I enjoy solving problems by developing innovative policies and business strategies. Over two decades as an executive and lawyer, I have learned that complex challenges cross disciplinary boundaries, and don't come conveniently packaged for a single traditional skillset.
Many issues require in-depth knowledge of how human needs and aspirations encounter institutional and political realities and influence legal, economic, and social policy-making. I have led teams addressing each of these areas and working at their intersection, where I am most effective.
Deeply rooted in Canada, I live and work with people from around the world. My experience, and that of many around me, includes exposure to the long-lasting consequences of significant political risk events. Understanding what can go wrong makes me determined help people, including decision-makers, prepare for and adapt to change. That's why I am so motivated to keep learning and improving.
This page is an invitation to collaborate, view updates on my work, and read about the challenges and opportunities that leaders face when managing change amidst multiple sources of risk and opportunity.
Experience
Policy
I have advised heads of government and ministers while managing teams that drafted and communicated innovative policies.
As a strategy advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, I managed an executive office and planned the communication of the government's top policies across several departments.
This work helped citizens and stakeholders better understand the government's priorities and intentions, and it unexpectedly won a majority at the next federal election.
The success of this team effort created an opportunity for me to develop highly-acclaimed immigration reforms that recruited top skilled candidates, prudently managed levels, reduced processing backlogs, and maintained public confidence.
I also gained extensive experience managing challenging economic files. As a director at Industry Canada, I advised on business regulation, legislative affairs, national security, and international investment law reform.
As an executive director in the Ministry of Finance, I worked with a dedicated team that set the Ontario government on course for its first credit rating upgrade in decades.
I completed a Master's degree at Harvard with a practical focus on how economic and financial policies are made and negotiated.
LAW
Legal experience from private practice and public service enables me to develop sound policies and to quickly identify and resolve issues.
I have served as lead counsel to hundreds of successful individual, family, and institutional clients in international trade, investment, immigration, and regulatory matters. I have also been part of highly-rated legal teams advising on corporate finance, competition law, business contracts, and transactions.
As a director responsible for legal affairs, I advised the federal government on the strategic implications of emerging public law issues, litigation, and legislation.
I worked closely with our institutions of justice as the federal government's advisor on the application of the judicature sections of the constitution and the appointment of judges.
Early in my career, I provided legal research to support judges deciding complex cases at the Court of Appeal for Québec.
I developed a lasting interest in both public and business law at McGill, where I was an editor of the law journal and a French competitive moot team member. I was called to the bar in Québec and Ontario.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Building on longstanding community traditions of entrepreneurship, I have been interested or involved in business for as long as I can remember.
As a co-founder and business operator, I managed a team that successfully opened new markets and increased profitability.
I also led the successful business turnaround of a professional services practice within a larger firm through client service excellence and strategic insight. Every fully onboarded client met or exceeded the objectives or outcomes set out early in each engagement.
Building on my business background and experience managing political and reputational risk, I have helped private and public sector organisations find and solidify financing and revenue, control costs, and improve their balance sheets and profitability.
As you can imagine, I especially enjoy working with organisations that need guidance in the areas of negotiation, strategic planning, risk management, and public affairs.