Ryan Ferrara Email & Phone Number

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Strategic change analystI am part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on culture change and leadership development across the federal government. My work focuses on reorienting mindsets so leaders and staff can deal with a rapidly changing workplace and world. Part advisor, part facilitator, part subject matter expert, it’s a dynamic role where I take on a wide range of duties, always with an eye to ensuring successful strategic outcomes.Key Contributions and… Show more Strategic change analystI am part of a multi-disciplinary team focused on culture change and leadership development across the federal government. My work focuses on reorienting mindsets so leaders and staff can deal with a rapidly changing workplace and world. Part advisor, part facilitator, part subject matter expert, it’s a dynamic role where I take on a wide range of duties, always with an eye to ensuring successful strategic outcomes.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Lead on researching, writing, and coordinating the development of: principles for organizational change maturity; principles for change communications; good practices in pay stabilization; and, a framework for leading change in the public service• Facilitating working groups where I bring together a range of actors from across the federal government in order to change mindsets and improve processes (e.g. a working group on pay stabilization, a working group on communications related to pay and human resources)• Providing significant support in the development of the business case for the Centre of Expertise• Conducting research and analysis on a range of topics related to change, leadership and the modern workplace (e.g. nudge theory, maturity models)• Encouraging the adoption of best practices in change leadership and change management (e.g., through direct support to clients for various initiatives)• Building skills and capacity within the team (e.g. delivering a series on user-centred design, leading a series of meetings to define the values of our directorate)• Evaluating competitive bids for senior change management consultants Show less

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Policy AnalystI was on the team that oversaw all Treasury Board submissions for the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. I developed the submissions and guided them through the approval process up to the Treasury Board in coordination with subject matter experts and other stakeholders. Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Led the development of a Treasury Board submissions, including collaborating with different teams, departments (including central agencies) and other… Show more Policy AnalystI was on the team that oversaw all Treasury Board submissions for the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. I developed the submissions and guided them through the approval process up to the Treasury Board in coordination with subject matter experts and other stakeholders. Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Led the development of a Treasury Board submissions, including collaborating with different teams, departments (including central agencies) and other stakeholders• Received an award from my branch for contributions to a COVID risk assessment dashboard for the Deputy Minister• Conducted a literature review on indigenous health service policy, which served as part of the background analysis for a Memorandum to Cabinet on Distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation• Developed briefing materials for the Deputy Minister on key files for the branch• On an ongoing basis, orally provided policy advice up to the Director-General level Show less

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I supported and advised the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Public Affairs and helped keep the branch running effectively and smoothly. I was required to be flexible, handle high workloads, and play a variety of roles. Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Triaged requests from the Deputy Minister’s office, Parliamentary Affairs and other branches (e.g. requests for information, memoranda to cabinet, ministerial correspondence, order paper questions, question period notes… Show more I supported and advised the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Public Affairs and helped keep the branch running effectively and smoothly. I was required to be flexible, handle high workloads, and play a variety of roles. Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Triaged requests from the Deputy Minister’s office, Parliamentary Affairs and other branches (e.g. requests for information, memoranda to cabinet, ministerial correspondence, order paper questions, question period notes, legal document collection) • Provided advice to the ADM, orally and in writing, on key files • Developed briefing notes and scenario notes (e.g. the ADM’s professional travel, including discussions within the department and externally, such as with NATO) • Assigned and followed-up on tasks delegated by the ADM to Directors-General, Directors, managers, and other staff (e.g. talent management discussion points, department-wide communications plans) • Developed speaking notes for the ADM to use in various fora (e.g. Town halls, governance meetings, presentations both internally and to other governments and institutions) • Liaised with internal and external points of contact to develop the program for the ADM’s professional travel (e.g. Latvia and Brussels, Washington, Rome) • Reviewed and provided feedback on products that required ADM-level approval and/or signature, as needed (e.g. the Indigenous communications strategy) • Acted as the senior advisor to the ADM (IS-06), when required Show less

Ottawa, Canada Area

I led change management and communications at the Department of National Defence for the Web Renewal Initiative, a government-wide project to develop a single website for the Government of Canada. I contributed to the reshaping and redefining of the digital culture of the federal government.Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Led development of the new forward-looking, user-centric web publishing policy for National Defence • Led internal stakeholder engagement… Show more I led change management and communications at the Department of National Defence for the Web Renewal Initiative, a government-wide project to develop a single website for the Government of Canada. I contributed to the reshaping and redefining of the digital culture of the federal government.Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Led development of the new forward-looking, user-centric web publishing policy for National Defence • Led internal stakeholder engagement survey for web personnel • Led stakeholder engagement and user testing coordination for top 35 tasks • Co-chaired the Web Renewal Initiative Change Management Working Group • Participated in TBS-led GCworkplace change management think tank; National Defence culture change working group; and Think Tank for setting up change management offices across the government • Led communications related to the project at National Defence • Led the development of information architecture for parts of the National Defence web presence (e.g. Operation Honour, procurement, operations and exercises) Show less

