Our People

How did you get your start at IO? Getting my start at IO was in probably one of the least expected and most traditional ways – I noticed an online job posting and applied for it. I had heard about the organization years prior from an ex-colleague and something about it always stuck as an organization I would like to consider working for one day.

What does your job entail? I am responsible for leading engagements with our Ministry clients on what assets the Crown should be investing in and how, considering value for money, public good and industry expertise.

What do you like most about your role? Be the change you wish to see in the world – a quote that has stuck with me since childhood, and something I have adopted as my personal mission. Innovation and making real policy impact is in the DNA on which commercial advisory & strategy is created, aligning perfectly with my personal mission.

What is your career background? After graduating with a joint honours in economics and Finance, with a French Minor, I began my career as a strategy and operations management consultant for around 7 years (working across three cities in Canada, the US and UK). This followed with three years in international development and social impact (living in Benin for over a year and working full-time in French, leading the access to finance strategy for a USDA funded program and running a million-dollar innovation fund, followed by working back home in Canada to setup and run a public health accelerator by providing pro bono capacity building supports and grant funding to social purpose organizations).

What sets IO apart from other organizations? IO is that bridge between the public and private sectors that aims to tie the threads and facilitate seamless conversations between the two sides, which is the only way to create sustainable impact.

How did you get your start at IO? I joined IO in January 2017 after spending most of my career in a consultancy environment. I felt the time was right to take on a new challenge and join a larger organization. Luck was on my side because IO was looking to hire a Quantity Surveyor at that time. I was determined to be the successful candidate for the role, and thankfully it worked out for me.

What does your job entail?  My role as a Quantity Surveyor involves reviewing and managing construction costs for all infrastructure projects that IO oversees. From assessing feasibility to setting total project costs in the pre-transaction phases, and monitoring cost evolution during the transaction phases, quantity surveying is a key part in financial decision making for any construction project.

What do you like most about your job? IO is the hub for all infrastructure projects happening in the province. So, for me, it’s the exposure to a multitude of projects and the ability to influence major decisions that I really love about my job. Also, something that really stands out for me is the team dynamics. It’s quite unique in terms of trust and support.

What is your career background? In 2013, I received my Bachelors in Construction Science and Management from George Brown. I moved to Edmonton to kickstart my career at Hanscomb, a cost consultancy firm. After relocating to Toronto in 2015, I continued working at the same firm up until joining IO.

How did you get your start at IO? I first heard about IO from a colleague of mine. It was hearing first-hand the positive experience he had working at the company that went a long way for me. I began actively looking for openings at IO and came across the Senior Advisor role. It aligned well with my skills and was on a project I was passionate about.

What does your job entail?  My job involves the day-to-day, as well as long-term project management and planning of the Accelerated High-Speed Internet program. It’s an exciting project that will improve and expand broadband access across Ontario. I work on resource planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting on the components that will allow this project to come to life. 

What do you like most about your job? I am proud and fulfilled by the impact my role has on the organization, however, it’s the people I work with that have made all the difference for me at IO. They are an intelligent, motivated, and determined group, that allow me to express my ideas and grow as a professional. I consider them as mentors and friends.

What is your career background? I come from a financial planning and analysis background in the retail industry, and most recently worked in Commercial Banking, after completing my MBA.

How did you get your start at IO? It was through my work with a temp agency back in 2019 that I was able to land a short-term contract as a Talent Acquisition Coordinator. I feel fortunate not only to have been hired on fulltime since then, but also to have been given the opportunity to advance my career and move into the Talent Acquisition Specialist role.

What does your job entail?  I lead the full talent acquisition cycle to attract, engage and retain top talent, providing the best-in-class experience to both candidates and hiring managers. 

What do you like most about your job? Apart from the meaningful work that we do at IO, it’s the strong interpersonal relationships I have built over the years that keeps me here. I can always count on my team to have my back! Beyond that, we have a supportive culture that encourages growth and development.

What is your career background?  Prior to IO, I was working in the private sector, focused on campus recruitment in the education and restaurant industries.

How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO in 2016 as a database analyst. I have been fortunate to grow my career at IO since, first as a Senior Database Analyst, then moving to my current role as Manager of Data Architecture. I am someone that likes to be challenged and I appreciate the organization’s efforts to help employees grow in their careers. I have benefited first-hand from the many training opportunities offered that helped me get to the role I am in today.

What does your job entail? I currently manage a team of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, including data analysis, business process, data integration, and business intelligence solution development. I often serve as the first point-of-contact on data issues and the implementation of new data solutions. I provide guidance on workload, technical advice to the team, and report on progress to senior management.

