The Boardroom 180 Podcast

Munir Haque (ma-near hawk)

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The Boardroom 180 Podcast

Board Governance Best Practices and Stories/Experiences Shared

$Hydrogen and Governance Modernization with Gareth Gregory of ESSNA \ 59Hydrogen.com$

3D AGO

Hydrogen and Governance Modernization with Gareth Gregory of ESSNA \ 59Hydrogen.com

In this episode, host Munir Haque’s guest is Gareth Gregory, the North American Head of Strategic Energy, Client Delivery, and 59Hydrogen Decarbonization Division of the Energy Security Services North America or ESSNA. Munir and Gareth discuss the intersection of governance, innovation, and the evolving energy landscape. With decades of experience in energy modelling, decarbonization, and hydrogen technology, Gareth shares his journey from entrepreneurship to leading ESSNA and 59Hydrogen. The conversation explores the future of hydrogen as a clean energy solution, the challenges of traditional energy markets, and the importance of balancing risk management with strategic decision-making. Gareth details how ESSNA provides energy modelling and funding focusing on decarbonization and hydrogen technology, while 59Hydrogen specializes in decentralized hydrogen production and purification. He challenges outdated boardroom structures, emphasizing that governance should enable growth rather than restrict it. Governance failures, he points out, often stem from outdated leadership, and companies need to modernize decision-making processes to stay competitive. Munir and Gareth explore the importance of regulatory evolution, industry collaboration, and financial independence. Gareth hopes that ESSNA will become North America’s leading decentralized hydrogen provider, with major projects, a hydrogen symposium, and a strong focus on transparency and implementation. About Gareth Gregory: Gareth Gregory is the North American Head of Strategic Energy, Client Delivery, and 59Hydrogen Decarbonization Division of the Energy Security Services North America Inc (ESSNA). He was accountable for the launch, development and stabilization of the North American operation in Calgary Alberta. Gareth will continue to lead the engineering of 59Hydrogen solutions globally as the market develops across North America. In his previous role, Gareth served as the Africa Head of Strategic Energy and Client Delivery in the commercial division, Energy Security Services Africa (Pty) Ltd. His business activity has covered numerous sectors with a combination of finance and technical experience. — Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Gareth Gregory: Website: EnergySecurity-na.comLinkedInPodcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio— Transcript Gareth Gregory: [00:00:01] Part of the reason that governance fails is that you have such a historic, out of date perspective as to what it actually means. Under 40 year olds sitting on boards making decisions, only 0.3%. You've got to get real in terms of innovation, how quickly things are adapting and moving. I meet people that sit on boards probably every week, and I can honestly say I would lose sleep if 95% of them sat on our board. It just seems like a very detached perception of reality. Munir Haque: [00:00:39] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Munir Haque: [00:00:59] On today's show, we have Gareth Gregory. He's with the Energy Security Services North America Inc., or ESSNA, the North American head of strategic energy, client delivery and 59Hydrogen Decarbonization Division. Gareth Gregory is the leader in strategic energy solutions, specializing in decarbonization strategies for industries with carbon liabilities. As the North American head, Gareth oversees operations, growth and the implementation of DAAS carbon intensity framework. A hydrogen specialist, he manages the design, funding and operation of decentralized modular hydrogen plants. His experience spans energy economics, policy and technology, integrating these with ESG reporting to drive meaningful impact. Gareth has also delivered capital projects exceeding $1 billion globally, gaining a reputation for innovative decarbonization programs. Under his leadership, ESSNA developed refinery projects and modular hydrogen solutions across North America. He holds a BCom in Auditing and Management Accounting from the University of Pretoria and a BSc Honors in Energy Studies, cum laude from University of Johannesburg. Welcome to The Boardroom 180 Podcast, Gareth. Gareth Gregory: [00:02:15] Thank you very much for having me, it's a great pleasure being here. Munir Haque: [00:02:19] Thanks for making the time. We met last year at the Petroleum Club, I think there was an event going on there. I was sitting at a table and there was a lawyer there, and I was giving her my spiel about The Boardroom 180 podcast on governance. When she heard governance she said, you need to talk to this guy over here, pointing at you. Admittedly, I don't know much about hydrogen production or use. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of this, tell me a little more about yourself and your career arc, how you got into what you're doing now. Gareth Gregory: [00:03:00] It's been a great journey over many years, this being our sixth company now. I think, on the entrepreneurship side, we've always been looking out for great opportunities. The educational side of my background has certainly assisted and helped both in the finance and the technical side. But I think what was really important was the journey to get to this point in time now in North America and overseeing both the Canadian markets and the US market. In the early days, we had established a company that focused on energy modeling and planning, which is very much a professional services orientated environment. Over a period we had clients that were asking us to oversee construction, which we did. Then we started doing a lot of our own construction, and it got to a point that we developed ourselves into an EPCM, engineering, procurement, construction and management firm for the sub-Saharan African market. There was a great experience having both the background modeling knowledge, but also the ability to start building out on smaller projects in terms of delivery. Shortly after that, we had one of our clients that had engaged with us on a combined cycle gas and steam turbine design, their internal engineering department couldn't maintain the efficiencies of the system. Gareth Gregory: [00:04:19] They actually sold that facility back to us for 50% of what we had sold it to them at. That was our first off balance sheet transaction. The reason that that is so important is that I think that actually enabled our arrival and expansion now, both in Canada as well as the US, understanding an annuity based financial model. About 14 years ago was our introduction into hydrogen, possibly by some level of fluke. We had a client that required a 4% hydrogen mix in their annealing ovens, which was natural gas driven. That was...

