Working with public, private and not-for-profit sector organizations

The following companies, government departments and organizations have benefited from our services in gender expertise, policy analysis, strategic communications, government and stakeholder relations. For more details on previous projects, contact CSI here.

Diversity & Inclusion

Free to Grow in Forestry Initative

The Free to Grow in Forestry Initiative was officially launched in November 2018. The Centre for Social Intelligence secured funding for the Canadian Institute of Forestry from the department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE). This innovative partnership spearheaded by CSI and CIF will lead a gender champions steering committee comprised of public, private, not-for-profit, Indigenous and academics that will create a sustained change across the forestry sector. For more information about the project read the press release and follow Kelly Cooper and the Canadian Institute of Forestry on Twitter. This project was recognized by the International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO), a global non-governmental organization uniting 650 member organizations and representing over 15,000 scientists across the world. The IUFRO Task Force identified this project as a key case study and resource for fostering the professional development of underrepresented voices in the forestry sector.

Women are under-represented in the forestry sector in both senior executive roles and in the trades. With an aging labour market and a recent transformation of the sector overall, Canada needs to position itself to attract and retain women so as to maximize the potential of economic opportunities including its contribution to the GDP. CSI has been hired to push this initiative forward, working collaboratively with various levels of government, NGO’s and the private sector, to create sustained change for women in the forestry sector.

Type of Organization: Non-profit research. Forestry. Services Provided: Policy Analysis and Development. Proposal Writing. Gender Expertise. Project Management. Change Management.

Gender Equity Gap Audit Assessments

CSI has conducted gender equity gap audit assessments for companies that seek to understand where their gender equity policies and procedures stand relative to an international gender equity in the workplace standard. This assessment allows companies to then know where to invest their resources to achieve an equitable workplace environment.

Type of Organization: Private Company. Forestry. Services Provided: Gender Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Change Management

Ministerial Paper on Gender Equity for Energy and Mines Ministers Conference

CSI wrote a strategic think piece on barriers to women in natural resource sectors for federal, provincial, territorial Ministers for the Energy and Mines Ministers Conference 2017.

Type of Organization: Government. Natural Resources. Services Provided: Research. Policy Analysis. Gender Expertise. Strategic Communications. Coordination.

Additional Projects

Prospectors and Developers Association Canada: Diversity and Inclusion Working Group

As a valued member of the PDAC Diversity and Inclusion working group, President and Founder of CSI, Kelly Cooper has contributed to the development of a guideline document for mining companies to aid them in encouraging gender diversity.

Creating Effective Policy for Integrated Arctic Ocean Management

Representing Canada at the Intergovernmental Arctic Council’s Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, CSI carried out research and options analysis to develop policy recommendations for integrated management for Canada’s Arctic Ocean. Type of Organization: Government. Environment. Services Provided: Research. Policy Development. Options Analysis.

Change Management at the Geological Survey of Canada

CSI conducted over 60 interviews with scientists, management and operational staff to seek efficiencies in the Geological for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program activities. The culture of the organization is deep rooted in science and has very slow turnover, however, with increased pressure to have data released quickly, there are conflicting views on whether data should be made “open” sooner rather than later. Bridging these points of view was the essence of the shift required among all parties to find a path forward that all could adhere to. Type of Organization: Government. Environment. Sustainability. Services Provided: Change Management. Research. Policy Development, Strategic Communication

Researching Arctic Riparian Zones

Conducted field research on the riparian zone of the Hood River in Canada’s Arctic for a full summer along with a research team based out of the University of Colorado. We have first hand experience and understanding of the challenges faced by Northerners, and personally witnessed the effects of climate change in a fragile environment. This scientific basis combined with UN and Canadian federal government policy experience grounds our ability to strategically position organizations to develop effective policy in the area of climate change, Indigenous issues, and sustainable development across all natural resource sectors. Type of Organization: Academia/University. Environment. The North. Services Provided: Field research. Data Analysis. Report Writing.

