Judy Kirk is recognized as one of Canada’s leading strategic communications, public consultation and engagement specialists. For almost three decades, she has been a trusted executive advisor on some of Canada’s largest policy, planning, infrastructure and resource projects and initiatives, working with clients in the public and private sectors. Judy has extensive experience bringing sustainability-oriented communications to CN Rail, QuadReal Property Group, the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Teck Resources, BC Hydro, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the University of British Columbia, and a partnership of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and Canada Lands Company.

Judy is recognized for her leadership in consultation and engagement, and infrastructure governance by provincial and national organizations and lectures on these topics at institutions and forums including universities, Canada’s Public-Private Partnerships Forum, the Ontario Energy Association and others. She works closely with project teams to design and implement comprehensive and strategic communications, consultation and engagement programs, tailored to specific considerations such as budget, geographic reach, environmental and regulatory processes and timeline. She works to ensure these programs integrate with and support overall project and organizational goals.

Judy’s breadth and depth of communications expertise—as well as significant project management experience—support projects from initial planning to completion. This includes supporting boards and project teams as they navigate regulatory and environmental review processes, developing communications plans for construction and operations, and working to anticipate, avoid, mitigate and respond to issues throughout project development and construction.

Judy is regarded as one of Canada’s top facilitators, having successfully managed hundreds of high-profile—and often controversial—consultation and negotiation processes. A skilled coach, Judy develops and delivers custom workshops to support organizations in building their capacity for developing, executing and reporting on consultation and engagement. She also regularly delivers compelling media and message training workshops for elected officials, Crown corporation staff, private sector executives, board members, senior management, and Indigenous peoples. Using real-world practice scenarios, Judy coaches participants to build confidence and comfort in speaking to the public, stakeholders and media about their project or initiative.

Judy lives in Vancouver and has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics and English) from Simon Fraser University.