Connie Ekelund
Verified Expert in Finance
Management Consulting Expert
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Toptal member since March 21, 2022
Connie is a senior management consultant and business strategist with 30+ years of experience in transformational change, innovation, and sustainability. Her niche is "Culture, leadership, and innovation as they relate to people and business strategies." As a tenured management consultant, marketing strategist, and sustainability practitioner (UNSDG and ESG), she develops and facilitates programs to improve performance, define sustainability and social impact goals, and support leadership.
Career Highlights
Education Highlights
Certification Highlights
Industry Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
CEO | Cofounder | Director
NanoTerraTech Advanced Materials Inc.
- Served as a CEO, director, and cofounder. My role was to find the right people and put them in the right roles, set the direction of the company, and develop relationships with PE & VC to keep the company in the black.
- Handled organizational development, including overarching business structure, strategic planning, team recruitment, international marketing strategy, business plans, data room development, pitch decks, sales materials, and B2B events and conferences.
- Developed board materials, including board skills matrix, board selection process, board onboarding packages, board training materials, and governance and regulatory requirements.
- Oversaw the development and patenting of proprietary hardware technologies for the sustainable production of battery-grade BIO-Graphite, resulting in a 75% reduction in production costs compared to traditional synthetic graphite.
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of NanoTerraTech's business strategy, achieving investor interest and securing key partnerships with leading battery manufacturers.
- Directed the creation of a comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) for BIO-Graphite, demonstrating its environmental superiority over mined natural graphite and enhancing the company's appeal to eco-conscious investors.
- Led the successful navigation and compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring eligibility for advanced manufacturing production credits that provide substantial financial benefits to the company.
- Negotiated and secured critical supply chain agreements, mitigating global supply chain disruptions risks and ensuring a stable flow of raw materials necessary for BIO-Graphite production.
- Implemented a robust exit strategy, preparing NanoTerraTech for potential acquisition or IPO, projected to increase shareholder value by 20X over the next three years.
- Championed the company's marketing efforts, leading to brand recognition and positioning NanoTerraTech as a leader in the sustainable graphite industry.
CEO | Management Consulting and Business Strategist
Synergy CMC
- Guided executive leadership and key stakeholders in defining their goals, impact, and materiality. Selected ESG reporting software and encouraged employees' engagement in impactful projects.
- Managed OCM clients/internal, organizational design, planning, alignment of leadership, stakeholders, KPIs, OKRs, milestones, and ROI. Facilitated executive leadership development, supporting transformational change through road mapping.
- Created international marketing plans for organizational growth. Showed expertise in C-level and board engagement. Delivered strategic plan and organizational development solutions with a focus on business strategy and brand development.
- Developed ESG sustainability strategy, planning, and implementation. Defined vision and priorities. Analyzed and selected a reporting framework and bodies and completed materiality assessments for multiple countries, divisions, and departments.
- Created and implemented a framework and programs to support sustainability and impact using the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG); environmental, social, and governance (ESG); and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as guiding principles.
- Created ideation and design thinking frameworks for multiple company departments, aligned the team, processed product and service development, streamlined business processes, improved supply chain logistics, reduced overhead, and increased ROI.
- Coached and mentored 100+ students and executives in creating new ventures. Created branding to support the team's vision. Developed collateral materials to build pitch decks. Developed processes for a dry run of presentation and timing.
- Focused on enterprise-sized clients, multinationals, and family enterprises. Harnessed my expertise working with boards, management, and key stakeholders.
- Developed and facilitated customized workshops and collateral material for e-learning platforms. Supported clients with ongoing iterations to stay current and relevant in their industry.
- Secured SaaS program partnerships, expert speakers and facilitators, and independent sales agencies to broaden corporate offerings.
Sustainability Expert
Toptal
- Supported the educational designer with content and structure for the sustainability training modules, focusing on effectively integrating key sustainability principles.
- Illustrated how sustainability principles were integrated into the training modules during the client demonstration, using specific methodologies and strategies.
- Addressed all client questions and concerns about sustainability integration during the demo, providing clear explanations and making notes for potential adjustments to the training modules.
- Highlighted the sustainability methodologies to be used in the training, including any innovative tools or techniques that would enhance learning outcomes related to sustainability practices.
