Work With Me

Colin Smillie is a Toronto-based technology executive and AI strategy advisor available for CTO/CIO roles (full-time or fractional), AI strategy advisory, speaking engagements, and board positions. He works primarily with nonprofit, environmental, and public sector organizations navigating digital transformation, AI adoption, and technology governance.

I’ve spent the last 25 years helping organizations through technology transitions. The pattern is always the same: the technology is the easier part, the people and governance challenges are where the real work happens. If your organization is navigating that kind of transition, I can help.

Last updated: March 2026

How I Can Help

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CTO / CIO Leadership

Full-time or fractional technology leadership for organizations going through meaningful transformation. I’ve led national technology strategy at YMCA Canada (37 associations, 24,000 employees, large portfolio), managed digital services teams at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, and built technology functions from the ground up at startups. I’m looking for organizations where the CTO/CIO role is a strategic function, not just infrastructure management.

Best fit: Nonprofit, environmental, and public sector organizations. Federated and multi-entity structures are a particular strength.

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AI Strategy Advisory

Helping organizations move past the AI hype cycle into practical, responsible adoption. I led one of the first enterprise AI pilots at YMCA Canada using Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT, developed AI governance policy for a federated nonprofit, and currently advise organizations on optimizing operations with AI. My approach covers governance frameworks, vendor evaluation, access control audits, leadership AI literacy, and measurable adoption planning.

Best fit: Organizations with 100+ employees evaluating or deploying AI tools for the first time, or those needing governance frameworks for existing AI use.

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Speaking

Talks on AI strategy, technology leadership, responsible AI adoption, and the realities of building with modern tools. I speak from direct experience leading AI adoption at scale, not from theory. Topics include enterprise AI governance, federated technology leadership, the practical middle ground between AI hype and fear, and how boards should be thinking about AI risk.

Best fit: Conferences, leadership retreats, and board education sessions focused on AI and technology leadership.

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Board Roles

Technology governance roles on boards of mission-driven organizations. I currently serve as Chair of the Marketing & Technology Committee at Heritage Toronto, where I’ve led website redesign, digital strategy, and data collection initiatives. I bring a practical perspective on technology investment, AI governance, cybersecurity risk, and digital transformation at the board level.

Best fit: Nonprofit, environmental, cultural, and public sector boards where technology governance is a growing priority.

What I’m Looking For

I’m at my best in organizations going through meaningful change. The pattern across my career has been joining at inflection points: Autotrader’s print-to-digital transition, Hill+Knowlton’s expansion of digital services, YMCA Canada’s first national technology strategy. I look for the same kind of moment now.

The organizations I work best with share a few characteristics:

  • Mission-driven: Nonprofit, environmental, public sector, or organizations where technology serves a purpose beyond profit
  • At a technology inflection point: Adopting AI, modernizing infrastructure, building their first real technology strategy, or navigating a major platform transition
  • Complex governance: Federated structures, multi-stakeholder environments, organizations where alignment matters more than authority
  • Leadership that values technology as strategy: Organizations where the CTO/CIO reports to the CEO or board, not buried under operations

If that sounds like your organization, I’d welcome a conversation.

Practical Details

Location

Based in Toronto, Canada. Open to hybrid and remote arrangements across Canadian time zones. Available for travel as needed.

Engagement Models

  • Full-time: CTO/CIO roles in the right organization
  • Fractional: 2-3 days per week for organizations that need senior technology leadership but not a full-time hire
  • Advisory: Structured engagements around AI adoption, governance frameworks, or technology strategy
  • Project-based: Specific initiatives like AI policy development, vendor evaluation, or technology roadmap creation

Sectors

  • National nonprofits and charities
  • Environmental organizations
  • Public sector and government agencies
  • Healthcare and education
  • Federated and multi-entity organizations
  • Cultural institutions

Core Expertise

Recent Work

For full career history and detailed role descriptions, see my Experience page. Here’s where I’ve been most recently:

  • AI Strategy Advisor (2025 to present): Advising a client on optimizing marketing operations with AI chat agents
  • SVP, National Technology at YMCA Canada (2022-2025): Led national technology strategy across a large portfolio, 37 associations, 24,000 employees. Delivered national intranet, Data Portal, LMS. Led enterprise AI pilot with Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT. Developed initial AI governance policy.
  • Chair, Marketing & Technology Committee at Heritage Toronto (2022 to present): Board-level technology governance for a public cultural organization

Let’s Talk

Whether you’re looking for a technology leader, an AI strategy advisor, or a board member with technology governance experience, I’d welcome a conversation about how I can help.

Get in Touch
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