What do you like most about your job? My job is full of new challenges, daily. I explore multiple functional data sets and gather data to address business needs. I find it very meaningful to contribute facts-based decision making that impacts residents of Ontario.

What is your career background? Before joining IO, I worked across multiple industries in the private sector with a focus on data warehousing and business intelligence solutions.

How did you get your start at IO? Before joining IO, I was working in real estate and constantly on the road. My work-life balance was missing and it was time for a change. An acquaintance of mine was working at IO and recommended I apply. It offered the growth opportunities and work-life balance I was looking for.

How long have you worked at IO? I started in 2016 with the Legal department and later moved to the Procurement team as a Senior Administrative Assistant. Most recently, I moved into an Executive Assistant role. I have been at IO for almost six years now and what keeps me here is the great people, diversity, and work-life balance.

What does your job entail? As an Executive Assistant, I build meaningful relationships and bring enhanced value to my team. I consider myself a lifeline to my division. I love everything about my job: the scheduling, the planning, and the communication with the team. I have been blessed to work with many incredible people over the years.

What is your career background? My academic background is in economics. In addition, I have a professional background in real estate, property management, and event planning.

How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO back in April 2020 where I started off as a Portfolio Real Estate Manager. I provided oversight functions to ensure an integrated governance and quality system for outsourced contracts. I also managed the performance management framework and executed contract management initiatives. Just recently I moved to another team within our Asset and Contract Management group as Project Manager.

What does your job entail? Not only does my role offer me the opportunity to interact with and learn from subject matter experts within the Real Estate team and throughout IO, but I also frequently collaborate with external service providers. My colleagues are receptive to new ideas, so I am able to draw from my experiences to drive continuous improvement.

What is your career background? I started off with a general contractor and moved into facility management with a focus on contract and project management. I am grateful for all the experiences that helped me grow and develop professionally.

How long have you worked at IO? I joined IO in late 2019 and in that short time I have had the opportunity to work on three unique healthcare projects, as well as participate in a few procurements and initiatives.

What does your job entail? As part of the Project Delivery Healthcare Team, I collaborate with our hospital partners to take their functional programs to an output specification, on through to the procurement and construction phases. This involves working closely with IO’s shared services, consultants, ministry counterparts, municipalities, and many other stakeholders such as First Nations and departments of the federal government.

What do you like most about your job? I’m grateful to be working with a very collaborative and supportive team on important health care infrastructure projects in Ontario. It is very rewarding to see and hear the impact these projects have on the ground and in communities across Ontario.

What is your career background? My academic background is in Mechanical Engineering, which I studied at Queen’s University. During my studies, I co-founded a fuel-efficient vehicle design team and landed a year-long co-op placement on the Providence Care Hospital redevelopment project. After graduation, I worked for a general contractor on the project management side collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, consultants, and subtrades on a mixed-use high-rise development with a heritage facade. I’m thankful to have had these invaluable experiences that helped prepare me for my current role at IO.

What does your job entail? I joined IO almost two years ago. As Legal Counsel, I primarily advise on public-private partnership (P3) projects in active procurement and support projects in the construction and operational teams, as required. This involves working extensively with IO’s Project Delivery staff, other IO shared services, project co-sponsors and our private sector consortia counterparts to ensure that each party is taking on an acceptable and optimized level of risk.

What do you like most about your job? Each day, I’m able to use my legal and strategic skills on infrastructure projects that will benefit Ontario communities long after I’m around and I get to do this alongside a group of incredibly smart and encouraging colleagues. I couldn't ask for more in a job.

What is your career background? I’ve had a winding career path – after starting my career in private practice, I went on to work in legal publishing, program development and insurance. All the people I’ve met and organizations I’ve worked for have played a unique role in my professional development. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to combine the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired along the way in my role as legal counsel at IO.

How did you get your start at IO? It was through my network that I found out about IO. I joined a year and a half ago as a Data Analyst and after helping on a project with Commercial Projects I joined its team full-time as a Senior Advisor.

What does your job entail? As part of the Commercial Projects team, I work with stakeholder ministries in building strategies to modernize how Ontarians can access services. I am also constantly collaborating with teams across the agency, including the Procurement, Legal, and Finance teams. Every day is different!

What do you like most about your job? I work with a fun, supportive team on very high-impact work. The ability to affect real world outcomes that impact real Ontarians with the work that’s being done day in and day out, makes for a very fulfilling role.