About the
Braintrust Professional Institute
In brief: We love knowledge transfer and helping organizations grow. We do this through executive coaching, leadership retreat facilitation, and team training. And let's have a great experience while we're at it!
Leadership Team
Randall Craig
CEO
Randall has held a long-time position at KPMG, was an executive at an American public company, and founded (and exited) two of his own companies. He has served over 100 organizations as an advisor or board member, leads the Braintrust Professional Institute, and is a venture partner at a VC. Randall has written 8 books and has built a library with over 1100 resources. Randall delivers C-suite coaching, facilitates high-stakes meetings, and delivers key training courses.
Randall has been inducted into the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame, earned a Black Belt in Karate, and has written a Broadway-style musical. He holds an FCMC, CFA, MBA, CSP, iGP, and is a certified Basadur Simplexity facilitator.
Ronja Francoeur
COO
Ronja has held prior roles as a facilitator and marketing leader in an advisory firm and is an expert in marketing and digital marketing management. Ronja is responsible for the operational leadership of the Braintrust Professional Institute and has co-created the library of Braintrust courses and resource kits. She advises leaders on the best way to invest in their leadership, motivate their teams, and scale their businesses, and delivers key training courses.
Ronja speaks French, is an active community leader, and is a graduate of the Innovation Governance Program. She holds an Honours BA from York University, in addition to a Certificate of Technical and Professional Writing.
Praise for Ronja and Randall
"You did a good job of highlighting and identifying some different modalities and strengths associated with them. It gives me some added confidence in understanding when to apply them, and gives me the tools and the language to have conversations and make decisions." – Nicklaus Csuzdi, Sr. Manager Strategy and Communications, Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca
"Really insightful. There are things I hadn't considered. I though it was great and I appreciate it." – Darla Wright, American Association of Veterinary State Boards
"I was incredibly impressed how you made the whole thing a constant learning process – so valuable." – Jason Croft, Media Leads
"Great guidance on what's important." – John DiBenedetto, Cmind Inc.
“Thanks guys, you are brilliant! I am in awe of this wonderful work you do, and how generously you share it. You deserve a much bigger audience because this stuff is gold – not even gold; it’s platinum! The first one of these Q&A sessions I tuned into of the two of you was bloody excellent. What I can say is you have maintained that high level of intellect and contribution, and that is not easy to do. You are no one-trick pony. You are absolutely consistent." – Donald Cooper, President, The Donald Cooper Corporation
"Thank you for the ideas and tips!" – Kayce Halstead, Association of Clinical Endocrinology
"Great session!" – Nicole Blankenship, Board Member, Well Child Centre
"Thank you SO much. Very thoughtful session. This has given me lots of ideas." – Viviana Urdaneta Melo, Board Member, EMDR International Association
“This was great!” – Bob Lank, Lank Consulting Group
"Thank you so much Randall and Ronja! Such an information rich conversation!" – Aida Benkirane, Burnout Prevention Specialist, 9 Coaching
“This is very valuable.” – Cam Clark, Pattison Media
“Everything was detailed. Thank you for the detail and sharing the thought process.” – Colleen Krebs, Director of Business Solutions, Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba
“This was incredibly helpful, thank you!” – Amy Baryshnik, Founder, Successor Capital
“Thank you for your wisdom, Randall and Ronja! I got a lot of value from the meeting and it got me thinking about how I promote my own services and how I might do it differently.” – Denis Boudreau, Chief Inclusion Officer, Inklusiv Communications
“This has been super helpful! The information isn't "brand new" but you are presenting things in a different way. What I appreciate about this is it’s achievable. There is “meat” I can work with, which is really helpful.” – Marita Smith, Marita Smith Sexual Health Education
“I learned a lot. I always learn a lot. That’s why I join these sessions! – Bonnie Zink, CEO
“I loved it. I really really loved it. I am a big fan. Wonderful session and thanks for all the value you provided! Ronja and Randall are doing an amazing job and I can’t wait for the next one! – Ursula Botha, Speaking and Confidence Coach, Confident Voices
“Good points! I think your webinars are good – Ronja and Randall are a dynamic team!" – Cass Bayley, President, Bayley Group Inc.