44 min
MAR 11

The Power of Mentorship with Chris Doble, VMSA Program Director

In this episode, host Munir Haque welcomes Chris Doble, Director of the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA), to the show to talk about the mentorship that VMSA offers to entrepreneurs by assembling teams of experienced business leaders. Based on MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service model, the VMSA focuses on personal leadership development rather than business operations, emphasizing mentorship through coaching rather than direct advisory. Chris Doble and Munir explore how the program was adapted for Alberta's business environment and how the approach prioritizes developing entrepreneurs as leaders. Chris highlights VMSA’s rigorous mentee selection process that ensures those chosen align with their coaching philosophy. He explains that the primarily entrepreneurial and executive mentors foster open discussions that might not be possible in a formal board setting. The conversation discusses how the program, funded by Alberta Innovates, has largely grown through referrals and has helped mentees achieve business growth, leadership clarity, and in some cases, career redirection. Munir and Chris also emphasize the importance of diversity in mentorship teams and the balance between experience and personality compatibility. About Chris Doble: Chris is the program director of the VMSA, Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta, an entrepreneur mentorship program that focuses on building the leadership capacity of growth stage entrepreneurs. Based on the VMS mentorship model established at MIT, the VMSA supports entrepreneurs by surrounding them with a team of experienced business leaders who provide ongoing coaching and guidance as they scale their ventures. Prior to joining the VMSA, Chris helped out to grow the Threshold Impact Venture Mentoring Service program based out of the University of Alberta and has received mentorship and coaching training through the MIT Venture Mentoring Service Executive Immersion Program, and Roy Group's practice of coaching. Before entering the world of mentorship, Chris worked in a variety of roles within the music industry, including as a studio manager of an audio post-production studio, in artist marketing and PR, and in co-launching a mastering studio in Toronto. He has an Honors Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa in Communications and Business Administration and is proud to be a Calgary born and raised citizen. — Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Chris Doble: Website: VMSAlberta.orgLinkedInPodcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio— Transcript Chris Doble: [00:00:01] There's an analogy that we really like to use to describe VMs, which is that we don't build the race car, we train the race car driver. With the thinking that, of course we want to see success come to these start ups and come to these businesses, but for us, we really want that to flow through the growth and development of the individual. Longer term thinking being even if these ventures aren't ultimately successful, you've still built the skills and the capacity that someone could take with them to the next venture. Munir Haque: [00:00:29] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Munir Haque: [00:00:48] Today we're excited to welcome Mr. Chris Doble. Chris is the program director of the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta, the VMSA. It's an entrepreneur mentorship program that focuses on building the leadership capacity of growth stage entrepreneurs. Based on the VMS mentorship model established at MIT, the VMSA supports entrepreneurs by surrounding them with a team of experienced business leaders who provide ongoing coaching and guidance as they scale their ventures. Before entering the world of mentorship, Chris worked in a variety of roles within the music industry as a studio manager of an audio post-production studio, to artist marketing and PR, to co-launching a mastering studio in Toronto. He has an Honors Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa in Communications and Business Administration and is proud to be a Calgary born and raised citizen. Welcome to the show, Chris. Chris Doble: [00:02:04] Thanks for having me, Munir. Munir Haque: [00:02:06] I first came across you back in 2023 during Innovation Week here in Calgary. You were presenting at a session on governance. There were two other gentlemen who were presenting with you, one was talking specifically about the board of directors, another was talking about the board of advisors. You were talking about a board of consciousness, and that struck a spark in my head, because I hadn't heard of that too much before. I always kept in the back of my head that I was going to reach out to you and have you on here so we can talk a little bit about that. When I've done some of the research on board of consciousness, I think there's a variety of different roles that they fill, and I think there's maybe some different characteristics and maybe different interpretations of what they are. But I thought I'd get you on here to talk about, how do you interpret what a board of consciousness is? Chris Doble: [00:03:02] I'm glad you came to that session, and I am glad that you reached out. Because it's led to some really good conversations, and I appreciate the opportunity to come chat about this. I always smile when we use that term 'board of consciousness'. The word that we typically use when we describe what it is we do is mentorship, but I think board of consciousness is a prettier way of describing that. But this idea of, you're here to support an individual, where you have a board of directors or a board of advisors that may end up being more focused on helping your business or helping growth or strategy of the business, the organization, board of consciousness or mentors can really be focused on the individual. How do you help them grow and develop and succeed? More in whatever way that needs to look like for them. That's the focus of our mentorship program for entrepreneurs is, how do you take a group of highly experienced business leaders, entrepreneurs, business builders and put them around an up and coming entrepreneur and get focused on how you can make them a more effective leader. I'm sure today we can dive into what that looks like. Munir Haque: [00:04:10] We'll get into a little bit more depth, but why don't we take it back a step. You have some sort of relationship with Platform Calgary. Perhaps for some of our listeners who aren't in Calgary, who aren't familiar with Platform, why don't you give a little bit of background on that and then your relationship with them?

