Aj Tibando

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT AJ TIBANDO

Over the past 15+ years, I’ve co-founded a number of organizations and held roles such as CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, and Senior Policy Advisor. Working across startups, policy research and government, I’ve operated in multiple worlds, including tech, nonprofits and politics. My most recent startup success was Palette Skills, a national upskilling organization focused on helping fast growing companies connect with high potential untapped talent. Started as an idea over lunch, in less than five years, I grew it from a $1M organization to a $250M pan-Canadian operation serving workers from coast to coast. Prior to Palette Skills, I co-founded SoJo, an ed-tech social enterprise that helped students develop skills in social entrepreneurship. It evolved over the years to work with international development organizations training aspiring entrepreneurs in countries across Africa and the Middle East. Before all of that, I started my career as a political staffer in the Ontario government. I worked on policy files that included employment and training, economic development and innovation, post-secondary education, and social assistance reform. I spent almost six years in government during the tumultuous period of the Great Recession, and many of the experiences I gained during that time went on to form the foundation of my career for the next decade and beyond. Here’s something I’ve learned about myself - I love helping people. I love working with people, empowering them, collaborating and building together. And I’m passionate about bringing ideas to life.