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Tyler Johnson

Co-Founder of Progressive Nation
Tyler is a co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Progressive Nation, where he leads efforts to empower individuals and organizations driving positive, progressive change through integrated, accessible, and impactful digital organizing tools and services. A seasoned political strategist, Tyler currently serves as Chief of Staff to a Toronto City Councillor. With nearly two decades of experience in community advocacy and municipal power, he has honed his skills as a battle-tested campaigner, including training at the prestigious Victory Institute in Washington, D.C.
Certified as a NationBuilder Expert since 2012, Tyler has been a user of NationBuilder since its public release in 2007. His career includes 12 years at the Toronto District School Board as an Assistant to Trustees and seven years at City Hall. Tyler has also contributed as an advisory board member for Raising the Roof and a past board member for Social Planning Toronto. Passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to engage and serve the community, he is committed to supporting progressive individuals, organizations, and campaigns.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Thursday Jan 15th, 2026

(Breakout Session) NationBuilder: Tech without losing touch

Tech without losing touch: Modern campaign organizing in the age of AI Join Tyler, Co-Founder & COO Progressive Nation, and Sorcha, VP of Customer Experience at NationBuilder, for an essential conversation about modern campaign organizing in Canada’s evolving political landscape. In an era where AI is reshaping political engagement, how do campaigns maintain the authentic relationships that win elections? This fireside chat will explore the intersection of technology and genuine voter connection. Discussion topics:
  • Leveraging integrated tools to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with voters rather than just collecting data
  • The role of AI in modern organizing: enhancing human connection vs. replacing it
  • Navigating voter expectations in an age of digital-first communication
  • Practical strategies for campaigns preparing for upcoming elections
Whether you’re running a local campaign, managing provincial organizing, or building movement infrastructure, this conversation will provide actionable insights on using technology to strengthen - not substitute - the personal connections that drive electoral success.