Mental toughness isn't about having all the answers, it's about how you respond when leadership gets difficult. 

In this episode of It's Lonely at the Top, Nancy MacKay sits down with leadership expert Sean Bacon, Founder of Dynamic Shift Consulting Inc., to explore what it truly takes to build resilience as a CEO. Together, they discuss why leadership can feel isolating, how vulnerability strengthens rather than weakens leaders, and practical strategies for developing the mindset needed to lead through uncertainty. 

Sean Bacon is a 12-yr Canadian Armed Forces veteran. During his military career, he developed a training system that prepared soldiers and police officers, psychologically and physically, to perform under pressure in some of the world’s most demanding environments. 

Today, Sean brings that same discipline and performance mindset into the corporate world. His work transforms capable leaders into confident, decisive leaders, turns fragmented groups into cohesive high-performing teams, and replaces uncertainty, hesitation, and reactive behaviour with clarity, resilience, accountability, and trust. The result is stronger leadership, better decision-making, and teams prepared to perform when the stakes are highest. 

Whether you're navigating change, making difficult decisions, or looking to become a more resilient leader, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you lead with confidence and purpose. 

Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

Growth doesn't happen by accident. It requires focus, courage, and the willingness to think differently. 

In this episode of It's Lonely at the Top, Nancy MacKay sits down with Kevin Lawrence, Founder and CEO of Lawrence & Company and bestselling author of Your Oxygen Mask First and Your Oxygen Mask First for Leaders. Together, they explore the ideas behind Kevin's latest book, Four Forces of Growth, and what it takes for CEOs to create sustainable, long-term growth. 

Kevin shares why so many leadership teams become trapped solving small problems instead of pursuing big opportunities, and how leaders can shift from a problem-focused mindset to one centred on growth. Drawing inspiration from the principles of flight, he introduces the Four Forces of Growth: Lift, Thrust, Gravity, and Drag, and explains how each one influences organizational performance. 

Whether you're leading through uncertainty, scaling your business, or looking to reignite momentum, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you focus on what matters most. 

Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In the ever-evolving world of business, many leaders find themselves grappling with feelings of isolation. As a CEO, the weight of decision-making can feel heavy, and the road to success often feels lonely.  

In this podcast, Nancy MacKay speaks with Sarah Mackinnon, CEO of Delta Q Technologies, and Katie Bennett, a trusted advisor for executives and Master Certified MacKay Forum Chair, on overcoming the challenges of CEO isolation. From leveraging peer networks to prioritizing personal well-being, these strategies can help you thrive in your leadership role. 

Sarah Mackinnon is one of a handful of women leaders in the Canadian tech space. Sarah brings drive and a sense of humour to her role at Delta-Q. Sarah has been key to Delta-Q’s success, inspiring and guiding finance and operations teams, while navigating through periods of growth and transformation, prior to transitioning into the CEO role, where she now oversees all aspects of the business. Prior to joining Delta-Q, Sarah held senior finance roles in several successful BC based technology companies, providing insight into the financials and driving results, leading to successful acquisitions and exits. Today, as CEO, Sarah is focused on the next phase of growth for Delta-Q; looking to “charge the future” as a strong partner to existing customers and other stakeholders, while also seeking new partnerships and markets, where Delta-Q can demonstrate its expertise in vehicle electrification, in step with increased global demand for sustainable solutions. 

Katie Bennett is a big-picture strategic thinker with laser insight and is deeply inspiring. Her contagious energy is what she is known for. Over the past 20+ years, after an 11-year career in advertising, Katie pivoted to coaching and strategic planning, working with CEO’s and Executives to build high-functioning leadership teams aligned around a clear and actionable strategic plan, and designing systems of accountability to deliver results. Katie has an uncanny ability to make the complex simple; to coax leaders out of their comfort zone; to build high degrees of trust with a group very quickly; and to hold people accountable to their results. Katie holds an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and is a certified coach with The Coaches Training Institute and the ICF. 

 
Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In a world increasingly dominated by digital communication, the importance of human connection has never been more critical. Many of us find ourselves feeling isolated, despite being more connected than ever online.  

In this podcast, Nancy MacKay speaks with Pete Bombacci, Founder of GenWell, and Joe Oswald, a former CEO and current MacKay CEO Forum Chair, on how to foster meaningful relationships that enhance our well-being. 

