Episodes

  • Employee Ownership Trusts with John Stevens and Jason Vandenberg of Camilla Advisory Group

    Employee Ownership Trusts with John Stevens and Jason Vandenberg of Camilla Advisory Group
    Nov 19 2024
    In this episode, Munir Haque speaks with John Stevens and Jason Vandenberg, president and senior vice president of Camilla Advisory Group, about their approach to employee ownership and advisory services. John and Jason discuss Camilla’s three primary service areas: employee share plans, fractional CFO services, and merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory. They emphasize their focus on employee ownership trusts as a means for companies to empower employees and build business value.They explore the rising interest in employee ownership trusts (EOT), an interest which has gained momentum with recent Canadian legislation offering a $10 million capital gains exemption as a tax incentive. Modeled after U.S. and U.K. frameworks, the legislation aims to make employee ownership financially appealing, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. According to John Stevens, employee ownership helps to foster loyalty and alignment among employees, often leading to increased productivity and long-term growth.John and Jason also discuss the practical benefits of EOTs with Munir, such as preserving a company’s brand, culture, and community presence. They highlight potential pitfalls, stress the importance of clear communication and financial literacy in EOTs, and detail some effective communication strategies that include using internal champions from various departments to address employee and family concerns about the trust structure. Additionally, they advise continuous involvement from advisors like themselves, especially for annual updates and administrative changes. Their approach can lead to transformative shifts in company culture, where employees feel invested in business growth and cost management.About John Stevens:John Stevens has had a distinguished career over the past 30+ years, holding titles including Senior Vice President, President, CFO, COO, and CEO of fast-growing organizations like Nilsson Bros. Inc, Eveready Inc., NC Services Group Ltd. and ENTREC Corporation. John was also a member of the Board of Directors of Eveready Inc. and NC Services Group Ltd. Other experience includes being an integral member of a senior management team of a company (Nilsson Bros. Inc.) in the agri-food and livestock industry that experienced annual sales growth from $242 million to $919 million in a four-year period.In addition to his knowledge of employee ownership, John's expertise in mergers and acquisitions is extensive, having been involved in over 100 acquisitions throughout his career. John also holds a certification as an Executive Coach from Royal Roads University. The companies John has been part of have consistently been recognized for many awards including top employers, best workplaces and fastest growing.In 2013, John was named a Business Leader of Tomorrow honoring Edmonton’s visionary business leaders. In 2013 and in 2015, John was named an E and Y Prairies finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2014 John was named one of the ten executives you need to know in the Oil sands by Oil sands Review Magazine.John understands the need to give back to the community and has volunteered his time and has been actively involved in non-profit organizations such as Prostate Cancer Canada, Kids Up Front and the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton. John was awarded the very distinguished Canada Community Advocate Award from Prostate Cancer Canada. John was very involved with Financial Executives International for over a decade including serving as the local board chair. John served a two-year term on the Petroleum Service Association of Canada board. John currently is a board member of ESOP Association Canada.About Jason Vandeberg: Jason Vandenberg is a senior finance leader with hands-on experience in a number of senior management roles working closely with Management and Boards of Directors. Jason has an established record of achievement with expertise in forecasting and budgeting, strategic planning, corporate governance, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, accounting and administration, complex business and tax issues, staff management, internal controls, human resources management, financial reporting and regulatory compliance. Jason also brings a wealth of experience in growing companies to maximize their potential. With over 20 years of management experience, Jason has been involved in the substantial growth of multiple companies both organically and through the acquisition and integration of over 60 businesses.Jason was the Chief Financial Officer of ENTREC Corporation from 2011 until 2020. Prior to this Jason was CFO of Eveready Inc. and its predecessor companies until it was acquired by Clean Harbors in 2009. In these roles, Jason was responsible for all finance and administrative functions. During his tenure with ENTREC, the Company grew from annual revenue of $20 million in 2010 to $180 million in 2019 making ENTREC a leader in the provision of crane and heavy haul ...
