About us
About us
Our story so far
Meet the team and learn about our mission.
Who we are
Who we are
About Civic Grove
About Civic Grove
Civic Grove is a public interest consultancy helping governments, nonprofits, and civic leaders turn insight into action. We combine strategic design, co-creation, and systems thinking to build policies, programs, and campaigns that are clear, credible, and community-informed—so public work delivers real impact.
Civic Grove is a public interest consultancy helping governments, nonprofits, and civic leaders turn insight into action. We combine strategic design, co-creation, and systems thinking to build policies, programs, and campaigns that are clear, credible, and community-informed—so public work delivers real impact.
System-savvy
Impact-obsessed
System-savvy
Impact-obsessed
System-savvy
Impact-obsessed
Mission & values
We're on a mission…
…to help governments, nonprofits, and communities design better systems—grounded in trust, data, and collaboration.
Along the way, we hold these values true:
Rooted
We work from the ground up—deep in context, community, and complexity.
Co‑Creative
We believe the best solutions are built with people, not just for them.
Strategic
We bring clarity to complexity through systems thinking and intentional design.
Practical
We focus on implementation—solutions that stick, scale, and strengthen capacity.
Mission & values
We're on a mission…
…to help governments, nonprofits, and communities design better systems—grounded in trust, data, and collaboration.
Along the way, we hold these values true:
Rooted
We work from the ground up—deep in context, community, and complexity.
Co‑Creative
We believe the best solutions are built with people, not just for them.
Strategic
We bring clarity to complexity through systems thinking and intentional design.
Practical
We focus on implementation—solutions that stick, scale, and strengthen capacity.
Mission & values
We're on a mission…
…to help governments, nonprofits, and communities design better systems—grounded in trust, data, and collaboration.
Along the way, we hold these values true:
Rooted
We work from the ground up—deep in context, community, and complexity.
Co‑Creative
We believe the best solutions are built with people, not just for them.
Strategic
We bring clarity to complexity through systems thinking and intentional design.
Practical
We focus on implementation—solutions that stick, scale, and strengthen capacity.
Team
Meet our Team
Braden Root-McCaig
Founder & Principal
Braden Root-McCaig is a public affairs and communications strategist with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of government, innovation, and community impact. He has led initiatives in strategic planning, housing and infrastructure policy, stakeholder engagement, and municipal innovation, working with councils, senior staff, and association partners across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. He has served in senior political and policy roles, including in Legislative Affairs and as Chief of Staff at both the federal and municipal levels, and held leadership positions in the innovation and consulting sectors as Director of Communications and Strategy at the Ontario Centre of Innovation and Director of Impact and Partnerships at Davis Pier Consulting, where he drove new partnerships, markets, and service offerings while leading municipal and provincial engagements nationwide. As the founder of Civic Grove, Braden brings together expertise in policy, strategy, and engagement to help public and non-profit partners design solutions with lasting impact. He also serves as a board member and past Vice Chair of the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, a board member with Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia, and an advisor to the Canadian Poverty Institute.
Isaiah Olateru
Data Analysis and Automation Lead
Isaiah Olateru is a people first leader with nearly 20 years of experience spanning engineering, finance, data, operational excellence and digital transformation. He has worked as a Product/Design Engineer for Fortune 500 companies, holds patents in the US and EU, and served as VP of Optimization and Transformation at a global finance firm with over $1.8 trillion in assets under administration. With an MBA in Finance, a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and certification as a Machine Learning Engineer and Data Scientist, Isaiah is also a Gartner Digital & Data Ambassador. Currently, he is Founder & CEO of 100Xponential, Fractional Chief Data and AI Officer and advisor to multiple startups.
Michael Sauvé
Public Affairs & Communications Lead
Michael is a supportive thinker, a collaborative leader, and a formally trained researcher with a long practical formation in public affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement. With extensive experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, his work combines deep policy expertise with a fluency in sociological and public opinion research, and the mass-comm sensibility of a communicator and marketer whose career has bacross digital and traditional media landscapes. He’s led high-performing teams and designed award-winning and change-making campaigns for advocacy organizations, communications & PR agencies, and educational institutions. Service is important for Michael. When he’s not working in advocacy, he’s supporting other advocates. He serves on the boards of 2 direct-service not-for-profits, volunteers his time and brain on political campaigns, and provides business consulting and coaching to independent, progressive consultants. He earned a BA from the University of King’s College and an MA from Dalhousie before attending the University of Chicago.
Rajin Khan
Associate
Rajin Khan is a management consultant and policy researcher focused on advancing equitable systems through strategy, research, and human-centred design. He has supported governments, non-profits, and community organizations across Canada to develop inclusive policies, modernize public services, and evaluate programs that shape people’s everyday lives. With consulting experience at ATN Strategies and Davis Pier Consulting, Rajin has worked across sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, long-term care, natural resources, and digital transformation, helping public sector partners navigate complexity and drive systems change. His background in international development and policy evaluation informs a collaborative, values-driven approach that centres dignity, accessibility, and long-term social impact. Rajin holds a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University and continues to contribute to projects that blend evidence, empathy, and action to build better futures.
