JohnstonWells.com

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Gwinavere founded JohnstonWells in 1971. Even after 40 years in the business, she frequently acknowledges that she learns something new every day. Her work in strategic planning, media strategy, corporate social responsibility and crisis communications continues to grow.

She has established important relationships with Colorado’s business leaders, government officials, key nonprofit organizations and media. Under her leadership, JohnstonWells is recognized as a leading public relations firm, both regionally and nationally. In 2008, the firm was named one of the best public relations agencies to work for in the nation, ranking fourth in the small agency category, by The Holmes Report, one of the most prestigious recognition programs in the public relations industry. The firm received the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts 2003 Small Business Award of the Year and the 2003 National Philanthropy Day in Colorado Award for Outstanding Small Business. In addition, the brightly painted walls and colorful folk art collection brought JohnstonWells the Creative Work Space of the Year award from the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts in 2005.

Principal

Michele Wells is a 30-year communications and marketing professional with special expertise in public relations, marketing communications, crisis communications and business management for organizations in the consumer products and services, business-to-business, professional services, biosciences and high-technology segments.

An expert in all aspects of the specialty food industry, Michele was vice president of marketing and sales for Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, a leading artisanal cheesemaker, from 2003 to 2006. She also has worked with a number of branded meat companies and other organizations about consumer issues related to food safety, humane farm animal issues, and education and outreach programs for new consumer labels. Michele also has consulted with professional services firms, including architects, interior designers, business insurance brokers and law firms.

Senior Counselor
Diane brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning and counsel, trade relations, brand and corporate positioning, product marketing and media relations to JohnstonWells Public Relations. In addition to developing new business and serving as the firm’s human resources director, she helps healthcare and consumer clients reach their business goals. Diane works on industry outreach programs for Covidien Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions and has completed award-winning campaigns for Centura Health and Infoture.  

Before rejoining JohnstonWells in 2006, Diane was an independent consultant, helping local organizations, retailers, authors, chefs and artists reach multiple targeted audiences through small-business strategies.

Senior Counselor
Director, Critical Thinking & Media Strategy
Ann has 25 years of experience in public relations, including 15 years with JohnstonWells. The firm’s media guru, she continues to develop her strong and successful track record with national, regional and local media programs. She is also an expert in community and consumer relations and audience development. Her current clients include NetQuote, SBIRT Colorado and Goodwill Industries of Denver.

Ann was an integral part of JW's work for PacifiCare, Colorado’s Flu Committees, Pfizer, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), Vascular Disease Foundation, AORN Works, Martek, Soy7, American Medical Response and Medical Simulation Corporation.

Because of her extensive experience, problem-solving acumen and ability to recognize opportunities that benefit clients, she is the firm’s director of creativity. In this role, she consults with all account teams to help them develop strategies that produce outstanding results. 

Senior Counselor
Social Media Manager

Elizabeth joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2006 with eight years of experience in public relations and marketing. At JohnstonWells, her responsibilities include developing and executing public relations programs for a variety of accounts, including SKYDEX Technologies, Bernina of America and Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture. Elizabeth’s previous client work included PAR Technology, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Works and DHR Architecture.

Prior to joining JohnstonWells, Elizabeth worked at Freeman Wall Public Relations and Wall+Aiello, in addition to two other Denver public relations agencies where she executed local and national public relations campaigns. Before moving to Denver in 2002, she worked as a senior account executive at Chaffee Group in Chicago, a full-service marketing agency that specialized in commercial real estate. At Chaffee, she worked on media relations, advertising and special events planning. She started her career at Chicago’s Kendrick Communications, where she did media relations and trade show planning for the automotive aftermarket industry.

Senior Counselor

With 19 years of experience, Gina offers an extensive background in various public relations service areas including media relations, community relations, employee communications, issues management, crisis communications, special event planning, business-to-business communications and executive positioning. Gina has represented clients in numerous industries, including healthcare, construction, retail, consumer products, food products, financial services, professional services, technology, travel and tourism.

While at JohnstonWells, Gina has participated on numerous client teams, including Coleman Natural Meats, BERNINA of America, Faegre & Benson, SBIRT Colorado, SmartCare Family Medical Centers and City of Westminster.

Gina began her career at JohnstonWells and then went on to build and operate a successful consulting practice from 1998 through mid-2007. She and her staff managed local and national programs, including: providing strategic counsel to St. Anthony Hospitals for a public educations campaign for emergency department overuse; international media outreach for DigitalGlobe, which provided the world captivating satellite imagery of both the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and the national launch of the world’s first Microsoft-powered sewing machine for BERNINA of America. Gina’s early adoption of  award-winning online media rooms for several clients led to her firm earning the 2001 “PR Innovation of the Year” distinction from PRWeek magazine.

Counselor

Breanna joined JohnstonWells Public Relations in 2004 and plays a key role in developing public relations strategies, conducting media relations and planning special events for a variety of clients. She has participated in client teams including Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, Goodwill Industries of Denver, Infoture, Martek, Roche, Regenerative Sciences, America’s Back, AORN Works and the Prostate Cancer Education Council. She also manages JohnstonWells’ own internal marketing efforts.

Breanna sits on the board of directors for Denver Urban Gardens, is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and serves on the communications committee for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She is a community mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado and volunteers at Brent’s Place, a hospitality house for children with cancer.

Senior Associate

Lee joined the JohnstonWells team in January 2008 as an intern and was hired as a full-time associate in April 2008. Her experience includes sales, customer service and collaborative group work.

As an associate, Lee has assisted on such clients as the Association for periOperative Nurses (AORN), Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC), SBIRT Colorado, D.H. Ruggles and Associates, and Goodwill Industries of Denver.

Lee is currently co-chair of the historic LoDo Young Professionals. She volunteers on LoDo’s Events and Membership Committee. She was a Junior Achievement mentor at CLA High School in Denver and is an active member of the University of Colorado Alumni Association and Denver Debutante Jr. Patrons Committee. She is also a member of the Denver Health One Society. While attending University of Colorado at Boulder she was President of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she volunteered for Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and numerous other Boulder nonprofit organizations. Additionally, she was a member of the Greek Honor Society, Order of Omega.