Overview
What we do.
NIVA is a communication firm based in Ottawa, Canada. We enable organizations to communicate better so they can solve problems, achieve goals, and mobilize knowledge into action.
How we do it.
We identify gaps and weaknesses, make improvements, and deploy solutions. We transform complex subject matter into powerful content that’s clear, understandable, and relevant. We build agile communication strategies that respond to the distinct needs of these audiences and get results.
Our team offers a comprehensive suite of customized services including:
- Specialized expertise in scientific, technical, change, and risk communication
- Research, writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, layout, and publishing
- Graphic design, illustration, data visualization, social media, and video
- Strategy development, change management, planning, and training
- Stakeholder engagement, consultations, facilitation, and marketing
Who we serve.
More than 500 clients in over 125 leading public, not for profit, NGO, and private sector organizations have trusted NIVA to address their challenging communication support needs. We have completed over 2000 projects dealing with a wide array of complex subject matter. Some of these areas include:
- Public health and life sciences
- Emergency management, preparedness and disaster response
- Environmental protection, conservation and climate change
- Ocean and marine science
- Defence and security, aviation, and aerospace
- Natural resources, energy and transportation
- Nuclear power and radiation safety
- Genomics, food safety and animal health
- Earth observation and space exploration
- International trade
- Advanced technology and industrial innovation
- Internal communications and change management
- Corporate documentation and reporting
- Indigenous affairs
Our Team
NIVA is powered by an experienced team of communications strategists, writers, editors, visual designers, and project managers who can quickly immerse themselves into any subject-matter discipline as required. An impressive pool of writing, editing, design, facilitation, and web content associates compliments our significant in-house capacity. This gives us the flexibility to quickly scale up for larger projects and adapt to evolving client needs.
Anton Holland
President and CEO, Director of Science and Risk Communication
Anton Holland President and CEO, Director of Science and Risk Communication
Anton has over three decades of professional experience as a researcher, science writer, knowledge broker, project manager, and communications strategist. He began his career as an environmental scientist at the University of Toronto, eventually recognizing that there was a widespread need for plain language science communication.
Anton belongs to the Council of Science Editors, the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, and the Society for Technical Communication and is a well-respected member Canada’s science and technology community. One of his greatest passions is marine conservation and ocean science communication—he is also an advisory council member for the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition.
Peter Vasdi
Partner, Vice-President
Peter Vasdi Partner, Vice-President
Peter is a Partner and Vice-President at NIVA. Peter graduated in Aeronautical Engineering in 1972 and worked as a technical writer until 1978 when he founded the company. Peter is passionate about discovering and promoting simpler and more effective ways of doing business including through: managing and working on client projects, creating and implementing policies and procedures, acquiring and implementing electronic tools, automating internal processes, and developing software solutions, all while continually increasing his experience and expertise in knowledge management and communication.
Sean Young-Steinberg
Director, Operations and Strategic Communications
Sean Young-Steinberg Director, Operations and Strategic Communications
Sean is a communications consulting executive with over 15 years of experience in progressively senior roles within government, trade association, and agency settings. He has specialized in the provision of strategic and tactical communications; public policy development and government relations; stakeholder engagement and consultation; marketing, branding, and social media content; along with project management and organizational oversight. He is passionate about building innovative solutions that enable clients to communicate more effectively, gain influence, and get results.
At NIVA, Sean is responsible for managing operations, marketing, business development, and external partnerships. He also provides communications consulting expertise related to public policy, government relations, stakeholder engagement, branding/awareness, and digital/social media content development.
Alice Petersen
Senior Editor
Alice Petersen Senior Editor
Melanie Pauzé
Programmer/Senior Desktop Publisher
Melanie Pauzé Programmer/Senior Desktop Publisher
Alison Kellar
Lead Graphic Designer
Alison Kellar Lead Graphic Designer
Caroline Ethier
Science Writer and Quality Assurance Specialist
Caroline Ethier Science Writer and Quality Assurance Specialist
Sandrine Murray
Communications Specialist
Sandrine Murray Communications Specialist
Sandrine is one of NIVA’s bilingual communications specialists. She has particular expertise in developing digital and social media social content and associated strategies, as well as integrating Indigenous perspectives into outputs for client organizations.
Prior to joining NIVA, Sandrine spent three years with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Here she produced a wide variety of communication products for both internal and external audiences and managed CATSA’s social media channels. Sandrine’s focus has always been on finding ways to adapt complex and technical language into content that is accessible and engaging to a wide variety of audiences. She holds a degree in journalism from Carleton University with a special focus on Indigenous reconciliation.
Anna Sanderson
Writer and Editor
Anna Sanderson Writer and Editor
Anna works as a writer and editor at NIVA. Anna has experience working in various sectors, including metals and mining, corporate finance and international organizations. Currently, she is focused on the financial sector.
Lynne Demmery
Document Formatter
Lynne Demmery Document Formatter
Elizabeth Tachie
Proposal Writer/Coordinator
Elizabeth Tachie Proposal Writer/Coordinator
Elizabeth is NIVA’s Proposal Writer/Coordinator. She is responsible for leading the development of our responses to RFPs (Request for Proposal) and other procurement vehicles including PASS, TSPS, TBIPS, sole source, and THS. Her portfolio includes 200+ proposals written for clients within the federal government and private sectors. Contributing her refined skills and experience to engage with important business opportunities and being a positive influence on company culture, is the foundation of Elizabeth’s motivation and drive.
Meaghan Rouse
Office Administrator and Bookeeper
