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Public & Government Affairs Department Staff

Ben Brunnen
Director of Policy and Research and Chief Economist

Leads and is responsible for the development, implementation, direction and management of the Chamber’s economic and public policy and advocacy efforts, including the conduct and direction of research, policy formulation, and strategy. In advocacy and engagement, he will also lead efforts to build and maintain key stakeholder relationships, including the Chamber’s membership and volunteer committees – all focused on further enhancing the profile and effectiveness of the Chamber, and our credibility and recognition as a leading edge advocate of economic and public policy solutions that improve the business climate for our members.

Ben has over seven years experience in economic and public policy research and analysis, and has held policy positions with the B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Canada West Foundation. Ben holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria, and a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary. He has published and consulted in the fields of regional economic development, municipal finance and governance, skilled labour shortages, and Aboriginal education and employment.

Thomas Palak
Policy & Communications Strategist

Supports the Chamber's policy committees and initiatives through research and the development of policy positions and programs, the identification of priority issues, guest speaker and event opportunities, internal and external policy surveys and communications strategies that serve to engage members' interest, and enhance the profile and effectiveness of the Chamber's policy program.

Thomas holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, from the University of Calgary. His communication training includes a Journalism Certificate obtained from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and a Public Relations Certificate at Mount Royal University. In addition to his seven years of experience in the Chamber's Public & Government Affairs Department, Tom has previously worked as a freelance writer and an assistant in a small accounting company.

Catherine Nantel-Philibert
Policy Analyst

Catherine is the newest member of the member of the Public & Government Affairs Department. As a policy analyst, she supports the Chamber in developing policy and advocating new and innovative solutions on behalf of Chamber members. Catherine is responsible for supporting the work of the Chamber’s Health, Aboriginal Opportunities and Transportation & Logistics Committees.

Catherine received her MA in Political Studies from Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario) and her BA in Political Science from Concordia University (Montreal, Quebec). Her primary areas of interest involve comparative public policy, and more specifically the politics of policy making in the United States and Canada.  Her experience includes work with the University of Calgary, Queen’s University and the Calgary Immigrant Education Society.

Alejandro Garcia
Analyst and Committee Administrator

Alejandro is an economist and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary. His experience includes working for the Calgary Homeless Foundation, A.T. Kearney, and the Bank of Mexico. He has published in the areas of current affairs and international relations in Mexican magazines and as a geo-blogger for Global Brief.

Alejandro assists committee members in administering all committee business, and works with the Public & Government Affairs Department to develop policy and advocate new and innovative solutions to improve the business climate. He is also the Chamber’s lead staff liaison for two Committees: Human Resources and Creative Industries.