Leadership appointment strengthens corporate training and innovation mandate across Ontario and Canada
Ottawa, ON – August 13, 2025 – Ottawa Education Group (OEG), a leading provider of corporate training, has promoted Michael Weatherhead to Chief Strategy Officer to spearhead a new phase of national expansion and innovation.
A recognized force in Ontario’s education and workforce development landscape, OEG has delivered training to hundreds of companies through its grant-eligible corporate training programs and employer solutions. As CSO, Weatherhead will be responsible for deepening OEG’s partnerships with Ontario employers, industry associations, and government funders—empowering teams with the leadership, AI, and operational skills they need to navigate an increasingly competitive and disruption-driven marketplace.
“The future of work is here, and Canadian organizations have a choice: Adapt or be left behind,” Weatherhead said. “At OEG, we’re building the partnerships and training programs that will empower leaders and teams to not just keep pace but set the pace.”
His new role will be critical to this next phase of growth, a vision shared by the company’s leadership.
“Michael’s leadership in scaling organizations and building strategic partnerships has been instrumental to OEG’s success over the past two years,” said Dr. Alastair Summerlee, CEO & Chair of the Ottawa Education Group, past president of the University of Guelph and Carleton University. “He has brought innovation and clarity to how we design and deliver talent development programs. His promotion to Chief Strategy Officer is not only well-earned—it sets the stage for the next phase of our growth across Ontario and Canada.”
Future growth includes more industry-informed training programs, a larger reach and increased ability to support organizations across Canada, more strategic partnerships to enable delivery/implementation beyond corporate training. OEG plans to:
- Opening training hubs in major Canadian cities.
- Targeting sectors like clean tech, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Expanding grant navigation services to help employers unlock funding.
- Scaling AI-driven learning design.
“OEG is poised for national growth. I’m focused on building strategic partnerships and delivering training programs that give Canadian organizations the skills they need to lead in a rapidly changing economy,” Weatherhead said.
Prior to joining OEG, he was Chief Operating Officer at ForwardHop, where he led the development of a cost-effective eCampus platform that allowed smaller post-secondary institutions to deliver equitable education access during the COVID-19 pandemic. ForwardHop also supported over 1,000 students through immersive, work-integrated learning programs in partnership with universities across Canada and internationally. These innovations contributed directly to the acquisition of ForwardHop by OEG, enabling OEG to expand its offerings for academic and employer clients alike.
Since joining OEG, Weatherhead has led the development of OEG’s digital transformation, internal playbooks for funding navigation, team onboarding, and training operations. His ability to translate strategy into action has been a key driver of OEG’s rise as a trusted provider of custom training solutions.
Outside of his corporate role, Weatherhead is a champion of equitable education access. He co-founded the Weatherhead Family Scholarship at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management and was named one of Telfer’s Young Donors of the Year in 2024 alongside his brother Christopher. His philanthropic work complements his professional mission to equip individuals and organizations for the future of work.
About the Ottawa Education Group (OEG)
Ottawa Education Group is a Canadian education and training company dedicated to bridging the gap between industry and learning. OEG offers grant-eligible training, employer workforce development, and university-aligned educational pathways. Its corporate training programs support employers across Ontario and Canada in advancing soft skills leadership, AI adoption, process optimization, and workplace transformation. Learn more at www.ottawa.education.