Amanda van Baarsen is a Vice President at Counsel Public Affairs, based in Victoria.

Bringing more than a decade of public affairs experience, Amanda specializes in strategic planning and crisis management.

Amanda worked for the B.C. NDP in opposition and in government. She has built meaningful connections with new and long-serving MLAs and she has a deep understanding of how the B.C. government works.

Amanda served in ministries that were key priorities of the B.C. government, such as Health, Advanced Education, and Citizen Services. She was a trusted senior advisor, helping to manage some of the most challenging issues facing the government. This included playing a valued role in the coordination of B.C.’s internationally recognized pandemic response.

As a frequent lead on the government’s public engagement, Amanda has participated in hundreds of meetings across a variety of sectors. These sectors include senior business executives, health professional organizations, industry associations, labour leaders, municipal, federal, and Indigenous leaders, and leaders of faith communities. She understands what effective government engagement looks and sounds like. Amanda uses those skills to help clients make the most of their interactions with officials – focusing on the right decision-makers with the right message.