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Our team is made up of incredibly gifted people who bring their unique skills and perspectives to the table

Partner + President

Catherine Runnals

Born and raised in Vancouver, Catherine began her career in the television industry as a writer and producer on myriad TV shows. Transitioning to the music industry in the late ‘90s, she then went on to spend almost a decade on the road working with acts such as Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, The Tragically Hip, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Dido.

In 2004, Catherine launched her own business with partner Paul Runnals. BrandLIVE is an award-winning brand activation management organization that brings community together through spectacular live events. From building Olympic pavilions to creating music festivals to the delivery of highly curated conferences, Catherine cares deeply about her team and the clients they serve.

Catherine is the President of BrandLIVE and leads the New Business Development Team. She is a Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 and Event Professional of the Year award winner. Catherine loves to spend time walking the trails in North Vancouver, where she lives with her son Griffin.

Partner + Senior VP Creative + Production

Paul Runnals

Paul has built an impressive portfolio over the past 30 years, delivering innovative and award-winning events. He has created and managed some of the most technically complex entertainment projects in Canada, including the build-out of multiple pavilions during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Paul is the Executive Producer of the annual Honda Celebration of Light and was the founder and creative director for both The Squamish Valley Music Festival and SKOOKUM Festival. He is passionate about creating memorable experiences through live events.

Prior to launching BrandLIVE in 2008 with partner Catherine Runnals, Paul spent many years managing national and international tour and production logistics for Sarah McLachlan, Dido, Prince, INXS, and numerous others. With his deep relationships in the music industry, Paul books over 1M in talent for BrandLIVE yearly and leads the production and sponsorship sales teams. He is also a board member of the Event Safety Alliance of Canada. Paul is an avid skier who loves travel and motorcycling and can often be seen at international music festivals.

Director of Creative + Strategy

Lilli Clark

Lilli has spent the better part of her career producing large-scale arts and music events and world-renowned conferences with a focus on branding, storytelling, and unforgettable experiences like TED Conferences and SKOOKUM Festival. Now, in her role as Director of Creative + Strategy, she works with the BrandLIVE team to consistently push the boundaries of innovation and creative design while ensuring that the project strategy is sound and our team always keeps our client's North Star top of mind. Lilli works with new clients in the envisioning phase of their events and ensures a smooth transition from contracting to execution.

As BrandLIVE’s sustainability champion, Lilli has created award-winning green event operation plans and leads the BrandLIVE Green Effect Event Sustainability Consultancy. A 2018 Event Professional of The Year nominee, she is passionate about working with purpose-driven companies to identify and execute key visions and goals.

Lilli is proud to have grown up in Vancouver with friends who became some of the city's brightest culinary entrepreneurs and artists —Now, she collaborates with them any chance she gets! She lives just blocks from Jericho Beach and can be found swimming in the ocean on summer evenings with her husband, daughter, and beloved dog, Birdie.

Director of Finance

Masaru Higo

Masaru is a CPA of 7 years with a diverse background in both public and private accounting. He has worked with global companies such as Deloitte and Motorola Solutions, as well as local privately-held companies in various industries.

Masaru has been BrandLIVE’s Director of Finance since October 2020. He oversees all financial aspects of the business group and provides strategic and operative support directly to shareholders. Masaru is a born-and-raised Vancouverite with a passion for health and fitness, personal development, and taking day trips on his motorcycle.

Director of People + Projects

Jessica Prior

Jess brings over 15 years of hands-on expertise and strategic vision in event production and marketing to the BrandLIVE team. After launching her career in consumer PR with renowned international brands like Arc’teryx, Jess swiftly recognized her true calling in the events realm. Her meticulous attention to detail and adept problem-solving skills have helped Jess successfully lead projects from high-profile VIP conferences to large public gatherings.

Now, as Director of People + Projects, she works on developing and implementing internal processes to optimize strategic vision, and efficiency, to ensure we flawlessly deliver on our client's objectives (dreams!), while keeping the health and wellbeing of our staff and contractors top of mind.

