2023 Jury

Dhaval Bhatt
Co-Founder & CCO
Courage

Allison Litzinger
SVP, Marketing
Sephora

An executive marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building brands and businesses across categories, with expertise in Retail on both the agency and brand side.

Prior to joining Sephora Canada as head of Marketing, Allison held the position of VP Marketing | Brand, Customer & Loyalty at Hudson’s Bay, where she was responsible for brand strategy and partnerships, marketing planning, marketing communication and creative strategy across Hudson’s Bay brand and categories. She led consumer and market research and insights, steered the Hudson’s Bay Rewards and Credit programs, and was responsible for maintaining, growing and transforming the Hudson’s Bay customer base.

Allison’s career started on the Agency side which included 14 years at Leo Burnett Toronto, where she was responsible for brand and business leadership on P&G North American fabric & surface care, IKEA and Canadian Tire.

A believer in purpose-led brands, she is passionate about breakthrough strategy and creative ideas, and has been Internationally recognized for her work across verticals by the Cannes Lions, The One Show, D&AD, The Clios, The Atomic Awards, The Marketing Awards and the CMAs.

Leigh Bertling
VP, Product Design
Havas Health CX

Leigh Bertling is Vice President, Product Design at Havas Health CX. She leads product design teams and creative on digital projects for leading brands. Over her professional career, she has led creative projects for clients such as Siemens PLM, KPMG, TD Bank, McDonalds and Honda Acura, amongst others. In addition to delivering innovative digital solutions, she is passionate about inclusive design and accessibility.

Matt Collette
Global Managing Director, Digital Growth
Edelman Canada

Matt Collette has more than 18 years of integrated experience across digital, social media, analytics and content marketing working with brands on a variety of global remits. He has a deep passion for addressing the complex marketing challenges of modern businesses through creativity and technology and believes in the power of digital as a driver of growth.

As Head of Digital for Canada and Global Managing Director for Digital Growth, Matt is responsible for the agency’s national digital offering, managing operational and strategic decision making for the digital team, and overseeing capability revenue and product. Globally, Matt is responsible for the agency’s digital innovation program helping to integrate marketing technology to client marketing program. He is also responsible for knowledge management and IP programs to drive incremental growth for digital across all Edelman offices.

Prior to moving to Canada, Matt was Vice Chair for Digital with Edelman in Asia. In that capacity, he oversaw Edelman’s Digital operations spanning 11 markets and was responsible for evolving and delivering the firm’s portfolio of market-leading digital services. As the digital leader for the region, Matt led capability experts to research, plan and develop comprehensive digital and social programs that earn attention and build trust across a wide array of clients. 

Prior to rejoining Edelman, Matt was Managing Partner for the Social Practice & Content Studio at Ogilvy Singapore where he oversaw client relationships, provided bespoke counsel and drove day to day operational and strategic business outcomes of the group. During his time at Ogilvy, Matt helped to grow agency social and content revenue by close to 20%.

Before joining Ogilvy, Matt served in a variety of roles with the Daniel J. Edelman Group, including as Managing Director of Zeno Singapore from 2016 to 2018. During his time in this role, Matt grew business revenue by over 30% with a focus on integrated digital led marketing. 

Matt holds an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Segal Graduate School of Business, Simon Fraser University and a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Ottawa University.

Rob Daintree
Director, Marketing Communications
TELUS

Over the course of a 20+ year marketing career spanning both agency and client-side roles, Rob currently leads the TELUS Home Solutions marketing team as Director, Marketing Communications, overseeing the telco’s expanding internet and entertainment product portfolios. Prior to joining TELUS, Rob led marketing at WestJet Airlines, where he championed the brand not only through their exciting transformation from a low-cost carrier to a global airline, but also through the COVID-19 pandemic.    

A disruptive thinker who aims to bring together compelling strategy with breakthrough creative and a customer-centric focus, Rob has spearheaded multiple national and internationally awarded campaigns, earning him recognition as Strategy Magazine’s Marketer of the Year in 2020.  Rob currently sits on the board of the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

Kaitlin Doherty
Founder, President
The Local Collective

Kaitlin Doherty is the Co-Founder and President of The Local Collective, a Toronto based creative agency that uses locally based insights to affect a cultural response.

Kaitlin has been leading and guiding brands through their communication challenges, opportunities and transformations for almost 20 years. She works passionately to develop and nurture strong relationships with client partners to be able to lead businesses to great and unexpected creative solutions.

