ºìÐÓÊÓƵ

David Coletto, founder and CEO of Abacus Data

David Coletto is CEO and a founding partner of Abacus Data a full-service market research and strategy firm based in Ottawa and Toronto. With over a decade and a half of experience in the industry, David and his partners founded Abacus eleven years ago and since then it has grown into one of Canada's most respected market research firms.

David has worked with many of Canada’s leading associations, corporations, and non-profits including Cooperation Canada, Oxfam, Shaw Communications, the Canadian Medical Association, the Bank of Canada, and the Canadian Real Estate Association.

He earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary in 2010 and is an adjunct professor at Carleton University. He is the host and producer of inFocus with David Coletto a new podcast that explores the intersection of public opinion, politics, public policy, and consumer behaviour.

He’s a Millennial, a foodie, a cyclist, and an avid traveller. He’s been tracking Canadian public opinion and consumer trends on technology, news consumption, and public policy for years and is one of Canada’s leading experts on generational change and Millennials in particular.

Knut Dethlefsen, Representative to the U.S. and Canada for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

Knut Dethlefsen brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having served in various leadership roles across the globe within the FES, the oldest political foundation in Germany with a rich tradition in social democracy. With his background in international relations and extensive knowledge of social democratic principles, Knut offers unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the movement.

Jennifer Vornbrock, Executive Director, Community and Government Relations, UVic

Jennifer Vornbrock joined the University of Victoria as its Executive Director, Community and Government Relations in April 2016. The Community and Government Relations department in UVic’s External Relations division provides strategic direction and advice on all community and government relations for the university.  Jennifer also sits on the board of the South Island Prosperity Project where she serves as Vice-Chair.

Previously, Jennifer held the position of Vice President, Knowledge and Innovation at the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Health Commission of Canada. Prior to joining the ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Health Commission in 2013, Jennifer worked for more than a decade at Vancouver Coastal Health in various operational   and strategic roles.

Strongly committed to public service, Jennifer has led a number of value driven, innovative strategic plans and projects on important social issues such as homelessness, mental health and addiction, primary care, early childhood and seniors. Jennifer holds a degree in political science from Simon Fraser University.