Chris Benedetti

Chris Benedetti

Managing Partner
Sussex Strategy Group

Chris Benedetti is a Managing Partner with Sussex Strategy Group. With experience in both federal and provincial governments, Mr. Benedetti provides an in-depth insight and expertise into various policy development and political processes, and brings to Sussex an extensive background in strategic communications and public affairs.

Mr. Benedetti has advised a diverse range of domestic and international clients. Since 1999 he has led client efforts related to energy and environment-related policy, regulatory and procurement matters. He has helped clients not only better understand the policy and political imperatives that are the basis for decisions surrounding system planning and procurement but has also assisted in working with government and its agencies to amend policies where and when warranted, in assisting stakeholder compliance with various rules and requirements, and in liaising with affected local stakeholders and communities.

Mr. Benedetti has also led public affairs efforts on behalf of clients in areas such as health care and biotechnology, infrastructure and transportation, agriculture, public-private partnerships, international trade and investment, and government procurement. In addition to his sector expertise, Mr. Benedetti is an expert in public administration and political affairs. He has spoken at numerous conferences on government relations and has been published in several leading journals.

While managing the interests of several high-profile public and private sector clients, Mr. Benedetti serves as a Board Director of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario, the Toronto ZooShare Biogas Cooperative, the Empire Club of Canada, and Outward Bound Canada. He is a member of the Energy Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute. He also previously served as Chair of the Recycling Council of Ontario, Director of the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, and Senior Advisor to the Canada-Europe Roundtable for Business.

Prior to joining Sussex, Mr. Benedetti was Vice President and Government Relations Practice Leader for a global public affairs and communications company. He has held several positions in the federal government with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and as a political advisor within the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.

Mr. Benedetti holds a BA in law and a BA (High Hons.) in political science from Carleton University, and an MA in political science (International Relations) from McMaster University and the University of Bath, England. Active in his local community, Mr. Benedetti has served as President of Horizons for Youth, a United Way agency and one of Toronto’s largest youth shelters, and is a former Director for Common Ground Co-Operative, providing business training opportunities for individuals with development disabilities.