Team

Background

After spending 15 years building business for iconic brands in Canada and the USA such as Molson Coors, Red Bull and Grand & Toy – Office Max, Andrew joined Active International as President and Managing Director of the Canadian Operations in 2011. Under Andrew’s leadership, he has kept a focus on building a high-performing corporate culture while delivering value to customers, partners, and community. As a result, Active Canada has been consistently recognized with numerous workplace awards and designations including Employee Recommended Workplace, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, and Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces in Canada and Ontario. Active has more than doubled its business during his tenure.

Andrew received his ICD Directors Designation in 2017. Andrew has volunteered his time at the local level coaching hockey in his community of Aurora as well as nationally on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Canada and the Board of Directors of Motionball in support of the Special Olympics Canada Foundation. When away from the office you can find Andrew spending time with his wife and three children.

Background

Holding a B.A. in Business Management from Eckerd College, Florida, Brad has over 25 years of experience in the highly competitive media, sports and entertainment sector. He has worked with such icons as Michael Bublé, Mike Weir, and The Tragically Hip; some of Canada’s best known brands including Molson, Labatt, Rogers and Bell; and key media players including AstralMedia and Standard Broadcasting.

Background

Joanne Crump is a 25+ year media veteran, passionate about helping brands in Canada to effectively reach audiences online, in print and out of home. Joanne’s career spans various multinational and homegrown Canadian media agencies overseeing planning and buying, with expertise across all major client industries.

She was instrumental in building the Canadian Digital Division at Active International Canada from the ground up, and has specialized in digital for 18+ years. In Joanne’s current role, she provides strategic guidance and support to brands as they navigate and integrate online into their campaigns.

Joanne holds several digital certifications and is an active member of the IAB Agency Council where she has been instrumental in helping to build various IAB guidelines, including the 2018 Brand Safety & Viewability whitepaper. She’s been both a moderator and a panellist at various events including the IAB Brand Safety Conference, the #Media360 Breakfast series, and is a CMA Awards Judge.

Joanne is passionate about sharing her perspectives on Digital Brand Safety & Transparency, Media Best Practices in the Digital Economy, and Career Advice for the Media Industry of the future.

Outside of work, Joanne is an animal lover and a proud vegetarian.

Background

Hailing from Western University, Scott has been with Active since 2010. Now acting as a VP Client Solutions, Scott started with the organization in a media buying function and quickly progressed into a client-facing role. His years of experience working with both Canadian manufacturers & retailers informs his thinking and enables Scott to understand the competitive and market challenges Active’s clients face every single day.

Background

Kimberly draws on over 20 years of experience in B2B / B2C Marketing for brands such as Active International, Allianz, G4S, and Grand & Toy (OfficeMax Canada). She is passionate about helping businesses grow through the integration between brand, culture and customer experience.

During her time on the leadership team of Active International Canada as SVP Marketing & Culture, with a focus on fostering a high-performance culture, Active was recognized with a number of workplace awards and designations including Employee Recommended Workplace, Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, and Great Place to Work’s Best Workplaces in Canada, Best Workplaces for Mental Health, Best Workplaces for Women, and Best Workplaces in Professional Services.

Kimberly has co-facilitated Active’s Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Group, is a multi-year CMA Awards Judge (Brand Building), and a former member of the 2020 CMA Talent Council. She is a supporting artist of the annual NABs Art Auction, and has volunteered with TechServeTo – an organization that helps Senior Citizens navigate the online world, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as a red carpet liason, and on the committee for the Special Olympics Festival.

Outside of the office Kimberly enjoys spending time with her daughter and creating multi-media artwork.

Background

Monica is CPA, CA and has extensive experience in financial reporting and analysis. She takes a proactive approach to understanding the business, problem solving, and is known for her organizational skills and collaborative style.  Prior to joining Active, she managed audit and assurance engagements of public and private corporations reporting under IFRS, US GAAP, and ASPE. Monica is a graduate from the University of Waterloo’s Master of Accounting program.

Outside of the office, Monica volunteers her time teaching financial literacy in schools and contributes her financial expertise as a board member for nonprofit organizations.

