INQ Consulting

Managing Principal and Co-Founder

Owner and operator of a legal and management consulting firm specializing in the development and delivery of privacy consulting services to public and private sector clients.

Principal Consultant

INQ Law

Partner

University of Toronto

Co-teaching the Privacy and Data Governance course in the Global Professional LLM program.

Adjunct Professor

University of Windsor Faculty of Law

Instructor for the inaugural Privacy Law in Canada course.

Sessional Instructor

Cancer Care Ontario

Directed Privacy and Access Office for multi-billion dollar Provincial agency, tasked with ensuring privacy of personal health information of Ontarians under its prescribed statuses under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, and compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Accomplishments include:

Led drafting and ensured adherence to Data Sharing Agreements, resulting in increased compliance with terms by Informatics department and streamlining of process.

Managed relationship with external stakeholders with respect to privacy and access, including IPC, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ICES, CIHI, POGO, hospitals, and other data partners.

Strengthened governance and accountability by establishing a Privacy Risk and Compliance managerial function, establishing privacy governance bodies across the organisation, and developing performance reporting for both privacy services as well as privacy office performance.

Director, Privacy and Access

Chief Privacy Officer (Acting)

Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority

Chief Of Staff

Courtyard Group

Led the operations of the Access to Care (ATC) Portfolio Office, which involved directing the work of other Portfolio Office resources, providing strategic direction to ATC Director, creating and coordinating the creation briefings and presentations, liaising with key stakeholders,  risk management, and ensuring visibility into procurement across the ATC Portfolio.  Primary focus: ER/ALC Information Strategy.  
Co-facilitated a strategic retreat with the Executive Directors of the 14 CCACs to set the foundation for a new eHealth strategy for the OACCAC
Managed a capacity review of the HSAP Division of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to assess the capacity of the Division to deliver on key priorities of the government, the Minister, the Deputy Minister and the HSAP Assistant Deputy Minister over three years – resulted in the delivery of a roadmap of priority objectives for the Assistant Deputy Minister
Managed the identification of future needs and assessment of gaps in services/programs for the Ontario Regional Cancer Programs - final report outlined actionable recommendations to advance the progress of the regional cancer programs across Ontario 
Led the development of an organizational review of SIMS at UHN, presenting practical advice to senior executives 
Selected to work directly with Managing Partner to develop corporate strategy for an international organization with over $30M in revenue 
Conceived and implemented a contract management process and delegation policy for an international consulting
Helped manage risks of a growth organization through the development of a Privacy Policy.  Acted as Deputy Privacy Officer, supporting Canada, the US and the UK
Led the annual operational planning process of an international company, managing all senior partners in the creation of their client account plans, budgets, and targets
Coached and mentored junior analysts on leadership development and solutions to address specific client engagements

Consultant

-	Contributed to the research and writing on an edited volume on health and human rights
-	Collaborated with a team of lawyers in the development of a skills building workshop for the 2006 International AIDS Conference, which was well-received by participants
-	Annotated recent case law and developed materials for the national and International approaches to Reproductive and Sexual Health Law class at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, which continues to be used

Reproductive and Sexual Health Law Fellow

Heenan Blaikie LLP

	Conducted research regarding privacy issues, actively participated in corporate transaction closings, summarized contracts, reviewed scripts and films for copyright and trademark infringements, participated in due diligence processes, reviewed corporate by-laws and minute books, and translated contracts from French to English
	Investigated human rights issues in labour and employment law; authored papers regarding the duty to accommodate, globalization and international trade agreements, summarized case law for newsletters, drafted termination letters and researched memos analyzing legal issues such as insubordination, fraud, strikes and lockouts, pension benefits and occupational health and safety
	Wrote memoranda on topics including the enforcement of oral contracts, quantifying damages for loss of vision, and various issues under the Employment Standards Act
	Drafted settlement letters, assignments of copyright, and reviewed shareholder agreements and leases

Articling Student

CTV News

Played an integral role in a major transaction by managing the acquisition of documents, preparing the data room, while supervising the performance of, and contributing to, the due diligence process
Researched memoranda including issues regarding the scope of PIPEDA

Summer Student

I make privacy program management simple

Samara is a results-oriented strategic privacy leader, lawyer and consultant, who leverages operational privacy leadership experience into practical strategies for program and project success. Samara is the founder of Drawbridge Consulting.

For Drawbridge, privacy is our business. We believe that “privacy” means individual control over decisions made about data, not complete secrecy. We ask the right questions. 

We understand the importance of good governance and criteria-based decision-making about personal information. We know that strong practical organizational privacy practices reduce risk. We enable access to data using privacy best practices for both private and public sector clients, from IT implementations that help your company’s efficiency to research and innovation technologies that improve health outcomes. 

Samara can be contacted at samarastarkman@drawbridgeconsulting.com
Http://www.drawbridgeconsulting.com

Samara Starkman

Surrey Place

Vice President Information Technology

George Brown College

Adjunct Faculty

Centennial College School of Business

ADosis Consulting

Working with senior leadership to develop, define and deliver on digital transformations. Across multiple verticals, marketing, communications, technology, legal and finance.

Principal Transformation Consultant

Arterra Wines Canada

As the enterprise Digital Transformation Director, I established change management through enterprise training that created a level set and common knowledge for employees across the organization. Reporting to the EVP Technology & Digital I worked collaboratively across Arterra to plan, establish, execute, and measure the digital transformation roadmap. Including technology, process, digital and data literacy, direct to consumer market strategy. Managing an 8-figure digital transformation budget that delivered new processes, systems and tools to develop a robust direct to consumer foundational environment for growth.

