Hill+Knowlton Strategies Promotes from Within

Frédéric Bérard, Selena Cameron and Lisa Walker appointed senior vice-presidents

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada (H+K), the country’s No. 1-rated public relations and government relations firm, has promoted three of its long-term leaders to senior vice-president: Frédéric Bérard, general manager of the Montréal office; Lisa Walker, general manager of Alberta’s offices; and Selena Cameron, the company’s national corporate development and marketing lead.

“Frédéric has been an immensely valuable asset; he has built a new and exceptionally strong team, expanded our client base and created one of the premier communications consultancies in the Québec market”

“Frédéric, Lisa and Selena are proven leaders who have made significant contributions to our business as a whole and, every day, positively impact their respective teams. Leading by example is a core part of our successes – with clients, with our reputation, and with our culture and people,” says Goldy Hyder, president of H+K Canada. “It is important for us to nurture our best talent to create the strongest leaders in the industry.”

Since he joined H+K in 2006, Frédéric has specialized in financial and regulatory affairs, issues management and media training. He was promoted to vice-president in 2010 and later appointed general manager in Montréal, leading a remarkable transformation of that office. Prior to H+K, Frédéric practiced law and acted as a constitutional adviser to a number of federal ministers and parliamentarians. He continues to teach constitutional law at the Université de Montréal, where he was awarded the Prix d'excellence professorale André-Morel in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

“Frédéric has been an immensely valuable asset; he has built a new and exceptionally strong team, expanded our client base and created one of the premier communications consultancies in the Québec market,” adds Hyder.

Since 2000, Selena has worked for H+K both in Canada and the United Kingdom in the technology, health and corporate communications practices in various positions that included leading Toronto’s marketing communications group. Prior to rejoining in the company in 2010, she was client services director at an international agency’s UK office. For the last 18 months, Selena has led the H+K corporate development group, which oversees the firm’s internal and external marketing, new business development and digital infrastructure.

“Selena has innovated our approach to delivering strategic thinking and tracking our new business opportunities. We are socially engaged in a way we have never been before, and how we connect with clients – online and off – is proactive and focused thanks to her efforts,” says Hyder.

Lisa, who has been with the company for 13 years, began her H+K career in the Toronto technology communications practice. After leading the national corporate development group, she moved to Calgary where she created a strong crisis communications and emergency response practice – in addition to managing client accounts in several other practices. Lisa was instrumental in developing Flight School, H+K’s global, first-of-its-kind digital tool for crisis communication simulation and management. She has been the general manager of the firm’s Calgary and Edmonton offices for nearly two years.

Hyder adds: “Under Lisa’s leadership, the Alberta office continues to grow to new heights in our core areas and also in our new campaign strategy and emergency preparedness and response services.”

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada

With nine offices across the country, Hill+Knowlton Strategies is a leader in both public relations and public affairs. The company is the No. 1-rated strategic communications firm in Canada. It specializes in corporate communications, public affairs, marketing communications, crisis, energy, technology, health care, digital communications, financial communications and transactions. The only communications firm to have earned the Order of Excellence from Excellence Canada, it is also recognized as one of the 2012 Best Workplaces in Canada. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has 89 offices in 52 countries as well as an extensive associate network and is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s largest communications services groups.