“I really enjoyed your session. Great conversation! Really good advice. You did a good job providing ideas. You could see the people with their cameras on had heads nodding, a lot of ‘aha’ moments, and feverishly writing down notes. Obviously, you did a good job." – Jacqueline Smith, Founder and Lead Communication Strategist, Smith-Pelly Ink
“This was really cool, and really helpful! It’s been a while since I thought about this. Interesting to get back into it as we get to planning for our next fiscal year and figure out how to make our work better." – Claire Beauchamp, Manager, Communications and Branding, Skate Ontario
“I find Randall is always very reasoned; he is very thoughtful and not overly reactive. I come to listen to Randall to be in that space and stay out of the panic." – David Gouthro, President, The Consulting Edge
“Thank you for the session. Very interesting." – Carolyn McCoy, Director of Accreditation and Professional Practice Services, Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
“Great session!" – Derek Ventnor, Chief Operating Officer, Skate Ontario
“Thank you for an informative and helpful presentation!” – Melanie Sicotte, Registrar & CEO, Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
“That was great! I love how you got to the topics you said you would get to. Some great ideas.” – Linda Wood Edwards, Owner, LUE-42 Enterprises
“This was really insightful! Thank you both [Randall and Ronja].” – Yoav Vodianoi, Investment Associate, BMO Nesbitt Burns
“I find information from Randall particularly interesting, thank you for this.” – John Sacke, Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager, CIM, BMO Nesbitt Burns
“High value content! Lot's of valuable insights! Thanks Ronja and Randall.” – Ali Abbas, Founder, Abbas Advantage
“Thanks Randall and Ronja for the great session and insights. This was super helpful for future planning, and for ideas I’m currently exploring.” – Ren Scott, Senior Design Consultant, OCAD U CO
“Great session! Lots of points that have been said before but great reminders! We only have 5 on staff and listening to this session pointed out our lack of leadership and that there is LOTS of work to be done to create and maintain a healthy culture.” – Camille Austin, Member Relations Specialist, Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
“I really enjoy it. I find it really high value. I love the interaction between Ronja and Randall, and I had a lot of questions answered – thank you so much!" – Geralyn Ochab, Co-Founder, VIBE CEO
“[Randall and Ronja] do a g-r-e-a-t job to make learning sessions successful. I like how Ronja has prepared questions, and also welcomes the group's input. Randall is brilliant at anything on which he opines – truly helpful. Well done. Thank you.” – Lyn McDonell, Owner/Principal, The Accountability Group, Inc.
"I've enjoyed the discussion, this was good, thank you." – Jerry Cukier, Crowe Soberman
"Thank you, good information." – David Barned, Master Fluid Solutions
“I really do enjoy the monthly calls. One thing that has become clear for me is how you need to be very intentionally about all of this. These are all good things to be thinking about which I hadn’t really put too much thought to. Ronja is so well prepared and excellent at facilitation! Very helpful – thank you very much! ” – Leona Wilson, Armillary Business Group Corp
“I’m grateful for such a varying and engaging discussion – thank you!”
