Testimonials
Advanced Media and Crisis Communications Training
“It was an excellent workshop and I highly recommend the Jan and Sandy team…”
I am pleased to favourably recommend Sandy Webster of Capital Infrastructure Communications and Jan Enns of Jan Enns Communications who successfully conducted a Media and Crisis Communications Workshop with Kelowna International Airport’s management team. Sandy and Jan delivered a high-energy, insightful and informative advanced media and crisis communications workshop that was very well received by our leadership team. The full-day workshop provided both theory ad practical exercises that our team used immediately. They provided an excellent team-building environment balancing learning techniques, group and one-on-one feedback. Their knowledge of our industry adds distinct value to our continued training and professional development at YLW. It was an excellent workshop and I highly recommend the Jan and Sandy team.
Mega Projects, Capital and Minor Capital Projects
“When it comes to knowledge and experience with public communications and engagement, she is second to none in the industry…”
I have had the opportunity to work with Sandy on a variety of large infrastructure pursuits in Ontario over the last several years. When it comes to knowledge and experience with public communications and engagement, she is second to none in the industry. Sandy makes sure this experience shines through in all her professional interactions as well as in the quality of the deliverables she provides. She is extremely knowledgeable about the current infrastructure market and quickly gains the trust and respect of all project team members she works with. She is a trusted part of our teams and is certainly a valuable asset!
“Sandy is one of those rare individuals that every company or municipality wishes were on their team…”
Sandy is one of those rare individuals that every company or municipality wishes were on their team. She has excellent communication and organizational skills and has the unique ability to think strategically in everything she does. I had the pleasure of having Sandy on my team where she implemented, from the ground up, an overall communication strategy for the Engineering Department at the City of Richmond. This strategy included reaching out to residents through open houses, and utilizing her communication skills and professionalism to respond to residents’ concerns before, during and after construction. In addition she developed a system that included work plans to proactively consult directly with the community in advance of finalizing designs and starting construction. In addition to this challenging role Sandy provided media relations support dealing directly with outside media. Sandy is always upbeat, positive and focused on delivering an excellent product. I strongly recommend Sandy to anybody looking for an excellent employee in the field of communications.
“We will definitely hire Capital Infrastructure Communications in the future…”
Sandy’s knowledge in media relations is exceptional. Her professionalism to work with staff on contentious issues was very much appreciated. We will definitely hire Capital Infrastructure Communications in the future.
“Her knowledge of the industry is incredible and she has been a wealth of information and guidance…”
I first met Sandy through a mutual acquaintance as the City was in the process of embarking on the biggest bridge infrastructure project in our city’s history — the Third Crossing. Sandy has been instrumental in assisting us with the strategic communications that has helped set us on the best path for success.
She is thoughtful, strategic, diligent and a pleasure to work with. Her knowledge of the industry is incredible and she has been a wealth of information and guidance for myself and our project team.
“Strong collaboration skills and partnering excellence…”
Successful mega projects demand exceptional teamwork with super talented individuals. Sandy is certainly in this camp – strong collaboration skills and partnering excellence. Sandy always shows great energy and enthusiasm to lead the team with an impressive resume that backs development infrastructure.
Working with Governments, Clients and Partners
“When I think of those qualities which to me would be the most important for a senior communications professional in an organization such as innovation, creativity, leadership, integrity, energy and commitment, I believe that Sandy Webster exemplifies these characteristics in every way…”
I first met Sandy in 2002 when we were both participants representing our respective municipalities at the inaugural session of the Local Government Management Association’s program ‘Advanced Communication Skills for Local Government Professionals’ on Bowen Island near Vancouver. What I didn’t realize on that first day as I met 30 other participants from around the province who would participate in the week long program, was that one of them was going to significantly inspire me to make a career change. That person was Sandy Webster.
Without any question, Sandy was an incredible dynamic and energetic individual who at the time I felt could be leading the program rather than participating as a student. (That turned out to be a prophetic sentiment!). She was able to grasp and implement the various strategies and techniques being presented with relative ease. Perhaps more than anything was her boundless energy and her ability to function so well with many different personalities. Just watching her in action was inspirational to me.
In fact, the experience at Bowen Island observing Sandy Webster and one or two others prompted me to stretch myself further and make the leap to accept the position of Executive Director of the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), a position I held for 10 years until my retirement in 2013. My decision to make a change was in no small measure due to Sandy’s influence that week in 2002.
With my new position with the LGMA, I had the responsibility for organizing and delivering training programs for local government professionals throughout British Columbia. Accordingly, it fell upon me to recruit the best possible instructors for training sessions and speakers for major conferences. It was without any hesitation that I sought out Sandy’s assistance in these capacities and she did not fail to deliver. In virtually every program in which she was involved as an instructor, the feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Her expertise in the area of strategic communications was evident as was her ability to deliver programs in an interesting and lively manner.
When I think of those qualities which to me would be the most important for a senior communications professional in an organization such as innovation, creativity, leadership, integrity, energy and commitment, I believe that Sandy Webster exemplifies these characteristics in every way. In every interaction I have had with her, I have witnessed first hand her principled approach to everything she does.
