Connected Adds Second Executive Role to Drive Startup's Ambitious Targets

Canada's leading product development firm and LinkedIn top startup Connected appoints seasoned marketing leader Tammy Chiasson to EVP Growth & Client Experience

TORONTO, Dec. 12 , 2018 /CNW/ - Recently chosen by LinkedIn as one of the Top 25 Startups in Canada, the rapidly growing product development firm Connected is introducing a new senior function—Executive Vice President, Growth & Client Experience—to drive the startup's ambitious goal of creating and leading a new category of consultancy: the product development firm.

Tammy Chiasson, EVP Growth & Client Experience (CNW Group/Connected)

Appointed to this newfound position is Tammy Chiasson, a seasoned marketer, strategist, and all-around business leader with more than 17 years experience on both client and agency sides. Chiasson has held many leadership roles, and has extensive background in brand and customer experience, digital transformation, and product development. Her promotion to EVP Growth & Client Experience follows a string of promotions last month—including the appointment of Connected Cofounder, Damian McCabe, to EVP Product Development.

"Since joining in 2017 to advise and support our Marketing Team, Tammy has had a tremendous impact, whether by shaping and leading our successful rebrand, creating a partnership with Elevate and organizing one of the festival's most successful talk tracks, Elevate Product, or by stewarding our strategic planning process," said Mike Stern, Connected Cofounder and CEO. "Beyond her wealth of experience, Tammy is a trusted builder at heart, and we are so excited to have her in this new role."

Chiasson has a proven ability to mobilize and align teams to achieve business results during times of ambiguity and change, and has a track record of driving aggressive growth through diligent client service. Hailing from Tangerine, where Chiasson led the launch of multiple large-scale digital product initiatives across banking and retail (leading engineering, design and product teams across multi-year programs), Chiasson will work closely with Stern and McCabe to deliver client impact across all services and verticals.

"When I was first introduced to Connected, I was immediately intrigued," said Chiasson. "In my previous role, I saw first-hand the failings of a siloed approach to product development for customers and builders alike, so the Connected vision of an integrated product development firm instantly resonated with me. Products can't succeed and certainly can't be developed at the pace required in today's world without bringing strategy and execution closer together, and at Connected we solve for desirability, viability and feasibility together. I am thrilled to be in this new role and to be able to deliver impact for our clients."

Prior to her tenure at Tangerine, Chiasson was the Head of Brand Experience, Digital and Measurement at one of Canada's leading full-service agencies, john st., where she was a trusted advisor to some of Canada's most ambitious CEOs on their brand, digital strategy and communications programs. At Tangerine, Chiasson hired best-in-class service providers and worked closely with brands like McKinsey, Deloitte Digital, Artefact, and XPlane to drive growth and client service.

A mother of two and powerful female executive, Chiasson is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and takes pride in sponsoring women and inclusivity initiatives. Diversity & Inclusion and empowering women in the workplace are an integral part of Connected's business model and culture. Chiasson has made a significant impact to date and will continue to help drive and foster a well-rounded team.

"Beyond all of her past accomplishments, the thing I value most is that Tammy has demonstrated the ability to execute to a high standard within our walls, and in a way that upholds our values. That is much, much easier to say than it is to do," said Stern.

In her new role, Chiasson's key responsibilities will be:

• Growing the Connected business in ways that drive the company towards its vision
  
  
• Determining where-to-play in chosen markets and how to go-to-market ("service-market fit")
  
  
• Establishing a winning service design in partnership with Damian McCabe, Cofounder & EVP of Product Development
  
  
• Aggregate demand planning, reporting and forecasting

Part of Connected's journey toward creating a truly product-centric firm requires a continuous commitment to evolution and improvement, much like the software products they help develop.

Since its inception four years ago, Connected has doubled in size year over year. To service its many clients, the company has grown from 83 to 162 employees in the last 12 months alone. 100% employee owned, Connected has also won a number of awards, including being named one of Canada's Top Small and Medium Employers (two years in a row) according to The Globe and Mail and being named one of LinkedIn's Top Startups in Canada.

About Connected
Connected is a product development firm that partners with ambitious companies to build software-powered products that delight customers and drive impact. For more information, visit Connected.io.

SOURCE Connected

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