Risk Sciences International
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Understanding
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Managing
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Communicating
Risk
Understanding, Managing, and Communicating Risk™
Risk Sciences International (RSI) equips government entities, private corporations, and civil society organizations with evidence-based, experience-informed expertise to navigate complex risk landscapes. Our experts’ work spans from evaluating the health effects of a single chemical to prioritizing diverse organizational risks, advising on emerging threats, and supporting coordinated responses to global-scale challenges.
Our team understands that high-stakes risk decisions—those affecting health, safety, operations, reputation, or social outcomes—are rarely straightforward. Public safety, consumer protection, or conservation-of-nature goals may compete with economic pressures; regulatory requirements may diverge from operational feasibility. RSI approaches these complex trade-offs impartially. We acknowledge the necessity of—and work to satisfy—regulations, while simultaneously recognizing and supporting industry’s growing commitment to credible, self-driven safety and transparency initiatives. Our experts—including leading scientists, experienced engineers, and seasoned global policy advisors—pair rigorous analyses with practical, actionable recommendations. We also leverage advanced analytics, develop software tools, and construct scenarios and solutions to help clients anticipate and prepare for future regulatory shifts and crises.
At RSI, we approach risk as both a hazard and an opportunity. Our approach to understanding, managing, and communicating risk emphasizes not only addressing potential harm but also uncovering strategic advantages that can enhance resilience, innovation, or competitiveness.
RSI supports risk and regulatory teams across private, public, and civil society sectors. We deliver scientifically rigorous analyses, develop practical tools and training, and produce perception-informed messaging grounded in science and data, supported by production services. In short, we help our clients understand, manage, and communicate risk. Our experience includes collaborations with federal and provincial regulators across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and emerging markets; UN agencies and multilateral organizations; global civil society groups; industry associations; and leading corporations in technology, food, transportation, pharmaceuticals, minerals, refining, and other sectors. In every engagement—whether routine or marked by uncertainty—all RSI staff members and associate experts remain steadfastly committed to providing clear insights, credible solutions, and effective messaging.
RSI has shaped its services around the needs our clients have expressed—prioritizing practical solutions over prepackaged offerings. Years of listening and collaboration have guided how we build capacity and where we focus our expertise. Explore the core needs that continue to shape our work.
At the heart of RSI’s work is a range of methods and tools designed to understand, manage, and communicate risk. These approaches are grounded in science, shaped by real-world experience, and tailored to each client’s context. Learn more about the methods we apply across diverse challenges.
From regulators to civil society organizations to private sector leaders, RSI supports clients across a wide spectrum of sectors. Each project deepens our understanding and broadens our capacity to navigate complex, high-stakes environments. See how our sector experience informs what we do.
RSI’s strength lies in its people—an exceptional team of in-house professionals and trusted associates. With backgrounds spanning science, policy, communication, and crisis response, they bring depth and perspective to every engagement. Meet the experts behind our work.
A personal statement
From our Risk Sciences International CEO
Risk is evolving. It is no longer a matter confined to regulatory compliance or technical thresholds—it is now systemic, visible, and deeply consequential. Risk moves across borders, across sectors, and through every layer of society. Whether we are dealing with the safety of a community, the continuity of a supply chain, the resilience of an ecosystem, or the credibility of a public institution, the demand is the same: act with clarity, credibility, and accountability.
At RSI, we work with clients whose challenges vary widely in scale, sector, and structure. Some operate in highly regulated environments, where we help meet complex obligations with scientific rigor. Others navigate spaces with little or no formal oversight, where success depends on internal standards, stakeholder trust, and public scrutiny. Many face risks shaped more by interdependence and uncertainty than by rules or enforcement.
What unites them—and us—is the responsibility to make risk-informed decisions that stand up to real-world consequences.
As an engineer by training and a risk scientist by practice, I have always believed that uncertainty deserves structure. That belief shapes not only how I work, but how we work: with disciplined curiosity, technical depth, and an unwavering respect for what is at stake.
