Curriculum Vitae

ELLEN SAVITSKY

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellensavitsky/

ACADEMIC AND PROFFESSIONAL QUILIFICATIONS

  • 2025    Results-Based Management Certificate, International Council Network, Ottawa

  • 2006    Adult Education Program Certificate, Seneca Polytechnic, Toronto

  • 1997    Business Administration Diploma, Stockholm School of Economics, Riga Campus

  • 1995    MSc Physics, University of Latvia, Riga

  • 1994    BSc Physics, University of Latvia, Riga

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Professional Development Administration and Competency-Based Learning

  • Development and Implementation of Policies, Standards, and Regulatory Programs

  • Conference, Event, and Program Design for Professional Learning

  • Strategic Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement, and Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination

  • In-person, Online, & Hybrid Learning Development, Delivery, & Digital Transformation

  • Curriculum Design, Instructional Innovation, and Data-Driven Program Optimization

  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Results-Based Management (MEAL/RBM)

  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Integration and Evidence-Guided Policy

EMPLOYMENT

2023 – 2025    Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) – Ottawa, ON, Canada
Managing Director of Education

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is a national, not-for-profit organization representing architects and advancing excellence in architecture. As Managing Director of Education, I held strategic responsibility for:

  • Overseeing the national Continuing Education portfolio, leading the development of programs aligned with RAIC’s mandate and broader AEC sector needs.

  • Directing the design, delivery, and evaluation of digital learning initiatives, workshops, and national conferences, ensuring high-quality and outcomes-driven education.

  • Strengthening inter-institutional and national partnerships to enhance knowledge exchange and support the growth of a cohesive national education ecosystem.

2006 – 2023    Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) – Toronto, ON, Canada
Manager, Education and Development

 The Ontario Association of Architects is the regulatory body governing the practice of architecture in Ontario. As Head of the Education and Development portfolio, I was accountable for:

  • Providing strategic leadership, program oversight, and continuous innovation in continuing professional development.

  • Overseeing compliance with the mandatory Continuing Education Program for more than 5,000 licensed architects.

  • Leading the planning and delivery of educational programming for the annual OAA Conference, managing speaker engagement and curriculum design.

 LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS │ ROYAL ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF CANADA

 2025 - CHOP CHAT Webinar Series

Transformed the Canadian Handbook of Practice for Architects (CHOP) into a dynamic, member-driven learning experience through the CHOP CHAT Webinar Series.

  • Designed a book-club-style format to foster expert-led dialogue.

  • Established recurring events that drive consistent member participation.

  • Developed scalable processes for session planning, content curation, and subject matter expert (SME) engagement to sustain ongoing series delivery.

  • Introduced a tiered model offering complimentary member access and fee-based non-member access, incentivizing membership & growth.

  • Established systematic metrics to monitor participation, feedback & SMEs performance

Impact: Elevated RAIC’s national profile, strengthened CHOP recognition, and created a discussion-driven platform with consistent engagement.

2025 - Live Online Delivery Model

Expanded RAIC’s professional learning offerings through live online courses.

  • Designed and operationalized the delivery framework with advanced LMS features for real-time expert and peer engagement.

  • Collaborated with RAIC committees to identify priority professional learning needs

  • Developed and released two new online courses to address identified learning gaps.

  • Implemented metrics to track engagement, enabling data-informed improvements.

Impact: Launched a dynamic online learning model that broadened membership reach, improved accessibility, and fostered nationwide interactive engagement.

2025 – Blended/Hybrid Delivery Model

Directed the conversion of "Project Management for Architects" course into a hybrid format.

  • Led redesign and launch, expanding accessibility across multiple provinces.

  • Ensured content integrity and instructional design alignment during the transition.

  • Standardized policies and procedures for seamless multi-site program delivery.

  • Established evaluation metrics & monitoring processes to ensure quality and scalability.

Impact: Transformed a legacy program, expanding nationwide reach and flexibility, while creating a framework for future hybrid offerings.

2025 - Succession Planning Webinar Series

Developed a targeted webinar series addressing urgent professional learning needs.

  • Conducted consultations to identify high-priority succession planning topics.

  • Established program framework and policies to support sustainable, recurring delivery.

  • Recruited, appointed, and coordinated 5 subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop and deliver focused webinars.

Impact: Created a national resource supporting the future of Canadian architectural practice.

2024 - Demystifying the GST and HST

Led a strategic partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to deliver high-impact financial compliance education.

  • Coordinated content development and review with CRA experts for national relevance

  • Managed end-to-end program delivery, attracting 500+ participants across Canada.

  • Established a recurring series based on attendee-driven topic selection

Impact: Built a strong CRA partnership, delivering trusted compliance training at scale.

2024 – Update of Online OnDemand Courses

Directed updates to RAIC’s top three on-demand courses to reflect current NBCC standards

  • Engaged, selected, and led expert teams to review and update learning materials.