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    53 mins
  • Family Business and Balance with Shane Wenzel, President & CEO of Shane Homes Group of Companies

    Family Business and Balance with Shane Wenzel, President & CEO of Shane Homes Group of Companies
    Nov 5 2024
    In this episode, host Munir Haque interviews the president and CEO of Shane Homes, Shane Wenzel. Shane Homes, of which Shane Wenzel is the namesake, has been the leading builder in the Calgary region for over 45 years. Shane Wenzel oversees policy advice through Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Calgary as well as economic engagement with the Alberta Enterprise Group in addition to leading Shane Homes. As a leader in his industry, Shane offers great insight into company growth and governance.Shane Wenzel explains how the branding and unified operation between the divisions of his company - Shane Homes, Shane Multifamily, Shane Communities, and Shane Investments - maintain the successful culture and growth of the Shane Homes name overall. The evolution of the corporate vision and mission that keeps growing the company in sync with the culture and the conscious work to maintain the vision in light of innovation and market shifts is something Munir addresses with Shane.Munir delves into the challenges unique to the family-owned business aspect of Shane Homes and Shane explains the executive structure and biannual strategic planning sessions that help keep everything in balance. Shane talks about the seven pillars his company has developed as a way to drive long-range planning, the external advisors who help shape direction, and how he empowers people to run their respective departments as part of the overall keys to maintaining a growth-oriented business plan. In regards to personal balance, Shane acknowledges philanthropy and personal passions as necessary parts of the whole, as well as addressing the governance that is key to philanthropic endeavours. About Shane Wenzel:Before you ask, yes, the company was named after Shane. Shane joined Shane Homes at a young age and learned the new home building industry from the ground up, first working in the field on job sites, then joining the Sales and Marketing department. While in the role of Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Shane was instrumental in leading innovation in marketing and design for the company.Now, Shane leads the Shane Homes Group of Companies as President, is a social media creative, a mentor, podcaster, speaker, and an active member of the LGBT community. "Earn it, don't expect it."--Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Shane Wenzel: ShaneWenzel.comLinkedIn Twitter / XInstagramYouTubeContact Shane HomesShaneHomes.comFacebookTwitter / XInstagramYouTubeLinkedInPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Shane Wenzel: [00:00:01] When you hire the executives or even the operators of specific divisions, their values have to align. I will always hire that first and foremost over a skill set. I'll openly say, we're trying to create something here more than just production factory, where we're turning out houses day in day out and developing land day in day out. You're trying to create something special. That all starts from the top, and if you don't have the people who are operating the company working within those same kind of boundaries, those values and creating that culture, then you're going to fail. You're just going to end up with the McDonald's version of housing.Munir Haque: [00:00:41] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. We'll hear the good, the bad and the ugly, but with a keen focus on where the gaps are, discover emerging best practices, and real world tools to better evaluate, guide and grow you and your boards.Munir Haque: [00:01:12] Today's guest is Shane Wenzel. Shane is the president and CEO of Shane Homes Group of Companies, and he's also its namesake. They are a leading builder in the Calgary region for over 45 years, and their mission is to create thriving communities with innovative design and customer centric services. His leadership focuses on building high quality, sustainable homes while advocating for industry friendly policies and economic growth. Shane oversees strategic direction, policy advice through BILD Calgary, which is Building Industry and Land Development, and economic engagement with the Alberta Enterprise Group, making him an industry leader in his field. Growing up with entrepreneurial parents, Cal and Edith, early on as a laborer within the company, then marketing assistant, moved up to director of marketing and then up through the ranks to president and CEO. He developed a strong foundation in sales and marketing, further enhanced by his involvement in a business advisory group. He ...
