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Public & Government Affairs Department Staff

Geoff Pradella
Vice-President, Public & Government Affairs

Provides strategic leadership in the areas of policy research and formulation; building and enhancing profile and reputation as the business forum for policy debate; grant and funding proposals for leading-edge policy and research initiatives; committee support and engagement; and advocacy of members' policy priorities .

Geoff Pradella was appointed to the position of VP, Public and Government Relations for the Chamber in January 2007. Pradella comes to the Chamber with a BA, International Relations, a BA, (Honours) in Law (UK, EU and International Public Law), an LL.M, Medical Jurisprudence & Ethics and International Criminal Law, and an M.A. Law. Pradella is also a Fellow Emeritus, Center for the Study of the Presidency (Washington, DC).

Pradella is published nationally and internationally in the fields of health care policy, medical law and medical ethics. He brings international and federal government relations experience, working abroad and within Canada with all levels of government.

Ben Brunnen
Director of Policy and Research and Chief Economist

Leads and is responsible for the development, implementation, direction and management of the Chamber’s economic and public policy and advocacy efforts, including the conduct and direction of research, policy formulation, and strategy. In advocacy and engagement, he will also lead efforts to build and maintain key stakeholder relationships, including the Chamber’s membership and volunteer committees – all focused on further enhancing the profile and effectiveness of the Chamber, and our credibility and recognition as a leading edge advocate of economic and public policy solutions that improve the business climate for our members.

Ben has over seven years experience in economic and public policy research and analysis, and has held policy positions with the B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Canada West Foundation. Ben holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Victoria, and a BA in Economics from the University of Calgary. He has published and consulted in the fields of regional economic development, municipal finance and governance, skilled labour shortages, and Aboriginal education and employment.

Thomas Palak
Policy & Communications Strategist

Supports the Chamber's policy committees and initiatives through research and the development of policy positions and programs, the identification of priority issues, guest speaker and event opportunities, internal and external policy surveys and communications strategies that serve to engage members' interest, and enhance the profile and effectiveness of the Chamber's policy program.

Thomas holds two degrees, a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, from the University of Calgary. His communication training includes a Journalism Certificate obtained from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and a Public Relations Certificate at Mount Royal University. In addition to his six years of experience in the Chamber's Public & Government Affairs Department, Tom has previously worked as a freelance writer and an assistant in a small accounting company.

Alejandro Garcia
Analyst and Committee Administrator

Alejandro holds a Masters degree in political science from the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor's degree in economics from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. He has a strong interest in economic and public policy issues, and has experience working as a Policy Research Analyst with the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and as a Research Analyst with the Bank of Mexico.