Professional Staff
Andrew Pottinger Ph.D., APR - Founder
andrew (at) pottingerbird.com
After more than three decades of professional consulting, Mr. Pottinger specializes in strategic communication planning, issues/crisis communications and community relations for property developments. He has worked extensively in the real estate and development field with well-known corporations including Amacon, Anthem , Bastion, British Pacific Properties, Grosvenor Canada, Ivanhoe-Cambridge, Larco, Marathon (Fairmont), Millennium, and Westbank.
Mr. Pottinger founded the current firm in 2004. He was formerly Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Vancouver office of Hill & Knowlton, an international public relations firm. In the community, he has been appointed by Vancouver City Council as a Director of the City of Vancouver's Heritage Foundation and as a Heritage Commissioner. Mr. Pottinger has been an active member of the Vancouver Board of Trade's Community Affairs Committee for many years and a former Director of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pottinger was educated at Keele University in England, McMaster University in Ontario, and the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Ph.D. in English Literature.
In 2016, Andrew left the company in an official capacity to enjoy a well earned retirement. In doing so, Virginia became the sole owner of Pottinger Bird Community Relations.
Mr. Pottinger founded the current firm in 2004. He was formerly Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Vancouver office of Hill & Knowlton, an international public relations firm. In the community, he has been appointed by Vancouver City Council as a Director of the City of Vancouver's Heritage Foundation and as a Heritage Commissioner. Mr. Pottinger has been an active member of the Vancouver Board of Trade's Community Affairs Committee for many years and a former Director of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pottinger was educated at Keele University in England, McMaster University in Ontario, and the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Ph.D. in English Literature.
In 2016, Andrew left the company in an official capacity to enjoy a well earned retirement. In doing so, Virginia became the sole owner of Pottinger Bird Community Relations.
Virginia Bird BA - Principal & Director of Client Services
virginia (at) pottingerbird.com
A community relations professional with close to 10 years of hands-on experience, Virginia Bird has contributed to a variety of successful development approvals since joining the firm in 2006.
Virginia became a Principal of Pottinger Bird in 2013 and is responsible for management and effective execution of all client programs and projects. She is an active member of the Urban Development Institute and currently serves on the organization's membership committee and chair’s the Women of UDI committee. She also serves as a director of the Vancouver Resource Society and the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Virginia became a Principal of Pottinger Bird in 2013 and is responsible for management and effective execution of all client programs and projects. She is an active member of the Urban Development Institute and currently serves on the organization's membership committee and chair’s the Women of UDI committee. She also serves as a director of the Vancouver Resource Society and the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Zoë Boal B.Urb.Dev - Project Manager
zoe (at) pottingerbird.com
Zoë joined the team in February 2015, and brings with her over 5 years of experience from roles in provincial, municipal and the private development industry in both Canada and Australia. Zoë’s experience with statutory planning practices, community engagement and project management, assists our clients in understanding and complying with the various planning processes, requirements and standards. Zoë holds an Honors Degree in Urban and Regional Development (Sustainability) and an Australian Institute of Business accredited Certificate in Project Management.
Within the team, Zoë is responsible for understanding individual client and project needs in order to contribute to the firm’s management and effective execution of programs and projects. Zoe is also responsible for organizing and executing successful public information meetings, open houses, and municipal public hearings.
Within the team, Zoë is responsible for understanding individual client and project needs in order to contribute to the firm’s management and effective execution of programs and projects. Zoe is also responsible for organizing and executing successful public information meetings, open houses, and municipal public hearings.
Kirsten Avison BA - Project Manager
kirsten (at) pottingerbird.com
Kirsten holds a strong understanding of strategic planning, corporate communications and stakeholder engagement. Kirsten puts her skills and experience to good use. She is responsible for planning and executing community relations programs, conducting research and client reporting.
Prior to joining the team at Pottinger Bird in 2017, Kirsten spent over five years at a strategic advisory and public affairs consultancy firm, where she was responsible for project management, business development, research and event planning. She has delivered strategic planning sessions for clients across multiple sectors including real estate development, marine transportation and life sciences.
Kirsten holds BA in Communications, Art & Technology from Simon Fraser University.
Prior to joining the team at Pottinger Bird in 2017, Kirsten spent over five years at a strategic advisory and public affairs consultancy firm, where she was responsible for project management, business development, research and event planning. She has delivered strategic planning sessions for clients across multiple sectors including real estate development, marine transportation and life sciences.
Kirsten holds BA in Communications, Art & Technology from Simon Fraser University.
Giovanni Gunawan BA PDD - Project Coordinator
giovanni (at) pottingerbird.com
Giovanni joined Pottinger Bird in 2016 as a Project Coordinator. With educational backgrounds in Human Geography and Urban Planning, Giovanni is keen to participate in the discussion surrounding land use, development, and community engagement. Giovanni’s strength and expertise lie in his understanding of municipal bylaws and standards, ensuring that our clients will be taken through the approval process as smoothly as possible. Giovanni holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Geography and a Post Degree Diploma in Applied Planning.
Giovanni is responsible for research contributing to the success of client projects; analyzing municipal data, policies, and bylaws to ensure that projects are meeting requirements; and the management of data which promotes clear, strong lines of communication. Giovanni also plans community events such as open houses, public information meetings, and public hearings.
Giovanni is responsible for research contributing to the success of client projects; analyzing municipal data, policies, and bylaws to ensure that projects are meeting requirements; and the management of data which promotes clear, strong lines of communication. Giovanni also plans community events such as open houses, public information meetings, and public hearings.