– Elizabeth Clements, Associate Director, Endocrine Society
“Many good questions from Ronja and great discussion.” – Scott Sugden
"I want to thank you very much Randall, and Ronja for your facilitating. A lot of stuff percolating over here so I really appreciate it." – Randall Ettinger, Real Estate Investment & Development, Tiger 21 Montreal Chair
"Thank you for all your advice and insights Randall! Thank you Ronja for organizing and hosting the event!" – Meagan Khan, Business Development Manager Association Municipalities of Ontario
"Everything is now ironed out! Thank you! Everything I learned is very empowering; everything Ronja had to say was very enlightening, and everything Randall had to say was enlightening. I look forward to more of these sessions." – Sherley-Ann Belleus, Founder of Passaggio LLC
"The session Ronja and Randall hosted was very insightful and informative. Really appreciate the time and effort that went into it. I appreciated how Randall lead with real life examples, and Ronja was great – especially when it came to managing engagement with the audience. With this positive experience I am looking forward to attending the upcoming sessions." – Hanieh Saliniam, Data Scientist
"I am taking copious notes! I am very happy for this session. Thank you so much!" – Manuela Demian, Integrative Health Coach, Health & Wellness Coaching
"Excellent session. Thanks very much. I learned a great deal!" – Chris O'Gorman, Principal, Organizational Development, Payments Canada
"Great session! Thanks for the information!" – Cindy Simpson, Corporate Relations Manager, Urgent Care Association
"Informative! I can see value for many business owners." – Shayna Osterer, Business Coach, Shayna Osterer Business Coaching
"Thanks for the insightful session, Randall and Ronja!" – Zian Zhang, Co-Founder, Gainwise
"I learned lots today. My review: Above expectation." – Javon Martin, Founder, Papr Mache
"Great conversation!" – Michelle Belton, Sr Director, Human Resources, Georgia Tech Research Institute
"Superb discussion – merci! It was a well-done, well-presented webinar and I was amazed how much material you could cover in the allotted time." – Neil Hrab, Fractional Corporate Writer, Hrab Advisory
"I really appreciated this." – Angela Russell, Associate Executive Director, Texas Veterinary Medical Association
"I could ask another hour of questions! I really appreciate this; I want to do a part two!" – Meredith Newman, Membership Manager, Association of Government Accountants
"Great session. Recalling now how I always get good insights when I listen to Randall!" – Dave Archer, Founder, The Export Coach
“Thank you. You covered a lot of ground. A good fly over different issues.” – Sam Lanctin, Board member, Canadian Network of Agencies for Regulation (CNAR)
“Thanks for the wisdom!" – Bev Foster, Executive Director, Room 217 Foundation
"Superb discussion! Covered a lot of ground. Thank you Randall and Ronja! Ronja and Randall have a solid, genuine interest in the subject matter, and in people's questions/queries – plus you're prepared to be generous in sharing you thoughts in replying to the scenarios people present." – Neil Hrab, Fractional Corporate Writer, Hrab Advisory
“This was great, very interesting, thanks for the session!" – Viktoriia Kuchenuk, Project Manager, eStoreLabs
“This has been a great conversation. Love all the advice that you are giving. It’s giving me good things to think about." – Paul Lansbergen, Senior Consultant, AMCES Association Consulting Services
“Thank you so much! It was great spending the hour with you and learning from you." – Howard Mammon, Executive Director, Toronto Hebrew Memorial Parks
“Thank you so much. The insight is valuable." – Johanna Deboer, CEO/Principal Consultant, Deboer Consulting
“You have given lots to think about! Thank you!” – Cathi Horner, Program Director, Plumbing–Heating–Cooling Contractors Association
How We Help Scale Organizations
Build key skills in your team (and your leadership),
develop competitive advantage, alignment, and growth.
or in-person workshops.
Offsite, onsite or virtual—take the time to work on your business to regroup, align, and kick off your next phase of growth.
Improve business acumen and
management skills with MBA-in-a-Day and
Management Essentials Programs.
Motivate your team, launch an initiative, and deliver a strong message... all aligned with your priorities.
Upskill key employees with specific and practical self-paced learning to sharpen core business and marketing skills.
Planning Resources
To help you choose the right retreat facilitator, trainer or business coach for you and your organization, here are some resources to help sift through your options and find exactly what you are looking for.
RETREAT RESOURCE
What should you be asking a potential executive offsite facilitator?
What would a good answer look like? And what would a right-fit-for-your-organization answer include?
Download the 10 Tough Questions to Ask a Retreat Facilitator.
COACHING RESOURCE
How to Choose an Executive Coach
Before you choose a business growth coach, do your due diligence: Explore these six specific reasons for good vs bad fit coaching, and how you can mitigate the risk of a wrong fit coach.
Download the Choosing an Executive Coach: A smart leader's guide to making it work (and 6 reasons why coaching fails).
EVENT PLANNING RESOURCE
How to Choose a Business Growth Speaker
How do you find the right keynote for your event? The best way is to ask some questions... here are ten to get you started.
Download the 10 Tough Questions to Ask a Speaker to help select your keynote speaker.
Curious to explore how we can help you grow your organization?
Start with a conversation.