Yvette Gauthier has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, with expertise in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and strategic planning.  Offering several years' experience in consulting services within the financial services and technology sectors, she specializes in developing programs that are directed to the consumer. 

Providing personalized customer service in a relationship management capacity, Yvette managed retail advertising and promotional campaigns with a number of Toronto's top advertising agencies. In 1991, she formed Kaleidoscope Studio, to expand her business and continue to deliver a high level of client service. Kaleidoscope has an extensive track record developing marketing strategies and advertising campaigns for Clients such as P. Lawson Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, City of North York, National Bank of Canada, Pharma Plus Drugmarts, Bramalea Homes, the Milk Marketing Board and the Employment Equity Commission.

Yvette worked with the LCBO, where she developed in-store promotions for the Commonwealth Games supporting their award-winning merchandising program. Seeing the growth in the mutual fund industry in 1996, she joined Fidelity Investments as a Senior Account Executive responsible for developing targeted programs, including Owens Corning, PPG Paints, Suncor and Fidelity employee communications. She managed marketing programs specific to RRIF and RRSP and developed a project management system. 

In 1999, Yvette joined Hanco Enterprises, a technology firm that specializes in third-party Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Asset Management (AM) solutions, as Vice President, Marketing and Business Development. An integral member of the senior management team, she built customer relationships, developed the branding and managed the growth as the company expanded into the U.S., her efforts tripled sales in one year.

Most recently, Yvette was Senior Manager, Investments at Scotiabank's retail marketing division, where she spearheaded several programs managing the 'agency of record' relations; media, television, radio, print, web and in-branch marketing and communications. In addition, she managed senior management and internal investment marketing teams. She was responsible for overseeing a multi-million dollar budget on behalf of the business units.

Awards:  

• As a consultant at Scotiabank, Yvette was rated as "distinguished", reflecting successful strategic and implementation management of Investment Marketing programs for Fall 2001, Investment 2002, Fall 2002, Investment 2003 programs.
  
 
• 2002 Cassie award in silver for "Best in Class" reflecting superior marketing initiatives in the Financial Services sector, as part of the Scotiabank team.

Kate Taylor is a senior level marketing professional with 16 years experience in a varied background in corporate marketing communications and advertising in financial services and e-commerce. With Yvette Gauthier she formed Kaleidoscope, where she developed marketing strategies, branding and advertising campaigns for Clients such as P. Lawson Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, City of North York, National Bank of Canada, Pharma Plus Drugmarts, Bramalea Homes, the Milk Marketing Board and the Employment Equity Commission.

In 1996 Kate joined GT Global Mutual Funds to head up the Marketing department and developed their new corporate brand. During her time at GT Global, the company was the fastest growing mutual fund firm in Canadian history. When GT Global merged with AMVESCAP, Kate was promoted to AVP of Business Development for AIM Mutual Funds, where she developed the innovative "FUNds for Kids" Program, starring "Henry the Hedgehog". This was the first program in the industry to educate children about the benefits of understanding their financial future and investing. This program attracted over $2.5 million of in-trust assets within the first 9 months. 

Kate developed the branding and visual identity of f/A Connect, an Internet workplace for financial advisors in the role of Vice President, Marketing at Toronto-based Communicopia. 

At Basis100, Kate was Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, responsible for the development and implementation of the company's strategic marketing plan, as well as for corporate communications (public relations and investor relations) and integration plans for acquisitions, restructurings, and disposals. She managed product launches in both Canada and the U.S., including the development of product branding. 

Through York University, Kate is certified in implementing the Balanced Scorecard Approach, a process designed to ensure that all company initiatives are designed to achieve the corporate goals through measurable objectives. 

Kate has been involved in a number of committees for the Canadian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders (CIMBL) and the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) and is President and a board member of DigitalEve, a forum for women in technology. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Western Ontario. 

Awards:  

• 2001 Basis100 Annual Report won "League of American Communications Professionals" (LACP) Platinum Award for design and clarity of business communication.
 
 
• GT Global FUNds for Kids program nominated "Best New Initiative" in the Canadian Mutual Fund Awards, 1998.