CCI Strengthens Policy and Communications Support for Canadian Innovators

TORONTO, CANADA — The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is pleased to announce the promotions of Claire Wilson to Policy and Advocacy Advisor and Michel LeClair to Communications and Media Advisor. In their expanded roles, Claire and Michel will help CCI deliver stronger research, advocacy and communications support to Canada’s fastest-growing technology companies.

Claire joined CCI as a Policy and Research Analyst, bringing a strong academic background in global markets and international economic policy to the organization’s research and advocacy work. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto and a Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.

During her time at CCI, Claire has contributed to major research projects examining the conditions Canadian companies need to grow and compete globally. Her work has supported reports including Building Champions: What Canada’s Fastest-Growing Firms Are Telling Us, Care at Scale: A CCI Policy Report on Public Buying, Data and Better Health Care for Canadians and Buying What We Build: A CCI Policy Report on Public Buying for Canadian Innovation and Prosperity. She is also a regular contributor to Mooseworks, CCI’s policy digest series.

As Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Claire will take on an expanded role in developing CCI’s policy research, translating the experiences of member companies into practical recommendations and supporting advocacy with governments across Canada. Her work will continue to focus on strengthening Canada’s competitiveness and creating the conditions for Canadian companies to scale from home.

“Claire brings a strong understanding of the economic issues affecting Canadian innovators,” said Laurent Carbonneau, CCI’s Vice-President of Policy and Advocacy. “Her research has strengthened some of CCI’s most important policy work, and this promotion reflects the valuable role she plays in turning the experiences of our members into credible and practical recommendations.”

Michel joined CCI in 2024 as a co-op student through Humber College’s Public Relations graduate certificate program and later became Communications Coordinator. Since then, he has become an important part of CCI’s communications team, contributing to media relations, social media strategy and content development.

As Communications and Media Advisor, Michel will take on greater responsibility for supporting CCI’s media engagement and public communications. He will continue developing opportunities to raise the profiles of CCI members, share the stories of Canadian innovators and communicate the organization’s policy work to audiences across the country.

“Michel has a deep understanding of CCI’s members and how to effectively bring their stories, perspectives and priorities to broader audiences.” said Lisa Brody Hoffman, CCI’s Director of Communications. “He brings sound judgment, initiative and creativity to his work, and has become a trusted contributor to how we tell the story of Canada’s most ambitious innovators. This promotion reflects the impact he has already had and his growing leadership in our media and communications work.”

Claire and Michel take on their expanded roles as part of CCI’s national team of policy, government relations, communications, programming and member services professionals. Their promotions reflect CCI’s continued commitment to strengthening the advocacy and services it provides to Canadian innovators.
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About the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)

The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is Canada’s business council for the 21st century economy. We are a collective of over 175 of Canada’s fastest-growing and most ambitious companies, and the founders, CEOs, and executives behind them, working together to improve the business conditions that help more homegrown companies scale, compete globally, and drive long-term prosperity. Learn more at canadianinnovators.org.