PILOT PMR - Key Persons
Alex brings 20 years' experience in journalism, publishing, marketing and public policy communications to his role as Vice President at Pilot. His career spans a number of sectors, including government, financial services, tourism, tech, education and social services, and includes a wide range of clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
Alex began his career in journalism, as a reporter, magazine editor and, later, publisher, before moving into senior management roles in marketing and public relations. Before joining Pilot, he was Senior Manager of Public Relations for United Way of Toronto.
A native of Chile, Alex moved to Canada with his family when he was a young teenager. After studying Fine Arts at the University of Guelph, Alex went on to graduate from the University of Windsor with a degree in English and Communication Studies, and a Journalism Diploma from St. Clair College.
Alexa comes to her work as Pilot's Brand Strategist after a life-long fascination with how humans form emotional connections to brands, as well as a knack for finding creative solutions to difficult problems.
She joined Pilot after working as a research analyst and account management intern at Rethink Toronto, where she conducted consumer behaviour & market research and supported some of the agency's key accounts. Prior to that she worked as a strategy and communications intern at TD Bank.
Alexa holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Studies from Western University with a Specialization in Consumer Behaviour and a Minor in Sociology. She also recently completed Miami Ad School's creative strategy bootcamp. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and keeping up with fashion, design, and pop culture trends.
Job Titles:
- Communications Consultant
Angela is an award-winning communications professional with more than 15 years' experience helping organizations build brand awareness and reputation through strategic communications and media relations programs.
Prior to making the shift to agency life in Canada, Angela worked as a journalist, communications advisor, and digital strategist for public and private organizations in Colombia, where she most recently served as Digital Strategy Director for Colombia's Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies.
Angela holds a Diploma in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Centennial College in Toronto. She also has an undergraduate degree in Communications and Media Studies from Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, and a diploma in Journalism from Fundación Universitaria Panamericana, both in Bogota.
Job Titles:
- from CEO and President of Toronto Creative Agency Pilot PMR, Read the Insights on Brand Journalism and Its Important to the Effectiveness of Brand Impact
From CEO and President of Toronto creative agency Pilot PMR, read the insights on brand journalism and its important to the effectiveness of brand impact.
Claudia is an award-winning art director and multidisciplinary designer with a wealth of experience in branding, digital visual design, information design, and illustration.
Prior to joining Pilot PMR, Claudia worked as a brand-focused designer in Hong Kong, designing environmental graphics for SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. Most recently, she was a UI designer at Publicis Sapient working with several large clients, including Jeep and T-Mobile.
Claudia graduated from York University's Bachelor of Design program and also studied at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
When not focused on design, she can be found testing her skills in the kitchen and planning her trip to hike Everest basecamp.
David is the founder and CEO of Pilot PMR. He is an entrepreneur and communications veteran with more than 20 years' experience building public profiles, designing strategic communications programs and developing brands.
David began his career as a commercial theatre producer and later founded a lecture and literary agency representing many of Canada's most influential figures. He has since represented many of North America's most recognized brands. He has been the principal architect behind more than 20 corporate branding efforts.
David sits on the advisory board of the Rotman School of Management's Creative Destruction Lab, a program designed to grow massively scalable technology-based ventures that have the potential to transform our social, industrial, and economic landscape.
Dave brings 25 years of experience as a Creative Director and Copywriter to Pilot. His interest in strategy and passion for storytelling have allowed him to help bring some of the world's best-loved and most innovative brand stories to market. He believes truth and insights are the most potent tools for earning audience attention and Brand resonance.
Prior to joining Pilot, Dave served as Creative Director at TD Bank Group, Founder and Creative Partner at Isaac Reputation Group (now Deloitte: Isaac), and as a Partner at Toronto-based Grip Limited. He holds a Diploma from Ryerson's Theatre Group (Technical Production Stream) and a Certificate from Humber's College Advertising Copywriting Program.
Jacob is a designer fresh from the Creative Industries program at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has spent his postsecondary education broadening a foundational knowledge and passion for graphic design. Jacob's expanding portfolio includes work for both B2B and B2C brands, most recent among them: iLobby, Practice Better, Wattpad, and Western University. Outside of the office, he is passionate about film photography and Super 8 videography: fuel for ambitious and emerging design style.
Job Titles:
- Designer
- Technologist
- Director, User Experience
James Beardmore is a multidisciplinary designer and technologist with over a decade of design industry experience.
James applies a human centred design approach to digital and broader design contexts, working from strategy through to development. His work includes product design and product management, user experience design, and brand strategy.
Before joining Pilot PMR, James was the owner and operator of a web design studio and digital type foundry and was Lead Developer at globally distributed co-op agency One Long House. He has worked with government, education, start-ups, fortune 500 companies, and non-profits, including the Canadian Medical Association, UCLA, Toronto Public Library, and University of Waterloo.