37 min
FEB 25

Shifting ‘The Base’ of Governance with Matt Fullbrook

In this episode, host Munir Haque welcomes Matt Fullbrook, creator of the One Minute Governance podcast and the Ground-Up Governance platform, to the show to discuss his 23 years of experience in more than 300 boardrooms, ranging from local non-profits to global corporations. Through extensive research, Matt discovered that there’s not much consensus in academic literature about the impact of governance on financial performance or leadership effectiveness. This prompted him to redefine governance for himself, moving beyond traditional frameworks to develop a more evidence-based and practical approach that he discusses with Munir. Matt currently experiments with clients, conference participants, and students to test and refine governance strategies, ones that prioritize decision-making effectiveness over strict structural rules. He stresses the importance of diversity and inclusion in governance, challenging the traditional approach that prioritizes skill sets before diversity. Matt and Munir talk about how diverse perspectives enhance decision-making and should be an integral part of board composition from the outset. Matt’s conversation highlights how he seeks to help boards and executives embrace governance as a tool for success rather than a restriction. He works to reframe governance as an ongoing process of improving decision-making instead of enforcing bureaucratic control. About Matt Fullbrook Matt Fullbrook has advised over 250 boardrooms during his 20-year career as a corporate governance researcher, educator and consultant. He is also the host of the One Minute Governance podcast, creator of Ground-Up Governance, and a frequent speaker and media commentator. Highlights of Matt’s academic career include serving as the leader of corporate governance research at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School, as co-academic director of the joint Rotman-Institute of Corporate Directors Board Dynamics for Executives program, and as Academic Director of the Credit Union Executives Society’s High Performing Boards series. In addition to his governance work, Matt is a professional bass player with KC Roberts & The Live Revolution, a touring band who have released seven studio albums. He lives in Toronto. — Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Matt Fullbrook: Website: MattFullbrook.comPodcast: One Minute GovernanceLinkedInPodcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio— Transcript Matt Fullbrook: [00:00:01] There's no consensus on what corporate governance is, whether there's any causal relationship between governance and financial performance, whether CEOs matter or director independence, etc. There's all this dogma out there that I had helped to perpetuate that's not rooted in any evidence. Munir Haque: [00:00:24] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Munir Haque: [00:00:58] In today's episode, we have Mr. Matt Fullbrook. Matt is one of the most recognizable and respected voices in North American corporate governance. Bringing 23 years of experience to more than 300 boardrooms, ranging from local non-profits to global corporations. As the creator of the One Minute Governance podcast and the Ground-Up Governance platform, Matt has created a massive library of practical insights to master boardroom challenges. Matt serves as an Executive in Residence at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where he has shaped the future of governance for the past two decades. He is currently the Academic Director of the Rotman ICD program, Working Effectively with Your Board, a program for senior executives. In addition to his governance work, Matt is a professional bass player with the KC Roberts & the Live Revolution, a touring band that has seven studio albums. Welcome to the show, Matt. Matt Fullbrook: [00:02:02] Thanks for having me, Munir. Munir Haque: [00:02:03] A lot of things that many of our other guests have talked about that are changing standards or the trend, but I think where I'd like to get to with you is pushing that a little bit, and seeing if you can challenge any of that. Interesting enough, whether or not that's something that you're even challenging yourself, having been in the industry for 23 years. Whether now you're challenging stuff that you were forcing down the throat of your clients and your students over the last umpteen years. Are you starting to rethink some of that stuff? Matt Fullbrook: [00:02:37] The short answer is absolutely. The most embarrassing illustration of what you're talking about is, and I say embarrassing but I'm a pretty shame-free person so I don't actually feel embarrassed, but objectively it's kind of embarrassing that I came out of that long stretch studying and talking about and educating people on governance. If you'd asked me three years ago, you've got this job in corporate governance, what is that? I wouldn't have had a really useful answer. I certainly wouldn't have had a really useful answer about what I thought 'good' looked like. I would have given the usual, it's about structures and processes and practices and so on. Forgetting the fact that governance is a thing that people actually do and forgetting the fact of, what is that exactly? What's the difference between doing it really well and not doing it so well? It was that realization that I was really struggling to describe, for lack of a better word, my life's work that made me go, I wonder what I'm missing here. When you start digging a little bit deeper, you realize that corporate governance in the management literature is one of the most studied topics. Of the tens of thousands of academic papers, I'm using academic papers just as an illustration here. There's no consensus on what corporate governance is, whether there's any causal relationship between governance and financial performance, whether CEOs matter or director independence etc. There's all this dogma out there that I had helped to perpetuate that's not rooted in any evidence. I've been on this journey to try to, at least for myself, develop a set of definitions and concepts and stuff to try that's actually rooted in something that I believe in, instead of something that's generically embraced, despite the fact that we can't support it. Munir Haque: [00:04:47] You said that you're trying things, so how do you report back on that and figure out if it's working? Matt Fullbrook: [00:04:54] I'm going to struggle to answer that second piece, because figuring out if it's working is more abstract than it sounds, but I ...

