Leanne Tait

Business Leader | Strategic Thinker |
Gourmet Chocolate Lover | leanne@taitcc.com

“I put my name and reputation at stake with every project, so you’ve got to know I’m going to make sure the job is one I’m proud of, and works for you.”

Leanne’s our fearless leader. She’s been working in the field of PR, communications and marketing since 1983. And there’s nothing she can’t do.

A self-professed gratification junkie, Leanne thrives on starting new projects, developing sound strategies and action plans and then seeing the finished project accomplish something for the client.

It’s a successful formula that has seen Tait Communications and Consulting grow from a home-based business to a dynamic organization working with government, business and non-profits across the north.

And when she’s not working, she’s spending time with her children, Reid and Hayley or soaking up the sunshine poolside in Phoenix.

She’s also actively involved in the community and served as President of the Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, Vice President of the Yellowknife Community Foundation, and Chairman of its Public Relations Committee.  She was also IABC President and a co-founder of the IABC Polar Chapter.

Leanne has an MBA in public relations from Royal Roads University and is accredited by the International Association of Business Communicators.

Gold Advertiser of the Year Award, Kitchener-Waterloo Sales & Advertising Club, 1991 (Peat Marwick Thorne Accountability Campaign)

Marsha Walker

Director of Operations | Straight Talker |
Organizational Whiz | marsha@taitcc.com

“With the right tools in place, anything is possible.”

Marsha takes care of our business and she makes sure our clients come first.

Hailing from Nova Scotia, she knows everything there is to know about Tait Communications and Consulting.

And as we’ve grown over the years, Marsha’s been around to ensure we’ve got the tools and support we need. She keeps us on track and loves the diversity that comes with making sure that things run smoothly.

With two gorgeous granddaughters to keep her busy, Marsha’s the heart of our team. We couldn’t do what we do without her.

Tami Johnson

Creative Director | Mariner Fan |
Bargain Shopper | tami@taitcc.com

“I love the creative process and seeing blank pages fill with amazing ideas.”

Tami is a longtime Yellowknifer who hails from BC. Like many Northerners, Tami was talked into a two year stint in the north. Twelve years later, Tami and her family are still enjoying Yellowknife’s beautiful lake views!

Having worked in marketing for Canadian North and communications for the GNWT Health and Social Services department, Tami has developed a deep understanding of the North and its businesses. Using a “healthy balance between left and right brain” approach to projects, Tami’s endless creativity and vast experience make her a versatile addition to the Tait team.

Tami has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Idaho and training in Graphic Design from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. She is a member of the Graphic Designers Society of Canada and continues to pass on her knowledge by teaching Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

Zhamil Bikbaev

Multimedia designer | Web developer | zhamil@taitcc.com

Zhamil loves change, and is always open to new challenges, which might explain why he and his family traveled halfway around the world from his native Russia to make Yellowknife their home.

Building on his studies at a fine art college, Zhamil earned his Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Design in Moscow. It was that love for creative challenges that drove him to web design and development. He created his first commercial website in 2002 and was hooked. He continues his education even today at the University of Google.

Since arriving in Yellowknife in 2006, Zhamil has worked exclusively as a web developer, working on a number of web projects for the GNWT and Government of Nunavut. When it comes to web development, Zhamil has an uncanny ability to help emerging ideas quickly take shape. Whether he uses a wireframe or a napkin, he can demonstrate exactly how a website would look and work within minutes, showing clients exactly what they want—and need—to see.

When he’s not building better websites, you’ll most likely find Zhamil drawing, appreciating fine art or fishing. Great fishing may or may not be the reason he moved his family to Yellowknife.

Andrew Silke

Graphic Designer | Musician |
Filmmaker | silke@taitcc.com

“Producing something from start to finish is what I live for. There's nothing more gratifying than putting the seal on a project you started.”

Andrew presents a broad technical and creative background, making him a valuable part of our communications team. Fully versed in Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Creative Suite, he can take an idea and present it across almost any medium, whether on screen or on paper.

Born and raised in Yellowknife, Andrew attended NAIT's Digital Media Design diploma program in Edmonton, Alberta and graduated with honors in 2009. He has since worked on a variety of broadcast projects for Slice Network and History Channel and on corporate projects for CBC North, United Way, Canadian Western Bank, and the Government of Alberta.

In his spare time, you might find Andrew gracing the stage with local musical acts or behind the lens on one of his film sets.

Kelsey Magill

Multimedia Designer | Musician |
Jewellery Fanatic | kelsey@taitcc.com

“There is nothing more satisfying than a successful project, and an even happier client.”

Kelsey's background gives her a unique perspective on marketing in the North. She rounds off her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa with education in Aboriginal studies. A healthy dose of curiosity about the North adds to Kelsey's natural enthusiasm for the place in which we live and work.

Kelsey has the tools to effectively communicate with and meet the client’s needs. Her creative flair, combined with excellent research and organizational skills make her a valuable addition to our team.

When she is not at work, Kelsey can be found running the trails or playing fiddle with her local celtic rock band, Flaherty’s Wake.

