Patrick Searle Tapped by Balsillie and Ruffolo to Lead CCI’s Next Chapter

TORONTO, ON – December 9, 2025 – The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) board of directors led by Jim Balsillie and John Ruffolo today announced the appointment of Patrick Searle as Chief Executive Officer, marking a new chapter for Canada's 21st century business council.

Since joining the Council of Canadian Innovators in 2017, Searle has been a driving force in transforming CCI from a tech-sector lobby group into a modern national business council. His leadership in building corporate programming, events, and services pushed CCI beyond traditional advocacy, strengthening CCI’s role in the wider innovation ecosystem and elevating the voices of Canada’s technology CEOs.

Searle has led the development and expansion of CCI’s flagship programs, including the award-winning Innovation Governance Program. He also spearheaded Canada’s CEO Summit, now the premier annual gathering for the country’s technology leaders. These initiatives have deepened connections across the business community and raised governance standards throughout the innovation sector.

"Patrick knows the organization inside and out, understands our members' needs, and has the vision to lead CCI into its next era. As we continue to evolve from a technology advocacy organization into Canada's business council for the 21st century, Patrick is the right leader at the right time," said Jim Balsillie, Chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators. "CCI was founded based on the idea that Canadian businesses drive national prosperity and that they needed a strong and unified voice to advocate for their role in the economy. Patrick has been integral in turning that idea into a fully fledged national organization.”

Under Searle's leadership, CCI will continue advocating for policies that enable Canadian companies to scale globally, and the organization will continue to expand the suite of programs and services offered to members and the wider Canadian innovation ecosystem. In the months and years ahead, CCI will also be expanding services and opportunities for Canadian businesses and business leaders.

"Over the past decade, CCI has proven itself as a powerful advocate for the issues that affect Canada’s most innovative companies. Now is the time to expand that mission—becoming not just a voice for tech, but Canada's business council for the modern economy. Our members are building the companies and creating the jobs that will define Canada's economic future. My focus will be on ensuring CCI continues delivering exceptional value through advocacy, programs, events, and by convening the leaders who are shaping the 21st century economy. I'm grateful to Jim, John, our board, and our members for their confidence, and I look forward to working together to write CCI's next chapter."

As part of the transition, Dana O’Born, a pivotal leader in CCI’s growth since its early days, will assume the role of Chief Strategy Officer. Over the last decade, O’Born has been instrumental in building CCI’s advocacy muscle, securing policy wins, and elevating the voice of Canada’s scale-up economy in Ottawa and across the provinces. In her new role, she will advance CCI’s strategic influence, deepen government relationships, and champion the interests of homegrown innovators on the national stage.

“The national conversation has finally caught up to what CCI has championed since day one: that Canada’s prosperity and security hinge on the success of domestic innovators,” said John Ruffolo, vice-chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators. “With two leaders who know this organization and the innovation sector inside and out, CCI is poised for its next stage of impact. Backed by the board, Dana and Patrick’s combined leadership will expand CCI’s reach and help shape the policy conditions that enable Canada’s tech companies to grow and compete globally.”

Searle and O’Born assume their respective roles effective January 2026.

About the Council of Canadian Innovators

The Council of Canadian Innovators is a national business council representing more than 175 of Canada's fastest-growing companies. CCI's mission is to help Canadian technology companies scale globally and create the jobs of the future.

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