Sustainability Expert (via Toptal)
Toptal
- Collaborated with the Toptal core team to develop a winning RFP for an enterprise client.
- Conducted thorough research to gauge clients' understanding of sustainability and ESG principles. Analyzed corporate annual sustainability reports and extracted critical insights into clients' knowledge gaps and priorities.
- Created the framework for a "sustainability" pilot aimed at corporate managers for an internal online training program.
Management Consultant - Sustainability Expert
Toptal
- Developed an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sales pitch for Toptal's Enterprise Sales Team that significantly enhanced client engagement by aligning with the growing global emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices.
- Created an ESG-focused pitch that helped Toptal differentiate itself in the competitive marketplace by highlighting its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, appealing to clients who prioritize corporate responsibility.
- Established ESG principles that attracted a broader range of clients, particularly in industries under pressure to meet ESG goals, deepening existing relationships and attracting new ones who valued ethical considerations in their partnerships.
- Demonstrated ESG compliance in the sales pitch, reassuring clients that partnering with Toptal helped them meet these regulatory requirements.
- Developed a well-articulated ESG pitch that attracted more investment by positioning Toptal as a forward-thinking, responsible choice.
- Contributed to talent attraction and retention by showcasing strong ESG commitments in sales pitches, highlighting Toptal’s role as a service provider and a responsible employer.
- Highlighted innovations in a sales pitch, positioning Toptal as a leader in cutting-edge, sustainable business strategies.
- Presented proper ESG practices in the sales pitch, reassuring clients that Toptal was a secure and stable partner. Proper ESG practices help mitigate various risks, including environmental liabilities and social discontent.
- Enhanced brand loyalty and reputation by associating Toptal’s brand with positive ESG practices, strengthening client trust and loyalty.
- Developed a sales pitch that emphasized Toptal’s commitment to long-term value creation through sustainable practices, as clients looking to integrate ESG principles were often interested in long-term partnerships rather than short-term gains.
Cofounder
Fusion Publishing Inc
- Co-founded a publishing house with many magazines through private label programs and liaised with multiple business industries, developing keen insights on trends, business and financial models, and opportunities for growth and expansion.
- Collaborated with luxury brands and industry leaders to elevate the company's image and awareness.
- Developed an international team of several hundred journalists and contributors.
- Worked with a genuinely expansive list of international clients from different industries, including fashion, health, beauty, motor vehicles, fine arts, jewelry, wealth management, property, innovation, and food and wine.
- Received a photography award for a cover image in the travel and destinations category. All photography equipment was sponsored by Sony, creating a powerful collaboration.
Education
Fashion Design Diploma in Fashion Design
LeFeaux Institute of Design - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Business Management and Marketing Diploma in Business Management and Marketing
British Columbia Institute of Technology - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Certifications
The Complete Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT Course
Udemy
AI for Business Strategy and Planning
Udemy
SASB Consultant Member
The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Alliance (SASB)
GRI Consultant Member
Global Reporting Initiative Standards
Sustainability Professional
International Society of Sustainability Professionals
UNSDG - Measuring Sustainable Development
edX SDG Academy
UNSDG - United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals
edX SDG Academy
Innovation Management Certificate
QMarkets
Innovation Leadership
Georgia Institute of Technology
Leadership Pipeline Certificate
Leadership Pipeline Institute
Human Capital Assessments Certificate
Multi Health Systems
360 and Evaluation Certificate
DecisionWise
Leadership and Human Capital Assessments Certificate
Organizational Management Group
Organization and Relationship Systems (Business Coaching)
CRR Global
Customer Focused Selling Certificate
Predictive Index CFS
Employee Engagement Certificate
Hyphen
Transformational Change through Values-Based Leadership
Barrett Values Centre
Business and Executive Coaching
The Canfield Training Group
LEAP Extreme Leadership Certificate
Extreme Leadership Institute
Why U Certification
Simon Sinek
Business Mastery Certificate
Tony Robbins
Talent Optimization
Predictive Index
Team, Management, and Leadership Program
Landmark Worldwide
Advanced Communications
Landmark Worldwide
Communications Fundamentals
