1. Strategic Communications &
Business Development Ltd.
“Praxes” The plural form of the Greek word Praxis. It is the
process by which a theory is enacted, embodied, or realized.
At Praxes, our passion is to work with our clients to see their ideas become reality.
The company’s two Principals, Mike Flaherty and Sue MacGregor together bring over
50 years of domestic and international experience working with hundreds of clients in the
areas of strategic communications, public affairs, international business development and
government relations.
Mike Flaherty is a motivated, creative and results-oriented professional with strong
business development, marketing and public relations skills. With over 30 years of
experience, Mike has a far reaching public and private sector network in Canada and the
U.S. He has been a strategic advisor to senior industry representatives including CEOs,
and high level public sector officials including Cabinet ministers and government
departmental heads. He has extensive business development experience in the United
States with proven success in identifying and matching the right people and businesses to
emerging opportunities.
Before retiring after 31 years in the federal public service Mike was the Consul & Senior
Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis MN. As
Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner he was responsible for managing a team to deliver
commercial programming in the US Midwest. These activities focused on trade, export
and investment development, as well as science and technology cooperation. In this
capacity Mike has dealt with hundreds of Canadian small and medium-size businesses in
a variety of industry sectors to assisting them in capitalizing on opportunities in the
U.S. Prior to his posting in Minneapolis, Mike held the same position at the Consulate
General in Buffalo NY. He was also the Consul and Trade Commissioner at the
Consulate General in Atlanta GA where he managed the investment & corporate relations
program for the Southeast U.S.
Mike joined in the Department of Industry in 1990 and held several senior positions with
Canada’s Investment Promotion Agency, Industry Canada’s Small Business Secretariat

2. and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Prior to joining Industry Canada, Mike
spent 7 years on parliament Hill in Ottawa as a political assistant to a Member of
Parliament, the Minister of State for Small Business, the Minister of Agriculture, the
Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Canada.
Mike received a BA from the University of Western Ontario, has served on a variety not-
for-profit Boards, is married, and has two children.
Contact: 613-806-2455 Mike@praxes-group.com
Sue MacGregor has over 25 years’ experience focusing on strategic communications,
marketing, product development and evaluation as well as public affairs and media
relations with an eye to providing products and solutions that meet clients’ goals. With
experience in the private and public sectors in both Canada and the U.S., her work has
spanned a variety of sectors, (Arts and Culture, Finance, Healthcare, Technology,
Education, Public Pensions, Cross-Cultural and Change Management).
Sue's recent experience working in three different regions of the US provides valuable
insight for companies and organizations doing business on both sides of the border.
Sue is a highly motivated and capable communications professional. In working with
your team, she brings her years of public relations, media relations, marketing
experience, research, writing, strategic planning and analytical skills to your project.
She sees the big picture and knows how and what to do to achieve your desired results.
Public Relations, marketing and communication efforts on all platforms have collided
and continue to change. When successful, these efforts are integrally entwined to ensure
that all communication is integrated and support the clients’ goal. She’ll help you make
that happen.
Prior to consulting, Sue worked at the National Capital Commission as the Heritage
Program Coordinator for the Mackenzie King Estate, on Parliament Hill as a Special
Assistant and as an officer in Government Relations and a Manager in Public Affairs at
Canada Post Corporation.
Sue studied Political Science and History at Western University in London, Ontario and
French at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Sue is an avid volunteer and has led many non-
profit boards. She is married, has two grown children and currently resides in the
National Capital Region.
Contact: 613-806-2355 Sue@praxes-group.com