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

Responsible for leading and overseeing a diverse team across the Americas—North, South, and Latin America and Asia. I focus on driving transformational initiatives in the travel rewards space, ensuring developing and managing cutting-edge products that meet evolving customer expectations. By fostering innovation and operational excellence, I oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from ideation to execution, while integrating risk management strategies to ensure compliance and sustainability. My leadership supports a collaborative environment that empowers teams across regions to deliver high-impact solutions, aligning with strategic goals and maintaining competitive advantage in the market.

Senior Manager, Travel Rewards Technology

Pungo

As the Founder and CEO of Pungo, I have steered our mission to revolutionize the healthcare sector through cutting-edge digital innovation and  
Emerging Digital Products & Platforms. With an unwavering commitment to compliance and advanced technology solutions, we strive to bring transformative changes to healthcare providers and patients alike.

Founder & CEO

Giant Tiger

My role is about transforming the customer experience in a way that’s both innovative and sustainable. We’ve launched and enhanced the Giant Tiger website and app, integrating AI and ML to improve efficiency while reducing our carbon footprint. By managing our digital ecosystem—including eCommerce, digital merchandising, and customer journeys—I ensure that we build scalable, sustainable platforms that drive both performance and environmental responsibility. It’s not just about technology; it’s about creating a future that’s smarter, greener, and focused on the customer.

Group Manager, Digital Experience & eCommerce

Hydro One

At Hydro One, I reimagined digital transformation with a clear focus on customer experience and operational efficiency. We accelerated software delivery by 40% and cut downtime by 50% by embracing cloud infrastructure, agile practices, and AI-driven tools. I drove key initiatives like grid modernization, the Meter-to-Cash strategy, and a future-forward Service Desk, delivering seamless, self-serve capabilities that elevated customer engagement. Through strategic vendor partnerships and a balanced digital workplace sourcing model, I empowered our teams with the tools they need to innovate and deliver. It's more than technology—it's reshaping how we connect with energy and our customers.

Manager, Customer Strategy & Experience

Toronto Public Library

At Toronto Public Library, I redefined digital experiences with a strategy focused on innovation and customer engagement, working closely with the CIO and senior leaders. From digital payments to interactive catalogues, we crafted solutions that transformed the library experience for the world’s busiest library. By introducing agile practices, cloud infrastructure, and AI-enhanced tools, we accelerated delivery by 40%. We reduced downtime by 50%, creating a seamless, resilient system that’s as efficient as user-centred. My efforts in vendor partnerships and a forward-thinking Service Desk brought automation and productivity to new levels, reshaping how we connect with and serve our patrons.

Digital Transformation & Technology Leader

Moneris

As a Tech Lead at Moneris, I oversaw the integration of modern payment methods, including digital wallets, Visa Checkout, Mastercard Checkout, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and contactless payments for Presto/TTC, enhancing customer convenience and payment flexibility. I drove the implementation of advanced fraud detection and prevention strategies, reducing fraudulent transactions by 15% and saving over $1 million in chargeback fees. I defined and executed payment interface technology strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to establish requirements and set priorities. Leading the design and development of secure, scalable transaction solutions, I conducted market research and provided expertise to internal and external partners. My role also involved managing vendor relationships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and staying informed on industry advancements. Additionally, I supported sales and marketing initiatives, conducted user acceptance testing, and championed Agile methodologies, leveraging leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills throughout.

Technology Platform Manager

As the team lead, my main responsibility is to oversee the development, testing, and maintenance of payment website integration, utilizing a range of technologies such as C#, Sitecore, React, PHP, Bootstrap, Java, Node JS, MongoDB, MS SQL, Azure, AWS, SOLR, and IIS. I am accountable for defining deployment pipelines using Git, Jenkins, and DevOps, as well as leading the migration and integration of old platforms to new ones with the latest technologies. Ensuring optimal system performance and uptime while maintaining website and transaction volume SLAs is also part of my duties, requiring me to collaborate with different technology teams.

Software Developer

My focus is on facilitating the adoption of B2B and B2C products for major retailers, implementing EMV, PADSS, and PCI for both card present and card not present systems. I specialize in enabling in-store POS and e-commerce solutions for independent software vendors (ISVs) and middleware providers. I excel in sales partnerships and digital e-commerce onboarding. My expertise lies in guiding large-scale integrations that cover payment systems, e-commerce platforms, gift and loyalty, ernex and and fraud prevention solutions. I also handle tokenization, end-to-end digital wallet solutions, along with TMS and OMS. Furthermore, I provide sales training and subject matter expertise on base24/Phoenix switch.

Senior Integration Specialist

As a dedicated Technology Intern at IBM, I am entrusted with a pivotal role within the Energy, Utilities, and Oil & Gas sector. My primary responsibility lies in actively participating and contributing to a diverse array of technology-centric projects, with a specific emphasis on initiatives related to energy optimization and enhancing Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) metrics.

Technology Intern

Window City Canada

Results-oriented Sales and Marketing Manager with a proven track record in driving revenue growth and market share expansion within the windows and doors manufacturing sector. Adept at leveraging advanced data analysis techniques, including pivot tables, to inform strategic decision-making and optimize sales processes. Possesses a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics, enabling the development and execution of targeted marketing initiatives. Known for exceptional leadership, team-building, and client relationship management skills.
Key Accomplishments: Increased annual sales revenue by 30% by implementing targeted marketing campaigns and sales process optimizations.
Led a team of 15 sales representatives to exceed quarterly sales targets for three consecutive years consistently. Developed and executed a market expansion strategy that resulted in a 25% increase in market share within 18 months.


Key Skills: Market Research and Analysis, Strategic Planning and Business Development, Sales Team Leadership and Training, Customer Relationship Management.

Sales Marketing Manager

I’ve always believed in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and for over 15 years, I’ve been leading digital transformation across industries—energy, fintech, retail, healthcare, and public services. My mission has been simple but profound: reimagine customer experiences, elevate operational efficiency, and drive real, measurable impact.

I’ve spearheaded major initiatives like Hydro One’s grid modernization, Giant Tiger’s digital transformation, and innovative payment solutions at Moneris. Each project wasn’t just about the technology but fundamentally reshaping how these organizations connect with people and deliver value. I’m relentless about using data-driven strategies, agile practices, and the latest technology to solve complex challenges that create lasting change.

I’ve consistently delivered executive-level results—driving strategic decisions, securing critical investments, and managing partnerships that align with the bigger vision. I’ve always aimed higher, believing that the work I do should not only achieve goals but redefine them. I’m ready to take that vision to the next level, to lead with purpose and make an impact that endures.

taplio

The Battle

Samara Starkman

Anique A.

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?