We decode complexity so you can lead with certainty.

Y Station is your trusted advisor—uncovering critical insights, crafting decisive strategies, and making data-driven decisions so you can lead, build, and succeed.

  • Research 

  • Evaluation 

  • Strategic Communications

  • Strategic Planning & Consulting 

  • Facilitation & Moderation

  • Stakeholder & Public Engagement 

  • Issues & Crisis Management

  • Special Projects

What is a Y Station?

Y Stations were a distributed intelligence collection network in WWI & WWII that fed signal data to central sources – most famously into Bletchley Park. This was critical information the Allies relied upon to make some of the most crucial decisions in both wars. 

We may not locate encroaching U-Boats, but our company nonetheless mirrors our namesake. Seeing an emerging gap in the ability to discover deep, resonant insights and properly serve leaders and organizations dealing with increasingly complex public issues and relationships, research veteran Tracy With and public affairs and engagement specialist Chris Henderson came together to form Y Station Communications & Research.

We are a company obsessed with informing and facilitating critical decision-making. 

We are a strategic communications and research firm committed to guiding leaders and executives through complex challenges and major organizational shifts. 

We find the right signals and untangle the wires to allow you to make the high-stakes decisions you know you need to be making. 

What do we do?

Research

With over 30 years’ experience in insight gathering and a vast quantitative and qualitative research portfolio, we’re a trusted source for clients looking to harness valuable perspectives.

Evaluation

Close the gap between data and decisions. Our team has Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) certification and will help paint a clear picture of where you’re at, what’s standing in your way, and where you should be going. 

Strategic Communications

From speechwriting to communications audits to reputation management, we’ll help you take the right steps to inform your audiences, control your narrative, and shift perceptions.

Issues & Crisis Management

The success of a crisis response is determined by speed and accuracy. With an emphasis on proactive preparation, we provide the support you need at all stages of issues management—from planning, to response, to recovery.

Strategic Planning & Consulting

Elevate your organization’s purpose and move forward with intention. Our strategists will help you define your direction, pinpoint your priorities and create an action plan to get there.

Stakeholder &
Public Engagement

Great engagement builds external confidence in the decisions you make. Hear from the people who matter most to your organization, get to the root of public opinion, and incorporate their insights into the work you do with customized engagement designs. The more complex the issue, the better.

Facilitation & Moderation

We can run your meetings. We’re experts at navigating group dynamics to find answers to tough questions. Our facilitators will help you make the most out of your networks and guide you through the weeds to clarify your direction.

Special Projects

From creating 10-year plans, communicating mergers, dealing with existential threats, and strategic transformations—we know how to guide you through your critical moments.

Who do we work
with?

Whether you are with an association, a non-profit, an institution, a municipality, or a major corporation, you know your business, your ambition, and the critical decisions you need to make. We help you put together the pieces to get you there.

Our recent clients have included:

Agencies, Boards, & Commissions

  • Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board

  • Winnipeg Metropolitan Region Board

  • Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council
    Public Service Pension Plan

  • Automobile Insurance Rate Board of Alberta

Arts & Culture

  • Canadian Alliance of Fringe Festivals

  • Edmonton Heritage Council

  • Two Rivers Gallery

  • Edmonton International Fringe Festival

  • Edmonton Arts Council

Government

  • Government of the Northwest Territories

  • Parks Canada

  • City of Edmonton

  • City of Lethbridge

  • City of Airdrie

  • City of Regina

  • Strathcona County

Health Care

  • Health Sciences Association of Alberta

  • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Saskatchewan

  • College of Opticians of Ontario

  • Alberta Women’s Health Foundation

Industry & Safety

  • Alberta Construction Safety Association

  • General Presidents’ Maintenance Committee/National Maintenance Council

  • CWB Welding Association

Non-Profit

  • End Homelessness Winnipeg

  • Homeward Trust Edmonton

  • Winnifred Stewart Association

  • HIV Edmonton

  • Archive Society of Alberta

Post-Secondary

  • University of British Columbia Properties Trust

  • University of Alberta

  • University of Calgary

Private Sector

  • ATCO

  • Shell plc

  • MacLab Developments

  • Varme Energy

  • We Know Training

Who is Y Station?

