Chris Benedetti is a Managing Partner with Sussex Strategy Group. With experience in both federal and provincial governments, Mr. Benedetti provides an in-depth insight and expertise into various policy development and political processes and brings to Sussex an extensive background in strategic communications, advisory services, and public affairs.

For over 25 years he has led client efforts related to energy and environment-related policy, regulatory, and planning matters. He has helped clients to better understand the policy and political imperatives that are the basis for decisions and has worked with governments at all levels to support results-based decision-making.

Mr. Benedetti has also led public affairs efforts on behalf of clients in areas such as health care and biotechnology, infrastructure and transportation, agriculture, international trade and investment, and government procurement.  In addition to his sector expertise, Mr. Benedetti is an expert in public administration and political affairs.  He has spoken at numerous conferences and has been published in several leading journals.  

While managing the interests of several high-profile public and private sector clients, Mr. Benedetti serves as a Board Director of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario, the Empire Club of Canada, Outward Bound Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Red Jar Capital. He also previously served as Chair of the Recycling Council of Ontario, Director of the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, Board Director of the Toronto ZooShare Biogas Cooperative, and Senior Advisor to the Canada-Europe Roundtable for Business. He has also been a member of the Energy Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute.

Mr. Benedetti was selected as the 2024 Hedley Palmer award winner from the Association of Power Producers of Ontario. The Hedley Palmer Award recognizes individuals who have contributed exceptional contributions to Ontario’s power generation industry.

Prior to joining Sussex, Mr. Benedetti was Vice President and Government Relations Practice Leader for a global public affairs and communications company. He has held several positions in the federal government with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and as a political advisor within the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.  

Mr. Benedetti holds a BA in law and a BA (High Hons.) in political science from Carleton University, and an MA in political science (International Relations) from McMaster University and the University of Bath, England.  Active in his local community, Mr. Benedetti has served as President of Horizons for Youth, a United Way agency and one of Toronto’s largest youth shelters, and is a former Director for Common Ground Co-Operative, providing business training opportunities for individuals with development disabilities.