S&A STRATEGIES - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• CEO
• Managing Partner
• Member of the Leadership Team
• President

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Senior Associate
• Director, Government Relations
• Strategist

Ben is a seasoned political strategist with over a decade of experience in federal, provincial, and municipal politics. Ben served three senior Ontario Cabinet ministers in the Ford government for nearly four years, with his responsibilities spanning communications, issues management and stakeholder relations. This included stakeholder management for the Minister of Health during the first year of the pandemic. Ben also navigated evolving pandemic response policies and complex government processes as Director of Stakeholder Relations for both the Minister of Government and Consumer Services and the Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. Before joining government, Ben dedicated over a decade to local politics and political campaigns - including running as a PC candidate in Hamilton, his home town, in 2018. Ben also worked for a Conservative Party of Canada Member of Parliament for several years and played critical roles as a regional organizer for both the federal and provincial Conservative parties. With Ben's extensive experience holding senior leadership roles in both the CPC and PC parties over the last 10+ years, coupled with his deep external stakeholders relationships, Ben knows how to align stakeholder interests with government objectives and navigate successful outcomes.

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner
• Member of the Leadership Team
• Partner

Over the past 15 years, Derrick has held various senior management roles in Asia, Europe and North America in both the private and public sectors. Most recently, Derrick served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health & Long-Term Care of Ontario from 2016-2018. As the Minister's most senior advisor, Derrick has a strong background in policy development, implementation and communications strategies. He has a strong grasp on how decisions are made, how budgetary processes work and how legislation moves forward. Prior to his role as Chief of Staff from 2014-2016, Derrick also worked as Director of Stakeholder Relations & Senior Policy Advisor in both the Minister of Health & Long-Term Care and the Minister of Economic Development, Trade & Employment's offices. Prior to these roles he spent several years at the Toronto Region Board of Trade working in a stakeholder relations role. Through all of these roles he has developed a strong understanding of how to effectively work with elected officials, the bureaucracy as well as a wide range of interest groups to impact change. In addition to his public service roles from 2003 to 2012, Derrick worked in both Japan and Spain for high-growth start-ups in the education & technology spaces. He held senior management roles in Sales, Business Development and Operations. He is keenly aware of how business works and the pressures that business executives face in protecting and growing their revenues. Derrick holds a BA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver where he grew up. He also holds a MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain where he graduated with honors - Beta Gamma Sigma.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Principal

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Senior Consultant

Job Titles:

• Member of the Leadership Team
• Vice President
• Vice President, Ontario

Having served as a key advisor to multiple Leaders of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party, and with three years consulting experience, Rebecca leads the Ontario government relations practice at Stosic & Associates as Vice President, Ontario. Rebecca brings to the role a unique background that features considerable accomplishments in both the political and private sector spheres. Rebecca has been an important part of the Ontario PC Party since having been first involved in 2010. She was a proud component of the 2018 campaign that elected the first PC majority in almost 20 years. At Queen's Park she held multiple roles including as a senior advisor to several PC MPPs, and as the Director of Caucus Relations and Tour for the Official Leader of the Opposition. She has served as Campaign Manager for Hon. Caroline Mulroney in her local riding and then as her Principal Secretary in the 2018 Leadership Campaign. Her political experience also includes having served as Hon. Christine Elliott's Regional Organizer during her bid for the 2014 leadership. In each of these roles, Rebecca was successful in facilitating strong grassroots relationships, alliances across party lines, respect amongst senior government officials, and widespread appreciation from the broader stakeholder community. Rebecca has become a sought-after advisor to many private sector organizations over her years as government relations consultant. Combining her business acumen, her political relationships and her government experience, Rebecca has leveraged her abilities to achieve measurable success for clients over the years by helping them expedite favourable legislative, regulatory and policy changes. Rebecca holds a BA in Political Science from Brock University, as well as an Honours Postgraduate Certificate in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Centennial College. Rebecca grew up in Tillsonburg, Ontario and is a synchronized swimmer for the Toronto Synchro Club.