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 has an MBA from the University of Toronto and is both a CA and CPA. He has decades of experience in senior management positions for both private and public companies and was the co-owner and COO of one of Canada’s largest conference providers. Rob’s diverse background spans executive education, defense, technology, media, and entertainment. His area of expertise lies in guiding companies through periods of turnaround or rapid growth. Outside the office, Rob is a fitness enthusiast with a passion for the outdoors through all four seasons. |
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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.
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. |
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Varugis George – Cambridge Executive Connections
Senior Forum Director, Head of Strategic Business Ventures Varugis has over sixteen years of experience producing and managing conferences for corporate executives, government officials, and professional advisors. In his current position, he oversees Cambridge Executive Connections, a specialized subsidiary of Cambridge Forums Inc. (CFI) that builds networks of senior business leaders, institutional investors, and private clients. When he is not in the office, Varugis enjoys reading, being a culinary tourist, and playing volleyball or golf. |
Forum Directors
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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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Shona Fox
Forum Director Shona graduated from the University College Dublin with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish. She has a background in medical, insurance and financial administration. In her spare time, Shona loves to travel and enjoys planning trips all around the world. |
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Mandy Howarth
Associate Forum Director Mandy is a graduated law clerk and has experience working within both the legal and oil & gas industry. She was an exchange student in 2006, through Rotary International, to Brazil and is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. Mandy has returned to Brazil on many occasions to assist in the opening of a private English school and had the privilege to volunteer as a teacher within the school for six months. In her spare time, she enjoys learning other languages and spending time with her dog, Gus. |
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Shannon Moore
Director, Sponsorship & Salons Shannon has a Bachelor’s Degree from Queen’s University. Her background includes 10 years of experience in non-profit conferencing and event management for Canadian sport, including the 2014 U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Canadian Football League. In her spare time, Shannon loves going on road trips, listening to audiobooks, and dabbling in trampoline dodgeball. |
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Emma Phillips
Forum Director With over 25 years of experience, Emma is a dedicated experiential marketing leader with the ability to manage the entire project lifecycle, from conception and budgeting to execution and post-event analysis. Emma has demonstrated success in planning and orchestrating high-visibility events across target markets including clients, stakeholders, executives, and employees. Emma’s areas of expertise include managing the customer experience, client retention, and relationship management, meeting logistics, organization and execution as well as cost and budget control, contract negotiations and vendor relations. |
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Kate Ross
Forum Director Kate has a background in social services where she treated youth with complex mental health and addictions issues. Her role involved developing detailed, treatment-focused program plans and seeing them through to completion. Kate brings many years of experience in the service industry to her role at Cambridge Forums. In her spare time, Kate enjoys good food and wine, all things true-crime related, and dance parties with her kids. |