Our Team
The Prospectus Associates team consists of highly-experienced, senior practitioners based in Ottawa, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We also have significant experience and capabilities at Queen’s Park and the National Assembly of Québec.
The Prospectus Associates team consists of highly-experienced, senior practitioners based in Ottawa, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We also have significant experience and capabilities at Queen’s Park and the National Assembly of Québec.
With more than 25 years’ experience as a trusted, effective and successful advocate for his clients in their dealings with governments in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, Rob has established a reputation as one of Canada’s leading public affairs practitioners.
Rob’s diverse practice includes working with many of the world’s largest aerospace and training companies in the area of defence and security; advocating for client companies and their industry association in the financial services sector; and advancing the interests of multinational clients in the pharmaceutical, food processing and commodities sectors. He has also worked extensively in the areas of energy conservation and environmental technology, advising established and start-up companies on the best way to work with governments to commercialize technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency.
In addition to providing ongoing strategic advice and acting as an extension of his clients’ senior management teams, Rob has led numerous successful public affairs campaigns, working with his colleagues at Prospectus and collaborating with other suppliers as needed to advance his clients’ interests.
In 1987, Rob moved from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to assist the Honourable John Crosbie, then Minister for International Trade, with Canada-U.S. trade issues. In this capacity, Rob briefed the Minister and Caucus on the negotiation and implementation of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. In 1990, Rob joined the Export Development Corporation, where he served in the Export Finance Division, working with Canadian exporters to finance transactions in Mexico, Chile and Europe. He also served as an advisor for trade policy as it affected Canada’s relationship with the OECD and the Consensus regulations.
Rob is a past member of the Executive Committee of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and a past member of the Board of Directors for the Ottawa Food Bank. He is also a member of the Royal Ottawa Golf and Country Club.
Rob lives in the National Capital Region and is married with four children.
Over the period of 1983 to 1991, he held several senior positions in the Government of Canada. The first four years he served as executive assistant to Prime Minister Mulroney. From 1987 to 1991, he served as Chief of Staff to the Solicitor General, the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of the Environment.
As Chief of Staff to the Minister of the Environment, he spearheaded the policy development and Cabinet approval process for Canada’s Green Plan and the Environmental Assessment Act.
Since 2013 he has served as the Chair of the board of the Terry Fox Foundation. Since 1981, he has run in all 40 annual Terry Fox Runs, personally raising more than $800,000 for cancer research. He was awarded one of twelve 2010 iRun Awards by iRun magazine for his 30 consecutive Terry Fox runs.
Bill, a Sir James Dunn Scholar and DesCartes Fellow, holds an Honours Co-operative degree in Mathematics (Computer Science and Statistics) from the University of Waterloo.
From 2015 to 2020, he served as a member of the Board of Governors and the Senate of the University of Waterloo. He is currently a member of the Fundraising Campaign Operating Board responsible for the leadership, strategic direction and oversight of all components of the current Waterloo fundraising campaign. A globally focused institution, celebrated as Canada’s most innovative university for 27 of the past 28 years, Waterloo is home to the world’s largest post-secondary co-operative education program and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery.
In 1987 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal. In 2012, he was the proud recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. He was nominated for this honour by Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper and received the award from Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney at a ceremony in Montreal.
He is a member of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and the Rideau Club.
Martin-Pierre has extensive knowledge and expertise regarding policy-making, cabinet decision-making and legislative processes. Martin-Pierre served as the principle advisor to the Minister for International Trade on the softwood lumber, steel, agricultural commodities, aerospace, and pharmaceutical trade issues and on all Canada-United States trade matters. He also advised the minister on trade remedy actions, WTO challenges and trade agreement negotiations.
During his eight years on Parliament Hill, Martin-Pierre also had the opportunity to work in various departments, including Human Resources Development, Health Canada, Revenue Canada and Intergovernmental Affairs and Foreign Affairs. This broad experience provides him with a vast knowledge of the federal government.
Also, during his career as a ministerial advisor, he was responsible for Quebec affairs in the office of a minister from British Columbia. He then worked as an advisor to a minister from Quebec.
Martin-Pierre joined Prospectus in 2005, and since then, he spends his time between Ottawa and Quebec City, advancing Prospectus’ clients’ interests in both capitals. He’s been central in developing public affairs strategies and their implementation in both Ottawa and Quebec City.
Over a decade and a half, Martin-Pierre has built a web of contacts in Quebec City with the current government, the oppositions as well as with the government officials.
His ongoing work with Quebec political actors during his tenure in government and with Prospectus Associates, coupled with his past involvement in provincial politics, make him an effective advocate for Prospectus Associates’ clients in Quebec.
