Unlocking the Possibilities in Government

About Us

Innova Strategy Group is a consortium of experienced and passionate business professionals who share many things in common. The most important being their collective drive to help organizations be successful.

Using both established best practices and newer innovative techniques developed by founder Kevin Ramsay, Innova Strategy Group is ready to help organizations dig deep to identify goals, create strategies to achieve them, establish key performance indicators, leverage data to increase performance and to launch activities that promote effectiveness, sound decision-making and engage employees.

Kevin—a senior leader within local government for more than 30 years—chose the name Innova for this skilled group of individuals in deference to the Spanish verb innovar — "to invent, to update, to improve upon."

Innova reflects Kevin's core belief that most organizations know what they want or need; they just need support in articulating the vision and developing the road map to help them reach their goals.

Our Approach

When Innova takes on projects we have one objective...

Ensure our clients’ expectations are exceeded.

We assemble a team best suited for the work; most often 1-2 highly qualified individuals with additional resources at the ready depending on the size and scope of the project.

Our team will always meet deadlines, targets and budgets and deliver results. That's a given.

But what cements the best possible outcome for our clients is in our approach: Respecting your point of view and experience, developing trust in each other as partners and enjoying a good laugh along the way.

This is Innova.

Services

Organizational Performance

Governance and Service Assessments

Developing strategy and support plans that result in enhanced or improved...

Governance
Organizational Performance
Operational Performance
Service Delivery
Corporate and Board Policy
Metrics Reporting
Employee Relations
Labour Relations
Communications & Engagement

Governance and Service Assessments

Carrying out pragmatic assessments of key areas to validate and optimize the tried and true, achieve greater effectiveness in service delivery and to find new ways to meet goals

Governance
Organizational Structure
Operational Efficiencies
Business Unit Alignment
Service Delivery

Strategic Planning

Governance and Service Assessments

Strategic Planning

Helping Councils, Boards and Executives develop visionary, yet practical Strategic Plans that don't sit on shelves.

Planning, Research & Writing
Workshop & Process Facilitation
Business/Department Plans
Metrics Development
Communication and Branding
Implementation and Reporting

Change Management

Executive Search and Coaching

Strategic Planning

Supporting employees, partners and customers during change

Operationalizing strategic plans, including department business plans
Introducing best practices into the work place
Technology Change Management
Mergers and Transitions
Planning for performance during growth
Developing issues management, crisis communication and strategic communication plans

Leadership Development

Executive Search and Coaching

Supporting leadership in meeting goals

Team Dynamics & Team Charters
Conflict Resolution
Developing Effective Councils & Boards
Leadership Coaching
Media Training
Public Speaking & Presentations
Change Management
Crisis Communications
Effective Supervision
Performance Management & Measurement
Project Management

Executive Search and Coaching

Innova doesn't just find great leaders.

We understand what it takes to be one.

Our team is composed of executive leaders from both the public and private sectors. We understand the challenges facing today's organizations because we've lived them.

We will:

Develop the perfect candidate profile and search strategy
Match candidates to your need

Innova doesn't just find great leaders.

We understand what it takes to be one.

Our team is composed of executive leaders from both the public and private sectors. We understand the challenges facing today's organizations because we've lived them.

We will:

Develop the perfect candidate profile and search strategy
Match candidates to your needs
Find the best of the best through our province-wide team of leaders
Support you throughout the interview and negotiation process
Lock down your perfect candidate

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The Team

Kevin Ramsay

Kevin has seen and done it all in his 40 years in government in B.C. He’s been in the field overseeing critical infrastructure, behind the scenes building strong management foundations and front and centre as a Human Resources Leader at Vancouver City Hall and Chief Administrative Officer for two burgeoning Lower Mainland municipalities—Squamish and Port Moody. His work with Innova has provided the opportunity to assist many government and non-profit organizations to be the best they can be.

Kevin excels in leading-edge performance enhancement, maximizing leadership capacity and core-service reviews and strategic planning.

You will be hard-pressed to find someone with the breadth of his experience in both large and small communities in British Columbia.

Kevin Ramsay

James is one of Canada’s most experienced municipal leaders.

He is the former CAO of both Burlington Ontario and the District of North Vancouver and the former Deputy City Manager of Vancouver.

James was also Executive Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer in the City of Toronto, and held senior roles in Planning and Development, Licensing and Bylaw Enforcement.

James has led many organizational turnarounds, amalgamations, public sector startups, major structural and organizational changes, numerous strategic plans, IT transformations, customer service improvements, and has many years of facilitating and enhancing council/staff relations.

