Our Story
Your Partner in Strategic Communications and Business Development
At Grapevine Communications, we believe in the power of stories to inspire, connect, and drive change. With over 18 years of experience in strategic communications and business development, our team is dedicated to helping organizations and individuals amplify their messages and achieve their goals.
Based in Ontario and Alberta, and serving clients across diverse industries, we specialize in crafting compelling narratives, fostering growth, and promoting innovation. Our expertise spans a wide range of communication services, including public relations, digital marketing, content creation, and community engagement.
Whether you’re looking to build your brand, enhance your online presence, or engage with your community, Grapevine Communications is here to support you every step of the way. Let us help you tell your story and make a lasting impact.
Explore our services and discover how Grapevine Communications can make a difference for you. Together, we can turn your vision into reality.
Proud Operator of the:
The Crisis Communications Institute is a communications agency specializing in Crisis + Emergency Management Communications training and response.
CCI offers the EMC Certification™ Training for individuals and PREP Accreditation™ for companies who are committed to upholding a standard of excellence in an emergency or crisis situation. The programs are rooted in the foundation of preparedness and science-backed.
CCI helps leaders create strategies to respond to disaster emergencies and crisis. With a deep level of experience in crisis communications leadership, we provide strategic emergency management communications services across private, public, and non-profit sectors including training, government relations, policy analysis, stakeholder relations, crisis communications response, and project management. Contact us to discuss how we can help you with your crisis + emergency management communications training and response needs.
KATIE ROBERTSON
President + CEO, Lead Education Facilitator
Katie has 18 years of professional communications experience in a variety of public affairs roles and capacities, including leading teams, strategic planning, budget planning, and project/campaign development and management. Her ability to lead, plan, and meet project deadlines, within budget, by going the extra mile in collaborating and relationship building has contributed greatly to the success of people she has worked with.
Katie Robertson, Founder and CEO of CCI, has always been passionate about developing and upholding a standard of excellence in emergency + crisis communications, and after many years of running a general PR agency, decided to further her vision by developing the EMC Certification™ program for emergency management and crisis communications professionals who are as dedicated to excellence as she is.
Katie is a passionate, creative, and community-minded communications professional. She is a charismatic, creative, and strategic media and communications expert and entrepreneur with 16 years of industry-related experience. As a graduate of the public relations program at Guelph-Humber, and subsequent communications schooling through Athabasca University, Katie turns her vision into tangible results for others using the skills and knowledge she has honed over the years.
She possesses a diverse skill set, sound decision-making capabilities, and the desire to encourage and promote growth and innovation. Katie highly values empowerment and this is demonstrated through her leadership approach of helping others rise to the occasion.
The drive to help people carries over to her personal life. Katie is an active volunteer and contributor in her community. Serving others is a key value for Katie and she demonstrates that through her work with non-profits as well as the various organizations and campaigns she organizes. When she’s not working, she spends her time volunteering as a social justice and human rights advocate, as well as a climate activist. She volunteers with the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, and is the founder of YEGMAG, a Mutual Aid Group to support those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Katie is also interested in politics, and governance. Throughout her working career, she has worked for politicians on all levels of government, served as an elected official for a municipality in Ontario, and has been a member of many not-for-profit boards including President of the Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, and most recently as a board member for interVivos in Edmonton.
ADVISORY BOARD & Associates
Rooted in preparedness. Backed by science.
The Crisis Communications Institute (CCI) developed the EMC Certification™ Program using a peer-reviewed method and incorporating the latest research and findings through respected emergency response agencies including the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). We also consult with veteran crisis communicators on a regular basis.
We Can’t Do This Alone (and we don’t want to)
We believe the training and education material is only valid and useful when it’s actually been tested. That’s why we are committed to staying connected to and maintaining a network of professionals in both communications and emergency management.
The contributions of advisory board members and associates are invaluable in supporting organizational readiness. It is a community committed to elevating the standards of crisis communications.
If you’re a professional in emergency management or crisis communications, and interested in joining our advisory board, or as an associate, please contact us.
PREP Podcast™
Preparedness Saves Lives™
The Crisis Communications Institute (CCI) hosts the PREP Podcast™. A community for crisis and emergency management communicators to connect with experts in the field. We discuss all things crisis communications including the science behind it.
If you’re a professional in EM or crisis communications, and interested in being a guest on an episode, please contact us.