45 min
FEB 11

Governance in "Headline News" w/ Broadcast Journalist Phil DeMont

In this episode, host Munir Haque welcomes Phil DeMont, a seasoned journalist, broadcaster, and expert in economics and public policy, to The Boardroom 180. Phil DeMont is known for simplifying complex business topics for diverse audiences across various broadcast platforms. Munir explores Phil's career journey, his insights into the evolving media landscape, and the interplay of governance, business, and policy. In this episode, Phil highlights systemic governance issues, like those contributing to the 2008 financial crisis, and he highlights the importance of independent oversight and diverse boards. In discussing trends like ESG initiatives and the backlash against DEI efforts, he points out the risks inherent in neglecting governance and environmental accountability. He and Munir examine examples such as Macy's recent accounting scandal. Philip’s insights reflect a nuanced perspective on how regulatory environments and cultural shifts work to shape corporate behaviour and decision-making. About Phil DeMont Phil DeMont is a long-time print and broadcast journalist with a specialty in economics and public policy. He's been a familiar voice to many across the country as a CBC contributor, tackling business and economics topics with clarity and depth. Beyond radio, Phil has made his mark in both print and television. He's a former on-air personality for RoBTV, which was the precursor to BNN Bloomberg, and he's written extensively for notable publications like the Financial Post and the Toronto Star. With graduate degrees in economics and political science, Phil brings a unique perspective to the intersection of business, policy, and communication. His ability to simplify complex topics and present them in engaging accessible ways has made him a trusted voice to audiences across Canada. — Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Linkedin: Munir HaqueContact Phil DeMont: LinkedInTwitter/XPodcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio— Transcript Phil DeMont: [00:00:02] We've got a problem up here to be honest about it, with money laundering and these kinds of issues. It's not a less developed country in that kind of situation, but we're going to have to get after this a lot more than we do. Part of that is the national regulator thing. You've got an Alberta stock exchange, you've got a BC stock exchange and Nova Scotia Securities Commission, a bunch of rules. Some of them are lax, some of them are not lax. Then all you do is go jurisdiction surfing. It's not going to work for the OSC in Ontario, let's see what Alberta thinks. Let's go to BC. It becomes a problem. I don't know if it's the national regulator idea, but something more comprehensive has to be done than what we've got now. Munir Haque: [00:00:46] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome a distinguished guest whose career has been defined by storytelling, insight, and a sharp focus on economics and public policy, Mr. Phil DeMont. Phil is a longtime writer and broadcaster with an impressive portfolio. He's been a familiar voice to many across the country as a CBC contributor, tackling business and economics topics with clarity and depth. Beyond radio, Phil has made his mark in both print and television. He's a former on-air personality for RoBTV, that's precursor to BNN Bloomberg, and he's written extensively for notable publications like the Financial Post and the Toronto Star. His ability to simplify complex topics and present them in engaging, accessible ways has made him a trusted voice to audiences across Canada. Today we'll explore a bit more of his journey, how he got to where he is now, his take on the evolving media landscape as it intersects with the business news, and the crucial role governance plays in the world of business. Welcome to The Boardroom 180, Phil DeMont. Phil DeMont: [00:02:13] Hi Munir, how are you? Munir Haque: [00:02:14] Not too bad, yourself? Phil DeMont: [00:02:16] Good. I'm glad for that introduction. I should get you to introduce me to everything. Munir Haque: [00:02:22] You're joining us today from the East Coast, so where exactly are you? Phil DeMont: [00:02:26] I'm in Halifax. I was, for a long time, in Toronto, but then I sold my house in Toronto. I moved to Halifax where it's cheaper to live, where I grew up. I'm from a little place on Gottingen Street, across from the second largest military base in Canada. Munir Haque: [00:02:41] I lived in Halifax for a little while, and my oldest child was born in Halifax at the Grace Hospital there. Fond memories of Halifax, a beautiful place. Phil DeMont: [00:02:52] Great place. Munir Haque: [00:02:54] I talked a bit about you being a trusted voice to Canadians across the country. I've heard you countless times on the CBC morning show here in Calgary. Presumably that's across Canada as well? Phil DeMont: [00:03:06] Yeah, when I show up on the CBC, I will do morning shows from Halifax to Vancouver. You show up a couple of times a day in Calgary, a couple of times a day in Edmonton, that kind of stuff. Always on business topics not quite ripped from the headlines, but the kind of stuff that would give listeners some insight into a headline that they read. But at the same time not quite down the level of where you think The Wall Street Journal would be, because you're trying to keep it on a level where people can understand it, but get an insight into what's going on. Munir Haque: [00:03:40] I just want to start out a little bit about, we know you as a freelance broadcaster, we hear you on the radio here. Why don't you tell us a little bit about how you got to where you are right now? Like you said, you started out with degrees in economics and political studies. Phil DeMont: [00:03:55] I had gone to school at Dalhousie, and my dad had been a long time stockbroker in the city. I was thinking that might be where I ended up, but I ended up going to Queens to take graduate degrees up there. That led me to, I don't want to say a bigger world, but the idea that I didn't have to follow my dad's footsteps, to be honest. Although my first job, I've had every job that people usually hate. I worked for the Toronto Star, if you know that paper. I worked for the Senate of Canada. My first job was with a Calgary senator, Earl Hastings. He had been appointed by Pearson, so he was a Liber...

