Virtual Event
The Road to Net Zero
October 3, 2023 at 1:00pm ET

Julian Ovens, Partner, Crestview Strategy
Julian brings extensive experience as an international corporate development leader, a natural resources executive, and a senior political advisor. Julian sits on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum (AusCan).

Julian was Chief of Staff to two of Canada’s International Trade Ministers in the Trudeau government, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was Head of Strategy and Development, Potash (formerly Diamonds) at BHP in Saskatoon and Project Director, Iron Ore Africa, BHP Minerals Exploration, based in Singapore. He previously led commercial efforts for development projects and engaged in global mergers & acquisitions for BHP Billiton Aluminium in London.

Julian led or contributed to buy, sell-side and spin-off international transactions across the globe in the corporate Mergers & Acquisitions team of (Rio Tinto) Alcan, based in Paris and Montreal.

He began his finance career in investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston in Toronto. His career in federal politics started when he worked at the House of Commons as an assistant to two Parliamentary Secretaries.

Julian received his ESG Global Competent Board Certificate (GCB.D) in 2021.

He holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University and studied Economics and Political Science at the University of Ottawa. Julian is fluent in French.

John O’Leary, Senior Consultant, Crestview Strategy
John combines his extensive political experience and consulting work for a global corporation to offer a full view of public affairs opportunities and risks. He provides clients with thoughtful perspectives, builds trusted stakeholder relationships, and encourages his team to forge new paths and find innovative solutions for successful outcomes.

Before joining Crestview Strategy, John served in senior roles with the federal and provincial governments and public affairs consulting. He was Director of Communications to three federal Cabinet Ministers and led communications, outreach, and strategic research at the Liberal Research Bureau. John was a member of the 2021 and 2019 Liberal Party of Canada’s National Campaign Team. Additionally, he led issues management and was a policy advisor to Premier Dalton McGuinty. John also led public affairs and communications for one of the world’s biggest consumer brands in Ontario and Western Canada.

John holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Queen’s University.