In this episode of the It's Lonely at the Top podcast, Nancy MacKay interviews Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, discussing her journey from HR to CEO, the importance of peer groups, and the challenges of leadership. Jay-Ann shares insights on overcoming loneliness at the top, inspiring leadership practices, and the role of mental fitness and positive intelligence in her daily routine. The conversation also delves into the integration of AI in business and how to address workforce concerns regarding AI adoption. 

Jay-Ann Gilfoy joined Meridian as President & CEO on January 3, 2022. She is focused on leveraging Meridian’s unique value proposition to transform the business, achieve its winning aspiration, and secure its future. In collaboration with the Board and senior management, she is responsible for articulating the organization’s strategy and delivering on its purpose of helping Members and customers achieve a better life, while growing the business. 

Jay-Ann’s wealth of business transformation, social impact, and leadership expertise has been cultivated over more than 20 years as a senior executive in a broad range of roles and experiences in the private and public sector and co-operative financial services. 

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In this episode of 'It's Lonely at the Top,' Nancy MacKay hosts Sushant Trivedi and Nico Human, discussing the challenges and triumphs of leadership. They explore the loneliness that often accompanies high-level positions, the importance of peer support, and strategies for self-leadership and accountability. Sushant shares his journey from being an immigrant to becoming a successful CEO, while Nico reflects on his experiences and the significance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly digital world. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in business transformation and the necessity of prioritizing health and well-being as a leader. 

Sushant Trivedi is the Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Tracks Canada, a leading travel company specializing in custom-designed Canadian travel experiences. As CEO, Sushant is responsible for setting the strategic vision, driving growth, and leading a values-driven organization that blends operational excellence with exceptional client experiences. He is known for his thoughtful, people-first leadership style and his ability to navigate complexity with clarity, balancing performance, culture, and long-term stewardship while guiding teams through change and scale. 

Nico Human is a Master Certified Forum Chair with MacKay CEO Forums, where he facilitates confidential peer groups for CEOs and senior executives. In this role, Nico creates a trusted, high-performance environment that enables leaders to work through their most pressing business and personal challenges. He is widely respected for his calm presence, sharp listening skills, and ability to guide deep, practical conversations that lead to better decision-making, stronger leadership, and sustained impact both inside and outside the organization. 

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. www.mackayceoforums.com/members/

Chris Taylor is the CEO of Actionable.co, which is at the leading edge of learning sustainment and impact measurement for progressive organizations. Described once by a client as “a curious blend of Boomer and Gen-Y”, Chris is often called upon to act as a bridge and translator between generations at work, our new state of constant change and the impact technology has on team dynamics. He brings a self-deprecating sense of humour and grounded-ness to his keynotes and workshops, ensuring attendees leave inspired and well-equipped to drive real change back in the workplace. 

Through Actionable.co, Chris brings empirical evidence and stories to illustrate how, exactly, we measure ROI on corporate learning initiatives, and the systems to ensure every program creates lasting impact. He’s personally consulted to over 400 organizations across 6 countries, in almost any sector you can name. In addition to being a regular speaker for both public and private events, Chris has penned over 150 articles for dozens of publications, been quoted in The National Post, Toronto Star and Globe & Mail and hosted 90+ thought leader interviews for the iTunes #2 ranked business podcast, The 21st Century Workplace.

Chris grew up in Richmond, BC. Chris’s mother was a teacher, and his father was in operations. Chris learned from an early age about education and problem solving. Hear an inspiring conversation with Nancy and Chris about career development, putting systems in place to succeed in business and in life, and continuous development personally and professionally.  

Connect with Chris Taylor on social media:

Chris Taylor LinkedIn 

Actionable LinkedIn 

Chris Taylor Twitter 

Actionable Twitter 

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠“High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides”, by John Maxwell

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Louise is the CEO of Erickson Coaching International. Established in 1980, Erickson has trained over 55,000+ professional coaches and worked with leaders in 125+ countries. Louise has a 25-year career spanning across multiple industries including consulting, education, non-profit, financial services and coaching. She has a Master’s Degree in Business (summa cum laude and top student) and completed her published thesis on the topic of Work-Life Integration. She is a qualified teacher, counselor/coach and has a particular passion for human development, but she calls herself a chameleon leader. 

Since its inception, Erickson has pioneered transformational change in individuals and organizations using a methodology of coaching techniques informed by neuroscience that are action-based and future-focused. Above all, Erickson is committed to empowering people by placing emphasis on solutions rather than problems. With a strong track record of implementing long lasting positive change in Fortune 500 companies such as SAP and Google, Erickson has earned a reputation as one of the most recognized human development institutes in the world. 

Louise is a relational person, and this started when her mother drilled in the ‘importance of success’ in life, and in business which lead to Louise’s success in growing Erickson Consulting. Currently residing in South Africa, Louise is a scuba diving enthusiast, and strongly believes in a coach approach to leadership. 

In this podcast, hear Nancy and Louise discuss Louise’s childhood, her family, how she leveled up to get the Erickson CEO role, and the importance of receiving coaching despite your professional role.  

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, by Fei-Fei Li. 

JOIN A MACKAY CEO PEER GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

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We’re pleased to have connected with David Poirier, CEO, The Poirier Group. David is an accomplished leader having progressed in his earlier career from retail clerk (while in University), to Executive and C-Suite roles in major National Grocery and Retail organizations, as well as an International Health and Life Sciences corporation. 

