About Us

Our Team

Our Team

Mike Watson

Mike Watson

Principal
As the founder and principal of Ignite Management Services Ltd., Mike has been a trusted advisor to many of BC’s most influential businesses across the private, public and social sectors. He has more than 18 years of progressive management experience and deep industry expertise in all facets of organizational management, including marketing, human resources, technology, sales, and finance. During his tenure as Vice President of a large BC-based credit union, Mike led the organization in a new, award-winning direction that remains evident today.

Mike is an active leader in the business community. He currently serves as a Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair of the Board of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the Pacific Carbon Trust.

 

He has an extensive network in the BC business community and is highly respected from corporate board rooms to small business round tables. An exceptionally skilled broker, Mike's connection to the small business community, coupled with his deep understanding of financial services, has enabled him to guide buyers and sellers towards "win-win" solutions and mutually beneficial business transactions.

 

Currently, Mike spends his time bringing his unique approach to leadership to organizations through his consultation services. He specializes in strategic growth consulting and business management consulting, and has received accolades for his facilitation skills, strategic planning abilities, and most importantly, his ability to help teams move forward. Mike’s approach is built on generating internal engagement, getting to the real issues, and reaching practical recommendations.

 

At Wazuku, Mike brings his strategic instincts, strong facilitation capabilities, passion and energy to his clients. His helps them simplify the complex and move forward with deliberate tactics propelling them towards their end goal. His research into policy alternatives that foster a strong economy, uniquely position him to help companies identify how they can influence an agenda in a way that promotes economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the community. Mike’s approach allows for the art of the possible but translates into the pragmatic.

 

Mike has a BSC from the University of British Columbia and has two children.


Brad Zubyk

Brad Zubyk

Principal
Brad Zubyk has been at the forefront of strategic communications in BC since 1993. After leaving the BC Government where he served as Communications Director, Brad has worked as an advisor to a wide range of private sector clients and has served as a campaign strategist for political parties in Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Brad has a deep passion for learning and this is reflected in his knowledge of how government works. He offers an important advantage to clients through his knowledge and access to key influencers across multiple sectors. He has extensive experience helping clients navigate the political landscape and move initiatives forward at both the municipal and provincial level. His success is built on a profound understanding of the decision-making process and a straightforward approach that reflects the belief the best resolution can be reached by clearly articulating the shared interest of the government and the client. Brad also has strong relationships with the broader stakeholder community including businesses and community groups  - an additional dimension to his ability to achieve success.

 

Having lived and worked in BC for more than 30 years, Brad has built close, authentic, professional relationships with print, radio and TV journalists. He is highly respected for his ability to keenly discern politics of the day and regularly appears as a pundit in the BC media.

 

Brad brings a unique skill set to Wazuku. With an uncanny knack for understanding human behaviour, supported by his ability to analyze public policy, he creates innovative, effective strategic solutions that help strengthen his clients’ reputation and achieve tangible results. His experience performing senior leadership functions on multiple provincial and municipal election campaigns supports his ability to counsel companies on positioning their government requests and facilitating the dialogue between clients and decision-makers.

 

He has an MA in Economics and has two grown daughters.


Stephen Kukucha

Stephen Kukucha

Principal
Stephen, a practicing lawyer, has been a leader in public policy, politics and business in British Columbia and Canada for over 20 years. Politically, Stephen has been involved in an advisory capacity to Prime Ministers, Premiers, Cabinet Ministers and both Members of Parliament and Member of the Legislature.

In business, Stephen founded both a renewable power company and a strategic advisory firm in 2007.  Ku Group Holdings was a strategic advisory firm that included international business partnerships and also offered advisory services including regulatory and legal affairs, government and industry affairs, strategic planning, policy development, strategic communications and business development.  Atla Energy Corporation developed renewable energy projects focused on transforming existing energy systems through the utilization of technology, innovation and cleaner, greener alternative power generation.  As a founder, Stephen was involved at every level of both companies including finance, legal and corporate development, Aboriginal and industry partnerships, engaging stakeholders, project management and relations with customers and governments.   In early 2010, Stephen sold Atla Energy to Syntaris Power.  Following the sale, Stephen became President of Syntaris Power Company later that year.

 

Prior to Ku Group, Atla Energy and Syntaris Power, Stephen spent over 7 years with Ballard Power Systems as Director, External Affairs and Emerging Market Business Development.  In this role, he led the company’s globally focused External Affairs group that included business development efforts in Asia, with an emphasis on China.  He also utilized his law degree handling employment, labor and litigation matters.  During this time, Stephen served, and helped lead, several industry associations and partnerships including the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance (Chair), National Hydrogen Association (Director), US Fuel Cells Council (Director), World Fuel Cell Council and the California Fuel Cell Partnership (Steering Team).  In British Columbia Stephen served on the Power Technology Alliance Steering Committee, Chair of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association and as a member of the B.C. Energy Systems Industry Working Group.

 

In late 2011, Stephen founded Wazuku Advisory Group with Mike Watson and Brad Zubyk.  With Wazuku, Stephen brings his extensive knowledge, range of experience and commitment to cultivating valuable, long-term relationships with clients and partners.  In short, Stephen works hard to support clients and partners needs with the goal of creating opportunities and solving problems.  His experience in the public and private sector, dynamic personality and tireless work ethic make him a sought after consultant in the Province.