Dean Connor is President and CEO of Sun Life Financial.

Sun Life is one of the world’s top insurance companies, and Dean is one of Canada’s most decorated CEOs. He was Ivey Business Leader of the Year in 2018, CEO of the Year in 2017, and Top New CEO in 2014.

But the path of Dean’s career wasn’t inevitable. In this episode, we’ll hear how a much-loved hobby nearly led him in a different direction. We’ll also talk about Sun Life’s strategy to stay ahead at a time of digital transformation, and why it’s so important for Canadians to match the accelerate “clock speed” of business in the United States and Asia.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

John Baker is President and CEO of D2L, the world-leading education software company based in Kitchener, Ontario.

John was a 22-year-old student at the University of Waterloo when he started D2L. Fast forward two decades and the technology he created is helping millions of customers around the world in schools, colleges, universities, government and business.  

In this episode we’ll hear how a young man with a dream helped launch a learning revolution.  

We’ll also talk about John’s biggest entrepreneurial regret – and the mistake that almost cost him the company. 

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Darryl White is CEO of the Bank of Montreal.

Before I sat down with Darryl I talked with a lot of his friends and colleagues. They all described him as a generous and thoughtful leader with a fierce competitive edge. He became CEO at a time of intense disruption in banking, while facing incredible adversity at home.

In this wide-ranging interview he shares his outlook on competitiveness, global trade, and the role of purpose in business.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Linda Hasenfratz is the CEO of Guelph, Ontario-based Linamar.

Linamar is a true Canadian success story. Linda’s father, a refugee from Hungary, started the company as a one-man machine shop in his basement in the mid-1960s. Today, it’s a diversified manufacturer with 61 plants around the world and revenues closing in on $10 billion a year. In this episode we talk about Linda’s path to the C-suite, the challenges she faced in her early years as CEO, and the lessons she’s learned along the way about life and leadership.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

In this Speaking of Business summer special, Catherine Clark turns the tables on our usual host Goldy Hyder, and puts him in the hot seat.

Goldy Hyder is President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada. Before taking on his current role, Goldy was CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada. Earlier in his career he served as Chief of Staff to Catherine's father, The Right Honourable Joe Clark.

In this episode we discuss Goldy’s childhood as an Indian-born Calgarian, the experiences that have shaped his life and career, and Canada’s changing political and business landscape.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Today’s episode: Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada.

Calin was just five years old when his parents fled the Communist regime in Romania and settled in Montreal – an experience that profoundly shaped his identity and values. As you’ll hear, his dedication to the success of his company – and the country – is unshakeable.

I spoke with Calin in April, prior to news of the company’s Air Transat takeover bid. But the deal reflects many of the themes of today’s podcast, including Calin’s approach to leadership, calculated risk, and competition.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Mike Katchen is Co-founder & CEO of Wealthsimple, a Toronto-based financial services startup.

In just five years, Wealthsimple has grown to more than four billion dollars in assets. And shortly after our conversation, the company announced another big funding round – the latest step on the road to an eventual public stock offering.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Alex Pourbaix is a veteran of Alberta’s oil and gas industry. He retired in 2017 after almost three decades at TransCanada Corporation, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. But he couldn’t stay away long. His competitive spirit and strong belief in the energy sector soon brought him back to lead Cenovus Energy.

In this episode, Alex shares his views on family, on leading in tough times, and on the fight to protect Canada’s place in the global energy market.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Marcelo Lu is President of BASF Canada. He grew up in Brasil, has roots in China, was educated in the United States, and established his career in Europe and Asia.

Today he leads the Canadian operations of the world's largest chemical producer. He brings a truly international perspective to his role at BASF Canada, but as you'll hear, he has also developed a strong personal connection to this country. And he has some equally strong opinion about Canada's place and potential in the global economy.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

Don Lindsay is President and CEO of Teck Resources, Canada's largest diversified resource company, and a leading producer of copper, zinc, steelmaking coal, and energy.

Mining has traditionally been seen as a tough, gruff and hardnosed industry, but Don himself doesn’t fit any stereotype. In fact, his reputation as one of the most admired CEOs in Canada’s resource sector owes a lot to the care he consistently shows for his family, employees, country, and the global community.

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Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/