Digital Transformation

mdBriefCase Group Inc.

As the VP Operations, I led the organizational transformation of MDBriefCase including systems, processes, product development and marketing & branding, and IT transformation. Responsible for rebranding 11 independent digital entities into a singular, user friendly digital platform that was the go to continuing education platform for a global community of clinicians. With overall strategic, operational and implementation responsibility for the company’s information technology systems and digital products. 
Lead 4 divisions throughout the digital transformation, acquisition of a company as well as being acquired and fully integrated with new parent company. 

Transformation consisted of: information systems, technology platforms, operational processes, branding, marketing and communications. 

Portfolios:
Information Technology
Project Management
Product Management 
Marketing and 
Content Management

Vice President Operations

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)

As a member of the Senior Management team, I was responsible for leading the creation and implementation of a corporate digital strategy that aligns with CIHI’s corporate strategy, communications and business objectives.  Including analytics across multiple platforms to deliver results, achieve corporate priorities/objectives and meet client expectations.  

My key responsibilities were to lead the digital strategy, planning and executing innovative leading-edge digital initiatives, products and services aligned with operational priorities. Working through the evaluation of both fiscal and resource constraints to execute the vision and strategy. Ensuring a single vision, whose key drivers are stakeholder expectations/needs are met through the digital strategy. Making CIHI's digital footprint relevant to its national stakeholders.

Director of Digital Strategy

University Health Network

As the Director Digital Innovation at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre I was responsible for identifying digital innovation opportunities for survivors and clinicians. Identifying, translating and designing inclusive online and mobile tools that deliver on the commitment to provide patient centred care. 

As part of my role I led the Social Media and Digital Video strategy for the survivorship - #ELLICSR which includes video, twitter, Facebook, blog and YouTube channels to connect with and support our community of survivors. 

Redeveloping web products, including www.theprincessmargaret.ca in SharePoint 2013 while partnering with clinical staff to identify digital innovation opportunities to enhance the patient experience through the development and delivery mobile online tools that support the patient journey. Launching in 2014 Princess Margaret's first patient centred web and mobile app for Hospice and Palliative Care institutions in the province of Ontario. In addition to designing and delivering online educational resources that can be re-purposed across the broader programs within UHN, becoming leaders in the deliver of digital care through online educational programming.

Since early 2013 we have focused on leveraging and integrating YouTube as part of our overall Social Media strategy into programs and classes at ELLICSR - Princess Margaret Cancer Centre's survivorship program. For example patients who visit the WE-Can (Wellness & Exercise for Cancer Survivors) program can watch instructional exercise videos at home, while nutrition demonstrations that take place in the ELLICSR Kitchen are live-streamed and then edited to create individual online instructional recipe videos. This lead to our receiving an honorable mention in the Best Use of YouTube category from PR Daily's 2014 Social Media awards - which celebrate the best use of social media entries from around the world.

Director Web and Digital Innovation, Associate Director of ELLICSR

Reporting to the CTO, I was responsible for the delivery of web based technologies. Including the deployment and adoption of SharePoint 2010 as a technical platform supporting content management, process automation, external collaboration and application development. At the same time exploring mobile application design/development in support of Cancer Care's commitment to providing tools for the public to manage risk and healthcare professionals to have access to tools in a flexible organic format.

Director Web and Digital Services

Manager Web and Digital Services

Toronto Hydro

Web Manager & Creative Director

Building and delivering effective technology transformation strategy across an organization is where I thrive. I enjoy working collaboratively with a broad set of stakeholder’s to define complex integrated digital technology strategies that deliver on corporate objectives. I am passionate about a future where digital technology reduces if not eliminates access barriers. 

My expertise is in leveraging technology to find ways to create more inclusive, efficient, technology driven solutions that drive effective change. The opportunities to create efficient, data driven and cost effective transformation are endless. 

I have been fortunate to have led large and small multidisciplinary teams through digital strategy, technology and infrastructure changes, including business process automation, always delivering operational efficiency, resulting in cost savings, and improved experience. 

I am passionate about designing inclusive solutions, contributing to a digitally accessible world that is foundational to equity and equality.

My Strengths:
• Bringing diverse stakeholders together to define strategies that are innovative 
• Passionate about emerging digital trends 	
• Strategic view of the digital landscape while remaining current on trends
• Expertise in creating, execution, measuring, and reporting strategies 
• Strong leadership skills, strengths in coaching, able to motivate, and influence others to deliver on corporate goals and objectives
• Believe in positive open communication 
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to identify and conceptualize innovative solutions to meet business goals
• Strong decision-making skills
• Ability to build key relationships, exercise diplomacy, negotiate and resolve conflicts
 

My Motivation:
· Giving back to my community
· Coaching and mentoring of young professionals
· Creating inclusive experiences that are barrier free
· Leading by example for my 2 children to help build a better future for all 


Key Skills: Digital Strategy, Digital Transformation, Business Transformation, Business Process Improvement, Design Thinking, Change Management, Analytic Skills, Accessible Digital Design, Executive Leadership, Vendor Management, Information Management, Operations Management, IT Operations, Business Planning, Health Tech, Information Technology, Application Management, Learning Management Systems, Leadership, Portfolio Management and Budgeting, Strategic Engagement, Corporate Services, Global Experience

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Samara Starkman

Angela Dosis MDes

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