35 min
JAN 28

“The Great Chair” with Author Brian Hayward

In this episode, host Munir Haque welcomes Brian Hayward, author of The Great Chair and Founder of Aldare Resources, to the show to discuss the governance insights and role of the board chair as presented in his book. Brian has nearly 40 years of experience at the C-suite and board level and his practical insights into board leadership are founded on having attended over 600 board meetings, serving as CEO, director, and chair. Munir and Brian dig into how the board chair is key to strategic governance. Brian talks about why he wrote his book and focused so specifically on the role of the board chair. He shares insights from the book, including the Three M’s - maestro, mediator, and mentor - that a good board chair should adopt in order to be effective and explains how each M drives chair leadership. Munir explores what Brian calls SPF - strategy, people, and finance - and learns everything from the appropriate length for a board meeting, how to best set up the room, and how to keep the conversation focused and engaging. Everything Brian shares is a practical examination of how a board chair can set the tone and lead a board to a successful operation. About Brian Hayward As Founder/President of Aldare Resources, Brian provides governance, strategy, and business development services to international clients across various sectors. He helps organizations navigate transitions, drawing on his deep business & governance experience, strategic mindset, and team-building skills. He mentors people to develop confidence and leadership acumen through bespoke personal coaching. Brian has a distinguished track record of board leadership, having served on over 20 boards in different industries and continents. He has chaired more than a dozen boards, independent committees, audit committees, and advisory boards, demonstrating his expertise in governance, risk management, and strategic decision-making--often when existential issues are front and center. Brian isn't an academic delivering theory--his perspective comes from getting his hands dirty. He's been through at least 600 board meetings--public companies, private firms, not-for-profits, and startups--as a CEO, junior Director, Committee and Board Chair. Presently, he's a director (former Board Chair) of Cerebra, a digital sleep health company, Lead Independent Director at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, and director of Dorais Foundation. Brian holds an M.Sc from McGill University, a C.Dir from McMaster University, and an ICD.D from the University of Toronto. He is also certified in cybersecurity governance by MIT Sloan School of Management. He is fluent in English and French, and has a passion for continuous learning and improvement. Finally, he is the author of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed book: The Great Chair--A Window on Effective Board Governance, sharing practical tips and insights from those over 600 board meetings. Learn more at www.greatchair.ca or www.aldare.ca, or for those who like "active learning" by listening to the audiobook! Resources discussed in this episode: “The Great Chair: A Window on Effective Board Leadership” by Brian Hayward— Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Brian Hayward: Website: GreatChair.caLinkedin— Transcript Bryan Hayward: [00:00:02] 'The Maestro', the chair is not unlike the conductor in front of a symphony orchestra. Doesn't play any instruments and doesn't articulate, but is clearly somebody that the musicians are paying attention to. They know when they're offline or if their points are resonating. It was a book written out of frustration, curiosity, and with a desire to create something that would make a difference for, at least, some people in some meetings. Not necessarily a cure-all. Munir Haque: [00:00:47] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Munir Haque: [00:01:07] Hello everybody! On today's show, I'm happy to be welcoming Bryan Hayward on the Boardroom 180 Podcast. Bryan Hayward is a governance expert, seasoned leader and author of the acclaimed book, 'The Great Chair: A Window on Effective Board Leadership'. With nearly 40 years of experience at the C-suite level and board level, he's attended over 600 board meetings, serving as CEO, director, and chair. His award winning book distills his insights into practical tools for effective board leadership. Bryan has led high stakes organizational transitions, including ownership changes and governance overhauls working with public companies, family businesses, startups, and nonprofits. Notable achievements include chairing strategic reviews for Ridley Australia and Wellington West, and developing a governance model for Princess Auto that drove significant growth and market success. Munir Haque: [00:01:57] Formerly CEO of Agricore United, a $5 billion agribusiness, Bryan has been recognized for his excellence in enterprise risk, IT innovation and HR management. He also served eight years on the board of the Business Development Bank of Canada, chairing its audit committee as well as chairing the committee for two years. He is a Chartered Director and has an ICD.D designation. Through his work, Bryan inspires boards to navigate complexity and achieve success with confidence and clarity. Welcome to The Boardroom 180 podcast, Mr. Hayward. One of the reasons I wanted you on the podcast is, I have read your book. It was a while back now, but I found it to be a very useful resource and it's got some very useful lessons and I use it in my own coaching. Now surprisingly, when I looked you up I didn't realize that you lived in Canada as well. Bit of a surprise, and then I reached out to you and you were very prompt to get back to me, so thanks for that. Bryan Hayward: [00:03:00] My pleasure, glad to be here. From Manitoba, not exactly the hotbed of governance when you think of that. Munir Haque: [00:03:07] First off, maybe we'll go through some of the stuff that you talked about in the book. I don't recall if that's in your foreword or not, but talk a little bit about why you wrote a book specifically on the chair. Bryan Hayward: [00:03:19] Some people come to life and they say, before I bite the dust, I want to run a marathon, or I want to do this, or I want to fly a plane, or I want to write a book. That wasn't what drove it. I've been involved in situations where boards have made a huge difference. In your intro you were talking about situations that are existential, where you've got to make, not necessarily when you're in it, you don't know if you're making the right call, but you have to ha...