Pete Bombaci is a pioneering social change leader and the Founder and CEO of GenWell, a Canadian registered charity dedicated to fostering Canada’s Human Connection Movement since its inception in 2016. With an unwavering commitment to advancing social connection and social health, Pete leads GenWell’s mission to educate, empower, and catalyze Canadians around the critical role that social health plays in mental, physical, and societal well-being. GenWell’s work is grounded in growing global and public health evidence, and has been recognized by the World Health Organization, which identifies social connection as a foundational pillar of health and a powerful upstream solution to many of today’s most pressing challenges. Prior to founding GenWell, Pete served as Country Director of the Movember Canada Foundation, where, over five years, he helped raise $142 million for men’s health initiatives and led Canada to become Movember’s top fundraising country worldwide.  

Joe Oswald is an Executive Coach and MacKay CEO Forum Chair who believes in the importance of creating one’s own future. In his view, success requires a combination of strategic thinking and intentional action. He has firsthand experience leading a team of over 250 professionals through the global pandemic and making a mid-career pivot to pursue a new path. As an experienced global President, Joe understands the value of strong leadership. He specializes in helping individuals develop energized, highly engaged teams that are focused on achieving organizational goals. What sets Joe apart is his extensive lived experience. Now, as a certified coach, he helps leaders set ambitious goals and provides the support they need to navigate challenges effectively. 

 
Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

The role of a CEO is often seen as glamorous, but it comes with a unique set of challenges that can lead to profound feelings of isolation.  

In this episode, Nancy MacKay speaks with Mark Becker, CEO of Dexterra Group, and Peter Aceto, a seasoned CEO and forum chair and strategic advisor at MacKay CEO Forums, discussing leadership, peer support, and the impact of AI on business. They share personal stories, strategies for overcoming loneliness at the top, and future trends shaping the industry. 

As CEO, Mark Becker guides the vision, culture, and performance of Dexterra Group in support of its strategy and growth objectives. He is passionate about people and enabling high-performance teams to succeed while delivering exemplary business outcomes. Prior to becoming CEO, Mark served as Dexterra Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). Before joining Dexterra Group, he held executive positions at Suncor Energy across operations, major projects, and corporate strategy. He began his career with Dow Chemical in a range of progressive roles throughout Canada and the United States. 

Peter Aceto is a three-time CEO, a MacKay CEO Forums Chair, and a Strategic Advisor to the CEO of MacKay CEO Forums. He works closely with CEOs navigating complexity, growth, and leadership inflection points. In parallel, he provides select CEO- and board-level advisory and consulting services through Aceto Leadership Performance, supporting organizations during periods of transformation, scale, and strategic reset. Peter was a founding member of Tangerine Bank’s (formerly ING Direct) senior leadership team and served as President and CEO from 2008 to 2017.  

Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In the latest episode of "It's Lonely at the Top," host Nancy MacKay engages in a captivating conversation with Iuliana Constantin, CFO of People Care Communities, and Anne Louise Bermingham, an esteemed Master Chair. Their discussion reveals not only the challenges faced by leaders in today’s business landscape but also the transformative journey of Iuliana from a small village in Romania to a significant leadership role in Canada. 

Iuliana Constantin is a strategic and purpose-driven finance leader with over two decades of experience in healthcare, real estate development, and multi-site operations. As Chief Financial Officer at peopleCareCommunities, she leads financial strategy, capital planning, and large-scale development initiatives. Iuliana believes that a leader’s responsibility is to bring innovation and collaboration to any successful enterprise. Recognized for her ability to bridge vision and execution, Iuliana builds empowered teams and drives organizational performance through accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. Her leadership philosophy combines analytical rigor with a deep belief in people development and well-being as catalysts for sustainable growth. Iuliana is passionate about shaping the future of senior living, mentoring emerging leaders, and contributing to organizations that make a lasting impact in their communities. 

Anne Bermingham is a Certified Master Forum Chair and Modern Trusted Advisor at MacKay CEO Forums. Anne graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Masters in Applied Social Psychology, with the intention on helping organizations thrive, by improving the performance of their people. She worked for a national outplacement firm before starting her own successful consultancy – 2WA Consulting. She has been an entrepreneur and business owner since 1996. Anne's work is primarily in the fields of leadership and performance, with an emphasis on how to ensure people actually change their behaviour and attitudes in order tobe more effective. Sometimes she works with teams and other times the work is to help change the culture within an organization. She has worked in the private, public and not for profit sectors, spread across the telecommunications, manufacturing, social services, municipal, provincial and federal government sectors. 

Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/

In this special live episode of It’s Lonely at the Top, recorded at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Future of Business Summit, Nancy MacKay leads a powerful breakout room conversation on the realities of leadership today.

From navigating uncertainty and decision fatigue to building resilience and finding support at the top, this episode brings together honest insights from business leaders who understand the pressures of leadership firsthand.

Recorded live in front of summit attendees, this conversation highlights why connection, vulnerability, and peer support matter more than ever for CEOs and executives leading through change.

