What we do
Wellington Advocacy helps you build, run and win campaigns.
After a decade of working alongside Stephen Harper on the campaign trail and in office, our team is uniquely positioned to help you build government relations strategies, digital campaigns, stakeholder coalitions and blueprints to run.
Digital
Finding and winning over an audience is central to any successful campaign. We know how to identify and engage audiences and will help you build a bespoke digital strategy to capture the attention you need to deliver your message.
Coalition Building
Building and engaging stakeholder coalitions is a central part of winning campaigns. Drawing on our extensive political and corporate network, we help you build policies, teams and products that resonate with the people you need most.
Strategic Communications
You’ve worked hard to build your organization and we want to help you tell that story. With decades of combined experience, we create custom strategies based on tested methods with proven results that will make your organization stand out. We’ll work with you to deliver communications campaigns, public relations strategies and long-term planning solutions that will build trust with consumers, investors, governments and the public.
Government Relations
Our team will work with you to build and deliver a concise and compelling presentation to government. Drawing on vast public policy and government experience, we ensure the right people hear your message at the right time.
Political Campaign Management
Running for public office is not easy. We work with you to plan, build and run a custom campaign strategy drawing on the experience and network we acquired during our time working with Stephen Harper. From nominations and fundraising to compliance and communications, we are with you all the way to e-day.
International Development
With the introduction of our expanded Global Partnerships Bureau, our global development practice aims to facilitate, incubate, and accelerate successful partnerships across the public, private and philanthropic sectors. Operating at the nexus of development, trade, and security, we provide solutions for corporate, not-for profit, and multilateral agencies to achieve sustainable growth and promote global development thorough superior risk adjusted returns, innovative programs and finance. We are active in both emerging market economies and developing countries.
Our Team
Nick Koolsbergen
CEO
Nick spent the last two years serving as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s Chief of Staff and Campaign Director. Prior to that Nick, served as former BC Premier Christy Clark’s Chief of Staff, as Director of Issues Management to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and as a senior advisor to numerous federal Cabinet Ministers.
Kyle MacDonald
Digital Lead
Kyle is an expert in grassroots advocacy and digital persuasion. Kyle held several roles in government including in the Office of the Prime Minister and served as the executive director of a Washington-based industry association. Kyle has managed election campaigns at the municipal and federal level, gaining valuable experience in voter persuasion that informs his work at Wellington Advocacy.
Brad Tennant
Vice President, Alberta
Brad most recently served as the Executive Director of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in Alberta. Previously, Brad was the Director of Fundraising for the UCP breaking all Alberta fundraising records for the 2019 Alberta Election. Brad has extensive political and business relationships throughout Alberta, and served as an original team member of the Jason Kenney Leadership Campaign. Brad is an energy expert having worked with numerous energy companies in his time with Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
Idee Inyangudor
Vice President, Global Partnerships
Idee draws from his expertise in international development, blended finance, public policy, and strategic communications to serve private sector companies, governments, and civil society organizations. Idee previously served as the Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations for the Office of the Minister of International Development and was twice recognized as among the Top 100 influencing the Government of Canada’s foreign policy.
Samuel Duncan
Vice President
Sam brings almost a decade of senior executive political and private sector experience to Wellington Advocacy. Most recently, as the Executive Director of Policy to the Premier of Ontario, he was responsible for leading the government’s strategic policy development process. Sam has also served as a senior advisor to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, current Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, and several federal cabinet ministers.
Trisha Rinneard
Vice President
With more than twelve years-experience in Ontario provincial politics, Trisha has an instinctive understanding of government relations, stakeholder management, communications and relationship building. Trisha has worked for the Leader of the Ontario PC Party, the Minister of Education in the Ford Government, and as the Manager of Government Relations for one of Canada’s largest universities.
Lauren Klammer
Consultant
Lauren has served in the Office of the Prime Minister and as an advisor to federal Cabinet Ministers. She has been actively involved in the creation of federal and territorial budgets. Lauren has a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University and is pursuing an MD at the University of Saskatchewan.
Board
Nick Koolsbergen
Director
Nick spent the last two years serving as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s Chief of Staff and Campaign Director. Prior to that Nick, served as former BC Premier Christy Clark’s Chief of Staff, as Director of Issues Management to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and as a senior advisor to numerous federal Cabinet Ministers.
Jeremy Hunt
Director
Prior to co-founding Harper & Associates, Mr. Hunt served as a Director to Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. In this capacity, he oversaw the Prime Minister’s Executive Office, Tour and Business Outreach.
Jeremy is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and a recipient of the Erebus Medal. He received an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Carleton University and a MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
Ray Novak
Director
Ray served nearly ten years in the Office of the Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, including more than two years as his Chief of Staff. Ray is the co-founder and Managing Director of Harper & Associates – a global consulting firm led by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Ray also serves on the board of the International Democrat Union, a global not-for-profit organization of more than 80 political parties committed to freedom and democracy.
Kyle MacDonald
Director
Kyle is an expert in grassroots advocacy and digital persuasion. Kyle held several roles in government including in the Office of the Prime Minister and served as the executive director of a Washington-based industry association. Kyle has managed election campaigns at the municipal and federal level, gaining valuable experience in voter persuasion that informs his work at Wellington Advocacy.
Luwam Ghebre
Senior Consultant,
Global Partnerships
Luwam brings almost a decade of public affairs experience having served as a senior staffer on Parliament Hill - both in government and opposition - and election campaigns. Luwam brings experience in developing and implementing communications and stakeholder strategies for senior executives in government, and the private sector. She brings to the role proven leadership in managing client portfolios, project execution, and a passion for emerging market partnerships, especially in Africa.
Kayla Iafelice
Vice President and National Practice Lead, Strategic Communications
Kayla is a respected public affairs leader with experience executing communications strategies for businesses and governments. A journalist by trade, Kayla has a decade of experience in media relations, brand PR, reputation management and corporate communications. Kayla most recently served as Executive Director of Communications to Premier Doug Ford where she was responsible for leading the government’s strategic communications, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
(613) 686-3655 (587) 355-1972 (647) 360-5808
OTTAWA
EDMONTON
TORONTO