Team
Meet our Team
Braden Root-McCaig
Founder & Principal
Braden Root-McCaig is a public affairs and communications strategist with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of government, innovation, and community impact. He has led initiatives in strategic planning, housing and infrastructure policy, stakeholder engagement, and municipal innovation, working with councils, senior staff, and association partners across Ontario and Atlantic Canada. He has served in senior political and policy roles, including in Legislative Affairs and as Chief of Staff at both the federal and municipal levels, and held leadership positions in the innovation and consulting sectors as Director of Communications and Strategy at the Ontario Centre of Innovation and Director of Impact and Partnerships at Davis Pier Consulting, where he drove new partnerships, markets, and service offerings while leading municipal and provincial engagements nationwide. As the founder of Civic Grove, Braden brings together expertise in policy, strategy, and engagement to help public and non-profit partners design solutions with lasting impact. He also serves as a board member and past Vice Chair of the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, a board member with Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia, and an advisor to the Canadian Poverty Institute.
Isaiah Olateru
Data Analysis and Automation Lead
Isaiah Olateru is a people first leader with nearly 20 years of experience spanning engineering, finance, data, operational excellence and digital transformation. He has worked as a Product/Design Engineer for Fortune 500 companies, holds patents in the US and EU, and served as VP of Optimization and Transformation at a global finance firm with over $1.8 trillion in assets under administration. With an MBA in Finance, a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and certification as a Machine Learning Engineer and Data Scientist, Isaiah is also a Gartner Digital & Data Ambassador. Currently, he is Founder & CEO of 100Xponential, Fractional Chief Data and AI Officer and advisor to multiple startups.
Michael Sauvé
Public Affairs & Communications Lead
Michael is a supportive thinker, a collaborative leader, and a formally trained researcher with a long practical formation in public affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement. With extensive experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, his work combines deep policy expertise with a fluency in sociological and public opinion research, and the mass-comm sensibility of a communicator and marketer whose career has bacross digital and traditional media landscapes. He’s led high-performing teams and designed award-winning and change-making campaigns for advocacy organizations, communications & PR agencies, and educational institutions. Service is important for Michael. When he’s not working in advocacy, he’s supporting other advocates. He serves on the boards of 2 direct-service not-for-profits, volunteers his time and brain on political campaigns, and provides business consulting and coaching to independent, progressive consultants. He earned a BA from the University of King’s College and an MA from Dalhousie before attending the University of Chicago.
Rajin Khan
Associate
Rajin Khan is a management consultant and policy researcher focused on advancing equitable systems through strategy, research, and human-centred design. He has supported governments, non-profits, and community organizations across Canada to develop inclusive policies, modernize public services, and evaluate programs that shape people’s everyday lives. With consulting experience at ATN Strategies and Davis Pier Consulting, Rajin has worked across sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, long-term care, natural resources, and digital transformation, helping public sector partners navigate complexity and drive systems change. His background in international development and policy evaluation informs a collaborative, values-driven approach that centres dignity, accessibility, and long-term social impact. Rajin holds a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University and continues to contribute to projects that blend evidence, empathy, and action to build better futures.
Team
Meet our Team
Braden Root-McCaig
Founder & Principal
Braden Root-McCaig is a strategist and systems designer with a decade of experience helping governments and nonprofits deliver public impact. Before founding Civic Grove, he served as Executive Director of the Ontario Council of International Cooperation (OCIC), advised Toronto’s Deputy Mayor on housing and economic development, and led strategic projects with Davis Pier Consulting across climate, housing, and digital government. His work blends policy design, civic engagement, and narrative strategy to help changemakers move from intention to implementation. Braden launched Civic Grove to support the co-creation of credible, community-rooted solutions that build trust—and deliver lasting change.
Isaiah Olateru
Data Analysis and Automation Lead
Isaiah Olateru is a people first leader with nearly 20 years of experience spanning engineering, finance, data, operational excellence and digital transformation. He has worked as a Product/Design Engineer for Fortune 500 companies, holds patents in the US and EU, and served as VP of Optimization and Transformation at a global finance firm with over $1.8 trillion in assets under administration. With an MBA in Finance, a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and certification as a Machine Learning Engineer and Data Scientist, Isaiah is also a Gartner Digital & Data Ambassador. Currently, he is Founder & CEO of 100Xponential, Fractional Chief Data and AI Officer and advisor to multiple startups.
Michael Sauvé
Public Affairs & Communications Lead
Michael is a collaborative strategist and researcher with deep expertise in public affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement. With experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, he blends policy fluency with sharp sociological insight and a communicator’s instinct—shaped by a career spanning traditional and digital media. He’s led high-performing teams, built award-winning campaigns, and advised advocacy groups, agencies, and institutions on how to drive change. Outside of work, Michael supports the changemakers behind the scenes—serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring progressive consultants, and volunteering on political campaigns. He holds a BA from the University of King’s College, an MA from Dalhousie, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago.
Rajin Khan
Consultant
Rajin Khan is a management consultant and policy researcher focused on advancing equitable systems through strategy, research, and human-centred design. He has supported governments, non-profits, and community organizations across Canada to develop inclusive policies, modernize public services, and evaluate programs that shape people’s everyday lives. With consulting experience at ATN Strategies and Davis Pier Consulting, Rajin has worked across sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, long-term care, natural resources, and digital transformation, helping public sector partners navigate complexity and drive systems change. His background in international development and policy evaluation informs a collaborative, values-driven approach that centres dignity, accessibility, and long-term social impact. Rajin holds a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University and continues to contribute to projects that blend evidence, empathy, and action to build better futures.
Ready to make an impact?
Let’s co-create something that builds trust, strengthens systems, and delivers lasting public value.
Ready to make an impact?
Let’s co-create something that builds trust, strengthens systems, and delivers lasting public value.
Ready to make an impact?
Let’s co-create something that builds trust, strengthens systems, and delivers lasting public value.