important role in the negotiation and implementation of the Canada US Free Trade Agreement and development of GST. Don was also Canada's founding executive director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Don is a Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs at University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University and is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University. Don is a Director at Saint Elizabeth Health Care, Director and Vice President of Canadian Ditchley Foundation, Director and Past Chair of the Literary Review of Canada, and Director of Northstar Trade Finance.
Don has served as a Director of McMichael Canadian Art Foundation, Director of Transparency International - Canada, Trustee of Clean Power Income Fund and President of Canadian Association of Income Funds. Don is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and University of Toronto.
Job Titles:
- Director of Administrative Services
- Director, Administrative Services
Elizabeth Way, Director of Administrative Services at Navigator, joined our team in 2005 as an Administrative Assistant.
Her experience, organizational skills and attention to detail ensure the smooth operation and efficiency of our offices, as well as the proper coordination of our events.
Fariba Al-Hassan is an Intern at Navigator's Toronto office and joins us with a diverse education and work history. Fariba recently graduated from Carleton University's Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management program (BPAPM), where she specialized in strategic public opinion and communications. Throughout her undergrad, Fariba was an active leader on campus, co-founding Carleton University's Black Students in Public Affairs Association and co-leading a $25,000 scholarship endowment fund and equity board for BIPOC students in Carleton's BPAPM program.
Fariba has extensive experience working with the Government of Canada in communications, internal auditing, and policymaking for departments such as Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, National Defence, and Public Safety Canada.
Fariba is looking forward to applying her background in student advocacy, communications, and public policy at Navigator.
As Managing Principal and Chair of the Panel of Experts of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation, Graham brings to the firm two decades of executive-level experience in the fields of politics, public policy, public affairs and government relations.
Prior to joining the firm, Graham spent ten years as President and CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), Canada's leading multidisciplinary think tank. He was a strategic policy adviser at the law firm of Fraser Milner Casgrain (now Dentons LLP), where he assisted clients in managing their relationships with the government. Graham has also held senior positions in politics, including chief of staff to the leader of a federal political party, press secretary to a national leadership campaign and candidate in a provincial election.
A policy entrepreneur, Graham's main research interests are federalism and intergovernmental affairs, democratic renewal and citizen engagement. He holds an undergraduate degree in history from Queen's University, where he was a Loran Scholar, and a master's degree in political science from the London School of Economics. In the community, he is a director of the Parliamentary Centre and of Le Gesù - Centre de créativité, a creative arts space in Montreal's Quartier des spectacles. He is also a member of the School of Policy Studies board of advisors at Queen's University.
A frequent media analyst in both English and French, he is the co-editor with Jennifer Ditchburn of The Harper Factor (2016), an analysis of the policy impact of Canada's 22nd prime minister.
Holden is a consultant at Navigator, with experience in digital communications and issues management in both a government capacity and for political campaigns.
Holden has served in various roles throughout all levels of government, including opposition research and issues management with the previous Ontario Liberal government, and lead digital communications positions for federal and municipal public officials.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Consultant
- Associate Consultant at Navigator 's Toronto
Jackson is an associate consultant at Navigator's Toronto office. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at York University with a major in political science. Throughout his time at York, he has focused on government communication, voting patterns and election campaigning in the Canadian and American contexts. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the York University Continuing Student Scholarship.
Jackson is excited to further his professional experience and capacity while working at Navigator.
Job Titles:
- Executive Chairman
- Chancellor of OCAD University
Jaime Watt is the Executive Chairman of Navigator and a bestselling author. He specializes in complex public strategy issues, serving both domestic and international clients in the corporate, professional services, not-for-profit, and government sectors.
Widely regarded as Canada's leading high stakes communications strategist, he is a trusted advisor to boards of directors, business and professional leaders as well as political leaders at all three levels of government across Canada. Jaime has led ground-breaking election campaigns that have transformed politics because of their boldness and creativity.
Jaime has been involved in corporate governance education and thought leadership throughout his career and regularly provides expert opinion in challenging governance situations. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Directors Education Program, jointly developed and administered by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is also a guest lecturer for a variety of Rotman School programs, and the Ivey School of Business at Western University.
Currently, Jaime is the Chancellor of OCAD University. As well, he serves on the board of University Health Network, the Literary Review of Canada, CANFAR and the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
He is a past president or chair of the Canadian Club of Toronto, the Albany Club, Casey House - Canada's pioneer AIDS hospice, Canadians for Equal Marriage, Canadian Human Rights Campaign and Canadian Human Rights Trust among others. Additionally, he is a past director, trustee or governor of many organizations including the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, Stratford Festival, TD Bank Private Giving Foundation, Clean Water Foundation, Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, and the Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington D.C.
In his board leadership activities, he has frequently been elected to strategic planning, audit, succession planning, search and crisis management committees.
Deeply involved with efforts to promote equality and human rights issues, he was the inaugural recipient of Egale's Lifetime Achievement Award and has been awarded the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals for service to the community. He recently received Out on Bay Street's Leader to be Proud of Award. Jaime has been elected to the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, is a Toronto Heritage Companion, and was named one of Toronto's most influential citizens.
A highly regarded speaker, Jaime often appears as a public affairs commentator in the media. He is a regular contributor to all CBC platforms across Canada and writes a weekly column for The Toronto Star.
Jaime's debut book, What I Wish I Said: Confessions of a Columnist, is a national bestseller and is already in its second printing. You can find it online and in bookstores nationwide.
Navigator Executive Chairman Jaime Watt's debut book What I Wish I Said: Confessions of a Columnist is a national bestseller-already in its second print run. In this thought-provoking new work, Jaime examines his past Toronto Star columns and pulls no punches when it comes to critiquing his past beliefs. A timely, humorous and engaging tour-de-force of political commentary that is a must read for anyone interested in politics, journalism and the art of opinion writing.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Senior Executive
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Office Manager
Job Titles:
- Principal, Executive Office Lead
Job Titles:
- Associate General Counsel
- Senior Consultant