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    40 mins
  • Bald Governance: Collin Pullar of the SCSA

    Bald Governance: Collin Pullar of the SCSA
    Oct 22 2024
    In this episode, host Munir Haque interviews Collin Pullar, President of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, in-demand speaker, contributor to Canadian business magazines, and host of The Bald Leadership podcast. The SCSA provides construction, safety training, advisory and auditing services for over 10,000 companies, and when combined with the whole of his career, this gives Collin insight into labor, economic development, government and public relations, and business leadership. Collin and Munir talk about governance, leadership, and learning from mistakes.Collin Pullar states first and foremost that he enjoys governance for a variety of reasons and that enjoyment informs how he works to bring moments of levity into boards he’s involved with. He describes what the board of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association looked like before his arrival and how it has changed in functionality and grown in diversity through the years. In every board balance is important and Collin explains how every member will ideally bring multiple skill sets to the table so less experienced members can develop alongside more experienced ones.Munir delves into succession planning with Collin, the importance of the chair position, and Collin details key factors to consider in board strategizing. The importance of leadership and its crossover into governance is something Collin emphasizes as he discusses various boards and the Chamber of Commerce he has served on. He also highlights how dedication and development in sports excellence relate to leadership, drawn from his experiences in powerlifting. Collin’s vast experience, engaging conversational style, and keen insight make this episode an important listen for anyone in governance or, indeed, any facet of business leadership. About Collin Pullar:Collin Pullar has served as President of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association since May of 2014; providing construction safety training, advisory, and auditing services to some 10,000+ companies in the Saskatchewan construction sector. The SCSA employs 50 advisory, training, administrative and corporate staff in key operational bases in Saskatoon and Regina. SCSA has received a number of awards such as the Paragon Award for Business Excellence for Marketing and Promotional Achievement, the Saskatchewan Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Ethics due to its work in ethical leadership, in 2019 named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers and received international recognition being named Construction Safety Experts of the Year. His leadership includes experiences in labour and economic development, government/public relations and business leadership. Collin is an in-demand speaker for a range of business audiences. As a lifelong advocate for drug-free sports, Collin brings successful training and team philosophies to the business environment in his presentations. Collin is a regular contributor to Canadian business magazines including the Journal of Commerce, and Industry West Magazine. He is also co-host of the Bald Leadership Podcast alongside co-host Kavis Reed. --Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Collin Pullar: Website: SCSAonline.caPodcast: Bald LeadershipCollin Pullar on LinkedInBald Leadership on LinkedInTwitter/XPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Collin Pullar: [00:00:01] If you’re familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Index, there’s 16 main personality preference types. 85% of the people who are in executive leadership, of which that’s usually the pool that gets pulled into the board, come from just those four types. The challenge is that you can get caught in the group think that we spoke about earlier. Right from the cognitive level, from the personality level, it can be important to look at that. Boards can, over time, begin to think about things like this. What’s the strengths that people bring?Munir Haque: [00:00:36] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host, Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us.Munir Haque: [00:00:56] Today's guest is Mr. Collin Pullar. For the past decade, Collin has been the president of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association. It's an organization providing construction, safety training, advisory and auditing services for over 10,000 companies in the Saskatchewan construction sector. Under his leadership, the SCSA has operations in Saskatoon and Regina and received numerous awards. With expertise in labor, economic development, government and public relations, and business ...
