DIRECTOR

Carlene Variyan brings significant government relations experience as well as communications, policy, and finance expertise to CSC.

She has worked at the most senior levels of the federal government, successfully leading policy, communications, parliamentary affairs, and other consequential work. Variyan spent a total of 15 years working on Parliament Hill. She served Cabinet ministers in the federal government as a Chief of Staff, and prior to that as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Communications. In these roles, Carlene has advised Cabinet Ministers holding economic, social, and security portfolios, as well as central agencies. Variyan’s breadth of experience in government includes the delivery of a Federal Budget, the resolution of major collective bargaining disputes, the coordination of federal response to national security incidents, and collaboration with Canada’s energy sector on decarbonization and clean technology.

From 2014 to 2016, she served on the National Board of Directors of the Liberal Party of Canada and is also a former Chair of the Judy Lamarsh Fund, which raises funds for women running for office. Variyan has held senior roles on the Liberal Party of Canada’s national campaign teams for the 2015, 2019, and 2021 federal elections. Carlene appears frequently as a political commentator and analyst on CTV, CPAC, and other media platforms.

Originally from rural Saskatchewan, Variyan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Carleton University and is an accountant by training. She is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages. Currently Variyan is an Associate Vice-President at Summa Strategies, a leading government relations and communications firm in Ottawa.