Order Nancy’s New Book: 

Drawing on two decades of experience with more than five thousand leaders, Nancy reveals how to prioritize health, strengthen relationships, reclaim time, and develop resilience. Order ‘It's Lonely at the Top: CEO Strategies for Inspiring Yourself and Your Team’ today: https://bit.ly/3OcBTQH 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In the latest episode of the Lonely at the Top podcast, Nancy MacKay engages in a heartfelt conversation with Anand Inbasekaran and Laura Vaughan, two leaders who have navigated their own unique paths of personal and professional growth. Their stories remind us that even in the face of adversity, resilience, and a supportive community can pave the way to success. 

Anand Inbasekaran is a technology executive leading enterprise-scale Digital and AI transformation in complex, regulated environments. Anand is the VP, Process & Digital Transformation at CGA Group. With dual engineering degrees and an MBA in Strategy and Innovation from the Rotman School of Management, he combines systems thinking with disciplined execution. Anand is known for building resilient, high-performance teams and for turning bold ideas into scalable platforms that create real business impact. He brings an entrepreneurial mindset to large organizations—calm under pressure, clear in direction, and focused on long-term enterprise value. 

Laura Vaughan is the Ontario Regional Director and Chief Learning Officer at MacKay CEO Forums, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting and developing leaders. In these capacities, she is dedicated to fostering growth, collaboration, and continuous learning within the MacKay community. Beyond her leadership responsibilities, Laura chairs two CEO peer groups and one Executive peer group in Toronto, creating dynamic environments where senior leaders can connect, share insights, and accelerate both personal and organizational success. Laura is also the CEO of carrythe3 inc., enabling the world’s Managers and their CEOs to build and lead more abundant workplaces. 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In the latest episode of the "It's Lonely at the Top" podcast, host Nancy MacKay, alongside guests Dana Filippetto and Mike Joseph, discuss the challenges of leadership and the importance of building a supportive community. Their candid discussion reveals practical strategies for overcoming the isolation that often accompanies high-level positions. 

Mike Joseph is a big-picture individual who loves connecting with people. Working with CEO’s and executive teams to develop short and long-term strategies, he has a broad network of contacts in and out of multiple industries- both local and international. Over the past 20 years, Mike has built, owned and operated over 25 hospitality-related businesses. His expertise lies in mid-size entrepreneurial firms with a focus on growth, leadership, and building world-class cultures. Mike is authentic, dynamic, comedic, and intuitive – also impatient, impulsive, and self-deprecating. Self-awareness is front and center. Accountable and organized. Public speaker, avid student, and always looking to find a better way. In his free time, Mike enjoys travelling to interesting new places, cooking for friends and family, drinking red wine, and smoking the occasional Cuban cigar. 

Dania Filippetto is the founder and owner of a multi-location RV dealership and brings over three decades of experience in the RV and automotive industry. As the only woman founder and owner of an RV dealership in Canada, she has built and led teams across sales, finance, service, and operations in an environment where the responsibility — and the risk — ultimately stops with her. Known for her direct leadership style and focus on accountability, Dania has spent years turning complex, high-pressure operations into structured, sustainable businesses. She understands firsthand the isolation that comes with leadership — making difficult decisions, carrying financial and people risk, and navigating challenges few others see. Outside of work, Dania is a mother of twin boys, balancing the demands of leadership with family life, and openly acknowledges the personal weight that comes with being “at the top.” 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/ 

In an ever-evolving tech landscape, the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) has become increasingly complex and crucial for organizational success. Nancy MacKay interviews Jim Black and Tony Balasubramanian, exploring the challenges and triumphs faced by CIOs today. This conversation not only sheds light on their personal journeys but also emphasizes the importance of mentorship and peer support within the tech community.  

Jim Black serves as Chief Information Officer at FYihealth group, where he drives technological innovation as a senior technology and digital business executive. He is a member of FYihealth group’s Executive Committee and chairs the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Committee, which governs and prioritizes AI investments across the organization. Jim brings over 20 years of leadership experience spanning three industries at the CIO level, now focused on advancing technology in the vision care and optical industry. His company, FYihealth group, is Canada's largest optometric network with over 370 clinics and retail stores across the country. Doctor-led, professionally managed, and patient-focused, their organization delivers outstanding eye care with patient-centric products and services. Their brands include FYidoctors, Visique, BonLook, and Solis Optics. 

Tony Balasubramanian is a MacKay CEO Forums chair and a seasoned strategic executive and trusted advisor with over three decades of experience operating at the critical intersection of business and technology. With a global portfolio spanning Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond, he has advised Fortune 500 companies, mid-market firms, and public sector organizations, guiding them through complex transformations, technology integrations, and leadership development. 

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:  

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. Learn more: https://mackayceoforums.com/members/