Background

Having been fortunate to work with and for valued partners including Dr. Oetker, Rogers, LG, Bell, Walmart, PHD, PepsiCo, Sunwing, RBC, SickKids, Virgin, Alexanian Carpet and Flooring, Ferrero and many more, Steve looks to maximize multifaceted marketing impact with minimum financial burden through deconstructing norms. With many partners looking to do more with less, Steve is a problem solver when it comes to cash flow issues and how best to improve brand health and maximize profitability across the board.

Drawing on his broad insight from both vendor and agency experience and driven by curiosity, Steve welcomes the opportunity to share his unique perspectives on business growth through unconventional partnerships.

Background

Kerwin has over 23 years of media investments experience working across a wide portfolio of clients. Over the last 8 years, he honed his craft in media investments within the corporate trade business model. His specialties include negotiations, tactical media executions, and analytics.

In the office, Kerwin is driven by the strength of uncovering business solutions for advertisers and building honest, trustworthy relationships with media providers. Having a positive attitude combined with a strong sense of responsibility, curiosity and self-motivation is what he thrives on.

Outside the office, Kerwin enjoys working with his hands; whether that be through a home renovation project, playing with his guitars, or writing music.

Background

A leader in the digital marketing/advertising field for over 25 years Shawn has been on the cutting edge of innovation throughout his career. He brings a vast knowledge of integrated marketing strategies across online display, mobile, video, programmatic, social media, SEM, SEO, OTT/Connected TV, gaming, and more to clients.  Shawn has worked with brands such as Molson Coors, KFC, Pizza Hut, Daniels Homes, Party Casino, New Roots Herbal, Natures Path, Greysnow Casino, Pumpernickels, Hyundai, Wyeth, BMO, Canadian Tourism, Honda, Microsoft, and CIBC.

Background

Christine joined Active in 2014 on the Digital Media team, and has expanded her skillset through roles in Marketing and Client Solutions. She loves finding creative solutions to help Active’s clients achieve more. A proponent of health and wellbeing, Christine is also on the steering committee of Active’s Global Mental Health ERG, aiming to break down barriers around the stigma surrounding mental health. Christine is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University, with a specialization in Marketing and Operations Management.

Outside of the office, Christine is an avid baker and cake decorator. When she’s not trying new recipes, she enjoys going on walks/hikes, teaching her cat new tricks, and planning where she’ll travel to and explore next.

Background

Dustin graduated from Carleton University with honours in a Bachelor of Commerce program, with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Statistics. He spent two years working in London, England on a work abroad visa, while traveling around western Europe to build a cultural experience. Dustin joined the Active team in February 2014 with a passion for media and its impact on consumer decisions. He enjoys films, traveling and new experiences.

Background

Karim Kanji has led the development and growth of Active’s paid social media since 2016, and now leads Emerging Media in Canada. Before joining Active, Karim managed the social media business for Nestle Canada and the development of content for Dell and GE Canada.

Karim is one of Toronto’s pioneers in podcasting. He started podcasting in 2010 and currently hosts the popular “Welcome! with Karim Kanji” podcast. In the past, Karim has also been a contributor for itbusiness.ca, as well as an instructor for the Social Media Marketing Certificate program at George Brown College in Toronto.

Background

Patricia is an accomplished leader in the North American marketing and advertising landscape. With expertise spanning a wide array of industries, she has consistently delivered innovative solutions that drive sustainable growth. Patricia excels in formulating strategies to address complex challenges, earning her the role of a trusted advisor to her clients.

Her achievements have been recognized with multiple SHOP! Association Awards, for outstanding partnership successes, reflecting her ability to drive growth and deliver exceptional results for brands and manufacturers.

Background

Arujan graduated from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television. Prior to joining Active’s Canadian team, Arujan worked in television distribution at a sports distribution firm. The strategic and solution-focused approach Active delivers to their partners and clients enticed Arujan to join the fast-paced world of business and marketing at Active International.

Background

Laura Steffler is the VP, Finance for AMS Canada. In this role, Laura oversees financial reporting and operations of the Canadian Finance Team.

Laura is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). With a strong commitment to education, she also holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management with a major in Financial Reporting and Analysis.