Kaitlin is a natural entrepreneur, and approaches every brief with this entrepreneurial mindset, with no problem unsolvable and a drive to ensure success with each campaign.

Through her career she’s led business across a wide variety of categories, and over her years, she’s guided brands like McDonald’s, Bud Light, Cadillac and Food Banks Canada through their most ambitious transformations and record setting results.

A true advocate for female leaders and the next generation, Kaitlin has held various volunteering roles including acting as a Mentor with mentorship program GEM – a 12 month mentorship commitment within GEM’s research-based mentorship program for high school girls facing socioeconomic barriers to build their professional skills and achieve their academic and career potential.

Gavin Drummond
Chief Creative Officer
Ogilvy Montreal

Gavin Drummond is Chief Creative Officer, Québec, and co-CCO at the new, integrated Ogilvy Canada. He has 20+ years of experience working on local, national and global brands, including Kijiji, Cadbury Dairy Milk, VIA Rail, Vans, StubHub, YMCA, York University, Canadian Armed Forces and Captain Morgan. A bilingual Montrealer who’s as passionate about advertising as he is about design, he can tell someone to keep pushing the work in both official languages.

Patricia Gray
VP, Digital Media
Media Experts

Digitally dexterous and growth oriented, Patty has 24 years of experience planning and buying online media for major brands across several categories including telco, government, travel, auto, finance, retail and CPG, in addition to regionally specific and highly targeted campaigns. 

Patty’s digital acuity is nothing new. Instrumental in launching Media Experts Digital practice, her passion for the rapidly evolving digital space ensures that she stays current by managing relationships with our digital vendors and positioning our customers to benefit from new opportunities, emerging technologies, and the early insights gained from leveraging first-to market opportunities.

In her current role as Senior Vice President, Digital Media, she leads Media Experts’ Digital Centers of Excellence, helping them shape their role as digital thought leaders and navigating our client business through this ever-evolving landscape.

Patty’s guidance has pushed her teams to take home industry awards in Mobile, Search Marketing and Digital innovation for clients such as MINI, BMW, Best Buy, Covenant House, WestJet, and Pizza Pizza.

Patty sits on the Board of House of Hope and is the founding member of our Ottawa Office.

Alysha Hille
Director, Digital Marketing, Experience & CRM
Metrolinx

Andrea Hunt
CMO
Flow Water

Andrea recently made the move back to Canada and to the ‘World of Wine’ to help this industry leading firm entrench a consumer-centric strategy & put brand building back into the heart of their growth agenda.

Over the last two decades, Andrea helped drive growth at blue-chip companies including CIBC, Kellogg, Molson, Kraft, Mondelez, and Weston. The 20+ year career has allowed for stewardship of iconic brands among them Special K, Coors Light, Kraft Dinner, Oreo, and Wonder Bread – It has also led to a well-stamped passport including extended work chapters in Europe and the United States. An energetic and dynamic leader, Andrea’s responsibilities have run the gamut including corporate strategy, media, communication, innovation, supply chain reinvention, and commercial leadership.

Andrea has a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University, an MBA from Schulich School of Business at York University, and is earning a Doctorate in ‘Patience’ as taught by her three boys. When away from work and not shuttling to an arena, Andrea longs for the opportunity to squeeze in a run or indulge in her passion for design and art – unless of course, someone is offering a glass of Wine…

Craig McIntosh
Chief Creative Officer
Broken Heart Love Affair

Craig McIntosh has worked as a copywriter for 20+ years, at agencies TAXI, BBDO, Anomaly, Cossette, and now BHLA.  He’s worked on high-profile brands such as SickKids, Nike, Budweiser, Pepsi and has been recognized internationally at Cannes, Clios, One Show, and D&AD.

In his leisure hours, he spends his time indoctrinating his two young children with a love for the Wu-Tang Clan, the Philadelphia Flyers, and Hawaiian pizza.

Cameron Wykes
Executive Experience Director, North America
OLIVER

Oliver just recently named Cameron Wykes, its Executive Experience Director, North America. 

Wykes joins from Media.Monks, where he was their first VP, Head of Content. 

Prior to that, Wykes did a 5 year stint as a Strategic Content Consultant. Wykes also founded and led BabyRobot along with an executive leadership role at parent company, Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners Canada. 

