In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Drew Fagan, professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, Fulbright visiting professor at Yale, and former senior government leader. Together, they explore why geopolitical fluency is no longer optional for corporate boards.

From shifting U.S.–Canada trade relations to the rise of China, and from national security concerns to AI’s role in global power structures, Fagan unpacks how directors can ask smarter questions, strengthen oversight, and adapt to a rapidly changing global order.

Be It Resolved: It Is the Board’s Job to Be Fluent in Geopolitics. Which Way Will You Vote?

For more information on the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, please visit: https://munkschool.utoronto.ca.

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

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant transformation in how and where business value is created. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj speaks with Drew Schardt, Co-Head of Direct Equity Investments at Hamilton Lane.

This episode explores the rise of private markets and the shifting role of the public company model in Canada’s economic landscape. Together, they explore the structural realities of Canadian capital markets, the growing appeal of staying private longer, and how Canadian companies are navigating global trade tensions, supply chain dependencies, and investor expectations.

The conversation also looks at how private companies structure compensation, build agile governance models, and create long-term value while maintaining transparency and trust in the absence of quarterly earnings pressure. From board composition and capital strategy to talent attraction and cross-border expansion, this episode offers key insights into why more Canadian businesses are rethinking the traditional path to going public—and what it means for boards, shareholders, and the broader economy.

Be it resolved: The public company model no longer serves Canadian business—

When the pressure is on, which way will YOU vote?

For more information on Hamilton Lane, visit: 

https://www.hamiltonlane.com/en-us

For more information on the ICD, visit: 

https://www.icd.ca/

Trust in business is no longer a soft skill—it’s a strategic imperative. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with Bruce
MacLellan, Founding President of the communications consultancy Proof Strategies, and Kathleen McGinn, co-founder of TrustLab. This discussion explores why trust is not just the foundation of strong relationships but the lifeblood of effective corporate governance, culture,
and performance.
From the boardroom to the front lines, today’s leaders must understand what truly drives trust—and how to build it. Bruce and Kathleen unpack a working definition of trust grounded in vulnerability and introduce the ABI framework—Ability, Benevolence, and Integrity—as a practical lens for leadership.
Together, they examine why trust must be built from the inside out, how it can be measured, and what happens when it breaks down. Learn how trust reduces friction, strengthens collaboration, and enables better decision-making—because when trust is strong, organizations thrive. When it’s not, everything is at risk.

Be it resolved: Trust is a zero-sum game—when the pressure is on, which way will YOU vote?

For more information on Proof Strategies, please visit their website: https://getproof.com/.

For more information on the Institute of Corporate Directors, please visit the ICD website:
https://www.icd.ca/.

With cyber threats and AI-driven risks escalating, how can corporate directors ensure their organizations remain resilient and secure?

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Stephen Burns, Partner at Bennett Jones LLP and Co-Head of the ITB Practice Group. This conversation explores why cybersecurity and AI governance must be viewed as strategic imperatives for boards.

From evolving privacy regulations to the role of AI in corporate decision-making, this conversation explores the responsibilities of directors in safeguarding their organizations against emerging cyber risks. What are the biggest cybersecurity threats facing businesses today? How should board members assess and mitigate AI-related risks? And in a rapidly changing digital landscape, how can companies build a culture of security and resilience?

Join us for an insightful discussion on how directors can navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and AI governance.

Be it resolved that boards need to re-think cyber risk in the age of AI.

To our listeners—how will you vote?

For more information on Bennett Jones, please visit their website: https://www.bennettjones.com/

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

Ethics in business is no longer a "nice to have — it's non-negotiable. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with José Hernandez, Founder and CEO of Ortus Strategies, to break down why ethical leadership is not just about doing the right thing, but about safeguarding long-term value, brand integrity, and organizational resilience.

From the pressures of geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs to the temptation of short-term gains, leaders are increasingly at risk of cutting corners. José explains why boards must go beyond aspirations and embed ethics into strategy, processes, and culture, because without a clear ethical compass, even individuals with good intentions may still make unethical decisions.

We explore how boards can set the tone from the top, implement meaningful oversight, and build systems that reinforce trust, especially when operating across diverse cultural landscapes. Learn why ethics is not only the last line of defence, but a powerful driver of stakeholder trust and brand value.