Kevin Ramsay

Ron Mattiussi

Ron is recognized as a top local government leader in B.C. and one of the best developers of local government talent. He has more than 36 years' experience in municipal government, including 22 as a CAO. He has a solid record of maintaining strong senior management teams with many organizations, Kitimat Stikine, Mission, Terrace, and and Chetwynd among them.

Ron's leadership skills have led to operational improvements and a reputation as a skilled mentor, trainer and developer local government leaders throughout the British Columbia. He has instructed many LGMA, Capilano University, and Coast Mountain College courses, and has been a mentor for many of the in-house programs.

Ron Mattiussi

Ron is well known for his effective management of complex public sector organizations in both British Columbia and Alberta. His core strengths are in persuasive leadership, vision, strategic thinking and utilizing effective communication as a means to achieve results.

Ron believes that livable and resilient cities are built from strong neighbourhoods by engaged citizens and a passionate public service.

Twenty-eight of Ron's 38 years' experience in the public service were at the senior level, including City Manager for the City of Kelowna, where he coordinated one of the fastest large-scale evacuations in Canadian history—the firestorm of 2003.

Ron Mattiussi

John Leeburn

John became one of British Columbia's most sought after consultants after 31 years in municipal government. His areas of expertise include department and service reviews, leadership and employee training, strategic planning, designing and implementing HR programs and providing labour relations support.

John is an instructor in the public administration division at Capilano University and is a frequent presenter at the Municipal Administration Training Institute and Local Government Management Association events.

John began his municipal career with the City of New Westminster, also spending 17 years with the City of Maple Ridge, before "retiring" after six years as the CAO of Port Coquitlam.

Ron Mattiussi

John Leeburn

Kehl is a leader, consultant and change agent with more than 30 years' experience supporting the people side of change, innovation, strategy and technology.

Kehl is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources and has led organizational reviews and improvement initiatives in multiple organizations, including local government in Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler and within the Province of British Columbia and other public sector organizations such as BC Children’s Hospital,

E-Comm 9-1-1 and PRIMECorp.

Kehl is known for cultivating relationships and developing meaningful and effective stakeholder strategies through listening, coaching and facilitating.

Darcy Dragonetti

Jody Robertson

Jody is a strategic communications and governance professional with 25 years' experience in both the public and private sectors. A former reporter turned public affairs practitioner, Jody is well-versed in strategy planning, issues/reputation management, crisis communications, media relations, internal communications, public education, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and Board governance.

Jody's past roles include Executive Director of Corporate Communications for B.C.'s largest emergency communications centre and senior communications specialist roles at BC Cancer and ICBC and as a journalist for Rogers Broadcasting in both Vancouver and Alberta.

Darcy Dragonetti

Jody Robertson

Russ has extensive municipal and federal government experience, including 25+ years as Fire Chief for both the City of Colwood and District of Sooke. Russ specializes in fire service optimization reviews and structure, operational guidelines, apparatus replacement specifications and long-term replacement planning. Russ has assisted a number of organizations in determining operational effectiveness.

As an industry leader, Russ has been recognized for his personal achievements by the Federal and Provincial governments and Office of the British Columbia Fire Commissioner.

Darcy Dragonetti

Darcy is an industry leader in the area of Public Operations, having served the public for more than three decades.

Darcy's passion for this industry has led to numerous leadership roles throughout Western Canada, including Superintendent and Manager positions within Waterworks, Sewers, Landfill, Public Works, Sustainable Operations, Solid Waste and Underground Utilities, prior to his retirement from the role of Regional Director, Environmental Services, in Northern Alberta.

Darcy is also recognized as one of the best trainers the industry has to offer, and he has long since been a primary contributor in developing training curriculum and delivering programs throughout Western Canada.

Since retiring from the public sector, he remains focused on training and consulting.

Flo Follero-Pugh

Darcy Dragonetti

Mike is a highly respected Utility and Water Management Expert in the Province of B.C., having been responsible for both in the City of Victoria and the Districts of North Vancouver and Saanich. His background also includes management of the municipal Occupational Health and Safety Program for Saanich, including creation of the municipality’s Occupational Health and Safety manual and risk assessment programs.

Mike is also an experienced labour relations practitioner with expertise in grievance processing and support at arbitration proceedings, return to work and attendance programs.

Flo Follero-Pugh

Flo is an expert in municipal recruitment and principal of Tall Cedars Executive Search and Recruitment, a long-time partner of Innova Strategy Group.

With a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (University of Victoria), Flo previously worked as an Associate for James R. Craven and Associates Ltd. Upon Jim’s retirement in February 2020, Flo took responsibility of the business and created Tall Cedars.