51 min
12/17/2024

The Complexities of Strategic Non-Profit Governance with Bruce Anderson

In this episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast, host Munir Haque delves into nonprofit governance with Bruce Anderson, an accomplished leader with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and board governance. Bruce shares insights from his decades of experience serving on over 21 nonprofit and professional boards, including Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan and CAA Saskatchewan. He discusses how his diverse background in academia, consulting, and executive leadership informs his governance contributions. Bruce highlights the unique challenges of nonprofit governance, including balancing mission-driven goals with financial sustainability. He explains the diverse structures and financing of nonprofits, ranging from member dues and fundraising to revenue-generating enterprises. Bruce points out the need for boards to adapt their skill sets to address these complexities. He advocates for applying strategic thinking to nonprofit boards, emphasizing the importance of managing resources effectively and aligning marketing strategies. In talking about organizational models, Bruce explains Habitat for Humanity’s evolution from the “classic” model, where Habitat itself manages the mortgage, to newer approaches involving partnerships with financial institutions. The discussion delves into broader governance themes, including diversity and effective leadership. Bruce advocates for meaningful diversity on boards to improve decision-making quality and better represent the communities they serve without tokenism. He stresses the balance between servant leadership and strategic guidance. Bruce points to the board chair’s responsibility for encouraging inclusive discussions and challenging groupthink to ensure sound decision-making processes and unity. Munir and Bruce’s conversation highlights the importance of patience, planning, and clear principles in navigating the complexities of organizational change, offering valuable lessons for others facing similar endeavours. About Bruce Anderson: Bruce Anderson joined the CAA Saskatchewan Board of Directors in October 2017 and serves on the Audit Committee, chairs the Human Resources Committee, and chaired the Investment and Acquisition Task Force. He is the managing partner and senior consultant with b-creative group and an instructor with the Hill / Levene Schools of Business at the University of Regina, where he teaches business strategy, consulting, and entrepreneurship to undergraduate and graduate students. He has served on numerous boards of directors, including as Chair of the Regina and Saskatchewan Chambers of Commerce and as Chair of the Saskatchewan Science Centre. He currently is Chair of Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan and a mentor to new entrepreneurs. Bruce co-wrote a business case on CAA Saskatchewan and the case is used by business schools across the world and also by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Bruce and his spouse Lucie have two adult children and three grandchildren. They enjoy taking long drives to explore Canada. -- Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Bruce Anderson: Bruce Anderson on LinkedIn Podcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio-- Transcript Bruce Anderson: [00:00:01] Your starting point around metrics is absolutely essential. How do we know that we're going to yield some of this result? So if we get a certain number of things donated at the Habitat Restore, for example, which things are going to yield the best profits? Which things have the best margin? Which things have the quickest inventory turn? Because these are terms that people are going as a not for profit. What do you mean inventory turn? If it sits in our warehouse, it sits in the shop there for a period of time. It costs us money. It costs us floor space. It's an opportunity cost because we could put other things that are more profitable in there. So some of these metrics that you would naturally think about have to be used. Munir Haque: [00:00:40] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host, Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. In this episode, we'll be talking nonprofit governance with Mr. Bruce Anderson. Bruce Anderson is a seasoned leader with 15 years in nonprofit leadership and over 25 years as an entrepreneur. He is a managing partner of Be Creative Group, a consultancy specializing in management and marketing, and teaches strategy and entrepreneurship at the University of Regina, where he also leads the Graduate Advanced Training and Entrepreneurship Center, or GATE. Bruce has a BCom as well as an MBA, and is a Chartered Director with the Icd.d designation and a Certified Management Consultant. His achievements include being named as a National Fellow of the Certified Management Consultants, as well as receiving the International Academic Fellow Award for Certified Management Consultants. Bruce has served on over 21 nonprofit, professional and regulatory boards, chairing ten of them, including Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan, which he guided through a merger. Currently, he is a director with CAA Saskatchewan, chairing their HR committee and serving on the audit committee. His past leadership includes chairing the Regina and Saskatchewan Chambers of Commerce and the Saskatchewan Science Center, serving on the Council for Entrepreneurial Growth and Economic Development. A mentor to entrepreneurs and passionate community leader, welcome to The Boardroom 180 Podcast, Mr. Anderson. Bruce Anderson: [00:02:21] Thanks, Munir. Munir Haque: [00:02:23] I always find that a good gauge of how active somebody is in the community is whether or not my kids know them. And for this I've got stories of two of my kids that have crossed paths with you. So my daughter, I think was about five years ago, during some of her onboarding at University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, that onboarding weekend, she went up, and I attended with her and we got to at least watch. I think it was a student entrepreneur competition. And at that competition you were up in Saskatoon and you were one of the judges. So that's one of my kids. And then needless to say, she's not in business anymore. She switched into one of the more social sciences and now is just starting her master's in public health. Bruce Anderson: [00:03:11] I remember those teams well, the kids were great. Munir Haque: [00:03:15] We were just in the audience, but I saw you from the back, and I think I came up to you afterwards. The other thing is, my son is currently finishing off his bachelors of administration at University of Regina. He's taken a handful of courses from you, and he has good things to say about you. So once again, it goes to show how much you do in the community, how well my kids know your name. Bruce Anderson: [00:03:36] Fair enough, yeah. Munir Haque: [00:03:39] 21 boards, that'...