Landmark Worldwide
CEO Chair Facilitator
Vistage/TEC Canada
Professional Development Series
Landmark Worldwide
The Landmark Forum
Landmark Worldwide
Governance Lab: Governance and Board Development | Non-Profit Development
Vantage Point
Leadership Lab: Lead, Govern and Manage Organizations with Excellence | Non-Profit Development
Vantage Point
Skills
Industry Expertise
Startup Accelerators, Sustainability, Early-stage Startups, Nonprofits, Energy, Construction, Venture Capital, Textiles, Fashion
Finance
Seed Fundraising, Market Opportunity Analysis, Market Research, Private Equity, Pricing, Monetization Models, Fundraising, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Rating, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Reporting, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Monitoring, Financial Modeling
Output Software
TechnologyOne
Other
Innovation Management, Ideation, Organization, Leadership, Eco-friendly Innovation, Organizational Design, Change Leadership, Thought Leadership, Team Leadership, Sustainable Advisory, Sustainable Development, Cognitive Science, Talent Management, Change Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Corporate Culture, Culture Development, Business to Business (B2B), Strategy, Social Impact, Transformational Leadership, Transformational Change, Business Strategy, Structure & Organizational Design, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Design Thinking, Pitch Decks, Incubator Management, Innovation, Business Transformation, Leadership Development, Leadership Training, Behavioral Testing, Mentorship & Coaching, Team Management, Team Building, Team Development, Business Development, User Behavior, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Planning, Corporate Governance, Communication, Marketing Communications (MarCom), Communication Strategy, Professional Development, Startups, Product Development, Product Launch, Culture, Business Services, Media, Publishing, Advertising, Metals & Mining, Strategic Partnerships, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Go-to-market Strategy, Brand Building, Branding, Content Writing, Sustainability Strategy, Workshop Facilitation, Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), Marketing Management, Business Model Strategy, Brand Strategy, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Environmental Leadership, Ideation Workshops, Management Consulting, Sales, B2C, Market Research & Analysis, Executive Consulting, Business Proposals, Corporate Communications, Event Management, Project Delivery, Sales Effectiveness, Sales Optimization, Product Sourcing, Cosmetics, HR Transformation, Performance Management, Request for Proposal (RFP), Operational Efficiency Improvement, Process Flows, Process Mapping, Business, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Impact, Data Analytics, Angel Investing, Employee Data Management, Human Resources (HR), Executive Coaching, Instruction & Coaching, Business Coaching, QA Leadership, Board Development, Board of Directors, Board Reporting, Board Work, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Development, Fundraising Consultant, Finance, Product Strategy Consultant, Business Proposals, Innovation Strategy, Organizational Structure, SaaS, Analysis, Environment, Social, Governance, Business Unit Strategy, Business Process Improvement (BPI), Business & Digital Transformation, CleanTech, Deep Tech, Climate Change, Product Management, Customer Acquisition, Growth Marketing, Customer Interviews, Event Planning, Event Marketing, Agency, Asana, HubSpot, Monday.com, Business Models, Microsoft, Google, Adobe Suite, Slack, Design, Drafting, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Medical Devices, Engineering, Luxury Industry, Enterprise, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), CTO, Artificial Intelligence Markup Language (AIML), Large Data Sets, Language Models, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Disruptive Innovation, Innovation Labs, Marketing Strategy, Sustainability Reports, Workshops, Innovation Workshops, Discovery Workshops, Training Workshops, Consulting, Fundraising Strategy, Sales Pipelines, Sales Strategy, Batteries, Biomaterial, Electric Vehicles, Electromobility, Early-stage Venture Capital, Facilitation, Marketing Plans, Organizational Development, Organizational Strategy & Design, Strategic Marketing, Business Plan Consulting, Corporate Development, Transformational Change Leadership, Employee Engagement, AI Business Strategy, ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat, Machine Learning, DALL-E, Prompt Engineering, Midjourney, Illustration, Color Theory, Pattern Making, Draping, Garment Construction, Styling, Trend Forecasting, Creative Concept Development, Technical Drawing, Sewing, CAD, 3D Printing, Spec Sheet Creation, Quality Control (QC), Fit Testing, Sustainable Design, Soft Skills Coaching, Project Management, Brand Development, Promotion, Customer Insights, Presentations, Networking, Budget Management, Entrepreneurship, 3D Design
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