In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Nick Dean, a creative leader who has built his career at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and people-first leadership. As President of one of Canada’s most recognizable restaurant brands, The Keg, Nick has spent years shaping environments where people feel seen, empowered, and excited to grow. In just a few minutes, Nick breaks down why great leadership starts with how you make others feel, why empowering people is a daily practice (not a slogan), and how smiling, taking risks, and having fun along the way can transform both teams and careers. Sometimes, the biggest impact you can make is simply believing in someone before they believe in themselves.

In Part Two of Connecting the Dots, I continue my conversation with Randy Powell. What starts with the risk story we paused on becomes a practical playbook for running the room, raising the hiring bar, and executing when the numbers are fuzzy. In this episode, Randy shares how he pressure-tests his gut with the team, makes the call, and owns the result. His story is a reminder that the long game is built on reps, clear standards, and consistent action.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Randy Powell, a president and people-first leader who’s scaled brands across food, retail, and consumer goods. What started as a “spiral up” at Campbell Soup evolved into leading organizations at SC Johnson, Second Cup, and Maple Leaf Foods, and even owning a brewery. In Part One, Randy shares how he trusts his intuition, listens hard, and makes brave calls when the data runs thin. His story is a reminder that leadership compounds in the messy middle, and that the best careers are measured by the people you lift.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Renata Chubb — a graphic designer who walked away from the commercial design world to pursue something deeper. What started as a personal creative outlet evolved into a full-blown practice in expressive art therapy. In just 10 minutes, Renata shares how she followed her instincts, embraced the mess, and built a career rooted in healing through art. Her story is a reminder that growth isn’t always clean - and that sometimes the most meaningful paths are the ones we piece together as we go.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Paulo Rhee - the son of immigrants who started in private equity, pivoted into hedge funds, and eventually took a leap to build something of his own. In just 10 minutes, Paulo shares how he spotted an overlooked opportunity turned and why starting a hedge fund doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s playbook. His story is a reminder that the path isn’t always straight — and that you don’t need to reinvent the system to make your mark — sometimes, you just need to trust your instincts and take the risk.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Luis Almeida Fernandes, former McKinsey Partner and healthcare leader now driving impact as an entrepreneur. In just 10 minutes, Luis shares how his journey through consulting and public service led to the founding of Usawa Care. His story is a powerful example of what happens when experience meets purpose. We talk about making bold career moves, building with intention, and why real change starts with a commitment to serve, not just to scale.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with John Steadman — former varsity swimmer and educator making an impact on the court and in the classroom. In just 10 minutes, John shares how he's built a meaningful path beyond sport by staying true to himself. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t require a perfect plan — just presence, purpose, and patience. We talk about navigating the early days of your career, the power of being real, and why your greatest impact often comes from who you are, not what you've achieved.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Jules Porter, Director of Programs at the Jays Care Foundation. In just 10 minutes, Jules shares her journey from camp to career, reflecting on many incredible adventures where she supported NGO initiatives to help kids in need across the globe. We explore her inspiration for social impact work, how she made a life out of it, and her advice on navigating the early days of one’s career. Tune in for authentic insights from a leader who has reinvented what success can be and has done so while improving the lives of others.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Jayne McCaw, President & Founder of Jayne’s Cottages, winner of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Start-Up Award, and a pioneer in the luxury cottage rental industry. In just 10 minutes, Jayne shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, detailing how she built a thriving business by identifying an untapped market and building incredible trust with customers. We dive into her approach to creating a personal brand, and her advice for embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Tune in for inspiring insights from a leader who has redefined success by balancing bold decisions, resilience, and integrity.

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Roy Benin, President & CEO of The Beer Store, a globally recognized CMO, and a dedicated marathon runner. In just 10 minutes, Roy takes us through his unique journey to leadership, sharing how he navigates challenges with a people-first mindset and his advice on becoming your own leader. We discuss his approach to turning ideas into meaningful impact, the importance of integrity, and the value of betting on yourself. Tune in for insights from a leader who redefines success by inspiring those around him.