With nearly two decades in the marketing industry, Lee Waltham has led Brandish to become a people-first agency, pioneering initiatives like value-based billing and a four-day workweek. He coined the phrase It’s About People—the guiding philosophy behind Brandish’s culture and client work. His leadership emphasizes sustainable growth, team well-being, and meaningful relationships. Under his guidance, Brandish expanded westward, merging with Alberta’s RED The Agency. Lee is also a co-founder of the MB Studio Fund, supporting diversity in design through annual scholarships for Manitoba students.

Derek is the Co-Founder of Brandish and helped shape its people-first agency model, leading initiatives like value-based billing and a four-day workweek. Under his leadership, Brandish expanded westward, merging with Alberta’s RED The Agency. A strong supporter of basketball and youth sport in Manitoba, Derek has contributed to projects with Sport Manitoba and the Winnipeg Sea Bears. He currently serves on the board of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and is a proud University of Winnipeg alumnus.

Since joining in 2017, Alexandra has been instrumental in shaping the agency’s brand strategy discipline, leading national campaigns for clients such as AutoCanada, Wawanesa Insurance, and Robertson College. Alexandra’s approach combines strategic insight with a deep understanding of human behavior, crafting brands that resonate and inspire change. She is a proud alumna of the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytenchnic’s Creative Communications Program underscoring her commitment to thoughtful, people-centered marketing.

With a background in design, Justine brings a creative, systems-thinking approach to operations. Since joining in 2020, Justine has led the development of Brandish’s internal operating system—one that’s deeply human-centered, scalable, and built to support both people and performance. Her ability to bridge creative thinking with operational structure has helped the agency grow while staying true to its values. Justine is a proud University of Manitoba alumna and a strong advocate for thoughtful, intentional workplace design.

Cleo is a passionate advocate for strategic storytelling that resonates with real people. With a background in filmmaking, Cleo brings a sharp creative lens to integrated campaigns across PR, content, and communications. She was recognized in 2024 as CPRS Manitoba’s Communicator of the Year, and her work has been featured in AdAge, Maclean’s, and local news outlets across Manitoba and Alberta. Cleo is committed to building brands that connect, inspire, and drive meaningful results.

Jon brings a unique blend of storytelling and strategic insight to the agency. With a background in acting and a start in copywriting—landing his first job with a portfolio of haikus —he has led award-winning campaigns and collaborated with top agencies like Rethink. Jon is passionate about crafting narratives that resonate deeply with audiences and drive meaningful change. His leadership at Brandish continues to push creative boundaries, fostering work that is both impactful and people-centered

Lori is the Managing Director, West at Brandish, bringing over 35 years of experience in the design and advertising industries. As the founder of RED The Agency, she has led award-winning campaigns for clients like OK Tire, the Edmonton Oilers, and EPCOR. Lori is passionate about community engagement, supporting initiatives such as WIN House and advocating for gender-based violence awareness. Her leadership emphasizes people-first values, fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful change within the industry

Dan brings 15 years of experience in digital marketing and analytics. His expertise lies in driving measurable results across industries by building and leading high-performing digital teams. Dan’s strategic approach focuses on optimizing performance and fostering growth through data-driven decision-making. His leadership has been key to advancing Brandish’s digital capabilities and delivering marketing solutions that not only resonate with audiences but also drive real business impact.

With a background in visual communications, Candice excels at translating complex ideas into compelling visual narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Her collaborative approach and attention to detail have been instrumental in delivering impactful campaigns across various industries. Candice is a proud alumna of Red River College and continues to inspire through her dedication to creative excellence.

Chloe brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to visual storytelling. A graduate of Red River College Design Program, Chloe combines design craft with strategic thinking to create brand experiences that resonate. Her work reflects a deep understanding of how design can inspire connection and clarity. Known for her collaborative spirit and attention to detail, Chloe contributes to a wide range of creative projects, helping brands communicate with authenticity and purpose.

Jillian began as an intern and quickly carved out a key role on the team. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Creative Industries program, she blends media production and storytelling to craft communications and events that resonate with Winnipeg’s business and creative communities. Jillian helped launch Brandish’s signature meet-up and headshot events, Re:union and Re:takes, which bring people together through creativity and connection.

Victoria specializes in client success and process optimization. With a background in UX strategy, Victoria brings a user-centered approach to project management, ensuring that client needs are met with efficiency and creativity. Her experience in both UX and project coordination allows her to bridge the gap between design and execution, delivering cohesive and impactful solutions. Victoria is dedicated to fostering collaborative environments that drive meaningful results.