About Us
Who We Are
Cambridge Forums Inc. has been developing exclusive high-level gatherings for senior executives, professionals, and public sector leaders for over 10 years. We hold forums annually around the world.
These meetings focus on professional advisors and senior executives in the private and public sectors. Our Forums facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between senior leaders, ultimately leading to the creation of professional communities of practice.
We oversee all logistics, ensuring every detail of the forum experience is second to none. The exclusivity enables our team to focus on our participants from the moment they receive their personal invitation through to their enjoyment of top tier facilities, fine dining, and exceptional surroundings.
Cambridge Forums Inc. has been developing exclusive high-level gatherings for senior executives, professionals, and public sector leaders for over 10 years. We hold forums annually around the world.
These meetings focus on professional advisors and senior executives in the private and public sectors. Our Forums facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices between senior leaders, ultimately leading to the creation of professional communities of practice.
We oversee all logistics, ensuring every detail of the forum experience is second to none. The exclusivity enables our team to focus on our participants from the moment they receive their personal invitation through to their enjoyment of top tier facilities, fine dining, and exceptional surroundings.
The Cambridge Team
Executive Team
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Rob Ross
Founder & Chair, Board of Directors Rob has been working in the professional development field since 1979, when he founded Insight Information Inc. in Canada. Rob has been active in developing conferences, seminars, and the more exclusive forum format, as well as interactive television and publishing. Rob founded Cambridge Forums in 2005 to serve the needs of the more senior executive and professional advisor communities. Rob now focuses on program development, co-leading Forums and creating new initiatives for the company. "Rob is a vital factor to the success of our Forum. He is easy to work with, does the ‘heavy lifting', and delivers the event on time and in such a professional manner that we are pleased to be associated with it." Dan Kirby, Partner – Osler LLP – Toronto |
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Rob Ryan
CEO Rob brings over 25 years of experience in senior management positions in private and public companies, spanning the executive education, defense, technology, media, and entertainment sectors. His particular expertise lies in guiding companies through periods of rapid growth. Rob was formerly a co-owner and director of one of the largest conference businesses in Canada. He is a CPA, CA and MBA. |
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Karen Darnell
COO Karen joined Cambridge Forums in 2008, and has held a number of key executive positions with the company overseeing client service, finance, marketing, and operations. She has been instrumental in developing Cambridge Forums’ growth strategy, ensuring high service standards and optimizing operational efficiency. Prior to joining the company, Karen spent more than a decade working in management and front-line positions in a variety of service businesses, gaining a deep understanding of quality and talent management. |
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Lisa Nichols – Cambridge Forums Litigation Series Inc.
Vice President & Director of Litigation Programs With two decades of senior management experience, Lisa built her career within the luxury market in Toronto. She began her career in special events and quickly moved in sales and marketing for leading companies such as the Four Seasons and The Park Hyatt. She is best known for cultivating a division of high end real estate rentals within Toronto for the television & film industry by establishing a client list of Academy Award winners through her work with top real estate developer Minto. Since she began her career with Cambridge Forums in the Fall of 2014, Lisa's leadership abilities and strong business acumen have made her an excellent fit for working with the North American and International litigation programs. As such, in January of 2018, Lisa was appointed Vice President & Director of Litigation Programs for Cambridge Forums Litigation Series Inc., a subsidiary that focuses specifically on litigation forums. |
Forum Directors
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Varugis George
Senior Forum Director, Head of Strategic Business Ventures For over 15 years, Varugis has been working with senior practitioners and leading business executives to create and manage elite peer-level professional development meetings. He joined the Cambridge Forum Director team in 2015, managing a portfolio of established international private client programs and researching new Forum Concepts in finance and corporate governance. In 2017, Varugis was appointed the Head of Strategic Business Ventures and is now responsible for the research and development of strategies to enhance customer experience and maximize the value of the Cambridge network beyond the annual meetings. As a member of the Forum Director team, he continues to manage and build on a portfolio of programs in the international private client, family office and financial sectors. |
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Kristina Govan
Managing Director, Program Development Kristina has been working in event planning and project management for 10 years. She recently received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) accreditation, which is recognized globally as a badge of excellence in the meeting and event industry. Prior to Cambridge Forums, Kristina worked at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where she successfully planned and hosted events for high level donors, corporate clients and film stars. Kristina has a passion for learning new things, which she is able to do daily at Cambridge Forums when working with clients from regulatory, enforcement and planning backgrounds. |
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Jessica Baker
Managing Director, Program Development A seasoned event and marketing manager, Jessica has executed live engagements globally in the technology, financial, legal, not-for-profit and consumer products industries for many of the world's leading organizations. Prior to joining Cambridge Forums, Jessica worked in conference management, specializing in executive events for C-Suite executives, Board members and VIP clients. A talented communicator, Jessica utilizes her leadership skills and passion for creating flawless participant experiences as a Forum Director, focusing on programs in compliance, infrastructure and planning. A food & wine aficionado, Jessica is also accredited with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits. |
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Michael Howe
Director of Communications & Sponsorship Prior to joining Cambridge Forums in 2012, Mike worked in education for 10 years. Starting out as an English and Social Studies teacher in Montreal, he moved to the U.K. to teach in London and eventually on to Taiwan to teach corporate written and spoken English for several multinational companies. Returning to Canada, Mike worked on process development, teaching work place safety standards and systems adherence for a tech company. At Cambridge Forums, Mike specializes in client relations, strategy development and partnership outreach. He is a member of the management team. |