Executive Advisors

Strategic supports

Our starting point for optimal advocacy is reputation. It is more vital than ever for companies in regulated sectors of the economy, where missteps can have immediate and more lasting impacts.

Regulators, media and politicians target perceived mistakes by companies or in some cases choose to target companies with poor reputations, embroiling leadership in costly and distracting processes, and ultimately ending up with regulatory action that undermines profitability.

In short, not actively managing and growing reputation leaves potential shareholder value on the table and leaves companies and shareholder value at risk of one-time or lasting hits.

Protect, Grow, Secure

We provide a suite of services to protect, enhance and secure value through our ongoing strategic support:

Value insurance—think of it as landmine detection – ongoing strategic support that is constantly surfing ahead in time across jurisdictions to identify and protect against potential threats initiated by competitors, regulators and political actors.

Value protection—confronting a looming challenge from a hostile regulation or bill that threatens your organization either materially or existentially.

Value identification and capture—working with our team of policy, communications, tax and legal experts, we find opportunity to advance your goals and objectives.

The tactics that we pursue to achieve those strategies are typically a mix of...

Strategic planning

Government relations

Crisis planning and communications

Stakeholder relations

Trade association organization and management

Campaign

Strategic communications

Digital campaigns and advocacy

Negotiations

Labour relations

Executive search and placement

What We've Done Recently

At any given time, we have about 40 sets of files on the go, based on long-term relationships with trusted clients.  We’re adding capacity to take on more, to bring our unique approach to your problems:

Here are some examples of what we’ve been up to lately…

Facilitating a landmark deal between Labour and app-based workers

Advised global capital market and hedge funds on investment risk on Canadian M&A activity and trade risk in key industrial sectors

Driving the media strategy and execution for the 2022 Papal Visit to Canada

Guiding public affairs strategy for a packaged goods category

Shaping labour relations strategy for a major national retailer

Securing COVID support for the arts and cultural sectors

Supporting communications in the face of a critical external report for a major health care provider

Developing and workshopping a company’s first integrated global public affairs plan spanning manufacturing footprint in 17 countries and retail footprint in 160.

Advising and facilitating global companies on plans forward related to impacts from global geo-political instability

Helping Canada’s public transit systems stay afloat during COVID-19

Gaining regulatory approval for a mining acquisition

Government relations strategy, crisis planning and communications for financial institutions

Advising on green infrastructure procurement

gt&co Team

Don Guy

Founding Partner
(647) 962-6754
don.guy@gtandcompany.ca

Brian Topp

Founding Partner
(647) 453-0659
brian.topp@gtandcompany.ca

Shir Barzilay

Principal
shir.barzilay@gtandcompany.ca

Julie DeWolfe

Principal
julie.dewolfe@gtandcompany.ca

Cheryl Oates

Principal
cheryl.oates@gtandcompany.ca

Julie O’Driscoll

Principal
julie.odriscoll@gtandcompany.ca

Andrew Teliszewsky

Principal
andrew.teliszewsky@gtandcompany.ca

Genevieve Tomney

Principal
genevieve.tomney@gtandcompany.ca

Carla Ventin

Principal
carla.ventin@gtandcompany.ca

Steve Verheul

Principal
steve.verheul@gtandcompany.ca

Laryssa Waler

Principal
(647) 282-2611
laryssa.waler@gtandcompany.ca

Michelle Mungall

Senior Advisor
Michelle.mungall@gtandcompany.ca

Rod Phillips

Senior Advisor

Stephen Rigby

Senior Advisor
Stephen.Rigby@gtandcompany.ca

Sean P. Webster

Senior Associate
sean.webster@gtandcompany.ca

Cathy Jo Noble

Associate
cj.noble@gtandcompany.ca

gt&co who we are

Since we launched our practice in 2013, we have been fortunate to work with hundreds of outstanding clients from across Canada and around the world.

We have found is that our true value is the judgement embedded in our strategic insight into how human beings behave in business and political realms, the advice that flows from that insight, and the team of skilled professionals who can execute that advice flawlessly.