Ottawa, Canada Area

I provided communications support for the Web Renewal Initiative, a government-wide project to develop a single website for the Government of Canada based on the needs of users.Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Developed a government-wide primer for user-centered design and user experience • Delivered training workshops for the CRA content management system • Developed a framework for empowering employees to innovate, aligned with Blueprint 2020 •… Show more I provided communications support for the Web Renewal Initiative, a government-wide project to develop a single website for the Government of Canada based on the needs of users.Key Contributions and Accomplishments: • Developed a government-wide primer for user-centered design and user experience • Delivered training workshops for the CRA content management system • Developed a framework for empowering employees to innovate, aligned with Blueprint 2020 • Redesigned and rewrote the content for the internal CRA Web Renewal Initiative page • Contributed to project documentation, including the communications strategy and project charter Show less

Ottawa, Canada Area

I worked with internal communications, the unit that monitors the pulse of the organization. Client-focused, I liaised with employees across the Bank to assess their internal communications needs and conduct research, generate web content, and draft plans, messaging and articles to meet these needs.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:. Designed and implemented the analytics tracking system for internal communications outputs. Assisted in the development of the strategic plan… Show more I worked with internal communications, the unit that monitors the pulse of the organization. Client-focused, I liaised with employees across the Bank to assess their internal communications needs and conduct research, generate web content, and draft plans, messaging and articles to meet these needs.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:. Designed and implemented the analytics tracking system for internal communications outputs. Assisted in the development of the strategic plan for internal executive blogging. Assisted in the planning and execution for the Bank's inaugural employee conference. Drafted articles for the internal magazine on subjects ranging from inflation targeting to e-money Show less

Ottawa, Canada Area

I was a member of the team that communicates the story of the Canadian Army to the Canadian public – its strategic objectives, missions, training, history and future. I conducted research and developed communications plans, generated web content, including news releases and articles, wrote speeches and backgrounders, and posted on social media.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Developed the basis of the Canadian Army stakeholder engagement plan• Wrote speeches for the… Show more I was a member of the team that communicates the story of the Canadian Army to the Canadian public – its strategic objectives, missions, training, history and future. I conducted research and developed communications plans, generated web content, including news releases and articles, wrote speeches and backgrounders, and posted on social media.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Developed the basis of the Canadian Army stakeholder engagement plan• Wrote speeches for the Commander of the Canadian Army• Researched and wrote for the department strategic plan• Generated content for the Canadian Army website, some of which was picked up by external news sources Show less

Ottawa, Canada Area

I co-founded Discourse Magazine, an online political affairs publication, which had the goal of providing nuanced, well-research articles, written in plain language and freely accessible to the public. There, I conducted political, cultural, and economic research, wrote articles, managed the writers and editors, designed the layout of the magazine, created the website and managed social media.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Supervised and managed over twenty writers and… Show more I co-founded Discourse Magazine, an online political affairs publication, which had the goal of providing nuanced, well-research articles, written in plain language and freely accessible to the public. There, I conducted political, cultural, and economic research, wrote articles, managed the writers and editors, designed the layout of the magazine, created the website and managed social media.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Supervised and managed over twenty writers and three editors• Engendered a loyal following of 6000 to 9000 readers per issue• Managed the creation and publication of the magazine from start to finish• Developed articles, policy briefs, news stories and web reports• Fostered social media presence and developed social media marketing plan• Developed and maintained magazine website including HTML and SEO Show less

I have been editing and writing professionally since my undergraduate degree. This includes several published works, editing of books and professors’ work.Key Contributions and Accomplishments:• Published article in the Canadian/Young Pugwash Journal titled U.S. Nuclear Posture• Edited biographic book by Donna Messer, owner of ConnectUs Canada• Edited and wrote several academic and non-academic works for publication

Prepared and lectured of class materialFacilitated peer-to-peer debate and discussionEvaluated of student in-class contributionGraded student major research papers and exams

M.A., Political Science

Honours B.A., Political Science