John Zerucelli
Toronto,ON
Summary
Corporate affairs executive with over 20 years of experience working in the highest political offices in Canada. An internal/external communications expert, with significant event management experience, which includes organizing the 2018 G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec. A lawyer, with experience in commercial litigation and regulatory work at one Canada’s leading law firms. Significant experience fundraising, stakeholder management and leading corporate projects.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Government and Corporate Affairs
Labatt Breweries of Canada
Toronto, ON
04.2021 - Current
- Lead Labatt's government and corporate affairs in Canada
- Top Performer Award 2023, Global Differentiation Award Winner 2023, invited to enter partnership 2023
- Successfully coordinated industry-wide lobby campaign to reduce excise tax by almost 5%
- Over $20M received in matching grants for CAPEX investments 2021-2023
- Lobbied to eliminate excise tax on non-alcoholic beer, and to preserve excise exempt status for Canadian made cider
VP Public Affairs
Universal Music
Toronto, ON
04.2018 - 04.2021
- Responsible for developing and leading public affairs and government relations strategies in Canada and advising on international trade agreements
- Also responsible for philanthropy, internal and (advising on) external communications, and CEO directed projects
- Advised on the creation and fundraising for the Shawn Mendes Foundation in Canada (established in partnership with Sick Kids Hospital)
- Negotiated philanthropy agreements with the Pinball Clemons Foundation, the Remix Project, and with Plan International
- Developed lobbying strategy for the successful implementation of national treatment provisions in the USMCA
- Developed and executed internal communication strategies in response to COVID-19 and UMC's response to #Blackouttuesday and the Black Lives Matter movement
- Established new partner relationships with the Ottawa Senators, and with the Overactive Media Group (first relationship of its kind for a record label and esports organization)
- Member of Executive Team, Leadership Team and co-chair of the Philanthropy Committee
Sr. Advisor and Director of Operations
Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Ottawa, ON
01.2015 - 03.2018
- Responsible for the management of the second largest department in the Prime Minister's Office (20 people), comprised of the regional desks (team responsible for regional issues management and outreach), tour/events & scheduling, and correspondence
- Member of PM's Senior Staff
- Organized the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec (budget over $250m)
- Working with other departments, responsible for brand and visual identity for the Prime Minister domestically and internationally
- As member of Sr
- Staff, responsible for advising the Prime Minister on a wide range of matters
- Prepared talking points and advised the PM on issues in advance of National Caucus meetings
- Managed and negotiated international visits to Washington DC, China, World Economic Forum (Davos), Italy, Mexico, Vatican, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Cuba, Vietnam, and Argentina
- Responsible for the organization of The North American Leaders Summit, the Global Fund Replenishment Conference, Canada Day (Canada150) and numerous incoming leader visits including visit by Premier Li, President Obama and Vice-President Biden
- Significant issues management experience
- Recognized as one of the Top 50 influential Torontonians by Toronto Life Magazine (2016) and recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential people in Ottawa (2016, 2017, 2018) by the Hill Times.
Chief of Staff
Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for Poverty Reduction
Toronto, ON
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Minister's office, including overall policy direction, communications, HR and budgets
- Managed and supervised a team of 20
Associate
Dentons Canada
Toronto, ON
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Called to the bar in Ontario (2011)
- Practice focused on corporate & commercial litigation, regulatory and government relations
- Counsel for Klondex Mines on a successful motion to stay proceedings based on forum non conveniens (affirmed by Court of Appeal)
- Successfully represented a confidential company in commercial arbitration over quality of goods
- Advised on the Canadian regulatory environment for a ride sharing service considering entry into Canada
- Member of the Ontario Bar Association
- Expertise in the lobbying laws in Canada
Education
J.D. -
University of Ottawa
01.2010
B.A. (Hons) -
Queens' University
01.2001
Skills
- Public relations expert
- Media Relations
- Presentations and public speaking
- Mediation
- Legal Analysis
- Litigation Experience
- Strategic Planning
- Legal writing
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Analytical Thinking
- Policy analysis
- Public Policy
- Issue Resolution
- Crisis Management
- Communication Planning
- Written Communication
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Self Motivation
- Event Planning
- Relationship Building
- Digital Communications
- Employee Communications
- Speech Writing
- Press releases
- Internal Communications
- Communications strategy
- Fundraising
Certification
- Called to the Bar, Law Society of Ontario (2011)
Volunteer Experience
- Global Citizen Canada, Board Member
- Villa Charities Foundation, Board Member
- Writers' Trust of Canada, 2024 Gala Fundraising Committee Member
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Government and Corporate Affairs
Labatt Breweries of Canada
04.2021 - Current
VP Public Affairs
Universal Music
04.2018 - 04.2021
Sr. Advisor and Director of Operations
Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
01.2015 - 03.2018
Chief of Staff
Office of the President of the Treasury Board and Minister for Poverty Reduction
01.2014 - 01.2015
Associate
Dentons Canada
01.2011 - 01.2014
J.D. -
University of Ottawa
B.A. (Hons) -
Queens' University
- Called to the Bar, Law Society of Ontario (2011)
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