Calgary Senior Consultants and Advisors

Astrid Gagnier, Senior Consultant

Astrid Gagnier’s experience in strategic communications planning, stakeholder relations and aboriginal affairs is derived from more than a decade of working with resource industries in Alberta and British Columbia. Her strategic planning experience ranges from managing communications around issue-sensitive regulatory approval processes to First Nations consultation and protocol developments. She brings on-the-ground experience in working with community coalitions and advisory committees as well as at-the-table participation in land use planning and Treaty Tables. Astrid’s background in corporate communications and journalism has given her a deft hand in developing full suites of communications materials. Her corporate experience has also given her significant expertise in sustainability issue management, triple-bottom-line reporting and reputation management.

Bonni Clark, Senior Consultant

Bonni Clark brings a broad range of communication specialities to Communica. Areas of proven excellence include media and public relations, corporate communication, collateral and branding development, internal relations and engagement, communication training, stakeholder event production, business stakeholder relations, video and integrated communication planning. Years as a communication leader dealing with research and technology issues at the National Research Council and Alberta Research Council have honed her talent for translating complex concepts and technologies into clear and compelling messaging for different stakeholders. And as a result of her many years as a radio, print and television journalist, Bonni excels in the art of corporate storytelling in way that serves strategic purposes and resonates with different stakeholder groups.

Larry E. Veilleux,

Senior Consultant, Aboriginal Engagement

Larry Veilleux has more than 25 years of experience working with First Nations, including almost two decades in senior Community and Aboriginal Affairs roles with Ranger Oil, PanCanadian Petroleum and Willbros Canada, and as a senior consultant with Golder Associates Ltd. He is an accomplished executive with experience in domestic and international operations, strategic conflict analysis, management of operations in culturally sensitive work areas, and business development partnerships. He has had “on the ground” experience with First Nations consultation in B.C., including Haida Gwaii and northeast B.C., and in Alberta and the N.W.T. He was Chairman of the CAPP Community and Aboriginal Relations Committee for five years, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture/Economics from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Education in Adult Literacy from the University of Calgary.

Pooja Thakore, Intermediate Advisor

Pooja Thakore has the experience and skills needed to meet Communica’s client needs, with a double degree in Communications and International Relations and IAP2 Certification in Public Participation. She has worked in the corporate and non-profit sectors in various roles and capacities including investor relations, corporate communications, event planning and fundraising. Pooja works with clients to prepare communication plans, develop support materials, plan events, support stakeholder information management, and provide stakeholder engagement counsel. She is also the voice behind Communica’s twitter and Facebook pages.

Bridget Honch, Advisor

As one of Communica’s most recent additions, Bridget Honch works closely with senior counsel members to plan and implement communication strategies, deliver communication tools and provide a wide range of communication support for clients. Bridget has experience with emerging and alternative forms of communication, including social media applications and videos. With a degree in journalism, she also has experience in news writing and developing communication support within the energy sector.