Laura began her career at Active in 2015. She brings analytical experience in problem-solving, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and management, cultivated through roles within family-owned corporations. During her time here, she has gained a passion for the organization’s unique business model and a robust understanding of the Media Industry from a financial standpoint.

Background

Suzen graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Retail Management. Prior to joining Active, Suzen worked as a Purchasing Coordinator and Accounts Payable where she gained experience in accounting.

Background

Originally from The Bahamas, Kyle moved to Toronto to complete his undergrad in Fashion Management. His love for numbers and marketing eventually drew him to a career in media. Outside of work Kyle enjoys hiking, audio production, and travelling.

Background

Laamya attended Seneca College where she studied Accounting. Prior to joining Active, she worked at CIBC where she helped clients with their day to day banking needs. In her spare time, she enjoys shopping and watching movies.

Background

Lisa is an experienced, analytically-driven, digital marketer. She is well-versed in activating custom media programs to support marketing and communication objectives for high profile brands in packaged goods, automotive and retail industries. Lisa has worked on award-winning media executions for companies like Nestle, General Mills and Wal-Mart. She is intrigued by consumers’ connection with media and how engrossed they are with their digital devices. Lisa is no different – a current favourite activity of hers is listening to podcasts on her iPhone while walking her dogs.

Background

Since 2014, Denise has been working as a Key Account Media Buyer with Active International. She brings with her a wealth of expertise in the procurement of media in the Canadian marketplace.

Background

Anne-Amor has been with Active International for over 13 years and has been in the operational forefront of department transitions, process and workflow creations, platform and software testing, implementations and training. She has a Diploma in International Business and a Degree in Commerce; this has given her a solid foundation in various fields and industries. In her career, she has had roles in Marketing, Financial Services, Account Management, Sales, Media Operations, Project Management, and Data Management, where she has developed skills in communication, analysis, problem-solving, and creativity. With Active International, she has a good understanding of each department’s need. Her role extends to serving as a liaison for setups, builds, testing, implementation, and addressing issues related to media, finance, and sales tools such as Peoplesoft, iPows, MediaOcean, Microsoft, Salesforce, NLogic, Nielsen, Pathmatics, and etc. She also provides support and training to internal and external stakeholders on how to use these tools effectively and efficiently.

She is an engaged and versatile team member actively involved in Generative AI initiatives and implementation, CRM Salesforce project, Power Bi initiatives, International CAPEX projects, and Active’s Corporate Culture – serving as a mentor, a member of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. She is keen on collaboration with department executives and industry experts to drive efficiency improvements and streamline data management and processes across various platforms.

Outside of the office, her summers are spent travelling and playing softball. Her winters are spent travelling, playing volleyball, and squash.

Background

Victoria has had an interesting career trajectory within Active Media. Starting in 2011 as a Tactical Manager in the Media Department, she transitioned to the Finance Department in late 2022, where she currently serves as the Accounting Manager. Her educational pursuit includes an Accounting Diploma from McMaster University Continuing Education, indicating her commitment to developing her skills in accounting.

Beyond her professional roles, Victoria plays a crucial role as the Fire Chief on Active’s internal Fire and Safety committee. This demonstrates her involvement in ensuring workplace safety and preparedness within the company. Additionally, her training in first aid and CPR underscores her dedication to employee well-being and safety.

Victoria’s career path highlights her adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges within Active Media, evolving from a tactical management role in media to a leadership position in finance while actively contributing to workplace safety initiatives.

Background

Tamara was eager to join the Active team in 2018. Tamara has a passion for art, music, media and is interested in coupling that creativity with her interest in business. Upon graduating from the University of Guelph, she found a home for those interests here at Active. Tamara is excited about her opportunity with the Active team bringing with her an optimistic attitude, dedication and enthusiasm to her role as Media and Marketing Specialist .

Background

An enthusiastic, highly analytical, and detail-oriented marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital & traditional marketing, project management, social media, client relations, and international collaborations. Mitch thrives when he can leverage his marketing experience to build brands through collaborating in an agile, fast-paced, and highly engaging environment.

Background

Originally from Barbados, Omar studied Radio and Television Broadcasting and worked in radio for over 10 years in traffic, music programming and promotions. After moving to Canada in 2015, it felt like a natural transition for him to move into the media industry, which led him to Active International. Outside of his professional life, Omar enjoys traveling, concerts and film.