We are guided by relevance and sincerity. Our clients do not need simplifications; they need clarity. Our commitment to ethical clarity means we speak plainly about what we know, what we can do, and the reliability of our guidance. We do not trade in reassurance—we provide grounded, transparent support where it matters most.
We engage when we believe we can make a meaningful contribution. And when we do, we stand fully behind the work.
Greg Paoli
Chief Executive Officer
Principal Risk Scientist
Client types and examples
Who has RSI staff worked with or for?
RSI works for federal Governments including defence, foreign affairs, taxation, regulation, infrastructure, and health at the national level.
RSI works for state or provincial, territorial, indigenous, municipal governments including education, healthcare, state roads, public safety, and more localized social programs.
RSI works for and with public corporations and state-owned enterprises, notably commercial organizations controlled by the state that provide goods and services which can often be found in the private sector too; these include public utilities, national airlines, and public broadcasters.
RIS works for non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) or quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations (Quangos) that, while publicly funded, operate independently of the government to some degree. These include regulatory agencies, arts councils, or research funding bodies.
RSI works with International public sector or multilaterals, set up by agreements between multiple governments to deal with issues that cross national boundaries or to provide support to developing countries. Among clients served are the United Nations and several of its agencies, World Bank, European Union and its agencies, and several international treaty organizations.
RSI works with the energy sector including companies involved in the exploration, production, or management of energy sources like oil, gas, and renewable energy.
RSI works in the materials sector including companies involved in the discovery, development, and processing of raw materials. This can range from mining to refining and also include companies producing chemicals and forestry products.
RSI works in the industrial sector including a variety of companies such as construction, machinery, aerospace and defense, transportation, professional services, and others.
RSI works in the discretionary consumer sector including companies that produce non-essential goods and services like automobiles, consumer durables, apparel, hotels, restaurants, and other leisure facilities.
RSI works in the consumer staples sector including companies that produce necessary items such as food and beverage, tobacco, household and personal products.
RSI works in the health and healthcare sectors including health care providers and services, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences companies.
RSI works in the financial sector including banks, diversified financials, insurance and real estate (including REITs). Please note that RSI does not provide financial risk services directly. Financial risk is, when needed, provided in partnership with highly specialized financial risk firms. RSI does, however, provide policy, process and particle level risk services to said institutions.
RSI works in the IT sector including software and services, technology hardware and equipment, and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment.
RSI works in the communications sector including telecommunications but also media, entertainment, and interactive media & services.
Utilities: This sector includes companies that provide electricity, gas, water, and multi-utilities.
Real Estate: This sector includes real estate management and development and diversified real estate activities.
RSI works with charities including organizations that provide services, support, and resources to various groups in need. This can include food banks, homeless shelters, and organizations supporting various health issues or disabilities.
RSI works with advocacy and lobbying groups including organizations that are involved in advocating for certain causes or issues, influencing public policy, or lobbying for legislative change. This can include everything from environmental groups to human rights organizations.
RSI works with profiessional and trade associations including organizations represent the interests of professionals in a specific field or industry, or businesses in a specific trade or sector.
RSI works with educational, scientific and research institutions including organizations focused on education, research, and the advancement of knowledge, as well as universities, think tanks, and research institutions.
RSI works with cultural, arts, and sports organizations including organizations promoting cultural activities, arts, and sports, such as museums, art clubs, sports clubs, and community theaters.
RSI staff have worked with religious and faith-based organizations including groups that are affiliated with specific religions or faiths.
RSI works with community and volunteer groups including organizations based in specific local communities.
RSI has works extensively with international NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) including those that operate across borders to address global issues like poverty, health, human rights, and environmental conservation.
Note that the listing of any government, company or organization listed above in no way indicates their endorsement of RSI. Note also that the list below includes some entities served in a substantial and relevant manner by RSI senior staff prior to their joining RSI.