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    49 mins
  • Get Off Your ‘S’ and DO Governance! with Melinda Park, Partner at BLG LLP

    Get Off Your ‘S’ and DO Governance! with Melinda Park, Partner at BLG LLP
    Oct 8 2024
    In this episode, host Munir Haque interviews Melinda Park, a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, who made history as the first woman to chair the firm's board. With over 20 years of legal experience in corporate governance, securities, and capital markets, Melinda discusses how her career journey has been driven by a fascination with how corporate entities operate. She addresses the unique role of a corporate lawyer in boardrooms and explains to Munir how they provide objective counsel and help guide critical business decisions.Melinda talks about the importance of governance in corporate settings, particularly in preventing decision paralysis and effectively managing risks. Good governance provides a framework that allows boards and management teams to make informed decisions and work through complex issues, even when outcomes are not necessarily perfect. Melinda stresses the value of healthy tension, maintained by governance, between boards and management. She says that such tension ensures that decisions are vetted completely and not just passed without thorough consideration.Munir and Melinda explore the evolution of governance practices and Melinda highlights how important diversity is in boardrooms. She stresses that diversity of thought is needed, which comes from varied backgrounds and perspectives that include factors of age, experience, and gender. She argues that diversity is key to addressing modern challenges such as cybersecurity and AI. The conversation ranges from how governance has changed through the years, shaped by legal developments and case law, to why having policies is not the same as acting on them, to the importance of governance in ESG. Melinda enjoys these topics and is a passionate and informed speaker, making this interview an essential listen.About Melinda ParkMelinda has practised securities and corporate law for over 20 years, with a focus on securities, corporate finance and commercial transactions.She represents corporate clients on securities and corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions and reverse takeovers (RTOs), going public in Canada, and financings by way of prospectus and private placement offerings.She regularly advises boards of directors and committees of public and private companies.Melinda has extensive experience advising corporate clients and structuring business transactions. She regularly provides expertise on corporate governance and continuous disclosure for companies listed on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the TSX.Melinda is a senior member of BLG’s management, and is the immediate past Chair of the firm’s Partnership Board – the first woman at BLG to hold the position. She served on the board for six years.Melinda is also a member of BLG's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiative. She was appointed to the King's Counsel in 2024.Melinda provides legal services through a Law Corporation.--Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Melinda Park: Website: BLG.comEmail: MPark@blg.comLinkedInPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Melinda Park: [00:00:03] And I think unfortunately, when situations, especially when they get tense, everybody starts to think they need the perfect solution. Everybody is perceived either pro or con or this or that, and we don't really give ourselves the grace to act as human beings in a tense situation and then try and resolve it. What governance can do is provide some of the framework such that when things are tense, when things are coming at you that you couldn't have anticipated, it gives you a bit of a framework and a guide such that some of the bad and some of the really ugly can be avoided.Munir Haque: [00:00:42] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host, Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us.Munir Haque: [00:01:01] Hello, everybody. Today's guest is Melinda Park. Melinda is a partner in the Securities and Capital Markets group for the law firm of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Calgary. She's the first woman to serve as a chair of the firm's board in their history. She's practiced law for over 20 years, representing corporate clients on securities and corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, reverse takeovers, going public in Canada, and financing by way of prospectus and private placement offerings. She advises clients on structuring business transactions, corporate governance and continuous disclosure for companies listed on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the TSX. Melinda regularly advises boards of directors and ...
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    54 mins
  • Canada-UK Diplomacy & Governance with the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom

    Canada-UK Diplomacy & Governance with the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
    Sep 24 2024
    In this episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast, host Munir Haque invites the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, to share insights on diplomatic relations and governance. The conversation covers the importance of anticipating global trends and how challenging it has become with the increasing pace of change and interconnectedness. They also discuss Goodale's extensive political career, spanning over four decades, and his current role in strengthening Canada-UK relations. Not only does Mr. Goodale highlight the complexities and responsibilities of diplomacy, but he also discusses his experiences as High Commissioner in London, describing the city's vibrant cultural and political landscape. He reflects on the rapid and efficient political transitions in the UK, contrasting them with those in Canada and the US, and praises the UK’s ability to switch governments swiftly and without turmoil. There is professionalism in the British public service in preparing for potential leadership changes that could serve as a model for other democracies, including Canada, which is effective but moves at a slower pace during transitions.Munir and Mr. Goodale explore the role of diplomats in fostering international relationships. The significance of maintaining strong ties with the new UK government following the recent election was stressed by Mr. Goodale, along with the importance of building relationships and ensuring Canadian interests are effectively represented. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the intricacies of diplomacy, the value of strong governance, and the critical role of international relationships in shaping global affairs.About Ralph GoodaleRaised on a family farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Ralph Goodale received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Regina in 1971, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972. He has practical experience in business, agriculture, law, and broadcasting, as well as federal and provincial politics.He was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1974 at the age of 24, representing Assiniboia in Saskatchewan. In the 1980s, he served as leader of the provincial Liberal Party, and was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1986.Mr. Goodale returned to the House of Commons in 1993 as the Member of Parliament for Wascana, and was subsequently re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015. He served in the federal Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister of Natural Resources, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.In March of 2020, Mr. Goodale became Special Advisor to the Government of Canada with respect to Iran’s deadly attack against Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 which claimed many innocent Canadian lives. In December of 2023, Mr. Goodale was named Canada’s official representative to the Ismaili Imamat. He continues in both of these roles.--Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Ralph Goodale: Website: International.gc.caParliament of CanadaTwitter / XPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Ralph Goodale: [00:00:03] If you really want to score, skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where the puck is, because you'll always be after the fact. But you have to make those judgments about where the world is going, and making those judgments is harder now because it's all going faster and faster and faster and there are interconnecting circles and everything is more complicated.Munir Haque: [00:00:29] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host, Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms, where decisions shape the world around us. Munir Haque: [00:00:48] Welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. Our guest today is the Honourable Mr. Ralph Goodale, High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland and the Permanent Representative on the International Maritime Organization. He's been in this position since 2021, since retiring from Canadian politics. He was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1974 at the age of 24, representing Assiniboia and Saskatchewan. This was only two years after receiving his law degree. In the 1980s, he served as a leader of the provincial Liberal Party, and was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly in 1986. Mr. Goodale returned to the House of Commons in 1993 and was Member of Parliament for Wascana,...