  • Monitored progress to ensure timely release ahead of the national Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC).

  • Coordinated supplemental live Q&A sessions to enhance learning and national reach.

Impact: Maintained high-quality, reliable professional learning, reinforcing RAIC’s leadership in architectural education.

2023 – Law and Practice Webinar Series

Initiated and implemented a comprehensive legal education series for architects nationwide.

  • Developed program framework and policies to enhance collaboration with legal professionals.

  • Developed subject matter experts’ recruitment guidelines to promote equitable representation across provinces

  • Designed a scalable online delivery model with systematic engagement monitoring for continuous improvement.

Impact: Launched Canada’s first national, scalable legal education platform, strengthening professional competence and interdisciplinary collaboration.

LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS │ ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS

Ongoing - OAA Annual Conference

Led the educational programming of the OAA Annual Conference, the organization’s flagship professional development event, introducing data-driven strategies to enhance quality, engagement, and reach.

  • Established a comprehensive speaker database enabling metrics-based analysis.

  • Implemented surveys to gather real-time feedback on topics and presenters.

  • Developed and led a structured presenters’ selection process grounded in clear performance indicators.

  • Introduced ongoing monitoring and evaluation cycles to strengthen speaker quality.

  • Operationalized a data-informed programming model to maximize enrollment and ensure equitable coverage across learning streams.

Impact: Tripled the number of sessions, increased attendance from 450 to 1,500 participants, and raised satisfaction ratings from “satisfactory” to “excellent.”

2022 - Mandatory Education Requirement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Led the development and implementation of a regulatory EDI education framework.

  • Oversaw procurement and selection of an external education provider.

  • Developed a suite of EDI modules with defined learning outcomes, performance metrics, and quality standards.

  • Delivered 35 national webinars with cumulative attendance of 4,000+ participants.

  • Monitored and evaluated program effectiveness using predetermined KPIs.

Impact: Positioned EDI as a core regulatory priority by establishing a mandatory education framework that strengthened member accountability.

2021 – Online Course “Fundamentals of Running Architectural Practice”.

Directed the transformation of an in-person program into a fully online, 13-module course for newly licensed architects in Ontario.

  • Negotiated terms for transitioning and delivering the course through the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies.

  • Led curriculum redevelopment, producing interactive and practice-oriented content.

  • Designed a scalable delivery model with recurring offerings to enhance accessibility and reach.

  • Implemented assessments and monitoring tools to refine learning outcomes and course delivery.

Impact: Created a long-term, modular digital learning system that standardizes foundational practice knowledge and expands province-wide access.

2020 - COVID19 Response – Rapid Implementation of Education Webinar Series

Initiated and led the conversion of the 2020 OAA Conference into a fully online webinar series.

  • Developed policies and procedures to support a sustainable virtual learning model.

  • Oversaw platform selection and integration with existing IT systems.

  • Produced a train-the-trainer manual to assist SMEs in adapting to online delivery.

  • Launched the first webinar within six weeks, ensuring uninterrupted Continuing Education.

Impact: Evolved from a crisis response into the OAA’s most popular annual program with 5,400 enrollments and $200K net revenue.

2019 – Governance Transformation – OAA Continuing Education Committee

Led a strategic redesign of the Continuing Education Committee to expand scope and strengthen influence across the profession.

  • Reframed the Terms of Reference to integrate professional and public education mandates.

  • Restructured committee composition, roles, and workflows to enhance governance and decision-making.

  • Recalibrated departmental operations and resource allocation to support the expanded mandate.

Impact: Unified professional and public education under a single strategic governance structure.

2018 - Course “Starting an Architectural Practice”

Directed the end-to-end development of the OAA’s first fully internally produced professional education course.

  • Conducted needs assessments and defined measurable learning objectives.

  • Led curriculum design with the Continuing Education Committee and 14 subject matter experts to create interactive content.

  • Piloted and refined the course through structured assessments and feedback.

  • Implemented KPIs with ongoing monitoring to support continuous improvement.

Impact: Delivered a sustainable, OAA-owned curriculum with long-term scalability, copyright ownership, and regular offering.

2017 - Online Admission Course

Led the modernization of the OAA Admission Course by transitioning it from in-person delivery to a fully online format.

  • Sourced and secured a strategic partnership with the University of Toronto.

  • Established a long-term partnership model with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

  • Designed a scalable operational framework to support increasing participation.

  • Oversaw the conversion of static presentations into dynamic online modules.

Impact: Improved accessibility, reduced geographic and financial barriers, decreased administrative burden, and increased annual licensing rates.

2016 – OAA/RAIC Festival of Architecture - Celebrating Canada 150.

Led strategic planning and implementation of the joint national Festival of Architecture, delivering a four-day professional development program.