Be it resolved: Ethical decisions are the last line of corporate defence—when the pressure is on, which
way will YOU vote?

For more information on Ortus Strategies, please visit their website: https://www.ortusstrategies.com/

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

As Canada seeks to strengthen its global economic position, how can Indigenous partnerships play a pivotal role in driving growth, innovation, and long-term success? 

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with John Desjarlais, Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network, and Trent Zacharias, Director of Community and Indigenous Affairs at Cenovus Energy, to discuss the essential role of Indigenous partnerships in shaping Canada’s business landscape.

From governance frameworks to geopolitical shifts, this conversation explores why Indigenous inclusion is not just a social responsibility but a critical business strategy. What are the risks for companies that fail to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities? How does Indigenous representation on boards impact corporate decision-making? And in an evolving political climate, how can businesses prepare for the future while fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships?

Join us for an insightful discussion on how Indigenous partnerships are shaping Canada’s economic future.

Be it resolved that Indigenous partnerships are critical to unlocking Canada’s global competitiveness.

To our listeners—what do YOU think?

For more information on the Indigenous Resource Network, please visit their website: https://www.indigenousresourcenetwork.ca/

For more information on Cenovus Energy, please visit their website: https://www.cenovus.com/

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

As the regulatory landscape grows more complex, how can corporate boards balance compliance with effective strategic oversight? In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Jonathan
Goodman. He is a Vice Chair and member of the board of Deloitte Canada, where he leads the firm’s CEO and Boardroom programs, including Deloitte Canada’s Podium Club for Directors. He is also Global Chair and former global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of strategy, governance, and CEO leadership. Together, they discuss how compliance culture is shaping boardroom decision-making. From setting strong compliance frameworks without stifling strategy to navigating the fine line between prudence and paralysis, this podcast covers the challenges and opportunities facing today’s boards. Are increased compliance pressures distracting directors from their core mandate? And if so, what is the antidote?

Be it resolved that a strict focus on compliance limits board effectiveness.

To our listeners—where do you stand?

For more information on Deloitte Canada, please visit their website: https://deloitte.ca/.

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

Climate risk and sustainability are no longer peripheral concerns; they’re boardroom imperatives. From evolving ESG regulations to heightened stakeholder expectations, directors must ensure their organizations are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with Sarah Keyes, Partner in PwC Canada’s Sustainability Strategy & Transformation practice, to explore the critical role of boards in overseeing sustainability strategy, climate risk, and long-term value creation. Drawing on her deep expertise in sustainability, governance, and risk, Sarah offers practical insights on regulatory trends, board strategy, and what it takes to lead with resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Be it resolved that the boardroom is where climate leadership begins. Which way will YOU vote?

As Canadian businesses grapple with a weakened dollar, rising tariffs, and the threat of foreign encroachment, how can public companies protect themselves during turbulent times? In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), sits down with Walied Soliman, Canadian Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright and Co-Chair of the Special Situations team, to explore the importance of poison pills in safeguarding public companies during periods of economic uncertainty.

A leading authority in corporate law and governance, Walied discusses the relevance of poison pills in the Canadian landscape compared to the U.S., the increasing wave of shareholder activism, and the steps boards should take to protect Canadian companies. The conversation also highlights how directors can balance fiduciary and patriotic duties while navigating regulatory challenges and hostile bids.
Be it resolved that poison pills are important tools for public companies in times of tariffs and trade wars. To our listeners—how will you vote?

For more information on Norton Rose Fulbright, please visit their website: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/

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

Directors need more decisive leadership and organizational resilience than ever in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. In this episode of Be It Resolved, brought to you by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in Canada, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the ICD, sits down with Major-General Darcy Molstad, Chief of Force Development in the Canadian Armed Forces, to explore strategies for effective crisis leadership and resilience-building.

With decades of experience leading in high-stakes environments, Major-General Molstad provides actionable insights on navigating crises, fostering adaptability, and building a resilient organizational culture. He shares lessons from military strategy that directly apply to corporate governance, crisis management, and leadership development.

This episode is essential for board directors, executives, and organizational leaders who want to enhance their ability to manage uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected.

For expert advice on leadership, resilience, and corporate governance, visit the Institute of Corporate Directors: https://www.icd.ca/.