our key strategists
Yola zdanowicz
Brand Builder
Yola is your go-to strategic partner because she too is a brand builder. Yola is an entrepreneur who possesses superior business, marketing and sales chops. She’s built her own company, Ensemble Strategies, as well as million dollar practices at top research firms. She focuses on what matters for your business, tells you who to target, how, and what to say.
Charismatic leader and conductor of her “Ensemble”, Yola delivers a unique masterpiece to each and every one of her clients. A masterful storyteller, she employs innovative new tools to engage both customers and convey a dynamic visual story to clients.
25 years @ Ensemble, Vision Critical, Ipsos, BBM Bureau of Measurement, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Jo-Anne Kirley
Emotion Archaeologist
Successful strategies hinge on connecting with your customer and differentiating your brand from the pack. Jo-Anne unearths what truly moves customers and then translates these clues into strategies that move your brand forward. She digs deep to get beyond the obvious, revealing the emotional, and uncovering breakthrough ideas.
Jo-Anne is a problem-solver through and through, whether tackling marketing issues or designing communication programs. Going that one step further – building solutions based on research – is why Jo-Anne excels as a strategist.
25 years @ Pulse Insights, The Health Initiative, Ipsos, Camelford Graham and Canada Market Research
Karin Weindel
Master Explorer
Seeing a marketing idea through – from germination to fruition – can be a long, multi-step process. Karin has the breadth of expertise to partner with you every step of the way. She’s a rare breed of researcher; one who has a dual personality and is as brilliant in early-stage idea generation as she is in final-stage idea refinement.
Karin is a virtuoso when it comes to turning research results into marketing strategies. What’s more is she teaches her craft to business students, inspiring future strategists in the process.
16 years @ Avcomm Consultants, Centennial College, Ipsos, PSL, Research Strategy Group (rsg) and Canada Market Research
Maryse Hudson
Couturière
In today’s ultra-competitive business environment, brands often need to tailor marketing strategies to unique target groups. Multi-pronged marketing strategies call for exploration with diverse customer groups. This is Maryse’s domain. Astute and versatile, she adapts her approach to go beyond language and address cultural differences.
As comfortable with cancer survivors as she is with oncologists, Maryse connects with customers. A leading expert in exploring sensitive issues, Maryse understands how to get to the heart of the issue while ensuring that your customer walks away feeling enriched by the experience.
25 years @ Maryse Hudon Marketing Research Services, Ipsos, Kraft Canada, Angus Reid and AgriStudies
Lesley Krempulec
Expert Choreographer
Ensemble excels at delivering concise, workable strategies for complex strategic initiatives. Lesley, master choreographer, tames the chaos and transforms convoluted initiatives it into a well-orchestrated dance.
Lesley is Ensemble’s in-house healthcare system expert. As a long-time clinician working with patients and healthcare practitioners, she has inside knowledge on what moves them and what makes them tick. Lesley combines her real understanding of these customers with her research acumen to deliver nuanced, informed strategies.
15 years @ Ensemble, CareFirst Seniors & Community Service Association, VHA Rehab Solutions, Mackenzie Health, Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health