Over the past 15+ years, I’ve co-founded a number of organizations and held roles such as CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and Senior Policy Advisor. Working across startups, policy research and government, I’ve operated in multiple worlds, including tech, nonprofits and politics. My most recent startup success was Palette Skills, a national upskilling organization focused on helping fast growing companies connect with high potential untapped talent. Started as an idea over lunch, in less than five years, I grew it from a $1M organization to a $250M pan-Canadian operation serving workers from coast to coast. Prior to Palette Skills, I co-founded SoJo, an ed-tech social enterprise that helped students develop skills in social entrepreneurship. It evolved over the years to work with international development organizations training aspiring entrepreneurs in countries across Africa and the Middle East. Before all of that, I started my career as a political staffer in the Ontario government. I worked on policy files that included employment and training, economic development and innovation, post-secondary education, and social assistance reform. I spent almost six years in government during the tumultuous period of the Great Recession, and many of the experiences I gained during that time went on to form the foundation of my career for the next decade and beyond. Here’s something I’ve learned about myself - I love helping people. I love working with people, empowering them, collaborating and building together. And I’m passionate about bringing ideas to life.
-
Chief Executive OfficerShift CanadaToronto, On, Ca -
Strategic AdvisorFreelance Sep 2024 - PresentToronto, Ontario, CanadaI work with clients who are looking for strategic clarity and a fresh perspective on how to move a project forward. Whether you are developing a new product, redesigning an existing offering, or looking to refine and grow your operation, I can be the partner you've been looking for to help pull it off.Operating as a fractional Chief Strategy Officer, I collaborate with senior leaders to help them think differently about problems and develop novel solutions. This results in clear… Show more I work with clients who are looking for strategic clarity and a fresh perspective on how to move a project forward. Whether you are developing a new product, redesigning an existing offering, or looking to refine and grow your operation, I can be the partner you've been looking for to help pull it off.Operating as a fractional Chief Strategy Officer, I collaborate with senior leaders to help them think differently about problems and develop novel solutions. This results in clear strategies you can communicate to your team, board and funder and a roadmap to turn your strategy into outcomes.Reach out to learn more and check out my website at ajtibando.com. Show less
-
Co-Founder, Chief Strategy OfficerPalette Skills Nov 2022 - Jan 2024Toronto, Canada Area -
Co-Founder, Executive DirectorPalette Inc. Oct 2018 - Apr 2023Toronto, Canada AreaPalette is a national not-for-profit dedicated to helping workers adapt to automation and build successful careers in the digital economy. It is focused on addressing two major challenges our economy is facing today:+ How to help fast growing companies find the talent they need to grow, and;+ How to help mid-career workers who are working in jobs with a high risk of automation transition to new, high demand jobs with low risk of automation.As Cofounder and Executive Director, my… Show more Palette is a national not-for-profit dedicated to helping workers adapt to automation and build successful careers in the digital economy. It is focused on addressing two major challenges our economy is facing today:+ How to help fast growing companies find the talent they need to grow, and;+ How to help mid-career workers who are working in jobs with a high risk of automation transition to new, high demand jobs with low risk of automation.As Cofounder and Executive Director, my role is to manage all aspects of the creation and launch of the organization, as well as the development and management of its programming and staff. Show less -
FellowThe Brookfield Institute For Innovation + Entrepreneurship Jun 2016 - Apr 2023Toronto, Canada AreaAs a Brookfield Fellow, I have the opportunity to support the Institute and participate in its activities, including seminars and events, projects, research streams and other relevant Institute activities to promote entrepreneurship and innovation nationally. -