Where we have intervened
What is the geographical scope of RSI staff interventions?
RSI's head office is in Canada (Ottawa, ON).
RSI has official representatives in the USA (Washington D.C.).
RSI staff travel worldwide, providing clients on-the-ground technical assistance and capacity building.
RSI has a highly developed virtual meeting capacity including as regular organizers of large, international, online workshops and conferences.
How we think when we generate solutions
What paradigms does RSI use to arrive at a conclusion?
How do we think our way through a project?
RSI was founded by scientists—and scientific thinking continues to guide our approach. We draw on principles from mathematics, statistics, modeling, epidemiology, and measurement. Evidence-based reasoning grounds our work across all phases of the risk cycle: understanding, managing, and communicating risk. While intuition plays a role in decision-making, we believe the best outcomes stem from measurable, reproducible insight.
Output
Ultimately, counsel takes the form of a deliverable. What does RSI deliver?
Evidence-based recommendations
Grounded in rigorous data and expert judgment, RSI’s recommendations are supported by quantitative analysis, qualitative insights, and real-world case precedents. We don’t speculate—we advise based on substantiated, context-aware evidence.
Calculated or computed results
From biostatistical modeling and epidemiological studies to probabilistic risk assessments, RSI provides results that clarify what’s at stake. Our numbers don’t just inform; they reveal hidden patterns, quantify uncertainties, and shape effective decisions.
Systems, processes, software tools, communication products
RSI delivers more than analysis—we create practical tools for action. Whether designing workflows, developing software, or producing risk communication materials, we ensure our clients are equipped to understand, manage, and communicate risk at every stage.
Experience-informed counsel
While RSI grounds its work in evidence, our decades of applied risk science experience give us a deep understanding of what works in practice. We draw on lessons learned from prior engagements—across sectors, jurisdictions, and risk domains—to guide decision-making in the real world.
Diverse, qualified, growing, in-house expertise
It takes a village. What does RSI's village look like?
Staff with academic and scientific backgrounds
RSI is privileged to have a cohort of scientists, some of whom still teach at university, hailing from social sciences, physical sciences and engineering, medical sciences, computer sciences, and communication sciences.
Staff with executive and operational experience
These are staff who come to RSI from either the public or private sector with experience that contributes to RSI's grasp of real-world constraints but also possibilities.
Staff with technical expertise
Technical expertise is critical to software development, communication & campaigning, and so many other aspects of the work RSI does. It is RSI's policy to, as much as possible, have the technical expertise related to its deliverables available in-house.
Staff with a combination of the above
Many of our staff have combined experience.
A dedicated business development and project management team
Responding to RFPs in a timely and precise manner is essential to efficient project delivery. So too is effective project management. RSI has a dedicated team for both vital functions.
RSI by the numbers
A commitment to deliver, then, now, and into the future
The last word
In summary...
Risk is not abstract. It moves through lives, institutions, supply chains, infrastructure, and entire societies. It informs decisions in boardrooms and control rooms, in courtrooms and cabinet tables. At Risk Sciences International (RSI), we treat risk not as a buzzword, but as a deeply consequential reality—one that demands expertise, evidence, and empathy in equal measure.
We’ve built RSI to meet this moment. Our team is a rare combination: scientific specialists, seasoned practitioners, policy experts, modelers, communicators, and systems thinkers—all working under one roof. Our work spans from complex, long-horizon foresight to urgent response. From simulating the next systemic shock to rewriting technical material for public understanding. From protecting public health to supporting regulators, industry, and civil society in making defensible, transparent, and justifiable choices.
At the heart of it all lies a commitment to clarity: understanding risk in all its dimensions, managing it with precision and foresight, and communicating it with credibility and integrity. These aren’t slogans—they’re disciplines. And we practice them with care, because the stakes demand nothing less.
In a world that cannot afford avoidable harm, RSI is here to help you navigate complexity—scientifically, decisively, and together.