When the stakes are high and the challenges are complex, Y Station is your partner in uncovering critical insights, problem solving, and navigating critical decisions. With rare talent and deep expertise, our team works alongside you to deliver what others can’t— clarity and confidence when it matters most.

Tracy With - Partner & Chief of Research & Evaluation
Chris Henderson - Partner & Chief Strategist

  • PARTNER & CHIEF OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

    One of our founding partners, Tracy With is one of the only Credentialed Evaluators in Alberta, and has been leading research teams and complex projects for more than 20 years.

    Roles: Evaluation, Market Research, Research Design, Public Engagement, Stakeholder Engagement, Session Facilitation

  • PARTNER & CHIEF STRATEGIST

    Chris is an award-winning strategist, campaign manager, and advisor known for his work leading complex social, political, cultural, and economic initiatives and organizational transformations.

    Roles: Executive Support and Coaching, Campaign Development, Strategic Planning, Comprehensive Strategic Communications, Public & Stakeholder Engagement, Session Moderation & Facilitation

Jillian Nason - Director of Operations
Emily Mack - Senior Research Associate

  • DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    In addition to deftly leading the day-to-day operations of Y Station, Jillian brings deep expertise in marketing and project management from years of running major, multi-million dollar and multi-channel campaigns on-time and on-budget.

    Roles: Project Management, Organizational Operations, Marketing Content, Public & Stakeholder Engagement Management, Session Facilitation

  • SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

    For 16 years, Emily has been running research programming and analysis for every evolution of Y Station - in the process, she has created hundreds of surveys, data tables, and presentations for clients of every shape, size, and sector.

    Roles:Evaluation, Market Research, Research Design, Data Analysis, Public Engagement, Stakeholder Engagement

Ann Gordon-Tighe - Strategist
Anthony Fisher - Research Associate
Amanda Henry - Strategist

  • STRATEGIST

    Amanda has spent two decades strengthening every organization she works with. Her career has been focused on high-impact roles as a governance director, policy director, non-profit executive, and Chief of Staff in government.

    Roles: Governance Advising, Strategic Planning, Comprehensive Strategic Communications, Public & Stakeholder Engagement, Session Facilitation

  • RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

    Anthony designs rigorous research and leads our data collection team, applying an MSc in Risk & Community Resilience to real-world problem-solving, and highly-regarded jurisdictional scans.

    Roles: Evaluation, Market Research, Research Design, Data Analysis, Public Engagement, Stakeholder Engagement, Session Facilitation

  • STRATEGIST

    Armed with an MA in Communication & Technology, leadership roles on successful election campaigns, and experience in municipal political offices in Alberta & BC, Ann’s practice focuses on city-building and public-sector strategy & communications.

    Roles:Campaign Development, Strategic Planning, Comprehensive Strategic Communications, Public & Stakeholder Engagement, Session Facilitation

Shereen Zink - Strategist
Nickela Anderson - Senior Research Associate

  • STRATEGIST

    Shereen is a natural capacity-builder. Whether leading new communications formats in marketing agencies, acting as an in-house publisher, or advising clients across Canada as a strategic counsellor and communications auditor - her work addresses challenges with clarity and impact.

    Roles: Strategic Planning, Comprehensive Strategic Communications, Marketing Content, Communications Auditing, Public & Stakeholder Engagement, Session Moderation & Facilitation

  • SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

    Applying a MA in Sociology, Nickela brings over 14 years designing and managing  public sector and government research and corporate planning focusing on safety, health care, and education.

    Roles: Evaluation, Market Research, Research Design, Data Analysis, Public Engagement, Stakeholder Engagement, Session Facilitation

Drop us a line!

Have a question you need answered? A problem you need solved? An idea you want to build on?

We’re here to help.