Project Lead, Palette IncThe Brookfield Institute For Innovation + Entrepreneurship Jun 2017 - Jan 2019Toronto, Canada AreaLeading the research and development of Palette Inc, a rapid retraining and skill matching platform currently being incubated within the Brookfield Institute. Palette Inc.'s mission is to help mid-career workers whose jobs are threatened by automation to retrain and upskill into high demand careers in the innovation economy. The result is a win-win-win - an ecosystem of innovative companies that find the talent they need locally, a cohort of skilled mid-career workers retrained for the… Show more Leading the research and development of Palette Inc, a rapid retraining and skill matching platform currently being incubated within the Brookfield Institute. Palette Inc.'s mission is to help mid-career workers whose jobs are threatened by automation to retrain and upskill into high demand careers in the innovation economy. The result is a win-win-win - an ecosystem of innovative companies that find the talent they need locally, a cohort of skilled mid-career workers retrained for the innovation economy, and reduced anxiety about the future for everyone.Palette is currently seeking partners for a 2018 pilot program. Contact me if you're interested. Show less -
Co-Founder, CeoSojo Jan 2014 - Jun 2017Toronto, Canada AreaAs CoFounder and CEO of SoJo, I am responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction for the organization and developing our business growth and sales activities. I build and manage our team, play a lead role in marketing and promotion, and am frequently asked to speak at events about startups and social entrepreneurship. -
Director Of OperationsSojo Mar 2013 - Dec 2013Toronto, Canada AreaAs Director of Operations, I worked on outreach and operations, team management, partnership and business development when the company was first starting out. I stepped in to keep the company running when the original Founder had to suddenly step away due to a medical emergency, and moved into the role of CEO. When we relaunched SoJo in 2014, I also took on the role of Co-Founder. -
Senior Advisor, Social PolicyOffice Of The Minister Of Community And Social Services May 2012 - Mar 2013Toronto, Canada AreaAs Senior Advisor, I advised the Minister on policy decisions related to social assistance and opportunities for new and innovative approaches to addressing social challenges; particularly the future transformation of the income security system in response to the recommendations of the Social Assistance Review Commission.
-
Senior Policy AdvisorOffice Of The Minister Of Training, Colleges And Universities Sep 2010 - Sep 2011Queen'S ParkAs Senior Policy Advisor, I advised the Minister on policy decisions related to university operations, international student attraction, financial aid and tuition policy. Led the planning and execution of major policies and projects, including the 30%-Off Ontario Tuition Grant, the ‘Putting Students First’ Strategic Plan, and the International Trillium Scholarship. -
Policy AdvisorOffice Of The Minister Of Research And Innovation Feb 2010 - Sep 2010Queen'S ParkAs Policy Advisor, I advised the Minister of Research and Innovation on policy decisions related to research, development and funding for healthcare innovation and life sciences. Helped to launch the initial pilot for the Ontario Brain Institute, which eventually received an additional $100 million in follow on investment. Managed relationships with major stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, research hospitals, and industry associations. -
Mpp Liaison And Communications AssistantOffice Of The Minister Of Training, Colleges And Universities Sep 2008 - Feb 2010Queens ParkAs MPP Liaison, I advised the Minister on caucus relations, gauged support for policy ideas and managed issues amongst caucus, supported all MPPs and their staff, both caucus and opposition, on all programs and policies under the jurisdiction of MTCU and developed solutions for their constituents when they encountered a problem that fell under the Ministry’s purview. -
Legislative AssistantOffice Of David Orazietti, Mpp Dec 2007 - Sep 2008Queen'S ParkAs Legislative Assistant, my responsibilities included legislative research and analysis, drafting media releases, speeches, member statements and questions for Question Period; scheduling and general office operations. I helped to develop and pass the Apology Act, which makes an apology no longer admissible as evidence of guilt (for example, using an apology from a doctor as proof of medical malpractice in a lawsuit).
Aj Tibando Education Details
-
Political Science -
Political Science -
Political Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Aj Tibando
What company does Aj Tibando work for?
Aj Tibando works for Shift Canada
What is Aj Tibando's role at the current company?
Aj Tibando's current role is Chief Executive Officer.
What schools did Aj Tibando attend?
Aj Tibando attended University Of Waterloo, The University Of British Columbia, The University Of Western Ontario.
Free Chrome Extension
Find emails, phones & company data instantly
Aero Online
Your AI prospecting assistant
Select data to include:
0 records × $0.02 per record
Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers
Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.
Start your free trial