About.

Ian Macdonald, Strategic Partnerships Director, Co-Founder

Ian has worked in strategic marketing and communications for 25 years as a business manager, copywriter, planner and creative director at international agencies Carlson Marketing Group, Vickers & Benson and BBDO. With Vaka, Ian has brought his international experience to Vancouver, the BC interior and the Sunshine Coast, leading a team of exceptionally talented design, communications and project management professionals to deliver world class creative, strategy and results.

Jane Macdonald, Co-Founder

Jane's career took off the moment she was recruited out of Northwestern University in Chicago by Maritz Inc., of St. Louis Missouri, where she went on to design employee engagement, retention and performance improvement systems for Fortune 500 companies. She eventually accepted a transfer to Toronto, Canada to build the Canadian division of the company. Jane's impact was profound, with the company growing from 30 to 150 staff within 24 months, and continuing to this day as a top performance marketing agency. Jane expanded her career into consumer and B2B marketing with two of Toronto's top digital & interactive agencies, before founding Vaka with her partner Ian. Jane provides strategic counsel, planning and key account relationship management.

Lissa Nunweiler, Creative Director

Lissa is the design team leader at Vaka, specializing in branding, experiential & environmental graphic design, interior design and architecture. A graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (now Emily Carr University of Art & Design) in Vancouver, Lissa brings a highly articulate visual language to the communication goals of Vaka clients. Studying art and psychology before obtaining a degree in communication design, Lissa’s appreciation of the relationship between brands and their visual representation is apparent in all of her work. Lissa has been involved in a diverse portfolio of projects, including work for Hilton Hotels, Whole Foods, LAX, and BC Nurses Union. She has also worked extensively for UBC Properties, providing property development packages, wayfinding, donor recognition programs, signage campaign strategies, advertising initiatives and brand identity development.