Veteran communications and political strategist Peter Donolo is joining Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada as vice-chairman.
Donolo (pictured right) will work as a senior adviser to H+K’s senior management and its clients and will focus on strategic communications and public engagement.
He joins H+K on July 18 and will be based in Toronto.
Donolo is one of Canada’s most experienced advisers to corporate Canada and all three levels of government. He became the longest-serving prime ministerial director of communications in Canadian history when he held the job under former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from 1993-1999.
Donolo is currently a special adviser to the Ontario government on intergovernmental affairs and communications. He was recently senior vice-president public affairs on the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee.
He has also served as a senior executive in the private and public sectors and has been a senior diplomat.
“Peter’s understanding of both the rapidly changing currents of public opinion and the complex decision-making processes of government are an important, and uncommon, combination,” said agency CEO Goldy Hyder, in a statement.
“Our country and our clients are facing major transformational challenges when it comes to the economy, the way we now engage audiences, live together in communities, as a society and our place in the world. The skills and experience that Peter brings to H+K will help our clients seize the opportunities inherent in those challenges.”
H+K has also hired Emily Foucault as a manager with the national new business and marketing team in Toronto. Foucault was previously marketing manager at PureFacts Financial Solutions.
In addition, H+K has promoted five employees. In Toronto, Rick Harari has been promoted to vice-president, Jaime Shulman has been promoted to senior director and Giacomo Grisanzio and Meaghan Beech have been promoted to senior consultant. Kristina Driedger has been promoted to senior consultant in Vancouver.
