Alberta Counsel Promotes Three from Within

Jennele Giong – Director of Natural Resources

Jennele Giong

Director of Natural Resources

Jennele Giong is dedicated to supporting Alberta's energy sector as the Director of Natural Resources at Alberta Counsel. A proud graduate of the University of Calgary with a degree in Law & Society and Business, Jennele brings a thoughtful approach to the complexities of natural resource management.

Her journey into politics began in 2017, working alongside respected leaders like Brian Jean and Todd Loewen within the United Conservative Party (UCP). In 2018, she took the step to run for the UCP Calgary Northwest Nomination, gaining valuable experience that deepened her understanding of public service. Working with former Premier Jason Kenney further shaped her perspective on government and policy.

As a small business owner in Fort McMurray, Jennele understands the challenges and opportunities facing local communities. In her role at Alberta Counsel, she focuses on helping clients navigate the intricacies of provincial and municipal issues in the energy sector. Jennele is highly skilled at crafting customized strategies that meet both short-term needs and long-term objectives, all while building strong relationships with key decision-makers within the UCP government.

Jennele is particularly passionate about advocating for Alberta’s natural resources, especially in light of the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry. She believes in the importance of exporting Alberta’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets and is committed to educating Canadians about the province’s efficient and clean energy production. Additionally, she actively supports the development of clean energy initiatives, including hydrogen, as part of a broader strategy to transition to sustainable energy sources.

Through her work, Jennele strives to contribute to the conversation about Alberta's resources while supporting her clients in achieving their aspirations. With a genuine commitment to Alberta’s energy future, she continues to advocate for both traditional and innovative energy solutions that benefit the province and its communities.

Aileen Burke – Senior Associate

Aileen Burke

Senior Associate

Aileen is Alberta Counsel’s nonprofit and voluntary sector (NPVS) lead. An experienced lobbyist, researcher, facilitator, and communicator, she is experienced with creating and adapting policies and procedures and complex problem-solving. She has significant knowledge of the non-profit industry, with more than 15 years of front-line, management, and volunteer experience in the non-profit sector. Aileen pursued her master’s degree in political science from the University of Lethbridge, where her work focused on public policy and systems integration as it relates to the Housing First philosophy. She has put her expertise in political advocacy into action with a run for office at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

As the NPVS lead, Aileen is responsible for the strategic oversight of Alberta Counsel’s NPVS portfolio and the NPVS Capacity-Building Program – a program built to provide a low-barrier access point for nonprofits to enter the government relations arena. In her day-to-day work, Aileen collaborates with her clients to identify key strategic priorities for moving forward with the government and assists them with finding alignment between their priorities and government priorities. She also assists with drafting briefing notes, accessing funding, and providing advocacy training. Aileen believes that now more than ever, it’s essential that the NPVS impact is shared with and understood by the government, and she works diligently with her clients to ensure that their voices are heard.

Justin Gotfried, MIB – Senior Associate

Justin Gotfried, MIB

Senior Associate

Justin Gotfried is a seasoned government relations strategist with a decade of experience navigating the complexities of municipal, provincial, and federal government networks. His career includes roles on Parliament Hill and with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, where he contributed to policy discussions, stakeholder consultations, and supported legislative processes. Additionally, Justin has managed successful political campaigns at both federal and provincial levels, demonstrating his expertise in political strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Currently serving as a Senior Associate at Alberta Counsel, Justin specializes in government relations and global strategy. His work involves building and maintaining critical relationships across Alberta’s political landscape, ensuring clients' voices are effectively heard and represented within the legislative process. As part of his role, he contributes to Alberta Counsel's global engagement strategy, focusing on key opportunities that impact regional and international projects, trade, and investment. Justin’s insights help shape the firm’s international engagement, bringing a global perspective to local government relations.

Justin’s academic background further solidifies his expertise in international business and trade. He holds a Master of International Business from Queen's University, where he completed an academic exchange in Singapore. He also holds a Diploma in International Trade from the Ottawa-based Forum for International Trade Training, a BBA in International Business from Mount Royal University, and is currently pursuing the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation.