Be It Resolved

 In this episode of Be It Resolved: Nose In, Fingers Out Remains the Way Forward for Directors, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Richard Powers, ICD.D., National Academic Director of the Director's Education Program (DEP) and the Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials Program (GEP). 

Drawing on his extensive experience in governance, director education, and board leadership, Rick explores whether the traditional principle of “nose in, fingers out” still serves directors in today’s rapidly changing environment. Together, they discuss how boards can navigate emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, geopolitical uncertainty, cyber threats, and evolving stakeholder expectations, while maintaining the right balance between oversight and involvement. 

Be It Resolved: Nose In, Fingers Out Remains the Way Forward for Directors 

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In this episode of Be It Resolved: What Got Us Here Will Not Get Us There,  Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Nik Nanos, Founder and Chief Data Scientist of Nanos Research.

Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate strategy, public policy, and governance, Nik shares insights on the evolving challenges facing boards and leaders today. Together, they explore why past approaches may no longer be enough and what directors need to do to navigate an increasingly complex future.

Be It Resolved: What Got us Here Will Not Get Us There

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, speaks with Stephen de Boer, Member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Wellington Partners, former Canadian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and former Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Together, they explore how global challenges are reshaping trade, diplomacy, and leadership and why collaboration, not competition alone, will define the future of international relations and economic growth.

Be It Resolved: Competition may have built today, but collaboration is the way forward

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with José Hernández, CEO of Orda Strategies AG, a global crisis management firm.  A CPA and CFA, José brings deep expertise advising boards and governments on fraud, corruption, and misconduct across five continents, helping organizations navigate complex regulatory and enforcement challenges.

An author of Broken Business and a member of the Government of Canada’s Advisory Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing since 2016, José shares a global perspective on trust, accountability, and leadership in times of disruption. Together, they explore today’s resolution: Disruption doesn’t erode trust—it rewards it, unpacking what it means for boards, executives, and institutions operating in an increasingly complex risk environment.

Be It Resolved: Disruption Doesn't Erode Trust, it Rewards it

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Jeff Hauswirth, a Board Advisor and seasoned executive search leader with extensive experience supporting boards and leadership teams in Canada and globally. Currently serving as a Board Member at Habitat for Humanity Canada and Fitzrovia, Jeff brings a wealth of insight from his leadership roles at Ferguson Partners and Spencer Stuart, where he led CEO and Board practices.

Drawing on a career that includes over 150 CEO succession and search engagements worldwide, Jeff shares his perspective on executive leadership, succession planning, and the evolving role of boards in shaping organizational success.

Be It Resolved: The Board's Role is to Appoint and Dis-appoint the CEO.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

Welcome to Be It Resolved, the podcast where bold ideas meet courageous leadership. I am Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada. In each episode, I speak with experts to delve into pressing issues impacting directors and decision-making in the boardroom.

My guest today is Manal Corwin, Director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Prior to joining the OECD, Manal held senior leadership roles at KPMG and the U.S. Treasury Department, where she helped shape major international tax initiatives. Today, she works at the forefront of global tax policy and international cooperation.

Be It Resolved: The Global Minimum Tax is a Game Changer for Board Oversight

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, speaks with Chantal Guay, CEO of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), a federal Crown corporation advancing standardization and accreditation nationwide.

Chantal also serves as Vice President of Policy at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), becoming the first woman to lead SCC and represent Canada on the ISO Council. Together, they discuss how standards drive innovation, strengthen competitiveness, and help Canadian companies access global markets.

Be It Resolved: Standards Are the Key for Canadian Companies to Unlock New Global Markets

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Peter Dey, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Paradigm Capital and one of Canada’s most influential voices in corporate governance. With a distinguished career that includes serving on numerous public company boards, chairing the Ontario Securities Commission, and leading the Toronto Stock Exchange Committee on Corporate Governance, Dey is perhaps best known for the landmark 1994 report 'Where Were the Directors?' widely referred to as the'Dey Report'.

Together, they examine why boards must foster a culture that encourages bad news to surface early, particularly in light of evolving disclosure obligations following the Lundin decision. Dey shares insights on how boardroom culture, judgment, and information flow are now central to meeting regulatory expectations and maintaining trust in Canada’s capital markets.

Be It Resolved: Boards Need a Culture Shift to Bad News Early to Meet Disclosure Obligations Post-Lundin.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, speaks with Victor Li, Executive Vice President, Governance Advisory at Kingsdale Advisors. A senior advisor to boards and institutional investors, Victor brings more than two decades of experience in shareholder-sensitive governance, activist defence, and contested M&A.

Drawing on his work at Kingsdale and his earlier experience at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), the conversation explores how boards navigate increasing investor scrutiny and rising expectations around governance, disclosure, and engagement.

Be It Resolved: Proxy Advisors Are Another Victim of AI

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj is joined by Mark Rigotti, Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Before joining the AICD, Mark served as the global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills, where he chaired the firm’s global executive and held a number of senior leadership roles.

Mark is also a non-executive director of Smart Group Corporation Limited and chairs the global network of director institutes where he and Rahul first met. Together, they explore today’s resolution and discuss key issues shaping contemporary governance and board leadership.

Be It Resolved: Canadian directors should know the Australian director's playbook.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/