Virtual event
How to Get What You Need from Senior Leaders
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025
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Speakers
What to do next
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Resources
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The Life in Government Community is a collaborative space designed for Apolitical members to connect with peers in the global public service and ask and answer questions on life in government.
Event Description
Does communicating with senior colleagues feel daunting? You’re not alone. Often, the challenge isn’t the substance of your request — it’s how you frame it.
This session brings together three seasoned government leaders who’ve seen it all: rambling messages, vague asks and over-engineered pitches. They’ll share what actually captures their attention, what makes them tune out and the patterns they see time and again. Most importantly, they’ll reveal what they wish more colleagues knew about engaging senior leaders effectively.
Expect candid stories, practical insights and plenty of “aha” moments. You’ll leave with tools to ask sharper questions, get quicker responses and strengthen your professional relationships. Whether you’re seeking clarity, unblocking a decision or building credibility, this conversation will help you do it with confidence.
Interested in how Apolitical can support you and your organisation? Learn about collaborating with us.
Image Credit: Pexels
Speakers
Gautam Raghavan
Former Assistant to the President & Director of Presidential Personnel
United States
Ryan Hum
Chief Client Experience Officer and Associate ADM, Citizen Services, Employment and Social Development Canada
Canada
Gabrielle Cesvet
Former Head Speechwriter, Office of the Prime Minister of Canada
Canada
Gautam Raghavan, a partner in True’s Nonprofit & Social Impact Practice, brings two decades of experience across the White House, the Pentagon, Congress, philanthropy, and advocacy. He most recently served in the Biden-Harris Administration as Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, where he led the recruitment and selection of more than 7,000 appointees—including Cabinet members, agency heads, senior executives, U.S. Ambassadors, and appointees to Presidential Boards and Commissions.
Ryan Hum, the Chief Client Experience Officer and Associate ADM at Employment and Social Development Canada, is the first ever CCXO in the Government of Canada. Over the past ten years, Ryan has introduced human-centered design, behavioural science, and data science to policy and program delivery. He has taught at the University of Toronto, Carleton, and OCAD University. He was named Canadian Public Sector CIO of the Year and Technation's Public Sector Disruptor of the Year. He is also a recipient of the Public Service Award of Excellence.
Gabrielle Cesvet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Head of Speechwriting, wrote speeches in English and in French for more than four years, worked two federal election campaigns and led Prime Minister Trudeau's speechwriting team during his second mandate. Since then, she has worked in Communications at Meta and now serves as the Strategic Readiness Lead at TikTok.