Wykes will work with local and global Oliver clients and partners, with a focus on the digital customer experience across current and emerging platforms, including Web3. Cam will be based in Toronto, with responsibilities that span North America. 

Established in 2004, Oliver is the first and only company to design, build and run bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. Today, Oliver creates work that delivers business growth, fame and purpose for over 200 clients in 46 countries and counting.  

Wykes brings notable career experience to Oliver, having founded and grown a number of digital agencies, including BabyRobot, PUSH interactive and Mighty.

Yvonne Anyon
VP, Marketing & Communications
London Drugs Ltd.

Yvonne is Vice President of Marketing & Communications at London Drugs. Since joining London Drugs in 2018, she has advanced the marketing strategy of one of BC’s “most loved” brands by optimizing the marketing mix for owned, earned, and paid media to gain relevance, and creating meaningful customer connections.

Driving for a customer led experience is at the core of the marketing strategy Yvonne is pursuing for the London Drugs brand. By embracing and acting on the data generated from the LDExtras loyalty program and merging with the insights achieved through research and additional data sources, Yvonne is leading London Drugs on a path to a new level of personalized customer experiences.

Yvonne has a wide background in marketing covering the vendor and retailer perspectives in a variety of the companies that have informed the work she does for London Drugs. Starting with customer insights, crafting a differentiated strategy and working with talented creative and agency partners to deliver breakthrough work is her passion.

She achieved an MBA in Executive Management from Royal Roads University in 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo.

Esther Benzie
VP, Marketing and Client Communications
CIBC

Esther Benzie is the Vice-President, Marketing & Client Communications at CIBC.  Esther has more than 25 years of Marketing experience in the Banking, CPG and Not-for-Profit industries. After receiving her MBA from Ivey Business School, Esther held a variety of roles across many leading brands in over two decades at Procter & Gamble.  She was a part of the P&G Canada Leadership team and led the P&G Canada Brand Building organization and the Brand Operations team that focused on executing the brand plans and building new marketing capabilities.  In 2018, Esther joined CIBC where she and her team are responsible for the design and delivery of advertising & direct campaigns for the CIBC brand and products, and measurement of marketing performance.

Esther has always had a passion for developing people and has been a long-time supporter of diversity, equity and inclusion.  She was the executive sponsor of the P&G Women’s Network, the largest affinity network at P&G, and a founding sponsor of Forward Together, a network that brings together companies and their high potential women to help share resources that enable women to grow their careers.  She currently sits on the board of the Association of Canadian Advertisers, and leads their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. 

Solange Bernard
Senior Director, Head of Marketing Communications
Tim Hortons

As Senior Director of Marketing Communications, Solange is responsible for shaping the brand voice and identity for one of Canada’s most iconic brands. Leading a diverse team across Creative, Social, Media, Restaurant, Regional Marketing and Sponsorship she drives creative excellence, digital leadership, and brand reputation for the Canadian market with particular focus on developing purpose-driven brand marketing initiatives, driving innovation and engagement across emerging media platforms. Solange is a passionate leader who unlocks talent potential and has had great success championing agency accountability and transparency.

Before joining Tim Hortons, Solange held various strategy, media, digital and brand marketing roles at Spinmaster, McDonalds, Shaw Communications, Canwest and Alliance Atlantis.

Solange holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph. A passionate member of the Canadian Marketing community, Solange has served as a judge for the CMAs (2022), The Mighty Women Awards (2022), The Effies (2022, 2021), The Festival of Media (2018) and Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec (2015). Solange lives in Toronto with her husband, three daughters and dog, is an avid runner, foodie and Peloton addict.

Allison Canagasaby
VP, Strategy
DDB Canada

As strategy lead for DDB Toronto, Allison brings a unique combination of skills and experience from brand positioning, to large-scale communications planning, and roots in data-driven CRM and digital disciplines that allow her to foster a range of talent in her teams and tackle whatever communication challenges clients are facing. 

In her 16 years' experience she has worked on global and local brands from multiple industries in both B2C and B2B, including Telco, Logistics, Automotive, CPG, Financial, and Not for Profit. Combined with her passion for collaboration she helps bring clients, media and creative partners together to develop a customer-centric vision that can be executed across an ecosystem of experiences and touchpoints.

