MEET THE TEAM
Our roster is deep, check them out.
Matt McPhee - Managing Director & CEO
With nearly 20 years of experience in professional sports under his belt, Matt has become one of the most respected minds in the North American sponsorship and business development landscape. His track record for developing authentic and collaborative partnerships that truly benefit both the sponsor and the property is unmatched. It's this reputation that inspired the creation of Westlink Consultants where Matt is the Managing Director and CEO of a company designed to connect businesses of any size, sports professionals, teams, non-profits, and entertainment properties so all can flourish.
Previously, Matt has held executive level front-office roles in the NHL, CFL, Grey Cup, WHL, and professional baseball.
Matt’s Areas Of Focus: Business Development, Sponsorships, and Naming Rights Valuations
Contact him at matt@westlinkconsultants.com
Jesse Murphy - Director & COO
Jesse has spent over 15 years of his career managing community investment, sponsorships, employee engagement and corporate positioning activities. He is eager to work with small and medium size businesses to develop meaningful and impactful CI, sponsorship and employee engagement programs and with non-profits to create attractive partnership opportunities for corporations.
Jesse is a born and raised Edmontonian and a graduate of both the University of Alberta and MacEwan University. He is passionate about partnerships and always eager to solve problems with innovative solutions.
Jesse’s Areas Of Focus: Sponsorships and Community Investment
Contact him at jesse@westlinkconsultants.com
Dr. Jessica McPhee, PhD, MBA, BAC - Leadership Coach & Communications Consultant
Dr. Jessica McPhee, PhD, MBA, BAC, is a certified leadership coach, executive culture coach, and holds a PhD in industrial and organizational psychology with 18 years’ experience leading teams. After spending 20 years in communications, Jessica pivoted to broaden her experience. She has now spent half a decade leading people & culture, and customer experience professionals. Jessica is passionate about building and supporting leaders and supporting people-centric cultures.
Jessica is a proud Edmontonian who also called Calgary her home for seven years. She completed her Bachelor of Applied Communication at Mount Royal, her MBA at the University of Alberta, and her PhD at Adler University.
Jessica’s Area’s of Focus: Leadership Coaching, Professional Writing & Communications
Contact her at jessica@westlinkconsultants.com
ADVISORY BOARD
Our growing team of trusted friends
Paul M Fruitman - Owner, Paul’s Paws
Paul Founded Paul’s Paws in 2023 to focus on Urban Canine Socialization & Enrichment. With programs like WalkSMART, Paul has disrupted the vast Vancouver dog market with new thinking and engagement
Paul M. Fruitman is also a seasoned business strategist with over two decades of experience in professional sports and entertainment. He has worked with major sports teams across Canada, helping organizations grow revenue, engage fans, and develop practical, sustainable business strategies.
Karissa Anderson - Founder & CEO, AM/FM
With almost 20 years experience in marketing communications, Karissa pushes the marketing industry to be better, day-by-day, through her unwavering focus on making an impact. Strategically focused and goal oriented, Karissa has developed marketing communications strategies and assets for a wide range of clients through various industries and sectors; such as: City of Fort Saskatchewan, Compassion House Foundation, Integra Tire, Legal Aid Alberta, Old Strathcona Farmers' Market, SMS Equipment, and Ronald McDonald Charities® Alberta.
Ken Abescoro - Senior Marketing Specialist, Home Depot Canada
Ken has spent the bulk of his career in the technology industry helping facilitate digital retransformation projects. His passion for mental health, storytelling and community is what drove him to the intersection of marketing-technology within the Sport and Event Marketing industry.
While he is looking to help 'grow the game', ranging from esports to women's sports, Ken is also diving into the fast paced world of brand analysis within eCommerce at Home Depot.
Aaron Koch - Regional Sales Manager, Molson Coors Beverage Company
Aaron has nearly 20 years of progressive food & beverage industry experience and is currently managing Northern Alberta on-premise sales for Molson Coors Beverage Company. Aaron also manages the Molson Coors sports and entertainment partnerships in Northern Alberta.
