Executive Change Advisor

When change needs to happen, I help executives figure out how to lead their organizations through it.

Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta, MBA, C.Dir

A trusted thinking partner for practical advice on leading through change and uncertainty.

Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta

Philosophy

"The best leaders I know don't have all the answers. What they have is someone they trust to think it through with them. In a world of constant change, that's no longer a luxury."

I've spent over two decades in that role for executives leading through regulatory change, mergers, restructuring and transformation. Not as a consultant delivering a framework. As the person they call to think it through with.

Because change that works isn't only measured in outcomes. It's measured in how the people living through it come out the other side.

Engagement model

A trusted thinking partner through significant change

My advisory engagements are designed around a specific change, challenge or outcome.

A single decision

Intensive

For when you need experienced perspective on a pressing change or decision.

A defined period

Partnership

A defined period of advisory support while you lead through a significant change.

The full journey

Ongoing

Continued support for a defined transformation or organizational change, where senior judgment and perspective are needed throughout the journey.

The exact scope is shaped around the situation. No unnecessary layers. No prescribed methodology for the sake of methodology. Just practical advice focused on what will move the change forward.

Why executives work with me directly

I go beyond advisory.

When the situation calls for more than judgment, when the organization needs to build a capability it doesn't have, we already have the accredited infrastructure to do that. Where you need more than advisory, we help you find the right path.

In their words

Before Yvonne joined a major regulatory change program, the change management effort had been ad hoc. She brought a consistent, formalized process, strong stakeholder relationships, and kept the senior team ahead of issues instead of reacting to them.

"The only regret I have is that we did not do it sooner."

Jim StoreyVP, Risk Management

On a SAP implementation for a government institution, Yvonne planned and delivered the rollout within budget, adapting her approach as issues came up. Employee engagement with the process grew from 10% to over 85% by the end of the intervention.

"Her role on this project was very pivotal to the success achieved."

Francis OsuyahCEO

Speaking & Facilitation

Where leaders bring me in to work directly with their teams

Keynotes, leadership & team offsites, and management retreats, for organizations who need someone to lead the room, not just advise from outside it.

Keynote Speaking

Signature talks on change leadership and change management for organizations navigating change include:

  • Leading Change through Disruption and Uncertainty
  • Cultivating a Culture of Change & Agility in Your Organization
  • Navigating Change in the Workplace

Offsites & Team Retreats

Leadership offsites, team building, and management retreats, working directly with your team to build alignment and momentum through change.

"An incredibly engaging speaker who brought great energy, focus, and interactivity. Participants found the session highly applicable to their everyday work, with insightful perspectives on change leadership that sparked real 'aha' moments."

Participant feedbackAdvanced Agricultural Leadership Program

My Work

Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta is an Executive Change Advisor, Speaker and Author. She is the founder of The Change Leadership, an ecosystem designed to build the accredited change leadership capability organizations need when the work goes beyond advisory.

The Anatomy of a Change Leader, by Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta

Organizations I've worked with

J.P. Morgan
GM
Government of Ontario
TD Bank
RBC
Loblaws
Zurich
Gilead
BCFSA
Deloitte
Toronto Metropolitan University
Smith School of Business, Queen's University
Schulich School of Business
DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
York University

Advisory is backed by The Change Leadership, an accredited ecosystem of workshops, an executive education program and a professional community, for organizations that need to build capability beyond a single engagement.

Visit The Change Leadership →

Get in Touch

If your organization is in the middle of change and you need someone to think it through with, let's talk.

Start a conversation