Our Team
Kim Van Bruggen, APR
President and Senior Communications Strategist
Kim founded Acumen in 1999, after working as a journalist with CBC Newsworld then moving into public relations with a range of senior positions in the private sector and the BC government. Kim is a passionate advocate – and an acknowledged expert – at developing and implementing strategic communication plans for her clients. During the past 18 years, she has gained extensive experience in event planning, public consultations, media relations and issues management.
Susan Gee
Vice-President, Senior Communications Strategist
Susan brings a wealth of experience to Acumen in areas like issues management, media relations, writing, editing, and implementing large and complex communication and advertising campaigns. Over the past 18 years Susan has worked as a journalist for CBC radio, Director of Issues and Media for the Ministry of Health, and has held Communications Director positions in Education and Advanced Education, Small Business and Tourism, and Finance and Provincial Revenue. Susan directed the communications for the provincial budget for four years.
Dave Traynor
Senior Associate
With more than 25 years in the communications business, Dave brings a wealth of communications experience to Acumen. Thinking like a journalist is what sets Dave apart. Having started his career in print journalism, he’s held various editorial and publisher roles in daily newspapers and magazines, rising to the senior executive level. Dave has worked at all levels of communications, from writing and editing copy for print and on-line through to developing complex communications campaigns and setting strategic directions for various companies and organizations. Dave specializes in helping people integrate today’s technology into their communications planning to make sure their messages reach the right audience.
Robin Cook
Associate
Robin found her niche in the areas of issues management, media relations and strategic communications early in her career. Over the past ten years, she has managed media, public relations and marketing communications for the BC Lottery Corporation, developed issues management strategies and enhanced customer satisfaction for Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, and implemented marketing communications initiatives for Starbucks Coffee Company. Robin has extensive experience designing and implementing unique and exciting social media campaigns that have maximized awareness of national and provincial initiatives. A passionate communications consultant, Robin works with organizations to develop dynamic communication strategies, and to share their unique stories with the media.
Jeremy Berry, APR
Associate
Jeremy brings a rich background in media relations and issues management to the Acumen team, in addition to his work as a professor in the public relations program at Calgary's Mount Royal College. He joined the BC government as a communications manager after many years as a print and radio reporter on Vancouver Island. He brings a wealth of public relations skills to his projects, including mediation, persuasion and negotiation; media and government relations; research methodology; crisis communications, issues and reputation management, and; communications planning, execution, and analysis.
Paul Thomas
Graphic Design & Web Development
Paul is a corporate image expert, who brings over 25 years of experience as a graphics designer and web designer to the Acumen team. Paul is a master at corporate identity and logos, whose work adorns offices across the country. He has the uncanny ability to match a company name with a visual identity that exactly matches the product, service or company. His professional touch will add a unique designer look to any brochure, annual report, newsletter or special document that needs to stand out from the ordinary.