An Interview with Graham Richardson
managing director, Canada
Edelman Public & Government Affairs recently caught up with Graham Richardson on his professional experience, helpful career advice, and proudest moments. See our interview below and keep up with him on LinkedIn.
P&GA: What excites you most about your role?
GR: I think it is the variety of work and the variety in the pace of the work. In one day, you can go from a bank to a First Nation to a high-tech company, sometimes before noon. I like that. I also like that we have the time to go deep into problems for clients, with a very skilled a diverse team at P&GA.
P&GA: What would you say is your personal area of expertise?
GR: After thirty years in TV news, my expertise is in all things public facing for clients. I enjoy using my experience to help them navigate the shifting, complex and volatile media landscape in 2024.
P&GA: If you could give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your career, what would it be?
GR: Try not to be too impatient. If you're driven, dedicated and passionate about the work you're doing, everything will work out, even if it doesn't happen as quickly as you hope.
P&GA: What past work project or accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
GR: I'm most proud of the newsrooms I helped lead and build, and how we managed to stay relevant and successful at a time when many people were turning away from conventional news. In this new stage of my career here at Edelman, I'm proud that I have made such a major shift in my professional life, and I'm getting traction just a few months in.
P&GA: What would you do if you weren’t doing this?
GR: I would probably still be working in journalism, connecting with the public and telling stories. But it was time for me to make the shift and I'm so thrilled I've landed here.
P&GA: If you could invite 3 people (living or dead) to a dinner party, who would you choose and why?
GR: Ronald Reagan. I would want his take on where the United States has gone after the "Reagan revolution".
John Lennon. I can't believe he was only 40 when he died. He would pick the music at the dinner party.
Barbara Walters. A trailblazer in television news at a time when no women were on the air in network TV. She became one of the most influential people in the world and lead the way for so many others. She was the first.
P&GA: How do you like to spend your time outside of work? Do you have any special hobbies or interests?
GR: I am an avid cyclist and spend as much time on two wheels as I can. I hit 8000 km again this year and will try to keep that up for as long as I can.