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    58 mins
  • Pro-Wrestling, Trump & International Governance with Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation

    Pro-Wrestling, Trump & International Governance with Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation
    Sep 10 2024
    Munir Haque is joined by Gary Mar, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation and former Member of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta from 1993 to 2007. Gary discusses the Canada West Foundation’s work and shares with Munir the differences between governmental governance and governance in industry. With his experience across different types of boards, Gary understands what makes a good one and what the purpose of a board truly is.Governance is as good as the people holding board seats, much like the captain of any ship relies on a quality crew to know each of their jobs intimately. The stronger your hiring, the more your board can accomplish, and Gary’s experiences highlight this truth. In addition to his knowledge of governance, however, Gary understands the nuance of the natural resources sector as well as oil and gas interests, and the conversation Munir and Gary have is enlightening. Gary Mar shares an intimate understanding of politics, policy-making, the needs of Western Canada, and trade agreements. His expertise extends into international corporations and he sheds light on how boards function in China and abroad. The needs of a well-functioning board come down to specific personality types and skill sets, and an understanding of the relationship between a CEO and the board is key. Munir avails himself of Gary Mar’s experience and knowledge to our benefit in this expansive interview. About Gary MarGary G. Mar is President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, an independent, non-partisan policy organization working to improve the lives of Canadians in the West and the country as a whole.Gary’s background in government and business provided him with experience in the Canada West Foundation’s primary policy areas of trade and investment, natural resources and human capital. The foundation conducts evidence-based research and analysis to develop policy recommendations in areas such as international trade relationships, trade infrastructure, workforce development and the nexus of energy, environment and the economy.Prior to joining the foundation, Gary served as President and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada where he represented the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. He also had a successful career in government serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta from 1993-2007 and holding several Cabinet portfolios. He then served as the Official Representative of the Province of Alberta at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. and as the Province of Alberta’s Representative in Asia.Gary, who has a law degree from the University of Alberta, was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the institution’s School of Business in Marketing, Business Economics and Law and is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. In 2022 he was appointed as a member and chair of the Council of the Alberta Order of Excellence and was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for public service.Resources discussed in this episode:“The Battle of the Billionaires” on YouTube__Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Gary Mar: Website: CWF.caLinkedInPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Gary Mar: [00:00:03] It’s a reciprocal obligation to provide to your board what you believe are the best strategies to move forward, but it’s also your board’s responsibility to bring in their body of experience to instruct the CEO so it really goes both ways. If you’ve got a good board, there should be no fear at all of the exchange of ideas and instruction.Munir Haque: [00:00:27] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms where decisions shape the world around us. We'll hear the good, the bad and the ugly, but with a keen focus on where the gaps are, discover emerging best practices and real world tools to better evaluate, guide and grow you and your boards.Munir Haque: [00:00:58] Welcome to The Boardroom 180 Podcast. Today we'll be speaking with Gary Mar. Gary is the president and CEO of Canada West Foundation, he's been that since 2020. He's an accomplished and respected leader with the deep knowledge of government and business and expertise in key policy areas of resources, environment and economy, skills, innovation and productivity, trade and trade infrastructure. Previously, Gary served as president and CEO of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada, the national trade association representing the ...
