People Strategy

I had the opportunity of working with Chelsea for over three years. She was instrumental for my team and I in helping us roll out our People Deal (EVP)…and also helped us develop our ED&I strategy and 3 year roadmap. Her approach was always proactive, solution-oriented, and marked by clear, strategic thinking, which greatly benefited our work and helped us meet challenging deadlines.

- Rossana Broderick, VP, Learning & Organizational Change Management

Workforce Strategy

Chelsea collaborated with my team to create targeted talent marketing programs for digital, technology and data talent. Her deep knowledge of the employer branding discipline led to the creation of recruitment marketing strategies that delivered real results. She partnered with executives and their teams to amplify cultural advocacy on social media platforms like LinkedIn, which was incredibly valuable in attracting top talent.

- Gillian Whitebread, Head of Human Resources

Culture Leadership

Drift's guidance on the subject of psychological safety—an area they are deeply passionate about and well-versed in—facilitated the participation, acceptance, and confidence of our Executive and Senior Leadership. This was instrumental in successfully rolling out initiatives to our teams and employees.

- William Schmidt, Retired VP, Technology

Brand Strategy

I’ve had the opportunity to partner closely with Chelsea during a period of significant change at Wave, and what stands out most is the grounded confidence she brings to even the most complex moments. Chelsea has a rare ability to bring clarity when things are moving quickly. She combines thoughtful, well-crafted communication with a steady leadership presence that helps teams understand what’s happening, stay connected and move forward.

- Aneta Ranstoller, VP, Marketing @ Wave

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

It was a privilege to work with Chelsea of Drift Consulting on the development of our internal Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) program. Her expertise was evident as she seamlessly benchmarked our current state and collaborated with us to craft a forward-thinking, multi-year plan. She demonstrated both professionalism and a personable approach in defining the steps necessary for us to mature our ED&I program, always ensuring clarity and consensus.

- Branko Boras, Director, Supply Chain Services

Our Clients

We couldn't be more proud of the roster of incredible companies we have had the pleasure to partner with across a range of industries. These are organizations who love their people and aren't afraid to show it!

About Drift

Love your people. Say what's true. The rest follows.

Our approach draws on decolonizing practices. In practice, that means we take time to build relationships, and we involve the people affected by a decision in shaping it.

Since 2021, Drift has worked with clients in technology, financial services, energy and utilities, healthcare, retail, education, and senior living.

WBE Canada certified; CCIB certification in progress.

Love Your People.

Drift Consulting

What we do:

Fractional people-strategy leadership. Senior support for executive teams through restructures, leadership transitions, and workforce planning, including the communications and leader preparation each one needs.
Executive voice and internal communication. We help executives draw on the expertise already inside their organization, and we help teams build an internal communication practice they can run on their own. This includes ghostwriting, speechwriting, board materials, and executive coaching.
Supplier diversity as economic infrastructure. We help large Canadian organizations meet their Indigenous procurement commitments through practical changes to bid thresholds, contract terms, and category strategy, with diverse spend measured over time. The work depends on lasting relationships with Indigenous suppliers and communities.

Meet Chelsea Howard

Chelsea Howard is an executive advisor and the founder of Drift Consulting, a certified woman-owned, Indigenous-led practice. Drift works with executive teams on people strategy, executive communications, and Indigenous supplier diversity. A former CBC journalist, Chelsea held Director-level roles at CIBC and Wave HQ. Since 2021, she has advised Alectra Utilities on its first-ever EDI strategy, workforce planning, and relationships with First Nations. She is Mi'kmaq, from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), and holds an MA in Media Production from Toronto Metropolitan University. She works remotely and is based in Barrie, Ontario.

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Work Happens Everywhere

We design and implement future-proofed people strategies for the hybrid era. We turn your dispersed teams into a cohesive, high-performance unit by blending organizational structure, technology, and culture into a single, unified employee experience.