“Sandy is one of those ‘go to’ colleagues in the communications industry – a leader and source for “how to get things done!”
Sandy is one of those ‘go to’ colleagues in the communications industry – a leader and source for “how to get things done!” I have had the pleasure of knowing her for the past 15 years in various capacities – as colleagues in local government, as graduate students, as co-presenters at conferences and training workshops for BC’s Local Government Management Association and in our respective careers in communications and consultation. She is highly regarded in the public sector as a leader by demonstrating how clear, consistent communications and consultation is key to ensuring business success. She has helped increase awareness about the importance of linking strategic planning with communications and consultation so projects roll out as planned and on budget – critical for multimillion dollar municipal infrastructure projects. More importantly, she is strong on integrity and relationship and eternally optimistic with an infectious laugh, making her a treasured team player!
“Sandy’s communications expertise has been very valuable on this project…”
Sandy and her team have partnered with us in implementing the communications and community relations program for the Evergreen Line Rapid Transit Project. A cohesive relationship between the contractor and project team is key to the communications success for large infrastructure projects, and Sandy’s communications expertise has been very valuable on this project.
Recruiting and Employee Relations
“I have had the pleasure of working with Sandy throughout my duration at SNC-Lavalin and I can honestly say, she is one of the most engaging, informative and energetic managers I have ever partnered with…”
I have had the pleasure of working with Sandy throughout my duration at SNC-Lavalin and I can honestly say, she is one of the most engaging, informative and energetic managers I have ever partnered with.
Sandy tells it like it is, is approachable, available and always upbeat and positive. Her level of professionalism is off the charts and she is always able to make complicated matters make sense.
Sandy is highly respected throughout the organization and although she is extremely busy, she always makes time for everyone. She is an absolute pleasure to work with and a force to have on the team.
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Sandy…”
It was an absolute pleasure working with Sandy. I had an opportunity to fill several of her roles [at SNC-Lavalin]. She poses great knowledge of the industry and the job function. Sandy was able to give me clear directions on exactly the type of candidates she was looking for which made it easier to present her with qualified candidates. Sandy is very in tune with the HR function and always ensured the policies and procedures were followed. I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to work with her again!
Digital Presence
“Sandy has been amazing to work with and a true partner in our success…”
I have been working with Sandy for upwards of 5 years. We have worked with her on numerous projects, but more specifically rapid transit projects. A&G Creative has been charged with developing and designing numerous websites to convey key messaging to stakeholders and provide interactive real-time project details. Sandy has been instrumental in the development of the strategy in bringing these web sites to life. Her extensive knowledge of the ever changing and evolving digital environment was critical to our success. Sandy has been amazing to work with and a true partner in our success.
Incident and Crisis Communications
“From my perspective there are no aspects of Communications that Sandy can’t undertake with skill and enthusiasm, and she has more than earned the position she holds and the respect of everyone who’s had the privilege to work with her…”
It’s with great pleasure that I offer my unconditional recommendation on behalf of my former colleague Sandy Webster.
Sandy and I worked together for nearly 8 years at SNC-Lavalin and I knew her to be an exceptionally bright and capable person.
As the Senior Director of Communications for the Transportation Division of SNC-Lavalin, Sandy was instrumental in formulating, establishing and maintaining the Communications Plans for a number of mega-projects. Sandy and I frequently interacted on matters involving both Safety and Communications, and Sandy provided invaluable guidance and support which ensured the projects had, among other things, highly effective communications plans for public and motorist safety as well as emergency management. Sandy worked tirelessly to inform and educate Clients, project personnel and contractors and ensured the Communications Safety Plans were maintained and effective throughout the changing conditions of these multi-year Projects. Our record in these areas was outstanding and could not have been achieved if not for the efforts, knowledge and support provided by Sandy.
Sandy and I also worked closely during project proposal and planning stages and she was an invaluable source of information during development of the Communications/Safety plans. Her knowledge and experience allowed her to identify potential communications and safety overlap issues and ensure they were properly incorporated into the bids and addressed/resolved in planning. From discussions with other department leads I know Sandy provided this support for other disciplines including engineering, scheduling, environment and quality. These efforts clearly demonstrated that Sandy is an effective team player who cares deeply for the overall success of every project.
Sandy was also instrumental in sourcing and hiring Project Communications personnel and consistently found like minded staff, who through her guidance and mentoring helped support the project goals and needs. Sandy’s ability to find, educate and mentor staff showed her exceptional leadership qualities and the ability to effectively transfer her knowledge to her subordinates. From discussions with senior Client officials I know that Sandy and her teams were well respected and valued for their contributions to both Communications and the overall effectiveness of the Projects.
Sandy would likely say her greatest strengths were addressing the details and planning for projects and once indicated she preferred planning over being the on-camera person. I did however see her perform the on-camera role where she was a very effective and articulate spokesperson.
From my perspective there are no aspects of Communications that Sandy can’t undertake with skill and enthusiasm, and she has more than earned the position she holds and the respect of everyone who’s had the privilege to work with her.