Job Titles:
- Writer, Artist, and Technologist
Jina Kang is a multidisciplinary designer with a focus on branding and visual design. After graduating from OCAD University, she began working as a freelance designer, producing both digital and print works for small brands and design agencies in Toronto. Jina aims to weave strong strategy and an engaging narrative in all of her creative work.
Outside of the office, Jina spends her personal time on a range of creative projects and crafts. She believes that exploring various creative pursuits and being flexible in her craft always brings new and interesting ideas to her professional work.
Job Titles:
- Brand Strategist and Communications Expert
- Director, Brand
Lauren Russ-Constant is a brand strategist and communications expert who has pioneered strategies for everything from Fortune 500 companies, to political campaigns, to small, mission-led organizations. Having spent the majority of her career training and working in Europe, she brings a unique global perspective to strategy.
Lauren received her BA Honours in Advertising with Marketing Communications from Bournemouth University. Her dissertation, exploring young people's relationship with politics and brands, was awarded a First and was also published in the Journal of Promotional Communications. She also went on to participate in Yale's Global Leadership Pre-MBA course.
When she's not outside exploring her new city, Lauren can be found reading and researching behavioural economics, psychology, and neuro-linguistic programming.
Lynda Castonguay joins Pilot after spending more than 10 years in a number of different roles in civil engineering, construction, accounting, non-profit, and communications and PR. She has been a part of project management teams since her days in university, and has spent summers four-laning a highway in Northern Ontario, taking on multi-year corporate renovations, planning galas and out-of-province events, and organizing experiential client experiences and internal rebrand campaigns.
Her many academic achievements include a BA (Hons) in Law & Justice from Laurentian University, a Diploma in Fashion Design and Techniques from George Brown College, a Certificate in Project Management from University of Toronto, a Certified Associate in Project Management from the Project Management Institute, as well as a short stint at Ottawa University's French Law School.
When she's not busy keeping team projects running on time, she spends much of her time on fitness and health pursuits, trying different wines from around the world, and spending (Face)Time with her 10 nieces and nephews (but not necessarily in that order).
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Digital Marketing Strategist
Mari McMillan is a digital marketing specialist with more than 10 years' experience in digital strategy and marketing. She began her career as a social media marketing consultant helping local businesses build their online presence. She then went on to found her own non-profit, The Great Climate Race, where she expanded her experience in email and digital marketing and live events such as trade shows and festivals. She holds a BA from McGill University, multiple digital marketing certificates, and a PMP, the internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Operations
- Member of the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada
Natalie Bomberry began her career at Pilot PMR working in media and stakeholder relations, communication planning, social media and event management. Over her 10 years at Pilot, she has moved into the role of Vice President of Operations, which entails managing day-to-day operations, as well as directing the agency's client relations practices.
Natalie oversees workflow across communications, creative and digital teams. A natural-born problem solver, she is responsible for ensuring time, resources and personnel are allocated to tasks and projects across all agency operations. She is continually reviewing and looking to optimize how we work as an agency to ensure Pilot is delivering excellence in all our work.
Natalie is a member of the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada. Before joining Pilot, she served as producer and general manager of the Actors Repertory Company. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from Humber College and a Certificate in Project Management from the University of Toronto.
Nata is a visual artist and graphic designer with more than seven years' experience in her native Ukraine. Prior to arriving in Canada and joining Pilot, she worked in Kyiv as a graphic designer and creative director, supporting local brands and projects, as well as international brands such as Nickelodeon, Hasbro, Citroen, and Mastercard. Her most recent work, as an independent specialist, focused on story-focused brand identity.
Nata thrives in creative environments where she can work across all formats and media through visual language, from print to digital, motion and 3D. She explores culture, social, and visual trends to provide context to her projects.
Nata holds a MA in Marketing from Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics. She also has an undergraduate degree in Visual Communication from Projector Institute.
Aside from developing, Rocky also has a Bachelor's of Applied Arts in Illustration from Sheridan College and he can be found dabbling in design, collages, paintings and paper cuts in his spare time. Rocky aspires to synergize both his love of code as well as his background in illustration and design in order to create fun, interactive, accessible and aesthetically pleasing websites and applications.
Shilpa is a talented designer with more than a decade of experience in illustration, art direction and graphic design. Prior to joining Pilot she held a number of creative positions at agencies and organizations in Canada, India and Singapore.
Her broad international experience includes working as an in-house design lead, art director, illustrator and mural artist. She has also served as an Instructor at Toronto Film School. Her portfolio includes work for a wide range of brands including KPMG, Amazon, Food Panda, Sheseido, Microsoft, and many others.
Shilpa holds a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Image & Communications from LASALLE College of the Arts in Singapore. Influenced by classic and eclectic design work, her passion for visual arts and design will find her dabbling in crafting and pottery, even outside of work.