Michael Coates

A seasoned, energetic and successful chief executive and certified corporate director. Mike has successfully lead and managed communications and government affairs companies in Canada, Australia, the U.S. and Latin America. Named one of Canada’s “Top 50 Most Powerful People” by Canadian Business in 2014, Mike has provided advice and counsel to corporate boards like BHP Billiton, The Toronto Stock Exchange and Chinese National Overseas Oil Corporation (CNOOC), as well as serving on commercial, educational and not-for-profit boards. Retiring as H+K Strategies Global Vice Chairman in March 2017, Mike is an active commentator on public affairs and business issues and is currently exploring opportunities in the corporate, education and public service fields. Current Board Roles  Director, CANDU Inc., Mississauga/Ontario (2010-Present) o Subsidiary of SNC Lavalin as Canada’s chief marketer of nuclear technology o Mike sits on the audit, human resources, and marketing sub-committees  Director, Advisory board, GWU Graduate School of Political Management (2015-Present), Washington/DC  Director, Advisory Board, Youth Inc., New York Inner-city charity (2014-Present) Previous Board Roles  National Quality Institute. (1998-2007), Director o Canada’s standards setting counsel for excellence in business and organizations.  York University – Faculty of Arts. (2000-2008), Director, Advisory Board  Fishing Forever Foundation. (2000-2006), Board Member Career History Hill+Knowlton Strategies. (Global Vice Chairman) 2016-Present  One of the globe’s largest communication companies with over 3000 employees and $380 million in revenue.  Mike provides public affairs advice and communications counsel to many of Hill+Knowlton’s leading clients. Hill+Knowlton Strategies. (President +CEO, Americas) 2014-2016  Managed P&L of $200 million US for America, Canada and Latin America.  Accomplishments include; development and execution of annual business plans, recruitment and retention of talent, mergers and acquisitions in Brazil, U.S. and Canada, business development and quality assurance of customer service.  Top Employer in Canada for over 12 years and named in the U.S. for the first time in 2015. Hill+Knowlton Strategies. (President + CEO, Canada) 1995-2014  Engineered the company into Canada’s dominant public relations and public affairs firm with over 50 million in revenue and 250 employees. Academic  Committed to the highest standards of corporate governance, Mike is Institute of Corporate Directors certified, ICD.D (June, 2006).  Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Queen’s University School of Policy (1980).  Master of Arts (International Affairs) degree from York University (1979)  Undergraduate degree, York University (1978) Personal  Married to Maureen and has three daughters. Mike is an avid fisherman.  Mobile: 613-797-0956 Direct: 613-786-9931  E-Mail: mike.coates@hkstrategies.com  Document Updated November 2016 Publications GLOBE AND MAIL http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/for-the-tories-an-upside-to-harpers-loss/article26958176/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/leadership-lab/top-five-management-mistakes-to-avoid/article15468577/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/why-partisanship-is-good-for-the-senate/article16661878/ HUFFINGTON POST http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/michael-coates http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michael-coates/talk-davos-_b_6594868.html http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-strategy/putting-canadas-economy-first-no-apologies/ ICD DIRECTORS JOURNAL https://www.icd.ca/Resource-Centre/News-Publications/Director-Journal/2013/March-2013/Articles/The-Unpredictable-Evolution-of-Canadian-Investment.aspx?WebsiteKey=c4cf4739-a88b-41d8-9bb9-d17d1a29ed6e https://www.icd.ca/Resource-Centre/News-Publications/Director-Journal/2014/March-April-2014/Articles/Foreign-Investment-Another-Year-of-Surprises.aspx https://www.icd.ca/Resource-Centre/News-Publications/Director-Journal/2012/March-2012/Articles/The-Perils-of-Political-Risk.aspx FORBES http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2015/11/19/what-you-need-to-know-if-youre-considering-doing-business-in-cuba/#114a360220e3 http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2015/12/10/chinese-investment-in-the-u-s-will-grow-in-2016/#27bc72781a8a CNBC http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/18/why-is-the-gop-playing-into-castros-hands-cuba-commentary.html THE HILL http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international-affairs/286602-what-trump-should-say-and-do-about-brexit PRWEEK http://www.prweek.com/article/1322565/h+ks-coates-its-time-pr-elevated-needs-its-employees http://www.prweek.com/article/1389195/womens-programs-far-favor LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/0_3kSxWzM2djZbsxhwd-q9je?trk=prof-sm