Who We Are


Once upon a time (1983), we established a Kitchener based
communications agency.


John Short

Creative Director

Right-brained thinking and left-brained business experience fuels John’s unique approach to creative design and communications challenges. Working in the corporate sector, he managed both national and international brands for over 15 years.

His entrepreneurial career began in 1983 when he founded his Kitchener-based agency. John is particularly interested in innovative activities that create more sustainable businesses and communities.


Rebecca Short

Arts and Culture Strategist

Chemicals, plastics, tire companies; they’ve all benefited from the research, strategic planning and market interpretations of Rebecca Short. She’s headed up research, product development and business teams for multinational organizations.

Since joining Machteld Faas Xander as Partner in 2001, Rebecca has used her talents to enrich our organization with her particular passion and commitment to arts and culture, business, community and economic development.


Kelly Legault

Client Relations Manager

After earning a Business Degree with a Marketing Specialty, Kelly went to work in marketing communications and gained over 17 years of marketing communications experience with both large and small companies on both the client and agency sides.

Since joining the MFX team in 2008, Kelly manages all the details of the projects created here at Machteld Faas Xander. And with her broad ranging skill-set, she can, and does get involved in so much more!


Neil Lippert

Senior Communication Designer

Neil is an Honours Graduate of the highly acclaimed Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Advertising and Graphic Design Program.

Beginning with us in 2009, we benefit from Neil’s talent and his drive to learn. In addition to his traditional design and illustration skills, Neil is successfully adding to his experience in the digital world- combining quality design with digital knowledge that translates into efficient web site development and programming.


Nancy Arredondo

Communication Designer

Nancy is schooled in architectural design and earned a degree in Visual Arts from Centro Regional de Estudios Superiores Palmore in Mexico.

Since graduation she has been exposed to a diverse range of design experience. From working with trade show display development, to consumer advertising projects and business-to-business communications campaigns. We are proud to incorporate Nancy’s talents into the full service mix we offer our clients.


Jessica Colwell

Social Media Specialist

Always searching for ways to express her love of logic and creativity … combine these passions with her work ethic and it’s no surprise that she graduated at the top of her class from Conestoga College’s Advertising Program.

She has found the ultimate way to channel these passions. Jessica’s experience doing branding and creative work for local and international companies has inspired her to focus on becoming a specialist in the social media field to explore the opportunities of this exciting new medium.


Robert Miniou

Financial Officer

Developing and maintaining strong administration support as our company grows is critically important. In that regard, we are well served by the efficiency, knowledge and analytical skills of Robert Miniou.

His previous accounting experience with large and small operations in Canada are being put to good use here at Machteld Faas Xander—providing much needed accounting/financial systems support for the team.


Brent Schmidt associate—Strategic Fuel Inc.

Research Director/Stakeholder Engagement

Working at MFX since 2003, Brent fuels marketers and leadership teams with the strategic insights they need to boost innovation and marketing performance.

He is a sought after marketing strategist and market researcher with almost twenty years of senior-level experience, guiding marketing professionals and business owners in Canada and the US.


Cheryl A. Ewing associate—Cheryl A. Ewing Consultants

Facilitator

Cheryl establishes a safe environment for her participants, one where trust and respect are paramount. Her consensus driven process leads to effective and creative solutions. With over three decades of senior-level experience and, hands-on experience in the municipal, educational, non-profit and private sectors, she has a client base across Canada.