Kimi Abdullah, Marketing & Sales Specialist

Kimi Abdullah's business career includes a wide variety of industries, from global financial institutions to community agencies and independent fashion boutiques. With multiple skills, she has worked in credit lending, event planning, municipal recreation programs and retail sales.

Kimi graduated with an Honours Diploma from the Humber College Fashion Arts Program, and continues to lend her knowledge and abilities in marketing, fashion buying and events to local entrepreneurs. Applying the same marketing and sales principles to her work at Creative Niche, Kimi is a resourceful administrative asset for the company. With all her experiences, Kimi firmly believes that the key to success is creating positive experiences for clients and colleagues - and always doing the work that makes you happy!

A bit of a globetrotter, Kimi has traveled through Western Europe and parts of Asia. Her journeys have taught her humility and a greater appreciation for the opportunities in her own life.

During her off hours, Kimi is usually in search of the perfect ingredients. A dedicated home cook, she finds recipe inspiration from her friends and family alike.

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Lisa Armstrong, Engagement Manager

Lisa graduated from the University of Western Ontario, with a B.A. in Sociology. Her passion for business and helping people led her to a career in recruitment, where she has spent the last 11 years as a Division Director and Recruiting Manager for a large international recruitment firm. She is ecstatic to start a new venture in her role as Business Development Manager for Account Niche. A "networker" by nature, Lisa enjoys building lasting client relationships, and utilizing her consultative approach to help her clients find the right solutions for their hiring objectives.

Lisa enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two energetic young boys. Whenever she can, she tries to squeeze in a great meal, a glass of vino, and a good laugh with her friends and family.

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Marina Campbell, Operations Manager

Since joining Creative Niche as an administrator two years ago, Marina has cultivated and developed her role as Operations Manager. With over nine years of customer service and administrative experience, she is organized, accountable and believes in strong follow-through. Go to her with an issue and she will do whatever it takes to find a solution, quickly and effectively.

A colourful and creative person, she studied Fashion Technology at George Brown College before packing up her worldly possessions and moving to London, England for a few years. It was there that she discovered one of her professional mantras: Treat people as you would like to be treated.

In her spare time, Marina runs a small jewellery design company and enjoys plotting her travels around the world.

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Jenny Gilbert, Engagement Manager

Jenny Gilbert is a highly skilled professional with solid experience in the Marketing and Advertising industry. Since she joined Creative Niche in 2006, Jenny's focus on marketing that delivers value, has strengthened our connections with clients, associates, the creative community, and the business marketplace at large.

With a keen eye for marketing objectives, Jenny has held several key positions in the field since 1999. For a major Canadian retailer, she handled media buying and the planning of major national promotions. On the agency side, Jenny was an Account Manager for Client Services with one of Canada's largest fashion retailers. Mediating between the client and the agency, she ensured consistent quality in corporate branding strategies, new product launches, promotional event campaigns and private label branding. Previously in the Advertising Department of an office supplies retailer, Jenny interacted between the corporation and its agency by utilizing skills in both project management and business process reengineering. With a view to the company's marketing objectives, she also monitored and approved advertising promotions.

Jenny obtained a French bilingual certificate in Marseille, France; studied Business Marketing at Ryerson University, and learned Web Page Design, HTML at George Brown College. Rounding out her expertise, she completed courses in Advertising Fundamentals - through The Association of Canadian Advertisers, and acquired corporate training in Project Management, Facilitating Groups, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills.

Thrilled with all the dimensions of her new role, Jenny takes time to play beach volleyball with the Creative Niche team, and continues to learn. Whether visiting local art exhibitions or planning her next adventure travel trip, Jenny is always finding new ways to be creative, and understand the exciting world in which we work.

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Mandy Gilbert, CEO

When Mandy Gilbert started Creative Niche Inc. in 2002, she wanted to run a creative staffing agency that had a transparent, balanced and friendly outlook. Following the values of integrity, honesty and respect, the Creative Niche team takes care of clients' and candidates' best interests equally.

Mandy has over seven years of experience in the industry, including a successful track record with large U.S.-based recruitment firms, as well as in marketing and graphic design. She combines this background with outstanding interpersonal and management skills to make exceptional matches between her clients and candidates.

Complementing Mandy's work history is a well-rounded education, consisting of Business Communications at Ryerson University, Marketing & HR Management at the University of Toronto and Graphic Design at George Brown College. She is also active in the community as a member of RGD (Registered Graphic Designers) of Ontario, PAC (Packaging Association of Canada) and YEA (Young Entrepreneurs Association), in addition to being the Director, Education for Wired Woman in 2001. Her production and leadership skills, and her passion for this business, have been recognized in the industry through various awards.

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Craig Hodges, Client Services Manager

Craig Hodges brings more than 10 years of agency and client-side management in the communications industry to Creative Niche. In his career, Craig has gained hands-on experience in roles as varied as Print Production Manager, Field & Event Marketing Manager, Graphics Department Manager, Account Manager, Account Supervisor, and Account Director. Having worked exclusively on tier one brands with creative teams and studios, Craig has delivered superb results for major retail brands. His strong understanding of client needs and brand goals, combined with excellent client service and problem solving skills, Craig developed new frameworks that streamlined internal systems for project teams, and liaised with numerous outside resources. Craig’s exceptional client service and talent assessment skills are a perfect blend of qualifications for his current role related to account service placements.

Having established a strong network of account service and creative professionals over the years, Craig was finally drawn to join Creative Niche Inc. in 2007. Combining all his capabilities, he looks forward to making new connections, evaluating and developing the skills of talented account professionals, and working with a cohesive management team dedicated to integrity, transparency and the very best results for every client.

