Executive Team

Edward Akuffo, Ph.D.

Founding Partner & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Edward Ansah Akuffo was born in Ghana, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon. In 2002, he immigrated to Canada to pursue graduate studies at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. After earning his Master of Arts in International Relations at Brock, Edward advanced to the University of Alberta, where he completed his PhD in International Relations.

Edward is deeply committed to strengthening economic and political ties between Canada and African countries, particularly through facilitating Canadian investment in Africa. He leverages his extensive expertise in Canadian foreign and security policy in Africa, combined with a nuanced understanding of Africa’s democratic, security, and economic development, as well as his background in business studies, to promote meaningful engagement between Canadian investors and the African continent.

He has served as an Expert Witness on Canada-Africa relations for both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada. In addition, Edward contributed to the development of Canada’s first-ever Africa Strategy, launched by Global Affairs Canada in March 2025.

Edward’s research and teaching focus on Canadian foreign and security policy in Africa, as well as NATO-African Union interregional security cooperation. He has published extensively on these topics in both academic and non-academic formats. Notably, he is the author of Canadian Foreign Policy in Africa: Regional Approach to Peace, Security, and Development—the first single-authored book dedicated to Canada-Africa relations.

Justin P. Goodrich, LL.M.

Founding Partner & Managing Director

Justin P. Goodrich is a veteran public affairs executive and a professor of political science.

Justin began his public affairs career as a sole practitioner in 2008, later founding Alliance Public Affairs Group in 2016. Over the years, he has served as a trusted advisor to c-suite executives and elected officials, offering strategic guidance to all levels of government, the private sector, the non-profit sector, and numerous Indigenous organizations.

In addition to his work in public affairs, Justin has an extensive background in community-based media, having worked as a columnist (print and online) and as a host of television, radio, and podcast programs. He has also been a keynote speaker, presenting across Canada, the United States, and Asia.

Academically, Justin holds qualifications in both social sciences and law. He earned degrees in media and communication studies and political science, followed by a Master of Laws in Diplomacy & International Law from Lancaster University, a leading law school in the United Kingdom. A passionate educator, Justin has been teaching since 2020. He began as a lecturer in public policy (graduate level) and, in 2025, accepted a position as a professor of political science (undergraduate level).

Justin’s dedication to service is reflected in his extensive volunteer history, which began in his adolescence. To date, he has served on more than two dozen community, non-profit, political, and academic committees and boards. Most notably, he is a former chairman of the board of governors for a public university.