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Krista is a senior communications and public affairs executive with extensive expertise in pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods and financial services with more than 12 years of operating committee experience in progressively senior roles at leading Fortune 500 companies. With over 8 years with government and not-for-profit organizations and international experience in leadership roles in Canada, USA and Latin America, Krista’s industry expertise upholds CBA’s mission and vision.

In 2020 Krista was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Women of Influence by the Women’s Executive Network. She is also on the board of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation and Trent University.

Ryan leads the CBA’s stakeholder strategic plan and supports regulatory affairs on behalf of the association’s members.

Prior to joining the CBA, Ryan was a Director at a Canadian government relations firm, providing strategic government relations and public affairs support to trade associations, not-for-profits, startups, and Fortune 500 companies. He supported these clients across the country in every province as well as the Federal Government ensuring that they connected with the appropriate public policy decision-makers to advocate on issues important to them.

Ryan also had an extensive career at Queen’s Park. During his time as the executive assistant to the Chief Government Whip, he assisted with the management of government legislative business, including during a minority government. Ryan specifically worked with the entire government caucus to ensure that the government’s agenda was achieved.

Ryan holds a BA in Political Science from York University’s Glendon Campus. Raised in Scarborough, Ontario, he’s a proud resident of Toronto. He is also a co-founder and the Chair of the Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association.

Erich Schmidt is a specialist in government relations, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications.

Erich has worked in all three levels of government, has served in the Ministry of Labour, and has worked on eleven political campaigns and counting. He has a strong track record of success in providing strategic communications and public affairs advice to political, business, public service, media, and community leaders. Previous to his role as Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, he was the Manager of Innovation and Public Affairs at the Ontario General Contractors Association.

Erich is also an experienced communications professional. He brings a strong knowledge of government processes and industry experience from industry associations. His skills and experience enable him to engage with members, stakeholders and government.

Erich is a certified PMP (Project Management Professional) and holds a Certificate in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Toronto and an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Law and Policy from the University of Toronto.

Alex leads CBA’s government relations maintaining and building a strong government and stakeholder relations network across Canada while executing the CBA strategic direction.

Prior to joining the CBA, Alex was the Director of Manufacturing Policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). He was responsible for leading CME’s Ontario government relations activities and all relevant national environment and energy policy issues that impacted the competitiveness, investment and growth of manufacturing and exporting in Canada. Alex also established a proactive national environment government relations strategy for CME and achieved public policy success that helped manufacturers grow across Canada.

Before CME, Alex was the Public Affairs Manager for GS1 Canada where he secured government partnerships and funding for industry projects, raised the organization’s profile with government and industry stakeholders, advanced a public affairs plan on multiple policy issues, and sat on a number of internal and external committees to advance key organizational objectives.

Alex was also the Executive Assistant to a Toronto City Councillor where he obtained significant media and public relations experience. Prior to this role, Alex was a Policy Analyst at the Ontario Office of the Official Opposition where he advanced significant research initiatives and developed his communication, policy, and outreach skills. In the spring of 2012, Alex was a Policy Intern for Toronto Election Services and was responsible for preparing a report that analyzed online voting in the City of Toronto and how it could be implemented in future elections.

At present, he is the President of the York Mills Neighbours Association and on the board of the Council of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Alex has volunteered on various political campaigns where he has been an advisor to candidates, organized political fundraisers and performed public policy research. Alex has also contributed to various other organizations, including the University of Toronto Alumni Association and the North York Harvest Food Bank.

Alex earned both his Honours Bachelor of Arts (H.B.A) in political science and criminology and Masters of Arts (M.A.) in political science from the University of Toronto. Alex’s background includes expertise in federal, provincial and municipal government affairs matters, including relationship building, issues management, grassroots campaigns and policy analysis, business development and strategic planning.

With over 25 years of experience in the refreshment beverage industry, specializing in small organizations, Magaly has provided HR guidance and office support to CBA staff since 1996. Her broad experience includes policy and procedure development and updates, employment contracts, recruitment, board-level committee support, benefit administration, employee relations, and office management

Magaly has been able to adapt and thrive with the many fluctuations that have taken place over the CBA’s history to be able to continue to serve the Association and its members.

Magaly earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She holds a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation and is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).