People
The professionals at Synergy come from a variety of corporate backgrounds. But the common denominators with each of our people are a record of achievement, excellent marketing and communications skills, a strong strategic sense, a love of new challenges, and an instinctive commitment to getting important things done.
Kirk Tobias, Managing Partner
Kirk is an accomplished marketer, business developer and general manager with over a decade of experience in delivering results within corporate, mid-market and entrepreneurial environments. He has significant experience in building brands and businesses, throughout the Americas, within the financial services, software, manufacturing and advertising industries.
In his role as Director of Business Development and General Manager Business Partners for a leading Financial Services company, he led a strategic planning project focused on systematically developing and resourcing six to ten new business units over a three year period. He led the first business unit from concept to launch where over $50 million in sales were generated during its first year of operation.
Kirk has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies from The University of Manchester Business School. He is a competitive cyclist and organizes an annual cycling charity event focused on raising funds to send children with cancer to camp.
Gary McDonald, Managing Partner
Gary has over 25 years experience building businesses and brands across several sectors, industries, and markets. His experience emanates from a consumer packaged goods background which has been parlayed into leadership roles in Canada, USA, Latin America, and Europe.
In his role as Global Head of Marketing and Strategy (UK-based) for a leading Financial Services and Travel company, he led the development of a worldwide strategy to transform an underperforming traditional business into a dynamic technology driven market leader. He subsequently became CEO of the Americas business and led the team to 3 consecutive years of double digit growth in profit. The business was sold in 2001 for over $1 billion; 2 ½ times the pre- plan value.
Gary is a graduate of Loyola College in Montreal and has studied International business at INSEAD in France, and The Canadian School of Management. He enjoys all sports and is an active hockey player, golfer and runner.
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