Professional Staff
Andrew Pottinger Ph.D., APR - Principal
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.
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.
Virginia Bird BA - Principal
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.
Kelsey Pfeiffer BA - Project Manager
kelsey (at) pottingerbird.com
After many years in Australia, Kelsey returned to hometown Vancouver and joined the team in early 2017. With her she brings a great deal of experience in public outreach and communications, having run her own sales and marketing company for the past 6 years.
Kelsey joins the Pottinger Bird team as a Project Coordinator. Keen to learn and grow professionally, she is now responsible for research, creating project material, engaging community members and organizing and executing community events. Kelsey graduated with Honors from the University of Victoria, majoring in Political Science.
Kelsey joins the Pottinger Bird team as a Project Coordinator. Keen to learn and grow professionally, she is now responsible for research, creating project material, engaging community members and organizing and executing community events. Kelsey graduated with Honors from the University of Victoria, majoring in Political Science.
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.