Martin-Pierre holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Laval University in Quebec City. He is fluently bilingual in French and English. In his free time, Martin-Pierre enjoys travelling, golfing, skiing, and fishing.
Bruce has established a strong personal reputation in one of the most high-pressured jobs of its kind. He is well known for his drive and commitment and for getting results. The first 7 years of Bruce’s 15 years on “the Hill” were as a Legislative Assistant to the Opposition House Leader and subsequently to the Prime Minister. He has experienced successful election campaigns both in the War Room and on the Leader’s Tour. As Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister, he dealt with foreign Heads of State and Government, Ministers, Premiers, Ambassadors, Members of Parliament, Senators, senior civil servants and business and labour leaders.
Some of his current and recent clients include Seaspan, MDA, CN and National Bank of Canada.
In his more than 20 years working in public affairs, Keelan has advised senior executives, acted as spokesperson and supported clients in various sectors, including technology, defence, aerospace, automotive, transportation, health care, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, infrastructure, energy and government.
His current clients include Seaspan, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, L3 Harris, Global Container Terminals, PCL Construction, the Canadian Construction Association, CAE, SkyAlyne, Upfield and Pulmonem.
From 2002 to 2012, Keelan held a series of increasingly more senior positions at Thornley Fallis Communications, a leading national public relations agency. He was Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the firm’s Ottawa office for three years and served as the company’s President from 2010 to 2012. During his decade at Thornley Fallis, Keelan planned, managed and executed numerous public and media relations campaigns and projects for private and public sector clients.
Keelan began his career in the Federal Government, where he spent four years at the Department of Finance and then two years at the Treasury Board.
At Treasury Board, he coordinated communications and media relations related to the Government On-Line initiative in the Chief Information Officer Branch. His work was recognised with an award from the President of the Treasury Board.
At the Department of Finance, he worked on communications and media relations for three federal budgets and two national economic updates. He then took a role with the department’s Task Force for International Meetings created to support Canada’s role as chair and host of numerous international finance meetings (G-7, G-20 and Western Hemisphere) held across Canada and internationally between 1999 and 2001. While at Finance, he also twice planned and managed cross-country public consultations involving the Minister and Deputy Minister, and planned and executed numerous special events and speaking engagements of then Finance Minister Paul Martin.
In 2008, Keelan was selected as one of Ottawa’s “Top 40 Under 40” by the Ottawa Business Journal. Also that year, he led the Ottawa office of Thornley Fallis to the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Award for Professional Services Firm of the Year. Keelan’s work for clients has been recognized with awards from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
Keelan attended Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous professional training programs, conferences and seminars, and regularly attends professional development and networking events.
Keelan is a member of the CPRS, the IABC, the Canadian Marketing Association, the Government Relations Institute of Canada, the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, the Naval Association of Canada, the Canadian Club of Ottawa, the Economic Club of Canada, the Rideau Club, Rivermead Golf Club and Club Mont Ste Marie.
Heavily involved in the community, Keelan served as President of the Canadian Public Relations Society Ottawa-Gatineau chapter for 5 years and is currently Treasurer. He serves/has served on several other volunteer boards and committees, including the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, the Acadia University Ottawa Alumni Association, the Board of Directors and Men’s Committee at Rivermead Golf Club, Club Mont Ste Marie, the Max Keeping Foundation, the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom, the Salvation Army Ottawa Advisory Board, the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union and the Ottawa Beavers Rugby Club.
A native of Ottawa, Keelan lives in Centretown with wife Laura and son Peyton.
Alexandra Evershed brings a passion for public affairs and over 25 years of experience in government and the private sector to her work for her clients. She enjoys the challenge of helping her clients assess their positioning and develop their best strategies. One of her key strengths is her ability to translate complex information into simple, clear and compelling narratives.
Alexandra has worked on some of the highest-profile public policy files in the country, advising Cabinet ministers and senior officials at the departments of Finance, Human Resources and Skills Development, Foreign Affairs, International Trade, National Defence, Citizenship and Immigration, Industry, and the Privy Council Office, among others.
Her clients in the not-for-profit sector have included leading professional and industry associations, major charities and health-focused not-for-profits. She has worked with them on issues pertaining to public policy, donor and member relations, and reputation.
Alexandra has worked with some of the world’s best-known companies on issues relating to public policy, brand and reputation and in support of mergers and acquisitions.
Some of the organizations that Alexandra has worked with over the years include General Dynamics, Seaspan, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Global Container Terminals, PCL Construction, the Canadian Construction Association, the Building Materials Council of Canada, Lowes, the Canadian Beverage Association, the Canadian Vintners Association, Waste Management, Cannabis Canada, Sikorsky, CAE, SkyAlyne, Garda, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Nurses Association, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, the Canadian Dental Association, Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Shipowners Association, Ericsson, and a broad range of federal and provincial government departments and agencies.