  • Chaired a joint OAA/RAIC committee overseeing the call for proposals.

  • Managed proposal review and selection to align with both organizations’ strategic goals.

  • Ensured equitable speaker representation from all Canadian provinces.

  • Coordinated post-event data collection and evaluation.

Impact: Successfully delivered a landmark national event that strengthened collaboration between the OAA and RAIC and expanded high-quality Continuing Education offerings

2016 – National Architectural Policy

Represented Ontario in national deliberations on the development of a Canadian Architectural Policy.

  • Coordinated the collection and synthesis of information from provincial regulators, Canadian schools of architecture, and OAA committees.

  • Participated in national meetings to represent Ontario’s priorities and perspectives.

  • Provided detailed progress reports to the Continuing Education Committee and Council.

Impact: Strengthened Ontario’s influence in shaping a national architectural policy framework.

2015 – Province-Wide Accessibility Workshops

Led the design and delivery of province-wide in-person workshops on new Ontario Accessibility Regulations and Ontario Building Code (OBC) updates.

  • Managed end-to-end collaboration with local Architectural Societies across Ontario, overseeing workshop scheduling, promotion, and on-site execution.

  • Identified, vetted, and managed subject matter experts to deliver complex, technically accurate presentations.

  • Oversaw workshop logistics, including venue coordination, participant registration, and the development and distribution of educational materials.

  • Conducted data analysis and evaluations to inform future programming.

Impact: Delivered high-quality professional learning across multiple regions and strengthened collaboration between local Societies and the OAA.

2014 - OAA+2030 Professional Series

Led the development and delivery of the OAA+2030 Professional Series supporting the 2030 Challenge.

  • Developed and managed a structured SME selection process, including issuing a call for proposals, evaluating candidates against Architecture 2030 criteria, and onboarding selected presenters to ensure alignment with project objectives and schedules.

  • Coordinated adaptation of the Architecture 2030/AIA Seattle curriculum to align with Canadian codes and practices.

  • Designed a program delivery model that optimized enrollment and expanded province-wide outreach for the 40-hour professional curriculum.

  • Oversaw its successful in-person delivery across multiple Ontario cities for four consecutive years.

Impact: The program successfully trained 600+ architects, directly advancing the province's transition towards achieving the Architecture 2030 energy reduction targets.

2013 – Online Continuing Education Transcript

Directed the development of an online compliance tracking system using the IMIS platform.

  • Coordinated design, testing, and deployment with an external technology vendor.

  • Configured the system to integrate CE data for real-time compliance reporting.

  • Delivered member training to support smooth adoption and accurate reporting.

  • Leveraged data analytics to streamline compliance monitoring and support governance.

Impact: Delivered a user-friendly system that simplified reporting for members and enabled efficient, transparent compliance oversight.

2012 - Harmonization of Continuing Education Programs Across Canada

Served as the OAA representative in a major national negotiation to harmonize mandatory Continuing Education (CE) requirements across all Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA).

  • Advocated for a standardized approach to CE cycles, requirements, and reporting.

  • Developed the “reporting jurisdiction” concept to reduce the CE reporting burden for architects licensed in multiple jurisdictions.

  • Built consensus among CALA to accept and adopt the “reporting jurisdiction” model.

  • Developed and coordinated national implementation procedures to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Impact: Delivered major efficiency gains for both professionals and regulators by establishing a nationally accepted reporting model that eliminated duplicative reporting and aligned CE processes across provinces.

2011 – Continuing Education Program: Revised Framework

Led the modernization of the OAA’s Continuing Education Program.

  • Coordinated evaluation of the existing program framework and consolidated recommendations to strengthen compliance.

  • Oversaw the implementation of updated terminology and re-alignment of the continuing education cycle.

  • Introduced regular audit processes to enhance oversight and internal controls.

Impact: Delivered a streamlined CE framework that strengthened compliance and improved operational efficiency.

2010 – Online Registration for OAA Annual Conference

Directed the design and deployment of a new online registration system via IMIS.

  • Defined comprehensive system requirements and managed an outsourced IT provider to deliver a platform meeting strict standards for functionality and usability.

  • Oversaw testing, troubleshooting, and successful deployment of the new platform,

  • Led change management communications to members to support smooth adoption.

Impact: Streamlined registration processes, improved data accuracy, and enhanced user experience.

2009 – Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC)

Represented the OAA in the development and delivery of Canada’s national architectural licensure exam for 5 years.

  • Coordinated national question-writing sessions and content management.

  • Recruited, trained, and supervised Ontario exam invigilators.

  • Served as the National Emergency Contact ensuring real-time issue resolution.

  • Consolidated provincial reports to support ongoing exam improvements.

Impact: Successful launch of Canada’s first national architectural licensure exam, ensuring consistent standards, integrity, and seamless delivery across provinces.