Government Relations
Wellington delivers strategies that shape government policy and seize opportunities for partners.
Our Jurisdictions
Anticipate and shape government policy.
Our trusted advisors transform complex government processes into clear, actionable strategies, empowering partners to shape policy outcomes.
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Our Government Relations Team
Wellington advisors represent partners across all segments of the economy, coast to coast to coast.
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Nick Koolsbergen
CEO and Co-Founder
As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Advocacy, Nick draws on his 15 years of political experience across Canada to advise the senior leadership of some of Canada’s largest companies and associations. Prior to Wellington, Nick directed issues management for the Prime Minister of Canada, served as Chief of Staff to the former Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta, and as a political party Campaign Director.
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Zita Astravas
Vice President
Zita is a seasoned public affairs professional with over 15 years serving in senior government and media relations roles at both the federal and provincial levels. She joins Wellington Advocacy after serving in a number of senior leadership roles in the Trudeau government, including as Director of Issues Management and a seasoned Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Zita has also served as Chief of Staff to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Public Safety, and the Minister of National Defence, as well as in senior media relations roles for the Liberal Party of Canada, including during the 2015, 2019, and 2021 election campaigns. At the provincial level, Zita has served in numerous leadership roles under former Liberal Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, including as Director of Media Relations.
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Samuel Duncan
Vice President
Sam brings close to 15 years of senior executive political and private sector experience to Wellington Advocacy. He worked as Executive Director of Policy to Premier Doug Ford, where he was responsible for leading the government’s strategic policy development and implementation process. Sam has also served as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada and several federal Cabinet Ministers.
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Trisha Rinneard
Vice President
With more than fifteen years of experience in Ontario provincial politics, Trisha has an instinctive understanding of government relations, stakeholder management, communications and relationship building. Trisha has worked for the Leader of the Ontario PC Party, Ontario’s Minister of Education, and as the Manager of Government Relations for one of Canada’s largest universities.
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Brad Tennant
Vice President
Brad is a longtime political activist in Alberta serving as a senior advisor to provincial political parties. Brad has a long track record of navigating the Government of Alberta’s political and department levels to deliver unparalleled value for clients. Brad has also served as a professional fundraiser for political parties and political action committees in Alberta. Brad is an energy expert having worked with numerous energy companies in his time with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
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Peter Csillag
Vice President
Peter brings over a decade of experience in public affairs, politics, and advocacy. He advises clients on addressing policy challenges with governments in a range of sectors including technology, health, energy, environment, construction, and aviation. Prior to his consulting career, Peter held several roles in provincial and federal politics. He served as Director of Issues Management for the Leader of the Official Opposition and caucus in the Alberta Legislature, as well as the winning 2019 election campaign, and served as Senior Communications Advisor to the Government Caucus in British Columbia. At the federal level, Peter served as Director of Issues Management & Parliamentary Affairs for Canada’s Minister of National Defence, and held communications and issues management roles in the Minister’s office at Employment and Social Development as well as Citizenship and Immigration.
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Idee Inyangudor
Vice President
Idee draws from his expertise in international development, blended finance, public policy, and strategic communications to serve private sector companies, governments, and civil society organizations. Idee previously served as the Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations for the Minister of International Development and was twice recognized as among the Top 100 influencing the Government of Canada’s foreign policy.
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Leah Ward
Vice President
Leah brings two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors with expertise in providing advice to leaders and organizations that focuses on core goals and driving outcomes. Leah is the former Director of Communications to Rachel Notley and the Alberta NDP Caucus where they secured consistent and frequent media coverage exceeding that of all opposition leaders across Canada. Leah also served as a senior advisor to former Premier Rachel Notley during the NDP’s term in government where they provided advice and strategic communications direction to the Premier and Cabinet on environmental and energy policy, Indigenous relations, and social services policy. Leah has a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Alberta and an honors degree in political science from Carleton University. Leah is also an occasional commentator with recent appearances including CBC’s Power and Politics, CBC Calgary’s political panel, CPAC, CTV National News, CBC’s Alberta at Noon, and the CBC podcast West of Centre.
Our Impact
We create value
by shaping government policy and public opinion.
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Public Relations
Our advisors leverage unrivaled experience advising Prime Ministers, Provincial Premiers, Cabinet Ministers to advance strategies that shape public opinion and protect brand reputation.
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Digital Advertising and Mobilization
We combine political campaign expertise with advanced digital marketing strategies to mobilize public support for your cause.
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NGO Partnership Development
We build and strengthen connections between businesses, governments, foundations, and NGO’s to advance international development partnerships worldwide.
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Executive Advisory
Chaired by the Honourable Wayne Wouters, PC, OC, former Head of the Canadian Public Service, the Wellington Advocacy Strategic Advisory Board provides partners with strategic and specialized policy counsel.
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Trade Policy and Market Entry
Guiding businesses through Canada’s regulatory landscape, we help international and domestic partners expand into new markets, maintain compliance, and identify growth opportunities.
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