Originally from Ontario, Aaron now calls Edmonton his home. He brings a strong passion for community, sport and building long-term mutually beneficial relationships.
Dave Reynar - Corporate Development Officer, Covenant Foundation
Dave has spent the past 16 years working in the live entertainment industry with the Oilers Entertainment Group and The Francis Winspear Centre for Music. His primary focus has been corporate sponsorships, community engagement and business development. During that time, he has had the privilege of working alongside many community leaders in Edmonton that include: ATB Financial, The Brick and Quikcard, to name a few
Pierre-Marc Paquet -Sponsorship & Event Consultant, pmpaquet
Experienced Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the sponsorships & events industry. Skilled in Event Management, Live / Hybrid Events and Sponsorship Activation with more than 12 years of experience. Pierre-Marc is running his own business since 2015 and have worked with amazing clients like Intact insurance, Coveo, belairdirect, Air Canada, Danone, Peroni & Grolsch Beer, Bel Cheese and many others. He has an extended knowledge of the Canadian market and have worked with most of the top promoters in the country including the Canadian football League, Montreal Canadiens, Speed Skating Canada, Toronto Maple Leafs, Evenko, Edmonton Elks, Spectra and many others.Pierre-Marc Paquet
Oliver Jarzyna - Director Philanthropic Partnerships, Alberta Diabetes Foundation
Oliver was born and raised in Hannover, Germany. He moved to Canada to pursue a career in sports in North America in 2014.
He currently is the Director of Philantropic Partnerships at the Alberta Diabetes Foundation. Prior to his role Oliver worked with the Edmonton Stingers (CEBL), FC Edmonton (NASL), the Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) and the Edmonton Oilers (NHL).
As the director of sports partnerships Oliver has a wide range of responsibilities including maintaining current partnerships while striving to create new relationships whenever possible. He enjoys working in this industry and he admires that sports can bring a community together, increase meaningful connections and social bonds.
Rishi Lal - Strategic Advisor or Revenue & Parnterships, SEVN Sports + Entertainment
A proven sponsorship marketing revenue generator with unique mix of broadcast, agency, team, and league-level experience. Have had the good fortune to close custom six, seven and eight-figure partnerships with tier one brands across a variety of industries that truly deliver results for both sides.
Secured big wins selling in net new partnerships including high-end naming rights deals, 60 different team-level integrated assets as well as selling in national media among many others.
General vision: Work hard, take risks, treat people well and don't stop learning.
Brent Poeter - Broker, Ravenhill Agencies
Brent entered the insurance industry in 2017 after previously working in the Oil & Gas sector. He completed his level 1 & 2 licenses back to back and has enjoyed providing his clients with the coverages they require while also maintaining exceptional customer service.
Brent joined Ravenhill in 2021 and is looking forward to building further relationships with our valued clients, as well as continuing his education through the IBAA.
When not in the office Brent enjoys spending his time at the lake or on the golf course.
Max Dawson - Partner, Humanis Talent
Max boasts over a decade of expertise and experience in executive recruitment, corporate sponsorship, and business and relationship development – during which he has amassed in-depth knowledge of North America’s corporate and sporting landscape.
As a former three sport varsity athlete, Max was able to bring the corporate and sporting worlds together through earning an MBA with an emphasis in sports management from Griffith University – which led to a position in Corporate Partnerships with the Edmonton Oilers. Max then went on to begin his executive search career at Conroy Ross Partners with a focus in finance, sales, and marketing.
In addition to sharing his passion for staying active with his daughters Stella and Ada, Max also sits on the board of Luge Canada.
Orisha Peters - Account Manager & Marketing Consultant, Loop Strategic Marketing
Orisha Peters is a dynamic Account Manager and Marketing Consultant at Loop Strategic Marketing, a leading digital agency based in Edmonton, Alberta. With a strong background in web development, paid advertising, and sales funnel strategy, she plays a key role in bridging communication between internal teams and clients, ensuring every project runs smoothly and delivers exceptional results. Orisha is known for her strategic insight, collaborative approach, and dedication to client success.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Orisha has travelled the world and shares her adventures with her wonderful dog, Ollie.