56 min
12/03/2024

Alberta's Bill 20 Changes to Municipal Elections Rules and Oversight, with Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal affairs

In this episode, Munir Haque welcomes Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver to the podcast to discuss Alberta's Bill 20, a legislative reform aiming to improve transparency and accountability in municipal elections while empowering voters. Mr. McIver explains the bill as introducing the creation of municipal political parties in Calgary and Edmonton, whose affiliations will be listed on ballots, reflecting the de facto partisan nature of previous elections. They talk about corporate and union donations, vote counting, and oversight, as well as how public consultation shaped the bill. Bill 20 is explained as also expanding provincial oversight, allowing the province to repeal municipal bylaws deemed contrary to the public interest and to quicken the dismissal of councillors in extreme cases. Mr. McIver cites examples, such as Edmonton's unauthorized mask mandate during COVID-19 and Calgary's excessive electricity tax collection, as such instances. The aim is to prevent municipalities from overstepping their authority or acting against Albertan’s interests. Despite criticisms, Ric McIver stresses that these changes are designed to serve the public and not elected officials. Munir learned that public consultation played a key role in shaping Bill 20, and results were published to ensure transparency. He talks about concerns raised over the impact on independent candidates and Ric McIver defines the reforms as a way to level the playing field by enhancing voter awareness. Using the province’s enhanced powers sparingly, while keeping features for holding the government accountable in place, is the goal. Ultimately, this conversation with Ric McIver reveals that the reforms intend to strengthen voter confidence and uphold the integrity of municipal governance in Alberta. About Ric McIver: Ric McIver was sworn in as the Minister of Municipal Affairs on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, and Minister of Municipal Affairs. Prior to his service as an elected official at the provincial level, Mr. McIver served 3 terms on Calgary City Council. During that time, he served on the Police Commission and as Chair of the Calgary Housing Company, among many committee assignments. He has been a Calgary Stampede volunteer for over 15 years. Mr. McIver is a husband, father, and grandfather who is active on several charitable and community causes. He chose Alberta as his home in 1981 and has been a proud resident since that time. Ric McIver was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Hays on April 23, 2012 and was re-elected on May 5, 2015, April 19, 2019, and May 29, 2023. -- Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Ric McIver: Website: Alberta.ca/Minister-of-Municipal-AffairsRic McIver on LinkedIn Podcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio -- Transcript Ric McIver: [00:00:02] If an ordinary person with an ordinary job does a good job of it, they can probably keep their job for as long as they want. Being elected is not like that. No matter how bad a job, I or a municipal councilor, does, you're stuck with us for four years. No matter how good a job we do, we have to reapply for that job every four years. That's why you need to vote carefully. Because when you give somebody that job, you're stuck with them for four years. And if they're doing a great job, that's a happy four years. And if they're doing a terrible job, that's a long four years. So after all the rest of the stuff, there is no substitute for voting carefully. Munir Haque: [00:00:40] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. In this episode, we look at a pivotal moment in Alberta's governance as the provincial government passed Bill 20, a landmark legislation poised to redefine the landscape of transparency, accountability and accessibility in local elections. This is according to the province. In a democratic society, the cornerstone of trust lies in the integrity of our electoral process and the accountability of our elected officials. According to the Province of Alberta, with Bill 20, otherwise known as the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, the province seeks to uphold these fundamental principles by making amendments to both the Local Authorities Act and the Municipal Government Act, the MGA. According to the Municipal Affairs Minister, the Honorable Ric McIver, these proposed reforms will enhance transparency in the local election processes, empower voters and demand clear accountability from the municipally elected representatives, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process and strengthening the voter confidence in the lead up to the next municipal election seasons in 2025. As Minister of Community Affairs, he was the sponsor of Bill 20. Some of the key legislative changes include: it allows the creation of municipal political parties, initially limited to Calgary and Edmonton, where parties can endorse candidates and affiliations will appear on the ballots. There are campaign contribution changes allowing corporations and unions to contribute to local election campaigns, and there will be manual vote counting, which will replace electronic. Munir Haque: [00:02:31] With regard to governance and accountability at the municipal level, it changes councilor training and conflict of interest rules, provides new disqualification rules, enhances provincial oversight by giving the province increased power to amend municipal bylaws and remove councilors. With regard to housing and development, it proposes measures to streamline and accelerate housing development process. The bill was passed earlier this year and most of the legislation came into force on October 31st, 2024 to share insights on governance implications of the change legislation. We are honored to have the Minister of Municipal Affairs on The Boardroom 180 Podcast. Ric McIver was first elected as a member of Legislative Assembly for Calgary-hays in 2012, and subsequently reelected in 2015, 2019 and 2023. He was sworn in as a member of the municipal affairs on my birthday, June 9th, in 2023, likely just a coincidence. He previously served as the Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure, as well as the Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labor. Prior to his service as an elected official at the provincial level, Mr. McIver served three terms on the Calgary City Council. During that time, he served on the Police Commission and as the chair of the Calgary Housing Company, among many other assignments. He has been a long term volunteer for over 15 years with the Calgary Stampede. Welcome to the show, Mr. McIver. Ric ...