Flo is known for assisting communities with hiring the best they can. She supports recruitments for municipalities, regional districts, and First Nations groups, working as the main interface between clients and candidates.

Flo Follero-Pugh

Erin is an experienced, strategic executive who is well versed in key business areas including operations, human resources, labour relations, people leadership, strategic planning and change management.

As the former Vice President of People and Culture for the Justice Institute of British Columbia and as the Vice-President of Operations of

E-Comm 9-1-1, Erin understands the complexities of organizational effectiveness balanced with stakeholder engagement and evidence-based decision making.

Erin’s experience includes managing collective bargaining, developing effective strategies and implementation plans, developing policy, working with senior stakeholders and supporting teams through organizational restructures and other significant changes by focusing on strong change management practices.

Our Clients

Organizational Assessments

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
BC Premier’s Office
District of Clearwater
City of Colwood
Cowichan Valley Regional District
District of Clearwater
City of Dawson Creek
E-Comm 9-1-1
City of Fernie
First Nations Tax Commission
City of Grand Forks
District of Houston
Kitimat Stikine Regional District
Kwadacha Nation
Village of McBride
District of North Cowichan
North Cowichan RCMP Detachment
PRIMECorp
Sea to Sky Community Services
City of Richmond
District of Smithers
City of Terrace
District of Tofino
TULO Centre for Indigenous Economics
The Country of St. Lucia
The Country of Antigua & Barbuda

Strategic Planning

Village of Anmore
BC One Call
First Nations Tax Commission
District of Sooke
City of Grand Forks
District of North Cowichan
Sea to Sky Community Services

Customer Service Strategy

Resort Municipality of Whistler
Performance Measurement and Sustainable Service Delivery
UBCM

Performance Benchmarking

City of Port Coquitlam

Capacity Analysis

District of North Cowichan
Grand Forks
City of Parksville

Governance Reviews

Cowichan Valley Regional District
Regional District of North Okanagan
Capital Regional District – Salt Spring Island Utilities

Asset Management Plan

City of Port Coquitlam

What our clients say

"Innova Strategy Group is top-of-mind among my staff and myself when we are considering organizational change. If Kevin's team has indicated they can help your organization, I would strongly recommend you consider his services." Ian Howat, Chief Administration Officer (retired), City of Colwood.

"Innova Strategy Group was engaged by Cowichan Valley Regional District to undertake a comprehensive review of water and wastewater utility services. The review process employed by Kevin Ramsay and his associates was multifaceted and thorough. Their inclusive approach to obtaining and considering input from staff, stakeholders and customers added transparency to the process and resulted in practical and achievable recommendations that were supported by the Board. ISG fully met the expectations of the CVRD and I would have no hesitation in utilizing their services in the future or recommending them for other local government consulting services." Brian Carruthers, Chief Administrative Officer, CVRD

"The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District engaged Innova in connection with our organizational review. Innova provided a clear, concise and accurate report. I received frequent comments as to the respectful and knowledgeable approach of Kevin in the staff interviews. Employees consistently said that they were at ease and felt that their input was valued. I would not hesitate to use Innova again." Douglas Holmes, Chief Administrative Officer, Nanaimo Regional Distict

Unlocking the Possibilities in Government

Unlocking the Possibilities in Government

About Us

Our Approach

Services

Organizational Performance

Governance and Service Assessments

Governance and Service Assessments

Governance and Service Assessments

Governance and Service Assessments

Governance and Service Assessments

Strategic Planning

Governance and Service Assessments

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Executive Search and Coaching

Strategic Planning

Leadership Development

Executive Search and Coaching

Executive Search and Coaching

Executive Search and Coaching

Executive Search and Coaching

Executive Search and Coaching

The Team

Kevin Ramsay

Kevin Ramsay

Kevin Ramsay

James Ridge

Kevin Ramsay

Kevin Ramsay

Ron Poole

Kevin Ramsay

Ron Mattiussi

Ron Mattiussi

Ron Mattiussi

Ron Mattiussi

John Leeburn

Ron Mattiussi

John Leeburn

Kehl Petersen

Ron Mattiussi

John Leeburn

Jody Robertson

Darcy Dragonetti

Jody Robertson

Russ Cameron

Darcy Dragonetti

Jody Robertson

Darcy Dragonetti

Darcy Dragonetti

Darcy Dragonetti

Mike Ippen

Flo Follero-Pugh

Darcy Dragonetti

Flo Follero-Pugh

Flo Follero-Pugh

Flo Follero-Pugh

Erin Ramsay

Flo Follero-Pugh

Flo Follero-Pugh

Our Clients

What our clients say

Contact Us

We'd love to help you unlock the possibilities.