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Randy Ambrosie

CFL Commissioner (2017-Present), Business Leader, CEO, and Grey Cup Champion

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About Randy Ambrosie

In July 2017, Grey Cup Champion and business leader Randy Ambrosie became the new Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. The 54-year-old Winnipeg native’s appointment was approved in a special meeting of the league’s Board of Governors. “It’s an honour to be afforded this opportunity to work on behalf of our Governors, our teams and, most importantly, our fans as our league’s Commissioner,” Ambrosie said. “My professional life has been marked by my passion for Canadian football and my passion for building businesses. It’s a dream come true to be able to combine these on behalf of the CFL, which means so much to so many Canadians.”

Randy really has it all. He was a top player who overcame setbacks and injuries to become a champion. And he is a leading executive who has succeeded in the world of business and finance.

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Career Highlights

Football Playing Career

Ambrosie won the 81st Grey Cup in 1993 as an offensive lineman with the Edmonton Eskimos (1989-1993), after also playing for the Toronto Argonauts (1987-1988) and Calgary Stampeders (1985-1987) during a CFL career that spanned nine seasons. It was the Stamps who made him the second overall pick in the 1985 CFL Draft out of the University of Manitoba, where he earned All-Canadian honours and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Following his Grey Cup win, the future of Ambrosie's football career was uncertain. His persistent knee injuries had required multiple surgeries over the years. Ambrosie put off another serious surgery on his left knee during the 1993 season to remain with the team through their Grey Cup victory. After he underwent his fourth knee surgery during the offseason, Ambrosie retired from professional football.

Grey Cup champion (1993)
All-Canadian (1984)
2x Canada West All-Star (1983, 1984)

Business Career

In 1992, Ambrosie took over as secretary of the Canadian Football League Players’ Association. Where he served for two years.

After working for the CFLPA Randy Ambrosie went on to be the managing Director at CIBC Wood Gundy, a District Manager with Merrill Lynch Canada, and a Manager and Financial Advisor at Midland Walwyn.

In 2003, Ambrosie joined HSBC Canada Securities and HSBC Brokerage USA, where he led sales and growth strategies.

In 2004 Randy joined AGF Funds Inc. as their head of sales and marketing. He went on to become the President of AGF Funds in 2007. His leadership brought several changes including new fund managers and the launch of new products. During his tenure AGF became the fastest growing independent fund company in Canada.

Ambrosie served as CEO of Accretive 360 Inc. from 2010 to 2012.

In 2012, Ambrosie joined MacDougall, MacDougall and MacTier, where he helped re-energize Canada’s oldest investment company as its President and Chief Executive Officer. The firm was successfully sold last year.

Education

In addition to attending the University of Manitoba, where he earned All-Canadian honours and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. he has also studied executive finance at the Columbia University School of Executive Education, management at the University of Michigan Business School’s Executive Education Centre, and leadership development at the Wharton School of Business.

Keynotes

Randy’s Takes on Leading Change

CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie shares his unique experiences, keen insights and timely advice on embracing and leading the dramatic change every business, workplace and organization is grappling with today. Leaning on his successful careers as an outstanding athlete, financial sector CEO and Commissioner of a leading sports league -- one with a huge national profile and an ambitious global strategy – Randy reveals how you can be bold and get “buy in” at the same time. Known for his self-deprecating humour and boundless energy, you can count on this former Grey Cup Champion, and business winner, to entertain as well as enlighten.

Leading Change in Health and Safety

Your business or organization is under pressure to be more safety conscious than ever before. It faces just as much pressure to grow and generate new clients or revenue or both. Enter Randy Ambrosie, who lives this challenge every day as he leads the Canadian Football League. It’s a big national brand with massive global ambitions and it lives in the media spotlight. That means its’ product needs to be more exciting than ever at the same time it’s expected to constantly do more to ensure player health and safety . Hear how Randy is turning this challenge, your challenge, into an opportunity by leading change. Known for his wit as well as his wisdom, this Grey Cup champion, successful CEO and sports and entertainment leader is sure to entertain as well as inspire your audience.

Industry Specific

Agribusiness Clients Randy’s Grandfather was a farmer northeast of Edmonton, and Randy spent time there when he was growing up. Randy will speak about the ongoing change and innovation in farming and how it parallels change and innovation in sports.

Financial Industry Clients Randy’s in depth experience and leadership in the Financial industry gives him great insight for Financial industry clients. Randy will speak about the ongoing change and innovation in the Financial Industry and how it parallels change and innovation in sports.

Other Business Clients Randy can customize, to any industry, his topic of Leading Change in business and how it parallels change and innovation in sports.

Sports Events For sports events and fundraisers, Randy Ambrosie can speak about the CFL itself, the history of the game and how it has grown, and football anecdotes.

Teams

Edmonton Eskimos

Toronto Argonauts

Calgary Stampeders