Jess grew up on the South West coast of the UK before making her way to Canada ten years ago. Now, nestled among the peaceful mountains of Squamish with her family, you'll find her hitting the trails with her mountain bike or unwinding by the lakes in the summer.

Senior Producer

Marcus Richter

With over 12 years of experience, Marcus’ skills and passions include client relations, budget management, project team supervision, supplier management, and on-site event coordination. As a Senior Producer at BrandLIVE, he helms a diverse range of events, including the massive outdoor celebration for Canada Day at the Port of Vancouver and highly designed galas such as the Feast of Fortune for St. Paul’s Foundation. As the Executive Producer for BrandLIVE’s bespoke gaming conference XDS, Marcus manages a team of producers, designers, sponsorship sales coordinators, and registration and marketing experts to execute an impeccably curated conference that attracts gaming companies from around the globe and sells out in minutes.

Marcus is the ultimate aficionado when it comes to food, wine, and cocktails — seeking out the most delectable experiences wherever he goes. His love for travel isn't just about ticking off destinations, it's about immersing himself in the culture, flavours, and stories that each place has to offer.

Senior Producer

Jennifer Findlay

Jenn has been working in the events and hospitality industry for over 13 years and has been an invaluable member of BrandLIVE since 2019. As a Senior Producer, Jenn is responsible for the curation and execution of some of BrandLIVE’s biggest and most exquisitely designed outdoor events, including the Honda Celebration of Light and Beedie Rocks. Not only is she a brilliant communicator, she is also a master of “wow” moments. Whether it’s an event for 50 or 500,000 people, Jenn implements her client’s vision with due diligence, budget, and attendee experience at the forefront of the planning process.

Hailing from the vibrant community of Steveston, Jenn delights in soaking up precious moments with her dynamic duo of kids, her loving partner, and her furry sidekick. Beyond family time, you'll catch her kicking it on the soccer field with boundless enthusiasm!

Producer

Taylor Dinsdale

Taylor has worked for a variety of clientele, including Ted Conferences, the Canadian Government, and Accenture Australia over the last 10 years. As a Producer for BrandLIVE, she has brought her dedication and experience to a variety of projects including the BC Lions Backyard Street Party and The Terminal City Club Annual Members Party. Now, as the producer of The External Development Summit (XDS), Taylor is taking a leading role in levelling up production and creativity on this signature conference property.

Taylor’s excitement for events is contagious! She prides herself on the deep trust she forms with her clients, vendors, and contractors. A bilingual burst of energy, Taylor swapped Ottawa/Gatineau for the buzz of downtown Vancouver, where she continues her passions for boxing and pitch & putt. An avid sports enthusiast, she’s the ultimate cheerleader for the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, NY Yankees, and NY Giants, alongside her incredible partner.

Producer

Devon Young

Devon is an award-winning producer boasting a rich 13-year track record in executing exceptional conferences, special events, global site selection, and large-scale tradeshows. Known for her unwavering commitment to excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and consistently upbeat attitude, Devon always goes above and beyond to ensure that attendee and stakeholder experiences consistently surpass expectations.
Production Manager

Alejandro Velarde

Alejandro was born and raised in the vibrant heart of Mexico City, where his passion for music, storytelling and the arts began to take root. After completing his Bachelor degree in Film and TV he embarked on a career in the entertainment industry, working with renowned companies such as Ocesa Mexico, Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia. His journey took him across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and South America. Recognizing the need for further professional development, Alejandro made a bold decision nearly eight years ago to move to Canada. There, he pursued a diploma in Stagecraft and Event Technology, from Douglas College, further expanding his expertise in the intricate world of live production.

Alejandro serves as a Production Manager at BrandLIVE, where he takes great pride in orchestrating seamless productions that bring joy and excitement to clients and audiences alike, believing that the true reward of his work is creating memorable experiences.

Outside of his professional life, Alejandro is a passionate sports enthusiast. He loves football, snowboarding, and riding motorcycles, activities that keep him adventurous and energized. Whether he’s playing multiple football games a week, carving through fresh powder, or cruising on two wheels, he embraces every moment with enthusiasm and joy.

