Frank Elsner has built a life around discipline, service, and leadership. Born in Germany, he moved to Canada in 1965 and grew up in British Columbia. As a teenager, he competed in rugby, soccer, and wrestling. He was ranked second in the province in wrestling in his weight class. He also served as student council president and qualified as an expert diver before age 17.
He began his policing career in the early 1980s. Over more than 30 years, he served with the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Thunder Bay Police, Owen Sound Police Service, and Greater Sudbury Police Service. He worked as an undercover officer, detective, intelligence officer, dive master, and tactical officer. He later became Deputy Chief and then Chief of Police in Sudbury.
Frank also invested in his education. As a mature student, he completed a Political Science degree at Lakehead University in three years while working full time. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from Western University.
In 2016, he founded Umbra Strategic Solutions, providing security consulting to local and international organizations. Since 2017, he has served as Chief of Safety and Security for the Natural Factors Group of Companies in Vancouver.
Beyond business and policing, he has led food banks, served on boards, supported charities, and spoken at conferences in Canada and abroad. His career reflects steady growth, strong values, and a focus on long-term impact.
Q&A with Frank Elsner on Success
You have worked in policing, executive leadership, and now corporate security. How do you define success?
Success is about steady progress over time. It is not one title or one achievement. I started as a Special Constable and worked my way through many roles before becoming Chief of Police. Each role taught me something different. Undercover work taught patience. Intelligence work taught analysis. Tactical work taught discipline under pressure. When I became Chief, success meant building trust and guiding an organization, not just solving cases.
In the private sector, success means protecting people and operations in a way that supports the business. It is about reducing risk without slowing down growth. For me, success is measured by stability and resilience.
What habits helped you move from frontline officer to Chief of Police?
I focused on learning and preparation. I took on assignments that stretched me. I worked in investigations, intelligence, and tactical operations. I tried to understand the full system, not just my own unit.
Education also played a big role. I went back to school at 32. I completed a four-year Political Science degree in three years while working full time. That required time management and sacrifice. Later, I earned a Master of Public Administration. Formal education helped me think beyond day-to-day operations and understand policy, governance, and strategy.
What was the biggest shift when you moved into the private sector?
In policing, authority comes with the badge and the law. In the private sector, authority comes from trust and results. When I founded Umbra Strategic Solutions, I had to prove value to clients. You cannot rely on rank. You rely on experience, clarity, and execution.
As Chief of Safety and Security for the Natural Factors Group of Companies, my role is broader. It includes physical security, safety systems, and long-term planning. Corporate security is not just about reacting to incidents. It is about building systems that prevent them.
You have been involved in many community organizations. How does that connect to success?
Leadership does not stop at work. I served as President of the Sudbury Food Bank Board and was involved with Health Sciences North, the Salvation Army, Rotary, and other groups. Those roles taught me governance from a different angle.
Community boards force you to think about impact with limited resources. They also remind you that leadership is service. Success without contribution feels incomplete.
You were ranked second in the province for wrestling in high school. Did sports shape your career?
Absolutely. Wrestling teaches control and patience. You cannot panic. You adjust and look for leverage. Policing and security are similar. You prepare. You stay calm. You look for small advantages.
Sports also taught me discipline. Early mornings. Hard practices. That mindset carried into my career and education.
What advice would you give to someone who wants long-term success?
Do not rush titles. Build depth. Take roles that challenge you. Invest in education, even if it is later in life. Surround yourself with people who expect high standards.
Most of all, understand that success compounds. Each skill builds on the last. Each experience prepares you for the next level. Over time, that steady approach creates results that last.