Jonathan Bennett
Executive advisor for founders, CEOs and boards in Ontario
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $275 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | CEO and founder coachingLeadership developmentTransitions and new rolesConflict and difficult conversationsStrategy and decision makingNonprofit leadersScaling and growthStartups and foundersExit planning and successionLeadership and team building |
| Works with | Founders and business owners and Executives |
| Also coaches | Business coach |
| Based in | Ontario, Canada |
| Credentials | Chartered Director (C.Dir.); Fellow, Institute of Corporate Directors (FNI.Dir.) |
| Practice | ClearlyThen |
Jonathan Bennett is an executive coach and advisor who works with founders, CEOs, executive directors and boards. He runs ClearlyThen, a practice based in Ontario. He founded the management consulting firm Laridae in 2011 and grew it into a B Corp that served 200+ organizations. He exited in 2021 through a management buyout. He is a Chartered Director and has served on boards for more than 25 years. He is also an award-winning novelist and poet.
What Jonathan helps with
Jonathan helps leaders with big decisions they cannot hand off to anyone else. He also works with boards on how they govern.
- Strategic planning and positioning for growth
- Founder sale and exit planning
- Succession planning for the next leader
- Turnarounds
- Employee ownership decisions
- Board effectiveness reviews
- Advisory board design
- Conflict at the board table
Who Jonathan works with
Jonathan works with chief executives, founders, executive directors and chairs. His clients include founder-led firms, family businesses, employee-owned companies and social purpose organizations. Many have ten or more years in business. Values such as B Corp status, mission and employee ownership often shape their decisions.
How Jonathan works
Jonathan starts by listening, then shapes the options and stress-tests them. He stays involved until the plan is moving. The work begins as six sessions, held every two weeks. It then continues as long as it is useful. Clients leave with a decision and a written plan that lists the steps, owners and dates. The relationship is confidential.
Background and qualifications
Jonathan spent six years in the C-suite of a large regional hospital. He led strategic planning, public affairs and government relations there. In 2011 he founded Laridae, a management consulting firm. Over a decade it grew from a one-person practice into a B Corp-certified firm serving 200+ organizations. He exited in 2021 through a management buyout. He is a Chartered Director with more than 25 years on boards in the private, public and non-profit sectors. He also co-founded a community health centre with a shared governance model.
Jonathan Bennett pricing
Programs and services
- Confidential advisory relationship starting with six sessions
- Board effectiveness reviews
- Governance fundamentals training
- Chair coaching
- Advisory board design
- CEO 360s and performance management
Jonathan Bennett reviews
The CoachVouch take
He built and sold a B Corp consulting firm after six years in a hospital C-suite, and he also has twenty years as a director and chair.
Best for founders, CEOs and boards facing a major decision on growth, succession or governance.
Common questions
How much does Jonathan Bennett charge?
Coaching with Jonathan runs $150 to $275 an hour. Message Jonathan from this page for an exact quote.
What does Jonathan Bennett help with?
Jonathan Bennett helps with strategic planning and positioning for growth, founder sale and exit planning, succession planning for the next leader and turnarounds.
Is Jonathan Bennett certified?
Jonathan Bennett lists: Chartered Director (C.Dir.); Fellow, Institute of Corporate Directors (FNI.Dir.).
Does Jonathan Bennett work with boards as well as individual leaders?
Yes. He does board effectiveness reviews, chair coaching, committee design and advisory board design. He also facilitates hard strategic conversations.
What kinds of organizations does Jonathan Bennett work with?
He works with founder-led firms, family businesses, employee-owned companies and social purpose organizations. His clients are across North America.
How do I contact Jonathan Bennett?
Send Jonathan a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.