Gail Nesbitt

Project Manager | Avid Camper |
Squash Player | gail@taitcc.com

“It is great when things run like a well oiled machine.”

Gail has called Yellowknife her home for more than 30 years. She grew up here and loves the fact that you can get anywhere in town in 10 minutes. Yellowknife is a vibrant community that has lots to offer; you just need to find where your interest lies.

She has worked in the field of marketing and communications for more than a decade. Her knowledge and experience in project management is matched with strong organizational skills.

She can usually be found at the Racquet Club several times a week either on the squash court or taking a “spin” class. In the summer months, she spends her weekends camping and boating. She loves spending time outdoors and enjoying nature right outside our door.

Todd Sasaki

Facilitator | Diehard Leafs Fan |
Japanese Newfoundlander | todd@taitcc.com

“Good facilitation is about asking the right questions, pointing people in the right directions, and getting the heck out of the way.”

Todd brings a decade of facilitation experience to our team. He’s worked with youth in different cultures and continents and learned firsthand that everyone needs to be engaged in order to accomplish anything—whether its learning a new skill or coming to a consensus as a group.

He’s interested in learning what makes people tick. What they might be thinking and how they’re feeling at any given moment lead to the questions that will keep the conversation from stalling or shed new light on an idea.

The search for questions rather than answers prompted him to study Psychology and Sociology at Acadia University. They led him to New York City and South Korea before settling in Yellowknife. The question that’s on his mind right now?

Will his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup before he dies?

He would prefer if you didn’t answer that.

Kelly Brunton

Multimedia Designer | Idea Farmer |
Chia Pet Owner | kelly@taitcc.com

“Every idea is important. They might not all be that great but even little ideas can grow into something awesome if given the chance.”

Kelly is a bit of a creative workhorse. Contributing to the concept, art direction, design and even copywriting are just some of the things that he is involved in. He’s won some awards along the way but what he’s more concerned with is results

In a world where everyone has access to computers, camera phones and Photoshop, craftsmanship is becoming a thing of the past. Kelly likes to bring things back to the basics, get to the heart of each communication objective and create lasting impressions. Every detail is important, from concept to kerning, but it should all come together to produce something that’s memorable.

Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Kelly has over twenty years of experience that has taken him across Canada, Australia and the Middle East. And being around the world has taught Kelly that people are basically the same everywhere you go. Developing strong, healthy relationships with co-workers, clients (and even perfect strangers) is what he’s all about. It’s hard to create concepts that speak to people without speaking to people. So if you see him out somewhere don’t be afraid to chat with him. For Kelly, sharing a story or a joke over a latte is what makes this world go around.

Roxane Poulin

Senior Strategist | Problem Solver |
Sports Mom | roxane@taitcc.com

“I am comfortable working in the language of managers and decision-makers, but my passion lies in understanding the needs of the public and stakeholders and finding the best way to create a meaningful connection from there.”

Roxane joined Tait in 2012, bringing with her almost 15 years of experience in the federal government providing strategic analysis and advice. Having worked at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, the Privy Council Office and Treasury Board Secretariat, Roxane is well accustomed to dealing with Deputy Ministers and Ministers. She has also led or participated in numerous intergovernmental initiatives over her career. Her career path has allowed her to gain a wealth of experience with Aboriginal issues in the NWT, as well as an understanding of how the NWT is governed and the structure and subtleties of federal-territorial relations.

Though she comes with plenty of “Ottawa” experience, Roxane chose to follow her heart and move to Yellowknife in 2002 and has never looked back. As an added bonus, Roxane is fully bilingual and proud to have been able to live and work in French for much of her life. She continues to do so in Yellowknife, often through volunteer activities in the community.

But beyond what she can list on a resume, those who know Roxane will tell you that her most valuable contribution to any team or project is her interest in people and their ideas. Roxane is a facilitator at heart who loves to empower groups to find identify and define issues then develop their own approaches and solutions. Don’t have time for that? Not to worry, Roxane also has a talent and passion for tackling critical analysis and problem-solving all on her own. In fact, one of her former bosses is still known to refer to her as “his brain”.

Kevin Cull

Communications Strategist | Apple Fanboy |
Black Belt | kevin@taitcc.com

“When language and emotion meet, the result can be powerful communication.”

Kevin joined Tait in January 2013 and has already made himself an indispensable member of the team, jumping in to provide support on multiple projects without missing a beat.

While he’s spent most of his life in Atlantic Canada, he recently returned to the North. Having lived in the Yukon for a little while as a teenager, when the opportunity arose to come back, he just couldn’t say no.

Kevin had always been attracted to creative pursuits. His first love is writing, but he’s eager to try his hand at whatever he can – music, design, illustration, sometimes even computer code.

Kevin is drawn to plain language that can communicate big ideas. Long words don’t necessarily make for better writing. Having worked in the technology industry for years, he’s used to taking complex ideas and turning them into something that everyone can understand and get excited about.

Kevin has an advanced diploma in public relations from Nova Scotia Community College and an honours degree in political science and philosophy from Dalhousie University.