Michelle Caplan left Strut better than she found it. Now she’s back.
Michelle first joined Strut as a Strategist in 2019, working across brand strategy and client accounts until 2021. She went on to serve as Strategy Director at Maverick Agency, Senior Strategist at WJ Agency, and Senior Engagement Manager at Funday, building leadership experience across brand strategy, strategic planning, and client management in a range of agency environments.
Over her career, Michelle has overseen marketing programs for Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Canadian Geographic, Chefs Plate, Tre Stelle, Garden Veggie Snacks, and the University of Saskatchewan. Earlier in her career, as Sr. Marketing and Public Relations Specialist at the Anita Kaufmann Foundation, she led the multinational marketing program behind Purple Day, the world’s largest epilepsy awareness initiative, managing campaigns that reached more than 13 million people across 120 countries, with materials translated into more than 20 languages.
Strut is an agency built on the belief that great work starts with trust. Michelle returning tells us that standard is holding. She comes back sharper, more experienced, and ready to drive forward the kind of work that matters for organizations that need a strategic partner who takes their mission as seriously as they do.
Russ Bugera, Strategist and Partner, Strut
She holds an MA in journalism from Western University, where she was a Gold Medal recipient and John K. Elliott Scholarship recipient. Her journalism training shapes how she reads an audience and what a story needs to earn their attention.
When Strut marked its 25th anniversary, Michelle was among the alumni who reflected on her time at the agency. “I developed skills that made me a better strategist and a better person,” she said. “I made lifelong friends. And I loved coming to work every day.”
Michelle already knows how we think. That matters. She can walk into a client relationship and lead it without a runway. Her depth in purpose-driven work, combined with five years of strategic leadership at other agencies, makes her exactly the kind of account leader we want on complex, long-term work.
Aaron Salus, Strategist and Partner, Strut
Strut works with purpose-driven organizations across health, social impact, energy transition, arts, and not-for-profit sectors. We know your world. Michelle’s return deepens our ability to lead that work.
