We are a Canadian owned and operated business that offers a multi-dimensional approach to all our clients and projects. Launched in the 1980s to provide association management, we have expanded to become a multi-dimensional company – offering a diverse portfolio of services. Today, we are a highly respected firm working with a diverse clientele, locally and internationally. Things have changed over the decades – technology, systems, expectations, and of course Covid – but we have never shied away from the new, or run from a challenge. Our care, commitment, and enthusiasm to work towards the best solutions for our clients remains strong and steady. We welcome the opportunity to help you not only navigate the road ahead but find new paths and prospects.
Ruth is CEO of Canadian-based Base Consulting and Management Inc., focusing on the association management, not-for-profit, charitable and consulting fields. She has lived and worked in Canada, the UK and France and speaks English, French and German. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, business and partnership development, marketing, programming, association administration and operational oversight, organizational financial planning, board development and governance, international convention management and senior not-for-profit and charitable sector recruitment.
Ruth participates in several industry associations including the Association Management Companies Institute (Immediate Past Chair of the Canadian chapter, former global Board Member, various committees), Canadian Society of Association Executives, American Society of Association Executives, The Institute of Corporate Directors (Not-for-profit sector chapter member) and Meeting Professionals International, where she has held various volunteer leadership roles over the years. In her Toronto community, Ruth has served on both the governance and strategic planning committees of the Mackenzie Health Foundation and is a Past Chair of the Board and current Advocacy Committee member at social services agency JVS Toronto, which has a strong area of focus in youth and youth employment programs. Ruth is an Advisory Board member of Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking.
As Vice President at Base Consulting, Emma is recognized for her leadership, professionalism, industry knowledge and innovation. In her sixteen years providing creative, solution-oriented guidance to associations, charities and foundations, producing conferences, trade shows and events, Emma has been team lead for various social services, insurance, accounting, healthcare sector, pharmaceutical and art world clients. Emma provides governance, Board support and direction and routinely develops strategic approaches to marketing and partnership development. She has also directed various integrated platform launches for national groups, with both federated and independent chapter models.
Emma holds volunteer roles with various industry professional associations, as well as providing counsel to start-up associations and taking leading roles in her own community organizations. She currently is a Member of AMCIs Emerging Leaders Program and serves on the PCMA Canada East Chapter Education & Events Committee.
Emma presents regularly at industry events including PCMA CE, AMCI, CSAE. Emma previously spent 10 years in the corporate world, including as Meetings and Events Director at Environics Analytics.
Marie is a Director with Base Consulting, serving as Executive Director for Base Consulting clients. Running her own Ottawa-based association management consultancy, Marie has over 30 years’ experience in association management and event planning, as well as seven years in the hospitality industry. She has planned and executed conferences across Canada, the United States and abroad (Puerto Rico, Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo), and is fluent in French, English and Spanish. Marie specializes in the administration of non-profit organizations, the planning and implementation of event logistics, marketing, and stakeholder liaison.
Marie volunteers extensively in leadership capacities in various community organizations.
Amanda joined the Base Consulting team in July 2017. She studied neuropsychology at Carleton University and graduated from the special event management program at George Brown College. She has had the opportunity to help orchestrate a multitude of events but has found her passion in association management and conference planning. She is currently responsible for supporting the work of several national associations across diverse sectors, both on the association management side and in producing multiple events across Canada and in the US.
Heather brings strong expertise in project management, business intelligence, data management, and administration, along with a highly developed approach to customer and member relationship management. With nearly 20 years of experience working with global and North American clients across various sectors – including 7 years in Canada – Heather has a broad understanding of cultures and diversity.
Heather holds both a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies in English and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Liverpool Hope University in England.
Cara brings more than 20 years of membership, sponsorship and award-winning event design expertise to Base Consulting. She is very immersed in the Association world, working with associations both large and small for most of her career. Cara brings her meeting and event experience to our clients in the charitable space.
Gavin Abrahamson serves as Director of Operations and Business Development at Base Consulting and Management Inc., where he drives organizational growth through strategic partnerships, business development, operational leadership, and marketing initiatives. Drawing on more than a decade of international experience across consulting, technology, mobility, and professional sports, Gavin specializes in identifying new opportunities, creating sustainable revenue streams, and building high-value relationships that help organizations thrive. His combination of commercial expertise, global perspective, and client-focused approach makes him a key contributor to BASE’s continued success and the long-term growth of its clients.
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