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    56 mins
  • Governance in Acquisitions with Liz MacRae

    Governance in Acquisitions with Liz MacRae
    Aug 27 2024
    Munir Haque is joined by exit plan advisor and co-founder of Village Wellth, Elizabeth MacRae, to talk about the buying and selling of business and why Village Wellth was founded to facilitate those needs. What is the board of directors’ role in an acquisition or sale? What is typically overseen by the board? Liz sheds light on how they operate in her world and what makes exit planning such a vital necessity.The manner in which businesses seek growth is varied, whether they consider growth through acquisition, by taking the traditional path through organic growth marketing and sales, or via accessing debt to grow capacity. The viability of different growth options is discussed and Liz explains the factors that lead even smaller companies to consider acquisitions, which is where Village Wellth’s role is significant. Learn how governance is affected by a merger or sale, how the choice of growth pathway will affect the governance and board decisions and why. There are reasons to consider a change of governance if the business is to become more profitable before the sale, or to form a board if investors require it. Liz delves into how a board of directors can lead a company to success by guiding the processes and procedures and a certain standard and quality of financial reporting, important factors if a company is changing hands. This episode reveals the importance of governance from an exit plan and acquisition perspective.About Elizabeth MacRaeLiz is a certified exit plan advisor and co-founder of Village Wellth, an acquisition management platform supporting entrepreneurs in accessing deal flow and capital for business acquisitions. Her journey into entrepreneurship stemmed from a pivotal moment when she missed the chance to take over her father's family business due to a lack of succession planning. Together with her husband Scott, they embarked on business ownership by purchasing a franchise. Their experience of navigating the inception and the eventual sale of the franchise sparked Liz's passion for business succession. Over the past decade, Liz has acquired and successfully exited two companies. Her expertise spans transaction services running a boutique, business brokerage, facilitating deals between buyers and sellers, and as an exit planning advisor. Drawing from her client interactions and personal ventures, Liz is an avid speaker dedicated to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and founders by sharing insights into business acquisition and the strategies for proper exit planning. Her commitment to simplifying and enhancing the business acquisition process underscores her vision for improving access to entrepreneurs and business sustainability. She also serves as co-president of the Calgary M&A Club.--Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Elizabeth (Liz) MacRae: Website: VillageWellth.comLinkedInPodcast Production:Recording: PushySix StudiosProduction Assistance: Astronomic Audio--Transcript Elizabeth MacRae: [00:00:03] I'm a big philosopher of this too, is if you plan to exit someday, have those exit strategies in mind because if you understand how you can exit a company, you'll make different decisions every single day. At the micro level, because you'll understand that when you get to due diligence, how those decisions are going to be looked at. I'm a huge proponent for understanding, even if you don't plan to exit yourself for 10, 15 years, if you're not necessarily raising capital today, but you plan on raising capital, understand how that works now, because it's a tremendous amount of work if you have to get prepared for due diligence. Munir Haque: [00:00:48] Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of The Boardroom 180 Podcast. I'm your host Munir Haque, an executive coach and senior board strategist. I have partnered with Action Edge Executive Development to lead their governance and political acumen division. In each episode, we meet with governance leaders and step into their boardrooms where decisions shape the world around us. We'll hear the good, the bad and the ugly, but with a keen focus on where the gaps are, discover emerging best practices and real world tools to better evaluate, guide and grow you and your boards.Munir Haque: [00:01:18] Our guest today is Elizabeth MacRae. Liz is a certified exit plan advisor and co-founder of Village Wellth. That's w-e-l-l-t-h. It's an acquisition management platform supporting entrepreneurs in accessing deal flow and capital for business acquisitions. Her journey into entrepreneurship stemmed from a pivotal moment when she missed the chance to take over the father's family business due to a lack of succession planning. Together with her husband Scott, they embarked on business ownership by purchasing a franchise. Their experience of navigating the inception and the eventual sale of the franchise sparked Liz's passion for ...
