Past President
John Capobianco is public affairs national practice lead in FleishmanHillard Highroad's (FHR) Toronto office. With over 30 years of grassroots political experience at all three levels of government, John offers a strong, seasoned and influential voice in public affairs. This experience has enabled him to build an extensive political network, which he can leverage to the benefit of organizations looking to engage with senior government officials.
Before joining FHR in 2010, John was senior vice president of Edelman’s public affairs practice and before that was Vice President at Hill & Knowlton from 2001-2006. Throughout the last 20 years at the largest three global communications firms, John has helped numerous private and non-profit organizations build and maintain strong relationships with key government decision-makers at the federal, provincial and municipal level. John has a vast knowledge of helping companies navigate through the intricacies of government.
As a political enthusiast, John has twice won the Conservative Party of Canada nomination for the Toronto-area riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore and ran as a federal Conservative candidate in the 2004 and 2006 elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. John is recognized as a leader in the conservative movement and is a regular political commentator in Canada’s national media and on various industry panels.
He is the immediate past president of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, former president of the Canadian Club of Toronto, past chair of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Albany Club of Toronto and is a board member of the Women's College Hospital. John also advises Seneca College on their post-graduate certificate Government Relations course. John earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics at York University and resides in Toronto, ON.
