Core Team

John Larsen
Principal
As Principal of Corpen Group, John oversees client services, leads the firm’s issues management offering, and is the primary media trainer.  He offers senior corporate, government, and military experience, and was formerly an executive with a large international public relations firm. John has in-depth international media relations experience, has helped manage prominent breaking issues and headline grabbing crises.  Also specializing in security communications, John is designated by the United Nations as an International Permanent Observatory Expert in major event security. He is a sessional Assistant Professor at Mount Royal University, and a senior reserve officer in the Canadian Forces Public Affairs Branch.

Carol Howes
Senior Associate
Carol brings more than 30 years of experience to her role as Senior Associate with Corpen Group, including an extensive career as a business journalist and  vice-president of a financial communications consulting firm. Most recently, Carol served as manager of media relations for one of Canada’s largest energy companies. Having worked on all sides of the business, Carol brings broad knowledge and understanding and a unique perspective to media relations, issues and reputation management and crisis and risk communications.

Greg Vanier
Director
Greg Vanier offers a diverse communications background in strategic communication planning, crisis communications and media relations.  He has worked in corporate, non-profit and agency environments. As lead of the crisis and risk communications practice group, Greg provides regular counsel to both communicators and executives on crisis and risk communications, and has worked with clients across a number of diverse industries and sectors. He has developed crisis strategies for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and government agencies, and frequently presents on the topics of crisis communications, issues management and social media at universities, conferences and within corporate boardrooms.

Sarah Baker
Director
Sarah is a senior communications strategist with a proven ability to manage sensitive issues and threats to corporate reputation, media relations, and large-scale corporate communication programs. Sarah is responsible for a wide range of corporate communications, crisis communications and issue management programs. She has advised executive management teams and boards of directors on reputation management, media training, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and corporate communication strategies, liaised with senior government staff on issues and advocacy efforts, and acted as spokesperson with national and international media. Prior to joining Corpen Group, Sarah was the Chief Communications Officer for a large inner-city Toronto teaching and research hospital.

Laurie Griffin
Senior Consultant
Laurie offers strong media relations, writing and communication planning skills, and brings past experience with a large national Public Relations firm. With former education in journalism, she has also been a freelance reporter. Laurie offers in-depth experience for clients in the energy industry, and has built crisis and issues plans for private and not-for-profit sectors.

Matthew John
Consultant
Matthew has particular strength and experience in the implementation of new media and social media strategies as an important function of the communications process. Matthew brings experience from both the technology and education sectors and has developed strategic plans for boards of directors and government agencies. After studying journalism, Matt went on to earn a Bachelor Degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Leanne Laverick
Consultant
Leanne has experience working in oil and gas, telecommunications  and professional sports. Her diverse communications background includes strategic communication planning, media relations, social media, and internal communications. Whether she is developing media products, drafting key messages for spokespeople, or creating a communication plan, Leanne brings insight and strategy to each and every project. Leanne is a graduate of Mount Royal University’s Bachelor of Applied Communications program.

Michelle Crossland
Account Coordinator
Michelle Crossland offers a diverse skill set in corporate communications, media relations and investor relations and brings communications planning, strategic issues management support, media relations and writing expertise to each client engagement. Her past experience in developing and implementing strategic communications campaigns for prominent non-profit organizations, liaising with leading small-cap and intermediate Calgary oil and gas players, and writing and producing communications documents, makes her fully equipped to provide outstanding communications services to Corpen Group’s clientele.

Warren Beddow
Account Coordinator
With a background in media relations, community relations, and project coordination, Warren is a strong asset to the Corpen Group team. His past communications experience includes work with professional sports team, the oil and gas industry and the non-profit sector. Warren is a graduate of the Bachelor of Communication — Public Relations program at Mount Royal University.

Samantha Peck
Account Coordinator
Samantha brings a wealth of experience in social media, media relations, internal communications, and corporate branding. She has worked in digital and print communications and has a wide range of social media experience, including both creation and management of Twitter and Facebook accounts for companies in retail, entertainment, dining, residential services, and digital communications. Whether she is creating key messages for various platforms, developing social media strategies or drafting communications plans, Samantha brings creative vision and strategy to all of her communications projects.

 Follow our team on Twitter
Corpen Group – @CorpenGroup
John Larsen – @LarsenYYC
Greg Vanier – @GregVanier
Laurie Griffin - @LaurieGriffinPR