CEO
Our People
Our people drive our business. Each of us is committed and feels responsible for the why, what and how of the clients we serve. While being on a path of constant learning and growth, we are unafraid to push boundaries and discover new and inventive ways to engage diverse groups of people as well as communities we work with.
Get to know more about us!
Jessica Delaney
CEO
Jessica Delaney is a seasoned engagement and communications professional with 20 years’ experience working with government, private and the not-for-profit sector. Prior to joining the family business in 2013, she served in senior communications roles with two B.C. municipalities (Resort Municipality of Whistler and District of West Vancouver). Following 10 years working with Engage Delaney, she became CEO in 2023, and supports all consulting projects, leads the facilitation practice, and is Engage Delaney’s lead IAP2 trainer.
Jessica is a Certified Public Participation (CP3) engagement practitioner, a certified professional facilitator with the International Association of facilitators (IAF) and is completing her designation as a certified coach through UBC.
She has two young boys and lives in the Okanagan in British Columbia.
Rob Needham
Managing Director
As our Managing Director, Rob currently works out of the Engage Delaney Lake Country office, with a primary focus on managing project timelines and financial analysis and reporting for all Engage Delaney engagement projects.
Throughout his career, Rob has fostered a series of collaborative partnerships with a wide range of interested parties to ensure members of a community have a voice in identifying future needs and priorities. He excels in developing and articulating a clear strategic vision, a critical component in guiding the development and implementation of large-scale national programs.
Prior to joining the Engage Delaney team, Rob served in leadership positions in the amateur sport and recreation fields, most notably as the Executive Director Sport at the Canadian Paralympic Committee, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and working at the international, national, and local level to deliver innovative and enduring programs which enhanced participation while also supporting elite performance.
Rob enjoys being outdoors, and in addition to skiing, hiking, tennis, and coaching soccer, he has recently taken up mountain biking (against his better judgement) in order to keep up with his oldest son and to spend time in all four seasons on SilverStar mountain.
Managing DirectorKristi Merilees
Director, Engagement and Communications
Kristi is an experienced public engagement and communications professional. With years of experience working in municipal government and public sector environments, Kristi understands that it takes multiple voices to achieve a balanced discussion. Her previous role in local government community relations was pivotal to managing issues and helping to inform, engage and support key partners, community groups and business associations.
Her collaborative approach to working with staff and communities is key to creating environments that support shared dialogue and connection. Her key experience includes detailed engagement and communication planning, virtual and in-person facilitation of focus groups, coaching, workshops and other engagements, client relations, logistics, research, report writing, and the development of communications plans and products.
Kristi is a licensed IAP2 trainer, as well as a Certified Executive Coach through Royal Roads University. She has a Master of Arts in Leadership, and a Graduate Certificate in Professional Communication Management, both through Royal Roads University.
Director, Engagement and CommunicationsBrenda Kortekaas
Manager, Learning and Development
Brenda has been a dedicated member of the company for 15 years, witnessing numerous changes along the way. As a seasoned professional, she easily adapts to new challenges. Her philosophy centers around living in the present, focusing on each day ahead. Brenda has been an administrator to over 7,000 participants, she understands the significance of attention to detail and high service standards. Her experience managing a busy training practice has honed her ability to plan while remaining flexible. Staying organized is crucial for maintaining a positive and friendly demeanor in a fast-paced environment. Collaborating with diverse team members over the years, Brenda has learned that every individual brings unique strengths to the table.
Brenda holds a diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Humber College and a IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation. Over the years, she has enriched her knowledge through various Engage Delaney courses, learning best practices in engagement. Brenda applies these engagement tools not only in her professional life, but also in her personal life.
As a mother of four and a grandmother of two, Brenda enjoys summers at the cottage- time spent kayaking, swimming, scrabble matches, engaging in spirited card games, and exploring the woods with the family dog. Her guiding self-talk mantra? “Do things in moderation.”
Manager, Learning and DevelopmentDanielle Armengaud
Manager, Data Insights and Reporting
Danielle brings more than two decades of experience in the market research industry to all Engage Delaney projects, with a special focus on engagement surveys, data insights and reporting. Her expertise is largely focused on clients in the public affairs realm. In particular, she has played key roles in projects conducted on behalf of many federal and provincial government departments, municipalities, NGOs and associations.
Danielle is a Certified Analytics and Insights Professional (CAIP) and is based in Ottawa. She studied journalism, a choice largely led by her curiosity into what makes people tick and what leads them to hold opinions and make decisions. Along the way, she became highly skilled at asking the right questions, active listening, and consolidating a lot of information into easily digestible stories.
Manager, Data Insights and ReportingShahla Gulistani
Coordinator, Engagement and Communication
Shahla moved to Canada in 2015 to pursue the International Baccalaureate diploma at an international boarding school where she represented Afghanistan. She has received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of British Columbia where she received the Young Global Citizen and the International Leader of Tomorrow awards.
She understands the importance of representation and inclusivity in engagement and works to amplify the voices of those who are often marginalized. Whether she is working with community groups, businesses, or individuals, Shahla brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to every interaction and seeks to build bridges wherever possible.
Shahla believes in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued. She is committed to fostering connections and promoting understanding among diverse groups, recognizing that true collaboration and innovation come from a variety of perspectives and experiences.
Coordinator, Engagement and CommunicationDayna Russell
Learning and Communications Coordinator
Dayna has a background in the legal field, which has not only equipped her with technical skills but has also instilled in her an eye for detail. Her ability to handle sensitive information with discretion has earned her a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness with her colleagues.
Dayna’s desire to make a positive impact extends beyond her workplace, reflecting her commitment to creating a better world for those around her. Her professional approach and genuine desire to serve others, makes her a compassionate and valued team member.
Within the training and engagement space, she finds pop-up events to be one of the best engagement tools as they give an opportunity to everyone in the community to get involved, interact and share information. She believes that this strengthens connections between community members, creates a sense of belonging and eventually enhances the success and vitality of a community.
Learning and Communications CoordinatorShairose Ukanji
Manager, Communications and Storytelling
Shairose is passionate about making a difference through her work. She is a skilled corporate communications and brand management professional and has worked across industries from higher education and healthcare to management consulting, IT, and retail e-commerce.
Shairose believes that corporate communications and storytelling go hand in hand, and whether you are communicating with shareholders, employees, or the general public, what you say and how you say it can make a profound difference in building your brand’s reputation. Creating compelling brand stories is Shairose’s superpower and putting that into practice has enabled her to ignite passion for a shared purpose among the teams she has worked with.
Having worked for more than a decade in strategic communications, content marketing and management, public relations, change management and audience engagement, she takes pride in her ability to look at the big picture not only to achieve objectives but also to influence decisions. Shairose maintains a positive outlook and is constantly curious to learn new things.
Manager, Communications and Storytelling