Following a brief hiatus, Paul Fogolin returned to ESAC to assume the role of President & CEO on November 11, 2024. Paul’s commitment to the ESAC community and his visionary approach inspire confidence and optimism. His deep understanding of our mission, combined with his passion for both the industry and the power of games, positions him perfectly to guide ESAC into the future.

Paul has a unique combination of political and government experience, alongside a proven track record of effectively serving trade associations by building strong relationships with members, earning their trust, and making an impact. He began his career with close to a decade of work experience at Queen’s Park. Paul was Special Assistant responsible supporting Tour & Events for the Premier of Ontario before becoming the Premier’s Strategic Lead for Northern Ontario. He then moved on to become a Senior Advisor for Policy and Stakeholder Relations to the Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and also served as the Director of Stakeholder Relations & Operations for Ontario’s Minister of Health.

Following his time in government, Paul has held several senior leadership roles at trade associations including Vice-President of Government & Stakeholder Relations at the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, Vice-President of Government & Industry Relations at the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario, Vice-President of Policy & Government Affairs at the Entertainment Software Association of Canada, and most recently as President & CEO of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries. Paul also had the honour of serving as the President of the Empire Club of Canada, one of the oldest and most respected speaker’s forums in the country.

In addition to his Honours degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University, Paul earned a Certificate in Public Speaking from the University of Toronto, as well as Harvard Business School Certificates in Leadership Principles and Power and Influence for Positive Impact. When he’s not spending time with his two young sons or playing video games, Paul is an avid Toronto sports fan, and enjoys golfing and live music.