Maxine Chapman
VP, Brand & Marketing Officer
OLG

Maxine Chapman is the VP of Brand & Marketing Officer at OLG, responsible for Brand Marketing, IMC, Media Planning and Optimization, Commercial Sponsorships, Social and Consumer Insights. Over the past 15+ years, Maxine has been a noteworthy leader in the Brand and Experiential space. Her work at Coca-Cola in both Canada and Internationally across 4 Olympic games garnered strong business returns and Brand sentiment for Coca-Cola, earning a prestigious Grand EX award by Event Marketer. Maxine is also credited with contributions for the viral Masterbrand refresh work at Cineplex which logged over 100M views (92% organic) leading Strategy to award Cineplex as one of their ‘Brands of the Year’ in 2016. With a passion for story-telling through innovative brand, event & content strategies that emotionally connect, Maxine believes how you do that is as important as what you do.

Maxine is also an avid scuba diver, boater and enjoys family time with her Olympic baby (born on the last day of the Paralympics at London 2012 – perfectly timed!), partner and pandemic puppy Archie.

Jef Combdon
Director of Media and Communications Planning
Target

Jef is an award-winning, results driven media professional. As a 30-year veteran in the ad business, not only has he seen a lot of change, but he’s also been on the forefront of that change, always looking for new ways to create meaningful connections between brands and consumers. Throughout his career, Jef has worked at some of the best agencies in the country, including Target in St. John’s Newfoundland, where he’s been making waves for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism and other clients for the past 10 years.

Mark Fitzgerald
Creative Director/Copywriter
Freelance

Mark began his career in advertising at MacLaren:McCann Toronto as a junior copywriter on the GM Dealers account where he got his feet wet writing  headlines like; “Red Tag Days!” and “Imports aren’t worth a Grand Am!”. In an 8-year stint at McCann he also wrote Molson Canadian’s multiple award winning “I am.” Campaign, launched the National Post, and rose to the position of Vice President, Group Creative Director responsible for Molson Breweries and Nestle Canada.

He has worked at a variety of agencies in Canada and the U.S. where he went on to author of such noteworthy campaigns as Kraft Peanut Butter’s “Spread the Feeling”, Cheez Whiz’s often quoted “You Know you waaaaant it” Coors Light’s “Who wants a cold one?”, WestJet’s award-winning web series “Above & Beyond” and Sobey’s recent Olympic program “Feed the Dream”.

He is honored to be one of this year’s Atomic Awards judges because he thinks it is important to tell people when they are doing a good job.

Stephanie Goyette
Head of Marketing and Strategy, Taste Elevation
Kraft Heinz

Stephanie Goyette has 21 Years of CPG experience at Kraft Heinz Canada.   She has spearheaded various organizational roles from sales, shopper marketing, corporate scale promotions, marketing and strategy roles.  Stephanie is currently Head of Marketing and Strategy, Taste Elevation at Kraft Heinz Canada, which encompasses  all sauces, spreads and cheese portfolio including beloved brands Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Kraft Peanut Butter Bears and more.  In addition she is involved within various D&I corporate events and acting as Kraft Heinz Canada and North American Coffee Employee Engagement Lead.  She received the 2022 Star Women in Grocery Award from Canadian Grocer Magazine, 2019 Kraft Heinz Canada Business employee of the year, 2018 Brand Innovators Women to Watch in Brand Marketing.

Jennifer Groh
Senior Director, Corporate Marketing and Citizenship
Samsung Canada

As a member of Samsung Canada’s executive leadership team, Jennifer Groh and her team is responsible for increasing awareness and educating Canadians about the Samsung brand and its robust lineup of innovative products. Overseeing all corporate brand marketing activities, Jennifer ensures her team engages consumers and drives brand value, strengthens brand health and delivers business performance.  

As the company’s communications lead, Jennifer is directly responsible for internal, external, consumer and stakeholder engagement programming. Through reputation management, citizenship programs, earned and social media, her team defines Canadians’ perception of Samsung – as an innovative technology company, a top employer, active community and corporate citizen and one of Canada’s top brands.

Jennifer is passionate about CSR and co-chairs the sustainability governance initiative at Samsung Canada while also helping lead the company’s citizenship commitments to STEM-education through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and its long-standing partnership with SickKids Foundation.

Matt Houghton
Director of Digital and Integrated Marketing
Interac

Matt Houghton is the Director of Digital and Integrated Marketing for Interac, leading brand and product marketing for the organization, mass and always on advertising, and overseeing digital and social channels. Matt has extensive experience within the overall marketing, media and communications space, having worked in leadership roles at organizations such as Red Bull, Publicis and Bell Media, specializing in data-informed strategy, content experiences and digital eco-systems.

