Karen Wood

Owner and President

Karen Wood, the Founder and President of Knock on Wood Communications + Events is a respected media relations and event management professional who has over 20 years of hands-on experience in hospitality, entertainment and event marketing, concept development and project coordination.

Karen’s professional reputation earned her a spot as one of five finalists for the Womens Business Network Business Woman of The Year (March 2004); a Forty under 40 accolade from Ottawa Business Journal and profiles in the Ottawa Citizen; Ottawa Life Magazine, Ottawa Magazine, Where- Ottawa, Ottawa Sun, and Capital Style Magazine. Karen is regularly contacted by local media for informed commentary on Ottawa’s hospitality and entertainment landscapes and was invited to participate in the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs in 2003. She is also on the Board of Directors of the The Snowsuit Fund and is Chair of the 2007 Gala Committee.

Whitney Zelmer

Project Manager

Since joining Knock on Wood in 2004 Whitney has managed public relations and event projects for clients such as Go Travel Direct and Zoom Airlines, Live Nation Theatrical, Air Show Ottawa, Signatures and Originals Craft Shows, Ottawa Home & Garden Show, EQ3, Domicile and Forest Products of Canada. Her previous work experience has been in the hospitality and food industry where she has been employed with many of Ottawa’s best and well established restaurants. She also has strong catering experience after over a decade with Goodies Fine Catering.

After working for several years in some of Vancouver’s finer establishments such as Umberto Al Porto and The Pan Pacific Hotel, the opening of the Empire Grill was just the thing to draw her back home. Upon her return, Whitney stumbled upon a passion for writing and composed articles for many local publications including the Ottawa Citizen, Food and Leisure Magazine and some community papers.

Kristina Sparkes

Project Manager

With 12 years event management experience, Kristina brings a depth of expertise to all occasions. From public consultations to gala awards ceremonies, she delivers energy and creativity combined with impeccable planning and problem solving to consistently meet unforgiving event deadlines. Since joining Knock on Wood in 2003, she has managed a wide variety of events including fundraising initiatives like the OGHA’s Annual Chefs Charity Café and the BMO Financial Group Ottawa Healthy Challenge and corporate events such as anniversary parties, grand openings and golf tournaments for TeraMach, McMillan, PRIME 360 and Sierra Systems.

Since arriving in Ottawa from Toronto in 2000, Kristina has coordinated events and provided logistics support for the Ottawa Business Journal (including the 40 under 40 and CEO of the Year galas), The Ottawa Spring and Fall Home Shows, Hydro Ottawa and the City of Ottawa. She was also a part of the Grey Cup 2004 planning committee and managed the Grey Cup Volunteer Program. In Toronto Kristina organized theatre and film festivals and designed fundraising and educational programs for a public art gallery. A founding member of the Centretown Movies Outdoor Film Festival, she has been active on the agency’s steering committee for the past six years. Kristina holds a degree in Arts Management and a graduate diploma in Communications.

Geneviève Blouin

Project Manager

Geneviève Blouin comes to us from Montreal where she’s been a freelance publicist and special events coordinator since 1997.

Gen began servicing the music industry with clients like L.A. based indie label Emperor Norton Records, organizing record release parties and artist’s media relations, purchasing advertising and personal styling.

Her diverse client list reflects her ability to navigate in all milieus.

From beauty mogul L’Oreal to the Montreal Wine and Spirits Show to the internationally renown World Anti-Doping Agency.

She’s also dabbled in television production and fashion styling where meticulousness, organization and ability to multitask were fundamental.

Gen has her Bachelors in Sociology from Concordia University in Montreal and has also studied branding at Parson’s School of Design in New York City. Her professionalism, tact and creative savvy together with her strong bilingualism are true assets to the KOW team.

Alessandra Rizzi

Adminitrative Assistant

Need bio.

Brian O’Grady

Brian is a communications professional and award-winning public speaker who specializes in promotional writing. His years of experience providing writing and communications expertise in high technology, health care, hospitality, real estate and non-profit included product marketing and international media relations work for industry giant Alcatel. Brian holds a degree in Rhetoric and Professional Writing from the University of Waterloo and is the Senior writer at Knock on Wood.

John Wiseman

Web Developer

Need bio.