Dimitri Soudas

Bio

Dimitri Soudas (born July 10, 1979) is currently the Managing Partner of Stampede Group^[1] which specialises in food trade into Asian markets and business development. He is also a member of several corporate boards. Dimitri Soudas is a former Director of Communications and Chief Spokesman to the Canadian Prime Minister, former Executive Director of the Canadian Olympic Committee and former Executive Director/CEO of the Conservative Party of Canada.^[2] Dimitri Soudas is fluently trilingual in English, French and Greek as well as intermediate Spanish.

Dimitri Soudas announces the Sochi 2014 Canadian Olympic Team

Dimitri Soudas speaks at the Munk School of Global Affairs

Dimitri Soudas holds press conference with International and Canadian media during 2010 G20 Summit

Dimitri Soudas has developed a well-earned reputation as a top performer at the highest levels of government, the private sector, NGO’s and not for profit organisations. Accustomed to high-performance professional environments, he is perhaps best known for his role as the chief spokesperson and Director of Communications to the Prime Minister of Canada where he served with distinction for a decade after fulfilling a number of roles there beginning in 2002.

Following this challenging and rewarding period, Soudas transitioned into the position of Executive Director (Communications) at the Canadian Olympic Committee. His ability to develop a dynamic corporate communications strategy, as well as his work within the organizational structure of the COC, was highly regarded and credited for that organization’s improved government relations, public relations and extremely successful fundraising efforts.

It was this success that led to Soudas’s appointment as Executive Director/CEO of the Conservative Party of Canada, an organisation with more than 100 employees and oversaw a $20 million annual budget.

He then entered the private sector, becoming the Managing Partner of the Stampede Group. In his current role, Mr. Soudas’s expertise in the areas of management, business development and international relations has allowed him to develop successful strategic partnerships for clients in Canada, the United States, China and India.

This combined experience has led to several corporate board appointments for Mr. Soudas (Chair of the Board of Directors of Merry Montreal, EVP 2018 World Equestrian Games, Senior Advisor to the President of Cavalia, Patron's Lunch Organising Committee Member, CNP Board Member, etc.).

Early life

Dimitri Soudas announces the Canadian Olympic Team for Sochi

Stampede Group Managing Partner, Dimitri Soudas

Soudas was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, to Greek parents He was raised by a single mom and his grandmother. His first job was at the age of 13, delivering groceries on a bicycle for Delta Supermarket. A nurse by trade, his mother worked as a waitress in Montreal to put him through private elementary and high school and university.^[3] He completed a diploma in health sciences at Dawson College and studied biochemistry at Concordia University. Soudas also holds a master's degree from Simon Fraser University.

Personal life

Dimitri Soudas has 3 children with his ex-wife.

Political career

Prime Minister of Canada's Director of Communications and Chief Spokesman to the Prime Minister Of Canada

^[4]He was promoted to Director of Communications in spring 2010, following the resignation of. John Williamson. . Dimitri was Responsible for advertising, marketing, media relations and crisis management for the Government of Canada; Reported directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet regarding the operation and management of government-wide communications; Developed and implemented strategies to enhance and promote the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada; Oversaw the implementation of advertising campaigns, developed branding strategy and positioning among key stakeholders, both domestically and internationally; advised the Prime Minister on all aspects of the government’s communications, public and corporate affairs; Supervised a team of approximately 100 professionals, and was responsible for providing direction to more than 4,000 public servants across the federal government.

Associate Director of Communications & Chief Spokesman to the Prime Minister

^[5] 2009-2011- Dimitri helped develop and approved content for all platforms (speeches, web, brochures, presentation slides and all other communication material). he developed and approved international, national and regional marketing, communications and media plans, and liaised with foreign governments (ex: the White House and l’Elysée, etc.). He also briefed and prepared the Prime Minister and Cabinet on a daily basis.

Press Secretary and Senior Quebec Advisor to the Prime Minister

^[6]2006-2009- Dimitri Soudas was responsible for media relations and communications for the Prime Minister; Acted as liaison and helped negotiate agreements regarding culture, infrastructure and various other federal-provincial matters (between the Federal government and Province of Quebec specifically.

On June 1, Soudas revealed he would be stepping down as Harper's chief spokesman on September 5, 2011.^[7] He was succeeded by Angelo Persichilli.^[8]

Conservative Party of CEO/Canada Executive Director

In December 2013, the Conservative Party of Canada's National Council confirmed Soudas as the new Executive Director, replacing Dan Hilton. Soudas was personally asked by Prime Minister Harper to take the job.^[9]

Private sector career

Canadian Olympic Committee Executive Director Of Communication

2011-2013, Soudas announced that he would become the Executive Director, Communications for the Canadian Olympic Committee.^[10] His role was to provide overall direction,management and strategic planning for all Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) communications, both internally and externally. He acted as a key corporate spokesperson and was responsible for managing the corporation’s brand message, Directing communications strategies with stakeholder and partner groups including: athletes, National Sports Federations (NSFs), Organizing Committees, Sport Canada, broadcast partners, and business partners. Dmitri also Managed the COC communications team and served as Canadian Olympic Team Press Chief at the London 2012 Olympic Games after delivering the most successful communications roll-out in Canadian Olympic history. He was Responsible for government relations with provincial and municipal governments and acted as liaison with the Government of Canada. In The role Dimitri helped fundraise more than $100 million for the organization - the largest infusion of corporate funds in COC history.

Stampede Group Managing Partner

^[11]In September 2014, Dimitri Soudas joined Stampede Group, as the Managing Partner. Stampede Group specialist in Business Development and International Trade. As Managing Partner of Stampede Group, Dimitri Soudas focuses his unique management, international relations and private sector expertise by leading the Business Development, International Trade, Strategic Counsel and Issues Management divisions of the company for clients and partners across Canada, the Unites States, the United Kingdom, China and India.

International Economic Forum of the Americas Chief Operating Officer

In December 2014, Dimitri Soudas joined International Economic Forum of the Americas, as Chief Operating Officer while remaining Managing Partner of Stampede Group.

Canadian Nectar Products Board of Directors

In August 2014, Dimitri Soudas joined the Board of Directors of Canadian Nectar Products

World Equestrian Games Executive Vice President

In May 2015, Dimitri Soudas became the Executive Vice President (Business Affairs and Corporate Sponsorship for the World Equestrian Games World Equestrian Games 2018

Cavalia

Dimitri Soudas and Sidney Crosby at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

In September 2015, Dimitri Soudas joined the Advisory Board of Cavalia, as a Senior Advisor to the President where he is responsible for Business Development and Public Affairs.

Media Articles

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/still-on-message/

References

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