Claudia Krywiak believes innovation is not just about creating something new, but about making a real difference in the world. As President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), she has dedicated her career to turning ideas into impact and helping Ontario stand out as a global hub for innovation. Since joining OCI in 2011, Claudia has been at the forefront of building partnerships that accelerate the development, commercialization, and adoption of new technologies.
Claudia Krywiak | President and CEO | Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Under her leadership, OCI has supported groundbreaking work in areas like artificial intelligence, clean technologies, medtech, advanced mobility, and next-generation networks. She sees innovation not as an isolated process but as a powerful driver of competitiveness, productivity, and economic growth. At EliteX, we are proud to have Claudia Krywiak as part of the edition: Impactful Women in Business, 2025.
Her path into leadership was shaped by both science and curiosity. Claudia earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Toronto before starting her career as an Applications Scientist at Bruker Corporation. That role allowed her to support researchers across the country in making breakthrough discoveries. But while she enjoyed the world of discovery, she found herself drawn to something beyond the lab. She wanted to see research transformed into real-world solutions that improve lives, industries, and communities.
That curiosity took her to Mitacs, where she built partnerships between academia and industry, and later to OCI, where she could drive large-scale collaboration. Over the years, she has led initiatives that brought together industry, researchers, entrepreneurs, and government to solve big challenges. One example was helping create a pre-commercial 5G testbed that gave innovators access to cutting-edge infrastructure. For Claudia, these moments confirmed her belief that progress happens when diverse groups work together toward a shared goal.
“Real progress doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens when you align the right people and create the space for them to collaborate.”
Claudia’s journey has not been without challenges. Early in her career, she had to find her voice in male-dominated industries while raising a young family. Balancing professional growth with personal responsibilities was difficult. What carried her forward was resilience, results, and support systems. She focused on delivering impact, building credibility through partnerships, and leading in a way that felt authentic. Looking back, she says those challenges shaped her leadership style today. They taught her the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and creating space for diverse voices.
For Claudia, leadership is not about control but about empowerment. At OCI, she sets the vision but ensures her team has the trust, autonomy, and resources to succeed. She believes in collaboration and sees her role as removing barriers, opening doors, and enabling others to do their best work. She emphasizes that leadership is about collective success, not individual recognition.
The innovation ecosystem in Ontario has evolved greatly since Claudia first joined. Where once the focus was mainly on research projects, today the ecosystem includes platforms, testbeds, venture funds, and global partnerships. Claudia has steered OCI through this transformation by focusing on commercialization and scale, ensuring innovators not only create good ideas but also have the means to bring them to market.
Looking to the future, she believes artificial intelligence will be the single most transformative force in the next five years. From healthcare to supply chains to clean energy, AI is already reshaping industries. The challenge, she notes, will be in ensuring AI is harnessed responsibly and effectively. Businesses and economies that succeed in this will lead the way globally.
“Adaptability, curiosity, and resilience are no longer optional – they are essential qualities for leaders today.”
Beyond her work at OCI, Claudia also serves on the boards of the Conference Board of Canada, the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine, and Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre. These roles allow her to stay connected across the wider innovation ecosystem and contribute on multiple levels.
Claudia also draws inspiration from entrepreneurs, especially those who are building transformative technologies in Ontario. Their courage and perseverance motivate her daily, as does the collaboration she sees among her teams and partners.
For young women who want to follow in her footsteps, Claudia offers clear advice: do not wait until you feel fully ready. Growth, she says, comes when you take on opportunities that stretch you. She also stresses the importance of mentors and sponsors who can advocate for you, but above all, she encourages women to trust their voices and perspectives. Leadership tables need more diversity of thought, and women should not underestimate the value they bring.
She also believes strongly in women supporting one another in intentional ways. Mentorship is important, but sponsorship – actively advocating, opening doors, and amplifying voices – can create even greater impact. Celebrating successes and building networks where collaboration comes naturally is another way to create lasting change.
When asked about balance, Claudia admits it is not always easy. For her, it is less about perfect equilibrium and more about being fully present in each moment. Whether at work or with family, she commits her focus to where she is at that time, while also recognizing that balance looks different at different life stages.
Among her proudest achievements is leading OCI through its transformation into a central driver of Ontario’s innovation economy. Under her guidance, OCI has launched programs that accelerated commercialization, strengthened public-private partnerships, and helped hundreds of companies grow globally. Seeing Ontario technologies create jobs, attract investment, and make global impact is deeply rewarding to her.
“I want my legacy to be about creating opportunity and inspiring boldness for the next generation of women.”
As Claudia reflects on her journey, her vision remains clear: innovation must serve as a force for growth, inclusion, and positive change. She wants future generations of women to feel empowered to take risks, lead confidently, and shape the future on their own terms. For her, progress comes from pushing boundaries and never waiting for permission.
Claudia Krywiak continues to remind us that innovation is not just about new technologies. It is about people, collaboration, and the courage to transform ideas into real-world impact.