Crafting Canada’s Position on Climate Change – Kyoto Protocol

Developed policy leading to the Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) on Climate Change, including options analysis, recommendations, and communiqués as part of a communications strategy. Type of Organization: Government. Climate Change. Services Provided: Research. Policy Development. Options Analysis. Strategic Communications Strategy. Communiqués.

Persuasive Proposal Writing Draws Funding for Climate Change Research

Managed the Climate Change Knowledge Network (CCKN), a network of international non-government organizations focused on various climate change research initiatives.  As part of this effort, CSI received funding for research projects from various governments including Norway, Sweden and the Canadian government. Type of Organization: Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Climate Change. Sustainable Development. Services Provided: Research. Proposal Writing.

Making Effective Change in the Federal Government Through Policy and IT Solutions

Developed policy that set the federal framework for the Federal Geospatial Platform (FGP). The FGP is a collaborative online IT environment consisting of authoritative geospatial data, services, and applications. It is built on a shared infrastructure that will enable the government’s most relevant information to be managed, analyzed, and displayed in a visual context to enhance decision-making support of government priorities. CSI led the change management efforts on the FGP, working with 11 departments on the best process, governance and implementation for ensuring this IT platform is adopted and used by as many people in the federal government as possible. Type of Organization: Government. Information Technology (IT). Geomatics. Services Provided: Change Management. Policy Analysis. Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis. Strategic Communications. Writing Memoranda to Cabinet.

Helping Achieve Positive Public and Political Perception of the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline

Developed policy on the environmental assessment components of the Memorandum to Cabinet for the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline, including wildlife, climate change and cumulative impacts. Managed the Treasury Board Submission on behalf of the department for this initiative and managed all aspects of budget, project management and presentations to senior management including the Minister and communications. Type of Organization: Government. Energy. Services Provided: Policy Analysis. Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis. Strategic Communications. Writing Memoranda to Cabinet.

Discovering the Showcase Project that Shaped the United Nation’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Policy

Researched and found a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project – a solar panel pump company in southern India – that would provide environmental, social and economic benefits for India, and generate emission credits for Ontario Power Generation (OPG), under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change international emissions trading scheme. OPG showcased the project at the United Nations as a case example of how the CDM policy should be written, based on a real life project example. Type of Organization: Publically owned company. Energy. Utilities. Services Provided: Policy Analysis. Field Research. Negotiations.

Making Sense of Government for the Mining Exploration Sector

Supported the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in government relations; mapping federal government stakeholders and identifying the changes to federal environmental legislation that affected PDAC and its members. Type of Organization: Industry association. Mining. Services Provided: Government stakeholder mapping. Policy Review and Analysis. Government relations.

Creating the Concept that Inspired the United Nations Climate Change Adaptation Fund

Developed the policy idea for an Adaptation Fund for developing countries as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. To date, the conversation on climate change was around mitigation. Proposed that developing countries should have an “Adaptation Fund”, providing them with the necessary funding to adapt to the effects of climate change (e.g. stronger infrastructure, housing relocation away from coastal zones). This idea was taken forward to the UNFCCC where it became a part of the North and South dialogue on climate change. Type of Organization: Non-profit research. Climate Change. Services Provided: Policy Analysis and Development. Research.

Showcasing Sustainability Success Stories at the Rio Earth Summit Special Session

Developed and coordinated an exhibit showcasing sustainable development success stories from around the world since the “1992 Rio Summit”. Housed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the purpose of this event was to show Heads of State the considerable progress that had been made since the Rio Summit. Funding proposals attracted resources from the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Canadian federal government departments. Developed a comprehensive communications strategy for Environment Canada including speech writing for then Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien; and a stakeholder event that drew close to 100 members of New York’s financial district to see Maurice Strong speak about sustainable development. Type of Organization: Government. Environment. Sustainability. Services Provided: Research. Project Management. Proposal Writing. Communications Strategy. Speech Writing

If you’d like to join these organizations with successful projects, policies and change processes …

There’s no charge to discuss your project and give you a proposal.