ABOUT Phil Welford
Phil has spent over two decades working as an executive in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
During his time in Ottawa, working within the federal government as a Chief of Staff to multiple cabinet ministers, Philip led the creation of a new government agency and designed the first funding programs for FedDev Ontario. He advised on communications strategies when Canadians were held in overseas prisons as well as pushing for the International Olympic Committee to include Women’s Ski Jumping as an official sport.
As Executive Director, Philip led the transformation of the Stem Cell Network from a translational research organization to one which now delivers stem cell treatment for humans via clinical trials, resulting in a stem cell treatment for sepsis being delivered to the first patient in Ottawa.
During the first term of the current Progressive Conservative Government, Philip once again served as a Chief of Staff, this time to provincial cabinet ministers. He was called upon to guide the Minister of Education’s office through the 2019 education sector contract negotiations as well as the complicated process of managing the schooling system during the global pandemic. He also led the charge to create new parks for Ontario families to enjoy, which culminated in a new class of Urban Provincial Park in Uxbridge, as well as the first new Provincial Park in 40 years at Big Wind.
Most recently, Philip spent time in Ontario’s broader public sector, serving as the Chief of Staff and senior advisor to the President and CEO of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, one of North America’s largest Worker Compensation Boards handling approximately 250,000 claims per year.
When not in the office, Philip can be found on his bike around the trails in Toronto or watching his beloved Leicester City FC.
Phil Welford
President and CEO
ABOUT Hugo Gatsby
Hugo Gatsby is the lead for learning and development at FutureBridge and an award-winning strategist known for translating complex ideas into clear, human-centered solutions. With more than twenty years of experience as a behavioural scientist , digital strategist, and corporate consultant, he has built a reputation for developing strategies and experiential training that resonate across every medium and industry.
Hugo has published his dissertation work in behavioural science, introducing a proprietary quick decision-making model that organizes the world’s largest database of cognitive biases into five practical categories. This framework helps organizations accelerate adoption, improve clarity, and make better decisions under pressure.
As a designer, Hugo brings a multidisciplinary approach rooted in behavioural insight. His expertise spans web development, graphic design, and brand strategy, and he integrates behavioural science into every campaign, experience, and digital solution he creates.
Hugo has collaborated with organizations such as the Government of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Bell Canada, Hamilton Health Sciences, Intuitive Shipping, XpertVR, Netflix, and most recently with Deloitte Canada. As an adult with autism, Hugo has also served for more than four years on the Board of Directors for Autism Speaks and has spent over a decade advocating for the autism community.
Throughout his career, Hugo has remained a consistent supporter of effective and practical public policy in a completely non-partisan way. His work focuses on helping both government and the private sector build better, evidence-informed solutions that strengthen communities, improve service delivery, and create long-term value.
A lifelong learner, Hugo is continually exploring new technologies to help governments, communities, and companies connect more meaningfully with the people they serve. His recent work in gamification includes the creation of an expansive game mechanics periodic table that supports his change management practice and the training curriculum he develops for FutureBridge, Deloitte Canada, and his creative agency Stradea Design Labs.
Hugo Gatsby
Head of Learning & Development