Infinitely curious, passionate, and eternally optimistic — three words to describe David Coletto, the founder, chair, and CEO of Abacus Data. He is one of Canada’s best known and most respected public opinion analysts, pollsters, and social researchers and was recently named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Canadian politics by The Hill Times. With a career spanning over two decades, David is the official pollster of the Toronto Star and considered a leading expert on generational change.
Since launching in 2010, David has grown Abacus Data into one of Canada’s most respected, full-service market research and strategy firms. He has worked with many of the world’s most respected brands, associations, corporations, and non-profits, including Google, Airbnb, TD Bank, Interac, Canadian Medical Association, Government of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, WorkSafe BC, Imperial Oil, BMW, and the LCBO, among others. He is also frequently called upon by local, national, and international news organizations to assess public opinion and has advised political leaders at all levels of government.
Having devoted his life to exploring what people think and feel about their work, lives, and politics, David is an in-demand keynote speaker. He has spoken to thousands of people in audiences ranging from massive national conferences to intimate briefings in boardrooms across North America and Europe. David believes that by understanding what motivates and informs people’s worldview, we can create a more understanding, empathetic, and action-driven world.
David earned a PhD in political science from the University of Calgary. He is currently a professor in the Graduate Program of Political Management at Carleton University, where he teaches courses in polling, political marketing, and designing public affairs strategies. He also curates and writes the newsletter, “inFocus with David Coletto”, which is read by thousands of business, political, and community leaders.
