Kristen Lynch,
President & Director of Strategy
In addition to managing KiK, Kristen Lynch is a brand and marketing strategist who guides boards, entrepreneurs, executives, senior management teams and pivotal stakeholders in a broad range of organizations, across multiple industries to create powerful, living brand solutions. A specialist, she is skilled at leading internal teams through an exploratory approach that uncovers and captures insights with the goal of developing transformative and measurable brand, marketing, product development and systems innovation initiatives.
For KiK’s established client partner brands, Kristen provides strategic stewardship as we develop and implement many business-to business, corporate and channel communications; strategic planning sessions; qualitative and quantitative research initiatives; marketing strategies; advertising, fundraising, business development and capital campaigns.
Kristen also serves as the contracted Executive Director of NAPHIA – the North American Pet Health Insurance Association – a role she has undertaken now for more than 8 years. During this time the organization and industry has continued to evolve and thrive, and the experience and insight she has gained continues to benefit the organization, our team, and our many client partners.
A graduate of Red River Community College’s respected Creative Communications program, she is a versatile thinker, having worked for 30+ years across all facets of the advertising/marketing and communications field, as well as in the broadcast media.
John Morris, CD, MPA
VP of Public Affairs and Government Relations
John brings to KiK’s client partners a strong network, complimented by his comprehensive and first-hand expertise in the workings of government, public policy and strategic communications. His 25 plus year career encompasses several senior-level policy and communications positions across all three levels of government, as well as a track record of success as a public affairs and government relations consultant, working with a range of national and international companies and organizations.
John’s background extends into oil & gas, mining and industrial development, environmental policy, regulation, and law, with over twelve years of federal public service at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and as a senior staffer in Ottawa for three federal cabinet ministers including Fisheries and two ministers of Environment.
Following his service on Parliament Hill John began working for a major international communications firm as VP of Public Affairs. As lead on several client relationships, John provided strategic regulatory and government relations counsel to CEOs and senior executives for numerous national and international clients, including pipeline, mining, airline and food sectors.
John returned to Winnipeg in 2015 to continue his work with current Mayor Brian Bowman shortly after his election. As director of policy to the new Mayor, John provided oversight and advice on numerous policy files and the City Budget which continues to contribute to his ability to create and negotiate solutions to many of the current issues and challenges that businesses, organizations and individuals face in interfacing successfully with government.
As a government relations consultant for the University of Manitoba, John also provided strategic government relations advice to the President and the senior Executive team for all three levels of government. He helped to develop and maintain strong working relationships between the University and the Mayor’s Office, as well as with the new provincial and federal governments.
Today John applies his strategic insight, hands-on experience, deep and broad political and business network and record of success to the benefit of a select group of local, regional and national clients. He also works in partnership with several other public affairs and government relations firms to fulfill their own client work. John recently rejoined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves as a Public Affairs Officer with twenty years of prior service.