Event Operations Manager

Robert Morrison

With over 10 years of experience in multi-faceted operational roles, Robert has built a wide range of expertise in both the events and tourism industries. He has successfully led teams, managed budgets, and exceeded client expectations on many large-scale projects. With a background in business and project management, Robert has a keen eye for detail and is passionate about creating seamless and memorable experiences for all involved. At BrandLIVE, Robert leads the operations department ensuring all of BrandLIVE’s events are appropriately staffed, safe and secure, and running like a well-oiled machine. As an operations specialist, he excels at translating bold ideas into tangible results, balancing the drive for immediate gains with a long-term vision for sustainable growth.

Originally from Scotland, Robert has proudly called the Lower Mainland home since 2010. Outside work, he is an avid soccer fan and can often be found at BC Place or the local park, kicking a ball with his 5-year-old.

Event Operations Coordinator

Lynn den Breejen

Lynn loves the thrill of executing large-scale events and operations. She has worked for several world-renowned attractions and productions in the tourism and entertainment world including the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Edinburgh Fringe, and Cavalia. Lynn has over 10 years of experience sourcing and leading teams, as well as site and venue operations, and has developed and implemented numerous ticketing sales strategies. With a passion for comprehensive and efficient resourcing, she is always looking for new talent to join our amazing crew at BrandLIVE. Lynn feels closely connected to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and she aims to create an inclusive environment for everyone who works with BrandLIVE or attends the many events we produce.

Since moving to Vancouver from the Netherlands, Lynn has continued the Dutch tradition of cycling everywhere she goes, whether in search of an obscure art movie or simply to take in the city's beautiful scenery. Her favourite activity is taking road trips through the North American landscape, hoping to find inspiration for her own art along the way.

Partnerships Manager

Natalie Szuk

Natalie has worked on a variety of events ranging from festivals to conferences during her 6 years in the industry. Her skill set includes relationship building, client management, strategic thinking, and problem-solving. As the Partnership Sales + Activation Coordinator, Natalie is dedicated to securing and building long-term partnerships that contribute to the dynamic and memorable events BrandLIVE is known for.

Natalie calls the beautiful North Shore home. She embraces an energetic lifestyle that mirrors her adventurous personality. Catch her exploring the great outdoors alongside her loyal companion, Hugo, the furry globetrotter she spontaneously adopted while on holiday in sunny Belize. It was love at first sight!

Event + Brand Designer

Gabriel Ghali

Gabriel is a versatile graphic designer who uses strategy, taste, and sound reasoning to solve business challenges. With over 20 years of experience, Gabriel has a passion for storytelling and creating experiences that excite and bring people together. He loves delighting clients with fresh concepts and execution. Always pushing boundaries, Gabriel is a constant learner, following the latest trends and technologies to tell stories in the most impactful ways. At BrandLIVE, Gabe works with our producers and clients on brand identity and logo design, environmental design and decor, and onsite signage and wayfinding. From digital designs to physical builds, Gabe brings visions and brands to life on-site.

From Beirut's vibrant streets to Vancouver's natural beauty, Gabe’s journey has brought him magical experiences. He brings his unique talents to each project and finds joy in every challenge along the way.

Bookeeper

Vanessa Elachkar

With 7 years under her belt, Vanessa proudly contributes timeliness and critical thinking skills to her role, supporting the entire BrandLIVE team on internal and external accounting processes. Vanessa collaborates closely with our talented producers to guarantee prompt payments to vendors and contractors and ensures accurate project reconciliations and client invoicing. When not actively engaged with our producers, Vanessa works in lockstep with the Director of Finance to ensure accurate financial reporting for the organization. She is always excited to take on new projects and expand her knowledge within BrandLIVE.

Vanessa was born and raised in a small town in Southern Ontario. Driven by her love for the outdoors, she made the leap to the North Shore in 2022. Whether trekking through scenic trails, setting up camp under the stars, or gliding down snowy slopes, you'll often find her fully immersed in nature's embrace all year round.

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Current Job Postings

Junior Event Producer

 

 

If you are interested in joining the BrandLIVE team you can keep an eye on this page, follow us on Instagram or send your resume to hr@brandlivegroup.com