People
The reputation and expertise of our people are the critical strengths we put to work for you. At Counsel, there is no “bait and switch”; our Principals are intimately involved in all the aspects of client work.
Stefan Baranski
Principal
Stefan Baranski is a trusted professional with over ten years’ experience in a variety of fields spanning public relations, communications, change & issues management and government relations.
John Beaucage
Principal
416-920-0716 x 239
John Beaucage is one of Canada’s most respected First Nation leaders. He was elected as Grand Council Chief of the 42-member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) in 2004, after serving four consecutive terms as Chief of Wasauksing First Nation.
Charles Beer
Principal
416-920-0716 x 222
Minister, CEO, Chief of Staff, Commissioner, Executive Director – with over 30 years of leadership experience in government and not-for-profit organizations, Charles brings extraordinary skills and experience in public policy and issues advocacy to your service.
Don Cousens
Principal
416-920-0716 x 236
Donald Cousens is one of the Greater Toronto Area’s most distinguished community leaders. He has served a long and remarkable career in both the public service and business.
Philip Dewan
President
416-920-0716 x 235
Philip Dewan is one of the leading public policy practitioners in Ontario. He has played critical roles in the election of two Premiers and helped shape the provincial agenda on issues as diverse as the creation of centres of excellence in technology, the crafting of sustainable landlord–tenant legislation and the designation of the world’s largest urban Greenbelt.
Charles Harnick
Principal
416-920 0716 x 221
Charles Harnick, Q.C. is an accomplished mediator and strategist. His broad network of relationships comes from years of experience working in the government and is evidence of his steadfast ability to resolve issues and provide sound, strategic communications counsel to clients.
Bob Lopinski
Principal
416-920-0716 x 251
Recognized by the Toronto Star as both “an architect of Premier McGuinty’s rise to power” and “one of the most influential officials in government”, Bob brings with him 15 years of experience at the highest levels of Queen’s Park.
Dorenda McNeil
Principal
416-961-5898 x 216
Dorenda McNeil is a passionate and driven communications expert. With over 15 years of experience in public relations, marketing and strategic planning, Dorenda possesses the quintessential attributes needed to be successful in the business, including her never-ending curiosity for current events, business and culture.
Caroline Pinto
Principal
416-920-0716 x 220
Caroline Pinto knows how to get to the root of a problem. She has a keen ability to prioritize and determine influential people and issues, giving her a competitive edge in policy development, negotiation, and strategic problem solving.
Mary Ellen Richardson
Associate
Mary Ellen’s career in the oil, natural gas and electricity industries spans 28 years, and has included roles in marketing and sales to residential, business and industrial customers in Canada and the United States. She has also held executive and operating responsibility for legal and regulatory affairs, facilitation, market planning, stakeholder management, public relations, media relations and government liaison activities.