Background

Nataly graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies. Her interests include fashion, food, popular culture and travel. Nataly joined Active in 2016 as a Media Assistant, and moved onto the Social Media team, where she is now a Supervisor, Social Media.

Background

Leah is a seasoned finance professional with over a decade of experience, specializing in financial analysis, cash flow management, and client relations. She excels in developing both client and vendor solutions within the service industry, known for her solution-oriented approach. Leah thrives in dynamic environments, demonstrating flexibility in navigating evolving market conditions and regulatory landscapes. Her goal is to leverage her extensive background to drive financial success and exceed expectations, both for clients and vendors alike.

Background

Andrea joined Active in 2013, bringing with her 14 years of media experience from organizations such as Mediacom, Starcom Mediavest, Initiative, and Western International Media. She is passionate about media buying and has delivered impactful campaigns to many of Canada’s top brands over the years. She looks forward to delivering the same level of excellence to Active International partners. Andrea is also passionate about animal welfare – she’s a member of PETA and volunteers for a local animal rescue.

Background

Wendy graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing, with over 20 years in Direct Response Marketing.  In her spare time, she likes to explore new places and try out new things.

Background

Prior to Active, Aryani’s passion was in cosmetics and beauty and since has taken an interest in media.  She is a Marca and Seneca College gradate with ten plus years of customer service.

Background

Catherine graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University and received a Bachelor of Design degree. She majored in Fashion Communications and has spent several years in Retail. Her interests include sustainable fashion and living, travel, and bouldering. Catherine recently joined the team as Office Administration / Data Entry Clerk and is excited to start her new career path with Active.

Background

Richie Li is a recent graduate from York University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Marketing. As a Marketing Coordinator at Hopium.ai, he gained expertise in social media marketing strategies. Now, as part of the Active International team, Richie is excited to further expand his knowledge and skills. Outside of work, he is an avid gamer, enjoys staying active through regular workouts, and has a penchant for trivia. With his diverse background, gaming passion, and thirst for knowledge, Richie brings a unique perspective as a speaker, captivating audiences with his insights and engaging personality.

Background

Benny came to Canada from Hong Kong in 2022 and he has possessed over 7 years experience working in the media industry. He had worked with different local and international TV stations focusing on scheduling TV programs and commercial breaks. With a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication & Journalism and Master Degree in Cultural Management have taken a interest in pursuing it further into media buying. He enjoys different kinds of sports, visiting museums and travelling at his leisure time.

Background

Lestari graduate from Centennial College in International Business program. With six years of hands-on experience as an accountant in retail and banking industries in Indonesia, she has honed her financial expertise and analytical skills that help her team to provide accurate and reliable reports. Beyond numbers and spreadsheets, she is exploring the world on leisurely walks, indulging in diverse culinary delights, or watching Netflix.

Background

Reese is a dynamic third-year Western University student pursuing her passion in marketing and communications. Studying in the Media and Communications Studies (MACS) program, Reese thrives in fast-paced, creative, and collaborative environments which foster future development opportunities. With previous experience in brand and retail marketing, Reese is a competent mutil-tasker, results-driven, and motivated to learn from those around her. As a fitness enthusiast and culture junkie, Reese finds joy in live music, fashion, and yoga

Background

Natalie is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto Rotman Commerce program, focusing on Marketing and International Business. She is passionate in entertainment and music, which led her into the media industry. Prior to joining Active, Natalie had experience in luxury brand marketing and health care administration. Natalie is eager to learn and grow in her role within the great team at Active. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, collecting trinkets, and winding down with some anime and games.

Background

Daniel is an Alumni from Centennial College’s Business Marketing Program in Toronto, also a graduate of the Master in Funnels and Online Traffic program in Spain. His career in digital marketing has evolved from managing major e-commerce accounts in Colombia and launching programmatic campaigns for top brands in the USA and Canada. He specializes in creating funnels using social media ads, programmatic, and Google Ads Network. Outside of work, he enjoys long walks, playing guitar, riding his longboard, practicing Jiu-Jitsu, and playing Ultimate Frisbee and Tennis.