The Poirier Group is a boutique management consulting firm operating throughout North America. They focus on executing your strategy, optimizing your processes, increasing your productivity and reducing your costs. David’s innate ability to navigate organizational bottlenecks that impede progress, and his influential style for conflict resolution across all levels of an organization have been key to instilling a culture of teamwork, focus and accountability leading to lasting change for his clients.

David is a CEO, Professional Engineer and Professional Logistician. David has won numerous awards for contributions to The University of Toronto, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and for his career achievements in engineering and management. Partner of 20 years to Tina and together they have 10 children and 11 grandchildren.

In this episode, Nancy and David discuss how The Poirier Group grew from 5 to over 50 people while having maintained an enviable record of 100% positive client experience, the power of peer learning, and David’s elevation in business and science. 

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠Rocket Fuel: the one essential combination that will get you more of what you want from your business, by Geno Wickman and Mark Winters.

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Cameron Herold is the founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders Course, not to mention the author of six books, including "Vivid Vision" and "The Second In Command." As the former COO of 1-800-Got-Junk?, he took the company from $2 million to a staggering $106 million in revenue, and from 14 to 3,100 employees, all in just six years. Cameron is no stranger to the global stage. He's a top-rated international speaker who's been paid to share his wisdom in 26 countries and on all 7 continents, including Antarctica! With the nickname "CEO Whisperer," Cameron is known for helping his clients double their profits and revenue in just three years or less.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠'The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO', By Cameron Herold

JOIN A MACKAY CEO FORUMS GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠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.⁠⁠⁠

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Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sara Daw, the Group CEO of The CFO Centre. With over 19 years at The CFO Centre, Sara has spearheaded the growth of her organizations, revolutionizing the landscape of C-suite services across 17 countries.

A graduate in Chemistry from Oxford University, Sara's journey from Chartered Accountant at Deloitte to earning an MBA from The London Business School, and most recently, a Specialized Masters in Consulting and Coaching for Change jointly run by Oxford University and HEC Paris, showcases her relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise.

As the author of "Strategy and Leadership as Service: How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite" (published with Routledge) and co-author of "Executive Freedom" (2019), Sara offers invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics of leadership in the modern era.

But beyond her professional achievements, Sara opens up about her personal life, sharing stories of her 25-year marriage to Andrew and her pride in raising three almost grown-up daughters.

Tune in as Sara Daw shares her journey, wisdom, and passion for leadership, offering inspiration and guidance for aspiring leaders everywhere.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ‘⁠Strategy and Leadership as Service: How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite’, by today’s podcast guest, Sara Daw. 

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Will Bachman's mission is to help independent professionals thrive. He's the Founder and Managing Partner of Umbrex, a global community of more than 4,000 independent management consultants. He's the host of Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional, a podcast with over 530 episodes. A former nuclear-trained submarine officer, Will is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Business School.

Umbrex is the fastest way to find the right independent management consultant for a project need. Umbrex has staffed over 1,000 projects with alums of McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and other top consulting firms. Explore the 30+ service lines at www.umbrex.com

Access Umbrex Guide to Setting Up Your Own Consulting Practice has been used by over 5,000 professionals to get started. To access the Guide for free, Use access code: mackay

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ‘The Modern Trusted Advisor: Best Practices for High-Value Executive Consultation’, by Nancy MacKay and Alan Weiss.

JOIN A MACKAY CEO PEER GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠⁠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.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Michael Zipursky is the co-founder and CEO of Consulting Success® where they specialize in helping entrepreneurial consultants grow profitable, scalable and strategic consulting businesses. He has advised organizations like Financial Times, Dow Jones, RBC, and helped Panasonic launch new products into global markets, but more importantly, he’s helped over 1000 consultants from around the world in over 75 industries add 6 and 7 figures to their annual revenues. Over 50,000 consultants read his weekly consulting newsletter. Michael is also the author of the Amazon Best Sellers ACT NOW: How successful consultants thrive during chaos and uncertainty, The Elite Consulting Mind and Consulting Success® the book.

In this episode, Michael Zipursky takes us on a fascinating journey through his entrepreneurial evolution. He begins by reminiscing about his early days running a web design consultancy and how his childhood passion for sports shaped his career trajectory.

His genuine love for helping others is the driving force behind his work, and he passionately discusses how this led to the founding of Consulting Success. He reveals the behind-the-scenes of building a robust audience, crafting impactful courses, and engaging with thousands of clients to fine-tune his approach.

Michael also highlights the importance of empowering his team and leading to help them excel. This episode is a compelling blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights that showcase how dedication and a people-first mindset can lead to extraordinary success.

MICHAEL ZIPURSKY'S BOOK: Consulting Success

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: 'Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life’, By Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

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Growing up in Saskatchewan driving go-karts and dreaming of becoming an NHL hockey player, listen in as we speak with Kim G C Moody, founder and former CEO of Moodys Tax/Moodys Private Client. From building the firm from scratch to transitioning into a part-time consulting role, Kim is deeply involved in passion projects like MacKay CEO activities and public policy. Kim recently joined as the Alberta Regional Director for MacKay CEO Forums growing chairs and members in Alberta. Kim has been married to Vivian for over 31 years while parenting four adult sons. Discover his commitment to fitness, including OrangeTheory workouts, running, cycling, and walking, as well as his love for wine. Tune in for a captivating conversation spanning professional success, family life, and community engagement.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠'Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things', by Adam Grant.

JOIN A MACKAY CEO FORUMS GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠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.⁠⁠⁠

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