Her current clients include Seaspan, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Global Container Terminals, the Canadian Construction Association, CAE, SkyAlyne, Upfield, Pulmonem, and Cardiol.
Alexandra worked for Ipsos Reid from November 2003 to April 2012, directing its Ottawa office and leading its North American Government Research Practice, first as Vice-President and then as Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs. She is a skilled moderator who has conducted focus groups and interviews in both official languages with a very broad array of target audiences, including youth, seniors, First Nations, physicians, new Canadians, and international investors. Alexandra is also skilled in quantitative methodologies. In addition to her strength in design and analysis, Alexandra is known for her ability to turn research findings into actionable recommendations. Alexandra was a frequent spokesperson for the company.
Prior to joining Ipsos Reid, Alexandra worked for fifteen years with the Government of Canada in progressively more senior communications positions. Her subject matter experience covered the full spectrum, including economic and social portfolios and work in a central agency. She managed public opinion research and advertising for the Department of Industry; worked as a communications analyst and strategist at both Human Resources Development Canada and Industry Canada; and in media relations at Industry Canada.
Alexandra is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, where she obtained a degree in English Literature. She is fluently bilingual in English and French and speaks some Spanish and Italian.
Since joining Prospectus Associates, Eric has developed one of the most comprehensive lists of clients looking to establish relationships with the provincial and federal governments in Atlantic Canada. Eric understands how to communicate with government in a way to build win/win outcomes. Companies value his perspective and understanding of the political and bureaucratic perspectives on specific files. They count on him to be an integral part of their team to achieve expected outcomes.
Eric has been able to build on his experience in New Brunswick to build a solid network of clients requiring work throughout Atlantic Canada. He has worked on some of the biggest files, such as Energy East, as well as non-profit organizations such as the Theatre l’Escaouette. Eric has represented client interests in Atlantic Canada as well as with the federal government and prairie provinces.
A natural entrepreneur, Eric has run several successful small businesses. This first-hand experience, along with his direct experience working in the public service, allows him to understand the needs of his clients in creating appropriate government relations strategies.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Eric has held many volunteer positions within the community. He is a founding member of the Greater Moncton Immigration Board, a key organizer of the annual Greater Moncton Volunteer Breakfast and has served on a number of committees with the Canadian Franchise Association and the Canadian Board of the International Council of Shopping Centres.
Eric has managed multiple elections campaigns and has served as provincial co-chair of a National Leadership campaign, building a team to deliver the second-highest voter turnout of all Canadian provinces. Eric is a respected political operative, having served as an advisor to multiple provincial Premiers in New Brunswick.
Eric holds an MBA from the Université de Moncton and a BA. Ph. from the Dominican College of Philosophy and Theology in Ottawa. Eric and his wife Martine have two teenage children and reside in Dieppe, New Brunswick. He is fluent in both official languages.
Journalism also brought Robert overseas, where he was a columnist at several popular English-language newspapers and magazines in Taiwan and China.
Robert is a skilled researcher and writer. His journalism experience and knowledge of Canada’s government institutions allows him to provide in-depth data to Prospectus’ consultants.
Robert ensures smooth coordination among Prospectus consultants. He’s worked on many different campaigns over the years, spanning sectors as different as insurance and financial services to food processing.
With over 10 years of experience in marketing and public relations, Samantha has developed and implemented many large-profile PR and marketing campaigns in a variety of sectors, including defence, aerospace, financial, automotive, consumer products, healthcare and government.
Some of the organizations that Samantha has served over the years include General Dynamics, Seaspan, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Global Container Terminals, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, the Canadian Construction Association, the Ottawa Senators, Textron, Ford Canada, Health Canada, Trade Commissioner Service, Export Development Canada, Ontario BIA Association, and a broad range of SMEs across Canada.
Between 2015 and 2017, Samantha was an independent consultant working with SMEs and communications agencies to develop and implement a variety of local and national public relations, advocacy and marketing campaigns.
Prior to 2015, Samantha was a digital marketing manager at Export Development Canada, where she was responsible for executing a corporate-wide Digital and Social Media Strategy to develop brand awareness, generate inbound traffic, and cultivate leads and sales, as well as develop and implement an internal employee advocacy program for 1,200 staff across Canada. Before EDC, Samantha was a marketing coordinator at the Conference Board of Canada, where she built industry relationships and marketing alliances for the purpose of expanding marketing reach, developing and implementing results-driven marketing plans to achieve revenue, and developing innovative, cost-effective tactics through leading-edge direct marketing techniques.
