schedule for April 15-16, 2026
A Focused, Fast-Paced Learning Experience
This workshop, hosted in-person in Ottawa, is designed to maximize impact with concise, practical sessions led by seasoned experts.
April 15, 2026: We will be hosting a casual networking mixer the evening before the workshop for you to meet and connect with local CoS in the region.
April 16, 2026: Full-day workshop
- 9:00 AM: Registration and Coffee
- 9:30 AM: Opening Remarks & First Presentation: The Chief of Staff in 2026
- 10:00 AM: Discussion 1: The Many Models of the Chief of Staff Role - Featuring diverse sector voices
- 11:00 AM: Breakout Learning Streams:
- Track A (Aspiring CoS): Tools for Getting Started
- Track B (Current CoS): Advanced Influence & Strategic Partnership
- 12:00 PM: Sector-based Networking Lunch
- 1:00 PM: Hands-On Workshop: Real-World Case Scenarios
- 2:30 PM: Fireside Chat: CoS + Principal — A Working Relationship Unpacked
- 3:15 PM: Navigating Power & Politics: The Unwritten Rules of the CoS Role
These sessions are designed to provide attendees with both strategic insights and practical tools to apply in their roles immediately.
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: $450+HST
CCI Member Rate: $350+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 top chiefs of staff, more speaker announceme
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.
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.
Will Stockdale, Chief of Staff, ANVIL
Will Stockdale is Chief of Staff at Anvil, a Canadian AI defence technology company, where he works at the intersection of strategy, operations, and national security. He brings experience across product, sales, and operations, with a focus on scaling teams and tackling complex, mission-driven challenges. Previously a startup founder, Will built and exited Kommon, a management training and SaaS platform supporting modern leaders. He is passionate about technology, defence, and building organizations that deliver meaningful impact at scale.
Morgan Bello, VP of Strategy and CoS, YMCA of the National Capital Region
Morgan is VP of Strategy and Chief of Staff at the YMCA of the National Capital Region, where he leads transformation across HR, labour relations, compensation, and governance. He also serves as a board director with the HRPA, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the College of Nurses of Ontario. Morgan teaches at Queen’s University, Algonquin College, and Collège Boréal, and is the founder of the AI-based Employment and Labour Relations Network (YLERN).
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