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Stephen Hodges, President

Stephen Hodges is considered one of Toronto's best senior managers in the recruitment field. Spearheading an innovative team approach, he has helped place hundreds of creative people throughout the Toronto market, and staffed everything from outsourced project assignments to entire departments. Joining Creative Niche in 2006, Stephen now manages a growing business with an expanding team of expert staffing professionals who have decades of field experience in creative communications.

The journey has been interesting. Stephen graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, and then followed his design interests at OCAD. After 11 years of experience as a Studio Manager, Production and Database Manager, and Graphic Designer, Stephen has translated his education, analytical skills, creativity and management expertise into 10 years of recruitment industry success.

Stephen considers himself privileged to work with so many accomplished and talented professionals in the industry. In his role as President, he looks forward to working with business, building new partnerships and identifying opportunities to add value in the creative business community. Outside the office, Stephen keeps busy as a music enthusiast, hockey player and proud father of three.

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Dorothy Moe, Client Services Manager

Dorothy Moe is a knowledgeable and consistently impressive member of the Creative Niche team. Her skill in qualifying and coaching candidates - and eagerness to help customers secure the ideal talent for their business needs - results in top-notch service and outcomes for our clients, every time.

Prior to joining us in 2006, Dorothy had completed 2 years as a successful Recruiter and Agent, and many previous years of design industry experience managing tier 1 creative projects. Her ability to plan and oversee large assignments, from branding programs, to campaigns, corporate communications, credentials presentations and events, demonstrates her keen knowledge of the communications field. With the facility for matching top creative talent to specific work requirements, Dorothy has all the essential qualities for her role as Recruitment Manager with Creative Niche.

Over the years, she has provided creative solutions for corporations, creative communications firms, agencies, software businesses, financial organizations, and health and educational institutions.

Dorothy is a person who loves designed communications. She brings an infectious energy and positive outlook to her work and to everyone around her. This alone, makes her a perfect match for Creative Niche. We are thrilled to have her professionalism and personal skills onboard, for the sake of our customers, our talent, and our rapidly growing company.

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Jayla Mortensen, Coordinator, Creative Niche Experience

A new addition to the creative environment, Jayla has found her niche! A former Mohawk College student with a background in Broadcast and Print Journalism, she feels right at home.

As an avid reader and writer, Jayla enjoys a spare moment by reading a few chapters of a book or writing an entry in her well-kept journal. Jayla helped pioneer and was the first person to write for Chat Room - a teenage targeted page for a daily newspaper, The Sarnia Observer.

Having recently moved to Toronto, Jayla takes time and pleasure to be better acquainted with the many cultures and become familiar with downtown and beyond. On a different note, she has a deep passion for music. When she is not looking for another album to add to her ever expanding collection, Jayla is starting to find all the best stages and truly appreciate the sounds of the city.

Jayla takes great pride in her communication and organizational skills which is an asset to her position at Creative Niche. With a smile, Jayla is always searching for the positive side of things. She believes being happy in whatever you do is the true key to success.

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Glen Porter, Payroll Administrator

Glen arrives at Creative Niche with a unique background comprised of various disciplines. Having recently received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and relocating to Toronto, Glen brings a wide range of experience in such disparate fields as manufacturing, quality control, customer service and sales. Glen has also worked extensively in the restaurant industry, from bistros to bars. He brings with him the intense work ethic and attention to detail forged in fiery kitchens. Meticulous and exacting, Glen prides himself on providing great customer service and facing challenges head-on. In his spare time, Glen can often be found in the dark of the matinee indulging his passion for film. Whether through playing guitar or soaking up the vibrant live music scene of Toronto, Glen strives to lead a harmonious life. Also, for this former cook and apprentice, cooking has transitioned from a career path into an enjoyable hobby.

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Debra Sharpe, Director of Client Service

With close to 12 years in the successful placement of marcom creative professionals, Debra Sharpe now heads up our newest Creative Niche office located in downtown Ottawa. Prior to joining the company, Debra consistently secured successful permanent, temporary and contract placements encompassing multiple skills sets, and varying levels of experience, for organizations as diverse as advertising agencies, design studios and corporate clients.

Debra is known for her strong client relationship skills, an eye for finding rare talent, and the knack for matching that talent with just the right environment to allow them to do their best work. Her philosophy of recruitment can best be described as a dedication to "fit placement" versus "talent placement."

It is for this reason that Debra's placements range from top level creative directors and vice presidents who deal exclusively with her, all the way to "diamond in the rough" entry level digital design candidates and account/marcom individuals.

At any given time, Debra has a roster of talent on her "wish list", waiting for the moment when the need and the perfect fit arise. She is perennially on the lookout for undervalued, high quality candidates who, with the right placement and environment, will be the graphics arts and marcom stars of next year.

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Adele Wootton, Account Director

For over seven years, Adele Wootton has maintained a sterling reputation for making ideal matches of client needs and talent skills. This is no surprise considering the knowledge, experience and amazing energy she brings to her work.

Adele's career began in the challenging area of advertising account services. This led to studio and production roles which steadily expanded her knowledge of the print and graphic communications industry. And from there, she progressed to full-fledged print sales and consulting, managing the people and process on behalf of printers, publishers and corporations.

Returning to her print production roots, Adele managed entire design and promotions production departments and studios: hiring and assigning work to Designers, Mac Artists, Copywriters and Editors, while project managing complex print assignments. All of which provided an ideal insight into the real-time needs of her clients in the creative staffing field.

Adele finds joy and takes pride in efficiently solving her clients' headaches by finding the perfect talent to get the job done on time, on target and within budget.

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