“Empowering growth through learning, leadership, and lasting impact.”
Matthew Clarke is a dynamic executive with over 21 years of transformative leadership in corporate learning, change management, and strategic organizational development. As Vice President of Learning & Development at The FGF Group, Matthew champions innovative, people-centric approaches to cultivating leadership talent, driving performance, and building agile teams prepared for the future of work. With deep expertise in instructional design, project planning, and leadership coaching, he is known for translating complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions that elevate organizations and empower individuals at all levels.
Throughout his career, Matthew has revolutionized workplace learning by shifting from traditional models to high-impact, digital-first strategies that resonate across industries and demographics. At FGF, he built scalable learning architectures that not only support business goals but also foster inclusive cultures of accountability, innovation, and excellence. His hands-on leadership style and collaborative mindset ensure strategic alignment with senior executives and frontline teams alike, creating a continuous feedback loop that keeps learning agile and business-relevant.
Before assuming his current role, Matthew served as Director of Learning & Development for North America at FGF Brands. In this capacity, he spearheaded the implementation of an enterprise-wide digital learning ecosystem, redefined leadership development strategy, and led a high-performing team of L&D professionals. He helped bridge learning needs across departments, integrating data analytics to improve training impact and decision-making.
Matthew also brings vital experience from consumer-facing environments such as Holt Renfrew, where he managed compliance, performance, and leadership training during a time of rapid retail evolution. His work laid the foundation for future-forward skill development, internal mobility, and increased employee engagement. His earlier role at Amazon as Learning Manager sharpened his skills in team development, operational metrics alignment, and delivering results in high-volume, high-speed environments. There, he managed 18 training specialists and led critical safety, quality, and productivity initiatives.
A certified professional in multiple learning and change methodologies—including Prosci Change Management, CTDP, Everything DiSC 2.0, and InsideOut Coaching—Matthew is also an expert in LMS implementation, eLearning development (Articulate, Adobe Captivate), and talent analytics. His technical fluency and human-centered design philosophy allow him to create learning systems that are both measurable and meaningful.
Matthew’s commitment to developing people extends beyond the boardroom. He has dedicated over a decade to volunteer leadership through organizations like Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV) and the Canadian Society for Professional Developers (CSPOD). His global experiences in South Africa, Tanzania, and Vietnam have expanded his cross-cultural competencies, further enriching his capacity to lead diverse teams with empathy and vision.
With a Business Administration diploma in HR Management from George Brown College and numerous professional certifications, Matthew remains an active contributor to thought leadership in the fields of leadership development and AI in workplace education. He is a frequent speaker on these topics, inspiring both emerging and established leaders to embrace continuous learning as a strategic advantage.
Passionate about mentorship, youth engagement, and lifelong growth, Matthew is now seeking board opportunities where he can contribute his strategic insight, expansive network, and deep operational expertise. He is especially interested in supporting organizations through transformation, talent development, and scaling sustainable leadership models.
Character:
Matthew is guided by a genuine passion for helping others grow and succeed. His long-standing volunteer work and commitment to mentorship underscore a values-driven approach to leadership that emphasizes empathy, inclusion, and service.
Knowledge:
With over two decades of experience and certifications across learning, development, and change management, Matthew’s depth of expertise enables him to design strategies that are informed, future-ready, and impactful at scale.
Strategic:
Matthew blends long-term vision with practical implementation, aligning learning programs with organizational goals. His experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives makes him a valuable asset in shaping business strategy through talent development.
Communication:
A skilled facilitator and seasoned public speaker, Matthew excels at simplifying complex concepts and engaging stakeholders at every level. His transparent, collaborative communication style ensures alignment and buy-in across the board.
