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Leanne TaitBusiness Leader | Strategic Thinker | “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) |
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Marsha WalkerDirector of Operations | Straight Talker | “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. |
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Tami JohnsonCreative Director | Mariner Fan | “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. |
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Kathy MercureWriter | Blogger | “Working in a creative environment makes the words flow.” Kathy is a veteran Yellowknifer, and worked with Tait Communications in the early days, before family called her away after 13 years of loving the North. But she’s back with a virtual vengeance! Living near Moncton New Brunswick, her writing streams across the ether and into the waiting inboxes of her fellow strategists. Having worked in Customer Service at Artisan Press Ltd., and in communications for the GNWT Environment and Natural Resources department, Kathy knows and understands the North and its people. With over 30 years in the advertising, marketing and communications industries, she knows her stuff. Kathy is most proud of the legacy she left behind in Run for Our Lives, the NWT breast cancer fundraiser. As one of the founding members, she was inspired and humbled by the level of generosity the people of the Northwest Territories demonstrated in her three years as Marketing Director. In her spare moments and on sunny days, you can find Kathy in her garden, or at the beach, with her head down, collecting beach glass or interesting rocks, with her dog Lulu nearby. Her portfolio can be viewed at: http://www.writenow-communications.ca/ |
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Brandon MarshMultimedia Specialist | Artist | “New media is anything you (or I) want it to be.” Originally hailing from the small community of Bothwell, Ontario, Brandon is an expert researcher and producer of electronic arts and communications. His passion is guiding and enabling those seeking to explore and engage the cutting edge of technology and interactive communications. He has a strong focus on new media. Brandon can skillfully navigate and advise on the benefits and pitfalls of new technology and its application to both the business world and daily life. Naturally curious and inquisitive, he is constantly exploring the world and experiencing different cultures. He sees the North as a place ripe with opportunity; a place for him to learn and grow while being a part of a vibrant community and a transforming environment. Brandon has an honors degree in Fine Arts from Ryerson University and a diploma in Digital Media Technical Production from Seneca College. He has spent time studying media in Stockholm, Sweden, on foreign exchange and has lived and worked in a number of interesting locales. |
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Andrew SilkeGraphic Designer | Musician | “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. |
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Kelsey MagillMultimedia Designer | Musician | “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. |
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Paul WilckenTypography Expert | Foodie | “If it doesn’t speak clearly, then it doesn’t work. Keep it simple and engaging.” Paul adds another creative component to the Tait design team. While he loves art and design, it’s typography that really gets him going. You know, the style of lettering and how it looks on the page. It may sound odd, but it makes a world of difference to how a document, a website, an ad, a poster looks and feels. Type carries a message just like a picture, but it's more subtle – and it's a lot of fun. It can make things easier to read and more legible. And let's face it, if you can't read it, what's the point? Typography provides a strong visual base for successful communication between the client and the audience. For Paul, it’s those little details that can make a difference. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Paul searched for a new creative direction and found it in Yellowknife after a few years in Toronto. Paul earned a Bachelor of Design Degree from the Ontario College of Art & Design. Prior to joining Tait, he worked as a web designer freelancer. Outside the office, Paul's passion lies in the kitchen. For Paul, food fuels life and invites delicious creativity. Paul creates all his dishes from scratch, with never a recipe book in sight. He experiments with various foods and spices to create beautiful flavours, which he loves to share. Understandably, those of us who like to eat, love the fringe benefits of having a foodie like Paul around. |
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Gail NesbittProject Manager | Avid Camper | “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. |
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Todd SasakiFacilitator | Diehard Leafs Fan | “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. |
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Trisha FrightCommunications Assistant | Dog Lover | “I embrace challenges with a positive attitude, determination and a smile.” An enthusiastic team player with an artistic eye and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Trisha is a valuable component to the Tait design team. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Trisha fell in love with Yellowknife after a brief summer visit and decided to make it her new home as soon as possible. Her hunger to gain experience in the graphic design industry led her to join Tait. With diplomas from Mohawk College in both Legal Office Administration and Creative Graphic Design, Trisha brings a balanced background that has quickly made her indispensable around the office. Prior to joining Tait, Trisha worked as a Graphic Artist for the Smurfit Stone Container Corporation in Burlington. Outside of work, Trisha can usually be found exploring Yellowknife with Roxy – her beloved American Staffordshire Terrier, or unleashing her superior skills on unsuspecting opponents in pool halls or on the volleyball courts. |
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Kelly BruntonMultimedia Designer | Idea Farmer | “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. |
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