Your strategic partners

With a proven track record of success, Nikki excels at empowering diverse clientele, spanning from businesses and associations to unions and non-profits, to attain their government relations objectives. Her successes spans governments of all partisan stripes and she has deep relationships with influencers across the country. Nikki also became a faculty member for the United Way Public Policy Institute in spring 2024, reflecting her long-time commitment to capacity building for executive leaders through coaching and training.

As a senior leader within the BC NDP for over a decade, Nikki’s leadership played a pivotal role in the seven provincial and federal election campaigns where she led the province-wide ground campaigns. She appears frequently in the media as a commentator and political strategist, including as a regular panelist on the Global BC Political Panel.

Between politics and public affairs, Nikki took on several leadership roles within nonprofits including serving on the senior management team at United Way of the Lower Mainland and as the Executive Director for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society BC Chapter.

Actively engaged with many community organizations since a young age, Nikki currently lends her expertise to the board of the Public Affairs Association of Canada as the BC Chapter Co-President. Her commitment to equity led her to become the Co-Chair of United Way Period Promise in 2017 and the Chair of the Government of BC Period Poverty Task Force from 2022 to 2024. 

Nikki was awarded the 2023 WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award for community impact. She is the recipient of the 2020 Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Wendy McDonald Community Catalyst Award, the 2020 United Way of the Lower Mainland Joe Morris Labour Community Service Award and a nominee for the 2021 YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction award for Business and the Professions. 

Drawing on decades of experience in government relations, strategic communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, and a deep belief in the power of collaborative partnerships to make progressive change happen, Danielle has built a career helping to translate big, bold visions into practical, measurable realities.

Working closely with colleagues in Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa and beyond, Danielle oversees operational planning, process efficiency, and resource alignment so that Hilltop can stay nimble while delivering on its promise: simplifying complexity, shaping narratives, and building trusting relationships with decision makers. Whether it’s managing cross-team workflows, ensuring top-tier client service, or adapting to shifts in regulatory or political contexts, she is committed to keeping the heart of Hilltop beating strong and smoothly.

Before joining Hilltop, Danielle’s career path included stints in provincial and municipal government, the non-profit sector, law enforcement, and the labour movement where she built a track record of guiding diverse, cross-functional teams through complex, evolving landscapes, with a focus on integrity, inclusion, and impact.

Based in Victoria, BC, Charlie served in many senior roles in the BC government, leading policy development, communications, and stakeholder engagement—ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and cultivating strong relationships with industry, First Nations, and community organizations.

With a proven track record in high-stakes policy execution, Charlie held the roles of Chief of Staff to the Minister of Environment, Minister of Forests and Minister of Municipal Affairs as well as Director of Issues Management.

Charlie spent over seven years in Ottawa where he served in senior communication roles for the New Democratic Party of Canada as well as with the Canadian Union of Public Employees. His previous roles in Ottawa helped him establish a strong network of relationships within the federal government, as well as with key stakeholders and policy influencers.

A highly skilled multilingual communicator and strategist, Charlie brings deep expertise in political action, media relations, crisis management, and public policy execution, consistently driving impactful outcomes across all levels of government and organizations.

Based in Victoria, BC, Lia is skilled in leading campaigns, building support with stakeholders, and managing high-profile and his-risk files. She is adept at thinking strategically to build the support and skills teams need to succeed. She is excited to bring her skills and experience to Hilltop clients.

Lia has advised decision-makers at the highest levels of government as well as the non-profit and private sectors. She held senior roles in the BC government, serving as Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Premier’s Office where she provided strategic advice to two premiers, cabinet ministers, and senior public servants. In these roles she also led stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and communications on high-profile and politically sensitive files. Before coming to BC, Lia served as Chief of Staff to a Toronto City Councillor, where she led advocacy-driven communications to achieve significant political and policy successes. Lia has also held senior roles on political campaigns at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, and has worked for non-profits advancing gender equity and educational programming for youth. Before joining Hilltop, Lia served as the Director of External Communications for Vancity Credit Union.

Lia holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Community Development, which informs her commitment to building strong, people-centred institutions. She has designed and delivered training programs, strengthening individual and organizational capacity through facilitation focused on leadership, systems-building, and strategic outcomes.

Alice has built her career through professional roles at NDP Headquarters during every federal election campaign since 2011, culminating in her tenure in the Leader’s Office (2018-2021), where she served as Data Research Manager, overseeing critical background research operations and providing strategic intelligence that supported key organizational decisions through two federal elections. Her work with the Broadbent Institute and Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre has deepened her expertise in advocacy, coalition-building, and strategic messaging for progressive causes.

Alice founded Dean Research Services in 2024, following roles providing specialized research support to the Saskatchewan and Ontario NDP and serving as a Government Relations Coordinator at a national firm. Her independent practice emerged in response to increasing demand for her incisive political analysis and strategic counsel among campaigns, public affairs firms, and non-profit organizations.

Jeanne’s experience spans the non-profit and charitable sector across diverse regional contexts in BC, with a strong focus on provincial government relations. She has strengthened government relations functions within social impact organizations, leading engagement with ministries, elected officials, and senior public servants across policy areas including emergency management, social services, housing, and community well-being.

Known for her ability to bridge community-based work and government systems, Jeanne brings expertise translating diverse community perspectives into practical, policy-relevant direction using skills in stakeholder mapping, briefing development, and advocacy strategy.

Jeanne holds a degree in Economics and International Relations from UBC, with a focus on development economics and community-based research. Her academic work includes supporting a longitudinal economic impact study of a global social enterprise operating in rural Uganda, and contributing her thesis for publication in the IONA School of Economics Journal. She also contributes her time and talents through volunteer service on non-profit governance boards focused on community well-being and youth support initiatives.

Sumaiya Tufail brings over ten years of experience in community-based advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and strategic communications to her work in public affairs. Her background spans Canada and East Africa, where she has led initiatives focused on economic justice, gender equity, and systemic precarity.

Before partnering with Hilltop, Sumaiya supported cross-sector campaigns through her consulting practice, working with foundations and advocacy organizations to develop integrated public engagement and fundraising strategies. She also served as Communications Coordinator for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Understanding Precarity in BC project, where she translated complex policy research into accessible narratives for community and policy stakeholders across the province.

Sumaiya holds a degree in International Studies with a specialization in security and conflict from Simon Fraser University. She is an award-winning writer, TEDx presenter, and storytelling facilitator with a deep commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and bridging lived experience with policy change. At Hilltop, she supports mission-driven clients through stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and communications that center clarity, care, and public impact.