Phil von Finckenstein

Phil is a seasoned public affairs expert and strategic communications leader with a proven track record of advising some of the world’s leading and most innovative companies across Canada and the United States.

As a partner and co-founder of Maple Leaf Strategies, Phil provides strategic counsel to global brands and start-ups across diverse sectors, including AI, consumer goods and electronics, energy, environment, forestry, defence, manufacturing, information technology, and trade.

Phil began his career on Parliament Hill, contributing to federal election campaigns in senior leadership roles. The son of a Canadian diplomat, he was educated on four continents and holds a degree in History and Political Science from McGill University. He has completed Executive Education programs at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Phil serves as a Board member of NORTH – Canada’s Rocky Mountain Water, a premium Canadian water start-up, and contributes to his community as a long-time board member of Ronald McDonald House Ottawa.

Phil and his wife, Vanessa, are proud parents of five children and owners of a lively Rhodesian Ridgeback named Blanco.