About Bastedo Strategy
Approach
Ruth Bastedo and Bastedo Strategy fuse together traditional and innovative methodologies on a range of strategic digital projects, empowering teams to look at interconnected systems in a human and practical way.
With expertise working in multi-sectoral environments spanning not for profit, business, academia, government, and technology, Ruth Bastedo works with clients to bring both a high level, holistic and "big picture" approach to projects- as well as provide the on the ground, practical ability to execute under tight deadlines.
Examples of projects Ruth Bastedo has led include:
- Strategy and content development for major banks on financial planning, financial literacy and wealth management
- Brand and digital customer experience strategies and executions (healthcare, retail, financial services, technology, not for profit)
- Economic and social innovation communication strategies, brand, project development and implementation
- The launch of innovative new multi-sectoral programs in digital social innovation
Areas of Focus
A long-time advocate for diversity in business and tech, Ruth has been an advocate for fusing together her deep knowledge of the digital ecosystem with social innovation and a human centric approach to digital product and service development. This approach has three key components:
1. Building Inclusive Digital Experiences
Ruth is passionate about supporting a diversity lens in emerging digital areas such as AI, marketing technology, digital product and service design, and customer experience. Ruth advocates a humanistic approach to design, bringing an alternative perspective to the table. She has embraced AI, and is an advocate for putting this powerful new technology in as many diverse hands as possible.
2. Digital Social Innovation
Bastedo Strategy has a had a strategic focus on digital innovation projects, supporting projects at Magnet, a digital social innovation platform housed at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Future Skills Centre, preparing Canadians for the changing economy and future of work and think tank the Diversity Institute. She supported the development and launch of Experience Ventures, at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary. Currently, Ruth is the Chair of the Board for Hospice Toronto, a 2025 Recipient of the Toronto Community Champion Award.
3. Women in the Digital Ecosystem
From the first days of Ruth's career in digital as one of four women in her digital production program, Ruth has been an advocate for the advancement of women in business- and in the digital ecosystem. Whether it's building relationships, profile or simply making sure there are women's voices at the digital table, Ruth strives to advocate for a robust presence for women of all ages in the technology business ecosystem.
About Ruth Bastedo
Ruth Bastedo
Ruth is passionate about supporting Canadian businesses in emerging digital areas such as AI and digital product and service design.
Ruth's career highlights include co-founding two digital agencies with successful exits, building the digital businesses of several independent Canadian agencies in financial services and taking leadership r
Ruth is passionate about supporting Canadian businesses in emerging digital areas such as AI and digital product and service design.
Ruth's career highlights include co-founding two digital agencies with successful exits, building the digital businesses of several independent Canadian agencies in financial services and taking leadership roles in the not for profit space. She currently is serving a second term as Chair of Hospice Toronto.
Through Bastedo Strategy and Communications, Ruth and her team have supported the Business Women in Trade Program at Global Affairs Canada, Magnet, The Diversity Institute and the Future Skills Centre at TMU, and supported the inception of long term initiatives such as Experience Ventures at the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary.
Ruth has represented Canada on several trade missions and the North American Women in Business Summits hosted by the Canadian Consulate Atlanta for women across Canada, Mexico and the USA and at the AAMJE National Congress in Veracruz, Mexico, participating in APEC’s Women and the Economy Summit, chaired by then U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where she presented on Women and Leadership in Canada.
