Rob has 15 years of government relations experience at the federal, provincial and municipal levels in Canada. Provincial work brought him to Ottawa in 2011. Rob earned his master’s degree from the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management at Carleton University. He followed that experience by working with some of Canada’s best lobbyists at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities where he worked on housing and public safety.

He went on to work at a national public affairs firm where he became Vice President. There he delivered billions of dollars in investments to client sectors, significant provincial and national legislative victories, and major regulatory reforms in sectors as diverse as housing, construction, retail and supply chains, and skills development. Since starting First Lake Solutions in 2021 he has helped clients deliver over $3 billion for their respective sectors and professions. He is proud to be leading a young, energetic and fast-growing team of advocates. Rob is also co-founder of Push Politics (2016) and The Advocacy Coach (2021).

More Board Members

CC Smith

CC currently serves as the liaison between the boards of Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC) and Cahdco. She is an experienced communicator with a passion for storytelling, working as the Communications and Reporting Manager for Boann Social Impact. Previously, CC worked for the Government of Canada, working on notable projects such as authoring the Defence Investment Plan Annual Update 2019 and launching the Social Finance Fund. CC holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Public Policy and Administration. She is also unapologetically neurodivergent, disabled, and queer.  

Charles Kamin

Charles Kamin is a seasoned advisor and entrepreneur with extensive experience in strategic partnerships, project development, and sustainable growth initiatives across North America and Africa. As the Managing Director of RMC Advisory Group, he has spearheaded innovative projects in renewable energy, infrastructure, and community development, securing investments and fostering impactful collaborations. With a strong commitment to social impact, Charles brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex stakeholder environments to drive Cahdco’s mission of creating affordable, sustainable housing solutions. His strategic vision and dedication to community-focused outcomes strengthen the board’s efforts to address housing challenges in Ottawa and beyond.

Jesse Steinburg

Jesse currently serves as the liaison between the boards of Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC) and Cahdco. He has been an active volunteer with CCOC since 2012, volunteering with the Rentals Committee, Development Committee, and policy research working group. Jesse has been an active Cahdco board member since 2021. In his work life, Jesse is a policy researcher with the Conference Board of Canada, a not-for-profit applied policy research organization. His research focuses on the net-zero transition, including sustainable infrastructure and urban development.