49 min
11/19/2024

Employee Ownership Trusts with John Stevens and Jason Vandenberg of Camilla Advisory Group

In this episode, Munir Haque speaks with John Stevens and Jason Vandenberg, president and senior vice president of Camilla Advisory Group, about their approach to employee ownership and advisory services. John and Jason discuss Camilla’s three primary service areas: employee share plans, fractional CFO services, and merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory. They emphasize their focus on employee ownership trusts as a means for companies to empower employees and build business value. They explore the rising interest in employee ownership trusts (EOT), an interest which has gained momentum with recent Canadian legislation offering a $10 million capital gains exemption as a tax incentive. Modeled after U.S. and U.K. frameworks, the legislation aims to make employee ownership financially appealing, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. According to John Stevens, employee ownership helps to foster loyalty and alignment among employees, often leading to increased productivity and long-term growth. John and Jason also discuss the practical benefits of EOTs with Munir, such as preserving a company’s brand, culture, and community presence. They highlight potential pitfalls, stress the importance of clear communication and financial literacy in EOTs, and detail some effective communication strategies that include using internal champions from various departments to address employee and family concerns about the trust structure. Additionally, they advise continuous involvement from advisors like themselves, especially for annual updates and administrative changes. Their approach can lead to transformative shifts in company culture, where employees feel invested in business growth and cost management. About John Stevens: John Stevens has had a distinguished career over the past 30+ years, holding titles including Senior Vice President, President, CFO, COO, and CEO of fast-growing organizations like Nilsson Bros. Inc, Eveready Inc., NC Services Group Ltd. and ENTREC Corporation. John was also a member of the Board of Directors of Eveready Inc. and NC Services Group Ltd. Other experience includes being an integral member of a senior management team of a company (Nilsson Bros. Inc.) in the agri-food and livestock industry that experienced annual sales growth from $242 million to $919 million in a four-year period. In addition to his knowledge of employee ownership, John's expertise in mergers and acquisitions is extensive, having been involved in over 100 acquisitions throughout his career. John also holds a certification as an Executive Coach from Royal Roads University. The companies John has been part of have consistently been recognized for many awards including top employers, best workplaces and fastest growing. In 2013, John was named a Business Leader of Tomorrow honoring Edmonton’s visionary business leaders. In 2013 and in 2015, John was named an E and Y Prairies finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2014 John was named one of the ten executives you need to know in the Oil sands by Oil sands Review Magazine. John understands the need to give back to the community and has volunteered his time and has been actively involved in non-profit organizations such as Prostate Cancer Canada, Kids Up Front and the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton. John was awarded the very distinguished Canada Community Advocate Award from Prostate Cancer Canada. John was very involved with Financial Executives International for over a decade including serving as the local board chair. John served a two-year term on the Petroleum Service Association of Canada board. John currently is a board member of ESOP Association Canada. About Jason Vandeberg: Jason Vandenberg is a senior finance leader with hands-on experience in a number of senior management roles working closely with Management and Boards of Directors. Jason has an established record of achievement with expertise in forecasting and budgeting, strategic planning, corporate governance, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, accounting and administration, complex business and tax issues, staff management, internal controls, human resources management, financial reporting and regulatory compliance. Jason also brings a wealth of experience in growing companies to maximize their potential. With over 20 years of management experience, Jason has been involved in the substantial growth of multiple companies both organically and through the acquisition and integration of over 60 businesses. Jason was the Chief Financial Officer of ENTREC Corporation from 2011 until 2020. Prior to this Jason was CFO of Eveready Inc. and its predecessor companies until it was acquired by Clean Harbors in 2009. In these roles, Jason was responsible for all finance and administrative functions. During his tenure with ENTREC, the Company grew from annual revenue of $20 million in 2010 to $180 million in 2019 making ENTREC a leader in the provision of crane and heavy haul transportation services in Canada and the United States. At Eveready, Jason was an integral member of the senior management team that grew revenue from $90 million in 2004 to over $650 million in 2008 and completed over 30 business acquisitions. Eveready provided industrial maintenance and oilfield services from 80 locations in Canada, the United States and internationally. Prior to joining Eveready in 2005, Jason spent six years as an accountant with Grant Thornton and from 2010 until 2011 was the Vice President, Finance with Afexa Life Sciences Inc. Jason has also been a director and fractional CFO of Current Financial Corp., a leading provider of equipment financing and capital solutions to small and medium sized businesses in Western Canada, since 2013. -- Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact John Stevens: Website: CamillaGroup.comLinkedInContact Jason Vandenberg: Website: CamillaGroup.comLinkedInPodcast Production: Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio-- Transcript John Stevens: [00:00:02] One of the things you need to do is tap into that informal channel of communication within organizations and find a champion within that, because there's lots of informal channels of communication that go on within an organization. That's almost as important, sometimes, as the formal channels of communication within the organization when you're trying to change cultures. Munir Haque: [00:00:26] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world arou...

53 min

TRAILER

Trailer: The Boardroom 180 Podcast

Board Governance Best Practices and Stories/Experiences Shared — Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.

04/08/2024

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1 min

Board Governance Best Practices and Stories/Experiences Shared

Creator

Munir Haque (ma-near hawk)
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

20
Rating

Clean
Copyright

©2024 ActionEdge Executive Development
Show Website

The Boardroom 180 Podcast