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    49 mins
  • Ethical Decision Making with Karen L. Smith

    Ethical Decision Making with Karen L. Smith
    Aug 13 2024
    Join us for a compelling conversation with Karen Smith as we delve into the essentials of ethical decision-making and governance across corporate and municipal boards. Our speakers shed light on the critical importance of fostering an ethical culture, maintaining transparency, and ensuring accountability. Listeners will discover why effective governance is a must in today's complex communities, where trust and well-established frameworks can help mitigate risks.In this episode, we tackle the complexities of managing votes of no confidence and addressing ethical violations through targeted training and one-on-one meetings. We also explore the diverse responsibilities of board members, from fiduciary duties to the need for continuous education, particularly in dynamic fields like cybersecurity. Learn about the differences between various types of boards and the importance of representing diverse perspectives while aligning with organizational values. Tune in for valuable insights on ethical decision-making, performance measurement, and stakeholder engagement, all underscored by the power of open communication and conflict resolution to build lasting, effective governance.About Karen SmithKaren currently serves as Chair of Access Communications Co-operative, is a Board Member of the Regina Community Clinic, is on the board of the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program, and is Co-Chair of the Saskatchewan Advisory Board of the Institute for Corporate Directors. She is also available to consult on governance, ethics, and other matters since 2022.Karen recently retired as full-time CEO for Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, serving in this capacity from October 2015 to December 2023. Her professional background includes Director of Employee Benefit Plans for the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. Karen's activity in the business community includes serving as the employer representative on the WCB’s former Early Intervention Program Advisory Committee and as a member of the Human Resources Committee for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Previously carried the CHRP designation in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.--Contact Munir Haque | ActionEdge Executive Development: Website: AEEDNow.comLinkedin: Action Edge Executive Development Inc.Contact Karen Smith: Linkedin: Karen Smith--Transcript:Karen Smith: [00:00:03] And in the end, the board is the one who has the fiduciary responsibility over those organizations. So the board has to keep up. We have to keep up with the training. So it's not just about understanding the financial statements anymore. We have to do better than that. And if you need to bring in experts to help you with the training, then do so.Munir Haque: [00:00:33] Hello, everybody. Today's guest is Karen L. Smith. Karen is a governance and ethics consultant. She's a governance specialist with Chartered Director designation from McMasters University and the Conference Board of Canada. She's a specialist in administrative justice with a certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice. She's a certified employee benefits specialist with designations from Dalhousie University and the International Society of Employee Benefits. Karen has a long history of serving on boards and committees. Essentially too long for me to mention in this introduction, but to name a few, currently she is a chair of Access Communications Co-operative. She's a board member of the Regina Community Clinic. She's on the board of the Saskatchewan New Home Warranty Program. She's a co-chair of the Saskatchewan Advisory Board of the Institute of Cooperative Directors. Karen is also the founding member and served as president of the Saskatchewan Administrative Tribunal Association. Professionally, she was the CEO of the Saskatchewan Better Business Bureau, recently retired in 2023, she was there in that position for eight years. Before that, she was the director of employee benefits plan for the Saskatchewan School Board Association. She was also a member of council for the Village of Buena Vista and a life member of PARKS. That's the Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan. Hello, Karen. Thank you so much for being on The Boardroom 180 Podcast. Is there anything that you want to make special note of that I missed in the introduction?Karen Smith: [00:02:03] The only one is, for ten years, I was on the Workers Compensation Board. So that was a paid board member position. Full time board work.Munir Haque: [00:02:13] There's one thing that pops up a couple of times in your bio and that's tribunal administrative justice. Do you want to explain that a little bit to those of us who don't know exactly what it means?Karen Smith: [00:02:24] It's the final level of appeal. It was part of the Workers Compensation Board responsibilities. So besides the normal governance duties that you see when you're a part of a board that's providing oversight for an organization, in addition, with the Workers ...
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    48 mins