Samantha’s career foundation originally started in a leading national public relations and design agency, Thornley Fallis, where she most notably lead public relations and social media activities for Ford Canada.
With a passion for continued learning and professional development, Samantha teaches social media advertising in the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and Women in Communications and Technology (WCT). She also served as Vice President of Events with IABC. In 2016 she received a distinguished Community Builder award from Women in Communications and Technology for her five-year role as Lead Organizer for Girl Geek Dinners Ottawa, an offshoot of Girl Geek Dinners in London, UK, making technology accessible and interesting to girls and women in all age groups.
Samantha attended Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario, where she received a diploma with honours in Public Relations and also studied Business Administration and Media & Design. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous professional training programs, conferences and seminars, and regularly attends professional development and networking events.
Gurpreet spent the last two-and-half years as a Policy Advisor and Special Assistant for Western Canada and the Territories to the Minister of Infrastructure. Gurpreet worked extensively on the design and policy for the $180 billion, 12-year Investing in Canada Plan. He led negotiations with all provinces and territories west and north of Ontario. Prior to joining the federal government, he spent three years working for various Ministers in the B.C. government, including senior roles in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training.
Jim Manduca has been launching creative visions for leading firms in the entertainment and technology spaces for over two decades. A leading voice in a fast-paced, disruptive world, Jim is a trusted partner among world-class brands who value his unparalleled passion, talent, and love for bleeding-edge technology.
As the founder and creative force behind Neptune Blue, Jim teamed up with Prospectus in 2018 to serve as Creative Director for the #DontLetGoCanada campaign, one of Canada’s most successful national campaigns in the nation’s history. Since then, Neptune Blue and Prospectus maintain a strong partnership.
Jim’s expertise in all aspects of video production, design, 3D, VR, animation, and art direction has allowed him to work directly with companies such as Disney, LucasFilm, McDonald’s, and many, many others. In every role he has served, Jim pushed each of these organizations into new markets by responsibly leveraging the latest tech and user engagement theories. To accomplish this, Jim builds strong teams and nurtures an innovative culture that shares his energy and enthusiasm for creativity, as well as his drive for setting new standards of excellence.
Jim holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Lakehead University and holds diplomas in film production and interactive media from Confederation College. When he is not in the office, you might find him out in nature filming wildlife, composing music at his home studio, or working on his next best-selling book.
Earlier, he also served as Executive Assistant to a former Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Prior to work in the private sector, Mr. Korbabicz served as a political advisor to a federal Member of Parliament, Canada’s former Minister of Industry, the Premier of Ontario, and Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Subsequently, he also assisted the National Director at the headquarters of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Given his experience, Mr. Korbabicz has also advised several political parties and electoral campaigns on strategy ranging from South America to Eastern Europe. Mr. Korbabicz has also served as an electoral observer on behalf of Canada on eleven separate occasions with organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Mr. Korbabicz possess recognized expertise in assisting Canadian businesses not only with domestic provincial and federal lobbying and public affairs but cross-jurisdictional challenges in the former Eastern Bloc and U.S.S.R on behalf of Canadian companies.
A Toronto native, Mr. Korbabicz is fluent in English, French, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.
Prior to joining Prospectus, Virginia spent two years working in the public affairs department at the Embassy of the United States in Ottawa. She played an integral role in organizing numerous cultural and educational programs that promoted Canada-U.S. collaboration on important policy issues, including women in politics, combatting violent extremism, and drug abuse among youth. In her role at the Embassy, Virginia compiled and analyzed information for the writing of cultural program proposals to be presented to U.S. State Department officials in Washington, D.C.
Virginia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Law from Carleton University. She then went on to attain a Master of Arts in Political Science with a specialization in international relations from the University of Ottawa. While completing her master’s degree, she competed as a synchronized swimmer for the uOttawa Gee-Gees and was a three-time Academic All-Canadian.
Virginia is bilingual in English and French.
Prior to joining Prospectus, Emile held progressively senior roles in British Columbia provincial politics, including as a speechwriter and communications coordinator to former Premier Christy Clark and senior advisor for issues management to the health minister, before serving as director of communications for the BC Liberal Party in the lead-up to the 2017 election campaign. He then served as the party’s executive director through a leadership race that doubled the party’s membership, a provincial referendum victory, and the 2020 pandemic election campaign. Emile has also led programming development for three successful party conventions.
In the private sector, Emile led community relations and public affairs in British Columbia for CN, and provided communications and public policy counsel to a Fortune 500 construction and engineering company.
Known for his relentless work ethic, collaborative approach, and problem-solving focus, Emile is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate complex public and government affairs challenges.