schedule for february 27, 2025
A Focused, Fast-Paced Learning Experience
This half-day workshop, hosted in-person in Downtown Toronto, is designed to maximize impact with concise, practical sessions led by seasoned experts.
- 12:00 PM: Registration and Networking Lunch
- 12:30 PM: Opening Remarks & First Presentation: Core Functions of an Effective Chief of Staff
- 12:50 PM: Discussion 1: Essential Skill Sets for Chiefs of Staff
- 1:50 PM: Presentation + Workshop: How to Make Decisions Under Pressure
- 3:20 PM: Discussion 2: Navigating Leadership & Workplace Dynamics
- 4:30 PM: Networking Mixer
These sessions are designed to provide attendees with both strategic insights and practical tools to apply in their roles immediately. As a learner, here's what you'll gain:
- Essential Leadership Skills: Lead with clarity, confidence, and precision.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Navigate uncertainty with confidence and make high-impact decisions.
- Effective Crisis Management: Respond to critical moments with composure and foresight.
- Practical Tools & Techniques: Walk away with frameworks and playbooks you can apply immediately.
- Networking & Community: Connect with fellow Chiefs of Staff from diverse sectors and learn from their experience.
Who should attend?
• Aspiring Chiefs of Staff seeking to prepare for the role.
• Current Chiefs of Staff looking to elevate their strategic impact.
• Senior Leaders seeking to better understand how to leverage a Chief of Staff role within their organization.
Whether you’re working in technology, finance, healthcare, government, or non-profits, this workshop will sharpen your skills, expand your network, and help you excel in one of the most critical roles in an organization.
Workshop Fee: $400+HST
CCI Member Rate: $300+HST
A great Chief of Staff isn’t just a support role — they’re a strategic force multiplier.
Craig McLellan, Founder and CEO, ThinkON
Elevate your leadership at your firm
The Chief of Staff role is a proven accelerator for career growth and organizational success. As the conduit between senior leadership and the wider organization, a Chief of Staff drives strategy, manages cross-functional projects, and acts as a trusted advisor.
Expand your impact as a Chief of Staff
The pace of change has never been faster. Leaders need trusted strategic partners who can steer the ship through uncertainty. CCI’s Chief of Staff Accelerator answers the growing demand for strategic leadership in Canada’s innovation-driven companies.
Grow your network with CCI
As a national business association representing over 150 of Canada’s top technology-intensive firms, the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is uniquely positioned to provide this training. We understand the complexities of high-growth companies and the essential role Chiefs of Staff play in them. With insights from Canada’s top innovators, you’ll receive real-world guidance, practical frameworks, and tools to navigate complexity.
Learn from SOME of canada's top chief's of staff
Clara Ma, Founder & CEO, Ask a Chief of Staff
Ask a Chief of Staff is the premier resource for Chiefs of Staff looking to secure high-impact roles and drive results. Prior to founding Ask a Chief of Staff, Clara was the Chief of Staff to the CEO of Hugging Face, a unicorn AI startup, where she helped shepherd the company from its Series A to Series B. After serving as the Chief of Staff, Clara went on to become the Program Director of On Deck's (Series B) Chief of Staff Fellowship, growing its membership base from 80 to over 400+ Chiefs of Staff.
Mel Wright, Vice President of Communications, Intact Financial Corporation
Before joining Intact, Mel was Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs at Laurentian Bank, where her mandate included Chief of Staff to the CEO. Mel launched her career in the Ontario government, serving in progressively senior roles, including as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Economic Development and Infrastructure, and Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental Affairs for Premier Wynne.
Lee Pham, Executive Partner, Teleiosis Consulting
Lee drives transformation for technology-focused organizations by optimizing leadership structures, sharpening decision-making, and strengthening executive relationships. As Chief of Staff at American Express, he led C-Suite relationships and oversaw a global team of 70+ experts in M&A, venture capital, and strategy. He brings deep expertise in corporate development, IP strategy, and board-level stakeholder management.
Karman Lee, Chief of Staff to Michele Romanow
Karman has spent over 15 years helping ambitious startup founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders achieve their goals. Currently, she works with entrepreneur and Co-founder of Clearco, Michele Romanow. In her time at Clearco, Karman wore many hats, from day to day operations, building a fun and productive workplace culture to recruiting top talent, and at one point - running payroll.
Lianne Vineberg, Founder, T6 Talent Partners
Lianne is a people and talent leader who uses her experience in recruitment, talent management, and growth to build world-class teams. She has held Director level roles at Thorek/Scott & Partners, Hubba, most recently Wealthsimple. In addition to leading T6 Talent Partners Lianne is also the Operating Partner, Talent for Maverix Private Equity supporting all their talent needs internally, within Portfolio companies and in prospective investments.
Michelle L. Christian, Chief of Staff, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Toronto
CMHA Toronto is the city’s leading community mental health agency. The agency provides accessible, quality care for people in Toronto through programs, research and advocacy that create belonging and hope. Michelle, an experienced executive administrative professional and strategist, partners with boards, CEOs, and executive teams to help add long-term sustainable value to the organizations they lead.
Garry Keller, Vice President, StrategyCorp Inc.
Garry has served in several key leadership roles in Canadian politics, including as Chief of Staff to Canada’s Foreign Minister, chief Parliamentary advisor to a Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition. He also served as Chief of Staff to the Government House Leader and Chief Government Whip, as Director of Communications to the Minister of the Environment and Director of Parliamentary Affairs to the President of the Treasury Board. As well, Garry served as Acting Chief of Staff to a provincial political party.
Chief of staff WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
DANA O'BORN
GABRIELLA BOULOS
GABRIELLA BOULOS
Vice President, Strategy & Advocacy at CCI
GABRIELLA BOULOS
GABRIELLA BOULOS
GABRIELLA BOULOS
Director, Programs & Events at CCI
ABU KAMAT
GABRIELLA BOULOS
ABU KAMAT
Director, Strategic Initiatives at CCI