Rapidly improving our quality of life through local government innovation is Jason’s passion. As a lawyer, he navigates through the haze of regulation to find practical—and sometimes disruptive—ways to deliver services, such as a public transit system powered by a ride-sharing app. As the Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Innisfil (Ontario, Canada), Jason […]
Joe Couto is a veteran public policy and communications professional who brings 33 years of proven government relations and communication experience. Joe is currently in his 17th year as Director of Government Relations and Communications for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. Prior to serving with OACP, he was Senior Consultant with Enterprise Canada […]
Alena Kimakova has been serving as the Director of the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) since 2016. She is an Associate Professor at York University who is cross-appointed between the Department of Economics and SPPA, and teaches courses in economic development, political economy, international economics and research methods, including program evaluation. She has […]
Purpose driven, inspires organizational growth and drives to empower people to embrace change. An innovative and strategic leader with over 20 years of progressive experience, Silvia drives positive change through engagement across both government and the private sector. Silvia has a proven track record specializing in largescale and complex program and portfolio management, risk management […]
While with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Victor held several assistant deputy minister positions in the Cabinet Office and ministries of infrastructure and economic development, leading policy portfolios in international and internal trade, business supports, red tape reduction, regional economic development, small business, and land use planning. As assistant deputy minister responsible for pandemic response, […]
Sarah Klein has worked with the Town of Whitby for 27 years and has had an active role in the transformation of the community and Corporation. Sarah is currently the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Town of Whitby. In this role, Sarah oversees Inter-Government Relations, Corporate Strategic Planning, is the Staff Advisor to the […]
Laura Mirabella, FCPA, FCA, is the Commissioner of Finance and Regional Treasurer for the Regional Municipality of York. Previously, she was the Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer for the City of Vaughan, spent 11 years in progressively senior positions with the Ontario Public Service, and another 10 years in the private sector providing professional […]
Gary is the Commissioner of Corporate Services and CFO for Canada’s 6th largest City, Mississauga. He leads a team of Directors who provide innovative, strategic and integrated services to the public, staff and Council. A diverse portfolio, they are focused on delivering strong Customer Service, Value for Money and ensuring the Corporation has the right […]
Antoinette Sarpong is a Change Management Analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, where she uses behavioural insights and strategic communications to help employees navigate organizational change. Change is something Antoinette knows a thing or two about, having worked as a journalist, ESL teacher and NGO project leader on four continents. She […]
Michael Genova is Director, Corporate and Strategic Communications with the City of Vaughan. Michael has over ten years of communications, intergovernmental relations and public policy experience. Prior to joining the municipal public service, he worked as a political advisor. Michael graduated from the University of Toronto with a joint specialist degree in political science and […]