Stratford Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre Côté as President of Stratford People and Culture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON – January 1, 2026 – Stratford Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre Côté as President of Stratford People & Culture, one of Stratford Group’s three business units alongside Management Consulting and Intellectual Property. Pierre succeeds Mike D’Amico, who is stepping down from the President role and will continue his work with Stratford as an Executive Advisor.
Pierre brings deep expertise in human resources strategy and operations, organisational effectiveness, and transformational people solutions. His appointment reflects Stratford Group’s ongoing commitment to leadership transitions that combine continuity, capability, and bold vision for the future.
“ Pierre is a trusted leader with a clear perspective on how strong people strategies drive business success,” said Jim Roche, CEO of Stratford Group. “His strategic insight, collaborative leadership, and commitment to clients make him exceptionally well positioned to lead Stratford People & Culture into its next phase of impact.”
“As the founder of Stratford People & Culture and a key executive at Stratford Group, Mike has been central to our success to date,” Roche added. “He has built a strong, trusted practice and an equally strong team, grounded in care for clients and for one another. I’m genuinely delighted that Mike will be continuing with Stratford in a new role.”
Mike D’Amico leaves the President role following a meaningful chapter of leadership defined by trusted partnerships, client focus, and a deep commitment to people-centred work. Under his 13 years of leadership, Stratford People & Culture became a trusted advisor to organisations navigating talent, culture, and leadership challenges—while also growing into a strong, values-driven team.
Beyond his work with clients, Mike built and nurtured an internal culture grounded in collaboration, mutual support, and continuous development. He leaves behind a team known for encouraging one another, supporting individual career growth, and striving toward both shared and personal goals.
In his next chapter with Stratford, Mike will continue to work closely with the People & Culture team, supporting clients and sharing his experience and perspective as the practice continues to evolve.
Reflecting on his appointment, Pierre shared, “Mike’s leadership has shaped Stratford People & Culture in profound ways. I am grateful for his trust and partnership, and I am honoured to build on the strong foundation he has created. I look forward to working with our exceptional team to support clients at the moments that matter most.”
In his new role, Pierre will focus on strengthening Stratford People & Culture’s contribution within Stratford Group, deepening client relationships, and continuing to evolve the firm’s services to shape how People & Culture enables business strategy. He will work closely with leaders across all three business units to ensure Stratford Group delivers integrated, high-impact support to clients.
Regarding this transition Mike adds, “I am pleased to see our leadership succession plan put in place and very excited to be able to support Pierre as he leads our People & Culture consulting business through the next phase. Pierre embodies Stratford’s purpose of contributing to the prosperity and vibrancy of the communities we tough through the clients we serve. Personally, I look forward to being able to continue to work with clients and our amazing Stratford team in my new role.”
About Pierre Côté
Pierre Côté is a seasoned people and culture leader with more than 30 years of experience supporting organizations through growth, change, and transformation. Prior to his appointment as President, Pierre served as Vice-President and Practice Leader for HR Strategy, Advisory and Business Partnership at Stratford People & Culture, partnering closely with clients to align people strategies with business priorities. He is known for his thoughtful, pragmatic approach and his commitment to helping leaders build strong, resilient organizations.
About Stratford People & Culture
Stratford People & Culture, a division of Stratford Group, is a team of experienced practitioners that includes certified leadership coaches and strategic HR advisors experienced in every aspect of optimizing your teams for success. Stratford enables you to create an engaging and rewarding company culture that reflects your values and enhances productivity and retention. Our experience lets us lean in as a trusted resource, leading departments, divisions, and whole organizations through growth and change that is aligned with your business plan.
Offering a unique combination of strategic and operational experience across all aspects of corporate and HR strategy to help you create high-value and truly accountable teams.