Nadia Niccoli
North America Category Marketing
Diageo

Nadia is an accomplished and driven marketer with over fifteen years’ of success in developing and implementing innovative and strategic marketing campaigns for leading entertainment and tech brands in Canada. 

Nadia is well regarded by colleagues for; executive leadership, branding, marketing ROI, superior project management, resourceful problem solving, creative flair, outstanding interpersonal communications, and exceeding expectations. 

She is currently a member of Canadian Women in Communications & Technology with an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative mindset and a passion to create meaningful contributions in Canada’s Entertainment and Tech industry.

Lynne Piette
Director Marketing
Volkswagen

Passionate Leader known for creating a culture of team work and motivating a team to push beyond what they thought they were capable of achieving. Consumer centric marketer with 20 years experience in Marketing and Communications. Constantly challenging the status quo through test and learn initiatives to drive the business forward. A strategic and innovative thinker constantly aspiring to overachieve business objectives.

Dave Roberts
Executive Creative Director
McCann Canada

Dave is an Integrated Creative Director with more than 15 years of experience creating innovative campaigns, products, services and experiences for global brands. Initially raised in digital, then broadened in mass communications, he’s most passionate working at the intersection of storytelling, design and innovation to create memorable and meaningful experiences for consumers that drive them to action and drive value for clients.

During his career he has creatively led campaigns and experiences for major international and national brands including Adidas, Cirque Du Soleil, MGM Resorts, Heineken, Ebay, Dell, Samsung, Red Bull, Sport Chek, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Mondelez and Mattel, among others. He’s built and mentored creative departments in 3 different cities, and partnered with clients to help them grow their business and win recognition at creative award festivals including Cannes, OneShow, CLIO’s, D&AD, ADC’s, Webbys and The FWA’s.

As Executive Creative Director at McCann, Dave leads the creative teams in Montreal and oversees the creative output on all major accounts.

Haem Roy
Senior Marketing Manager
Amazon Adertising Canada

Haem is a storyteller, understanding consumers in order to connect their stories with brands. As a global Creative Strategist, Omnichannel Marketer, and Branded content expert, she has worked on both the creative as well as business side, leading all aspects from strategy, content creation, pitching to execution, marketing and optimization. She has worked on custom series for major brands such as Unilever, Mercedes Benz, spearheaded re-brandings, planned and negotiated strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and corporate social responsibility. Haem has both led and built marketing teams and brands across Canada, USA, and India. Currently she is the Senior Branded Content Manager at Rogers Sports and Media, building branded innovations and integrations for advertiser clients.

A speaker and panelist, she co-hosts the BCMA Canada Candid chats, is President of the BCMA Canada, co-chaired IAB Canada’s Branded content and social media committee from 2018 to 2021, been on the jury for Effies Canada 2022, a course instructor at Women in Film and Television, and actively champions diversity and inclusion. Haem is part of a Toronto-based improvisational comedy troupe ‘Eyesore’, and an avid scuba diver, traveler, cheese lover, and plant-hoarder.

Links:

www.haemroy.com
www.linkedin.com/in/haemroy
www.instagram.com/storiesofhaemlet/channel

Jennifer Stahlke
EVP, Marketing
GoodFood

Jennifer has a unique combination of CPG and Retail marketing and merchandising leadership experience at the world’s largest food and retail organizations, and has now added start-up to her journey. Her career began in the consumer packaged goods industry, where she launched and built brands at General Mills, Rubbermaid, and Nestle. After 10 years of packaged goods brand management, Jennifer expanded her marketing credentials into retail starting with Walmart Canada. During her more than 11 years at Walmart Jennifer led multiple Marketing and Merchandising functions, including Customer Strategy, Cosmetics Merchandising, and Pricing. Now, as EVP, Marketing & Member Happiness at Goodfood, Jennifer has the opportunity to build a much younger brand into one of Canada's most loved.

Jennifer has a passion for building female talent, and was the Executive Sponsor of Women in Retail and a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council at Walmart Canada. At Goodfood she's taking the steps to build similar development opportunities for female talent. As an active member of the Marketing community, Jennifer has been a member of the Canadian Marketing Association’s Customer Experience council, and she's judged numerous marketing awards including the CMAs, Promo Awards, and the Shopper Innovation Awards.