From Public Service to Strategic Consulting: A Conversation with veteran expert Colette Downie from NorthGuide

Meet Colette Downie, Senior Consultant at NorthGuide whose career journey is as inspiring as it is extensive. With over 25 years in leadership and strategy roles across public and private sectors, Colette brings a wealth of experience to her work. Her approach combines a keen ability to navigate the intersection between government and the private sector with a genuine passion for collaboration.?

In a recent conversation, we had the pleasure of exploring Colette's path to NorthGuide, the experiences that have shaped her career, and her thoughts on emerging innovation trends. We also learned about her expertise, which spans policy, economic development, program management and much more, all driven by a commitment to creating value and fostering innovation.?

Q - Hi Colette, thanks for taking the time. Tell us a bit about your background and how you got to where you are today.

A - My career has been rooted in public service, with a strong focus on policy. One of my most significant and enjoyable roles was leading automotive policy at Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.?

This position ignited my passion for industrial policy and economic development. Working with OEMs and parts suppliers opened my eyes to its strategic importance to Canada given the sector’s massive economic impact.

My background, which also covers business policy, antitrust, and management of government funding programs has given me a deep understanding of how government decisions affect industries and how companies can effectively engage with government. I find that this unique blend of policy expertise and practical industry knowledge allows me to offer valuable insights to our clients.

Q - What is your role at NorthGuide? How has your unique background in both public and private sectors influenced your approach to your work??

A - At NorthGuide, I get to learn about all kinds of innovation focused organizations from fascinating companies and non-profits to governments at all levels, and help them succeed. It's a real pleasure and genuinely fun. I can apply all of the knowledge I've gained from both public and private sectors. It's an opportunity to make a tangible impact, and I'm thrilled to be part of it.

Economic development and industrial policy have always been areas I'm passionate about. During my time in government, I focused on making significant impacts and addressing our numerous economic challenges. Now, being on the private sector side, this unique perspective allows me to bridge the gap between public and private sectors, bringing valuable insights to our clients and helping them maximize their impact and to navigate the intricate landscape of government policy and programming.

Q - What do you think sets NorthGuide apart from others??

A - What distinguishes us is that we truly care about our clients and what they are trying to achieve - we have a genuine commitment to addressing today's pressing challenges. We're not just consultants; we're personally invested in the work we do and the outcomes we achieve for our clients. We're not mechanically working through technical details or following a set formula. Instead, there's a real passion and curiosity driving our work. It's not about ticking boxes or following a rigid process; we're actively trying to push things forward for our clients and make a tangible difference.?

We have a unique blend of experience that you won't find elsewhere. We boast an extensive network of professionals with diverse expertise in policy, economic development, strategy, and communications. Our agility allows us to tackle projects that larger firms would find challenging, and we do it cost-effectively. We're comfortable with both short-term assignments and long-term engagements, always ready to adapt and refine our approach.?

Q - What emerging trends do you see in the ecosystem innovation space??

A - In terms of trends, it's hard to miss the big plays being made by government in EV and battery manufacturing, biomanufacturing and critical minerals to name some of the important ones. I'm working a lot right now with smaller organizations looking to help build the value chains and innovation ecosystems related to these big investments, and to build them in Canada.

I'm also excited about the re-emerging focus on productivity and competition in Canada. This resonates with my early career experiences at the Competition Bureau and in Australia where I studied that country’s highly successful productivity reforms, aiming to bring those lessons back to Canada.? I was deeply involved in productivity initiatives, opening up interprovincial trade, red tape reduction, and legislative changes around the Competition Act and business frameworks at that time.

These experiences have given me a wealth of knowledge and insights that I'm eager to apply now that competition policy and productivity are back in the public discourse. I'm looking forward to contributing to these conversations and helping organizations adapt to this renewed focus.?

Q - What should people know about working with you?

A - I thrive in collaborative environments where teamwork and results take precedence over rigid hierarchies. My passion lies in advancing gender equity, recognizing there's still substantial progress to be made in this area. I find great fulfillment in mentoring, particularly in guiding young women navigating their careers in public service. While I often provide informal coaching, I'm always eager to support and empower women across various professional stages.??

Q - Outside of work, what keeps you motivated and busy?

A - After leaving the public service, I set a personal goal to become a total gym enthusiast - and I've definitely achieved that. I'm especially hooked on spin classes, barre, weight training, and yoga. In fact, I'd say I'm primarily a yogi at heart. I love the practice and have maintained an active lifestyle for many years now.?

Colette will be attending GCXpo in Ottawa on September 26 and the Elevate Festival October 1- 3. Please email Colette directly at [email protected] to get in touch or to arrange a meeting.