“When you are intentional about how you show up, that consistency becomes your brand.” In our latest Women in Strategy interview, we spoke with Brittany Straitton, Vice President of Forecasting, Replenishment & Planning at Canadian Tire Corporation, about the experiences that shaped her leadership journey. Early in her career, Brittany helped lead a bold recommendation to move an entire product category to private label and Canadian-made. It was an ambitious shift, especially for someone early in their career. Today Brittany leads a team of 180 people and continues to apply that same ambitious mindset, focusing on clarity, empowering teams, and building alignment across complex operations. A perspective Brittany returns to throughout the conversation is the importance of building a consistent personal brand. When you have a limited number of cycles with people, her story is reminder that showing up prepared, clear on your message, and confident in the role you need to play can make those moments count. Read the full interview here.
We are proud to share Level5’s latest book, Building Strategies That Stick. This book brings together our perspective on what it takes to develop the right strategy and the commitment required to deliver it. Drawing on our collective experience working with leadership teams across industries, the book explores how organizations can move from ambition to execution in a clear and practical way. Building Strategies That Stick is now available for digital download on our website.
This week, we had the privilege of co-hosting a CEO Forum with Ontario Chamber of Commerce, bringing together leaders for an important conversation on the role of businesses in community prosperity. From the discussion, it was clear the challenges we face today are too complex to solve alone. From the pressures facing main streets across the country to broader issues like housing and immigration, progress will require businesses to step forward as active civic partners alongside government and community leaders. Underlying all of this is a call to action: we must work collaboratively and with urgency to address the challenges facing our communities. There is greatness in Canadian business. We must support, cultivate, and celebrate Canadian excellence, both current and emerging, to help our communities thrive. Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion and contributed to such a thoughtful exchange.
Last Friday we celebrated Level5 Day together with an amazing scavenger hunt at the Royal Ontario Museum, a team potluck, and plenty of orange! When David Kincaid founded the firm 24 years ago, he started with a simple philosophy: build a culture, not a company. Over the years, this philosophy has shaped how we work with clients and how we show up for each other as a team. We are lucky to celebrate what we have built together and days like this are a reminder of how special it is to be part of a group that cares about the work and the people behind it. With 25 years around the corner, we are excited for what next year’s celebrations will bring. Thank you to everyone, past and present, who has helped make Level5 what it is today.
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate the achievements and leadership of women while advancing the global pursuit of gender equality. As part of our Women in Strategy initiative, we invited three leaders to share their perspectives on strategy, influence, and impact in today’s environment. Thank you to Jennifer Ménard-Shand, Ciara Beauchemin, and Sylvia Palka Melo for sharing your insights on how leaders can make deliberate choices to create pathways for others. Read the full interview below.
Carla Nell has led through change across sectors by staying grounded in what matters most: caring, curiosity, and collaboration. From her early career navigating complex challenges in the private sector to her leadership today in Ontario’s energy sector, she brings a steady, people-centred approach to uncertainty and long-term impact. Recently, we sat down with Carla to explore her career path and the principles that guide her leadership. She shared candid insights on leading through uncertainty, the role of authenticity in communication, and why the convergence of energy, the economy, and the environment represents a powerful opportunity for the future. Read the full conversation below.
We are proud to share that James Hunter has been named a Rising Star of the Profession by Consulting Magazine. This recognition celebrates emerging leaders who are shaping the future of consulting. Anyone who has worked with James knows why he earned it. He combines sharp strategic thinking with a genuine commitment to clients and colleagues, challenges ideas thoughtfully, and leads with integrity. Congratulations James, we are excited to see the continued impact you will make for our clients and Level5!
When strategies fail to stick, it's rarely because teams don't care. More often, the strategy itself wasn't built to succeed. Through our research with 1,000+ leaders, we've identified three warning signs that show up when organizations are missing the right strategy, even when intentions are strong. The pattern is consistent: strategies get developed in closed rooms, shaped more by assumptions than evidence, and ambitions stretch beyond what's realistic. Without clear trade-offs, everything stays on the list – which means nothing is actually prioritized. These aren't execution problems, they're design problems. The good news is that clarity and alignment are solvable problems, and often the fastest way to unlock momentum. Building strategies that stick starts with setting the “right” foundation, because getting this right sets everything else up to work.
We’re proud to share that Level5 Strategy has been ranked #28 on Vault’s Top 50 Consulting Firms in North America for 2026, marking our second consecutive year on the list. Vault’s rankings are built on insights from thousands of consulting professionals across the industry, which makes this recognition especially meaningful for our team. It reflects the impact of our work, the strength of our culture, and the trust our clients place in us. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and the partnerships we build every day. Thank you to everyone who continues to be part of the Level5 story, helping us deliver strategies that stick! Our highlights from this year’s rankings include: 🌎 #28 in Vault Consulting 50 North America 👥 #2 in Best Consulting Firms for Firm Culture 🤝 #7 in Best Consulting Firms for Interactions with Clients 🏢 #4 in Best Boutique Consulting Firms 👩💼 #10 in Best Consulting Firms for Women
Recently, we hosted a Lunch & Learn with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) to learn more about their work advancing accessibility and inclusion across Canada. CNIB shared their mission to change what it means to be blind by removing barriers and expanding access to opportunity for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Their passion and advocacy deeply impressed our team, and we came away from the session excited about their work and how we can support their mission. Now, we want to help share their message. If you are looking for ways to get involved, CNIB is always seeking employers interested in partnering through their Come to Work program to help open doors to meaningful employment. There are also many other ways to support their work through volunteering and community involvement, which you can learn more about on their website: https://www.cnib.ca/en/support-us We are grateful to the CNIB team (and their furry friends) for sharing their story and for the important work they do every day.
