News and Views

We are thrilled to announce that Jodi Butts and Manijeh Colabella are now Partners at WATSON!  

Manijeh and Jodi have consistently demonstrated exceptional skills, expertise, and dedication to our clients and our firm as we continue our mission to help boards shape the future. Their exemplary performance, strategic thinking, and strong leadership qualities make them outstanding additions to our leadership team. 

With a deep background in corporate governance and legal counsel, Manijeh Colabella has been a valuable asset to the WATSON team. Through governance reviews, board and director evaluations, governance structure and framework development, facilitated conversations and governance education, Manijeh works with boards on a wide range of complex issues of governance, strategy, and board-management relationships, and has a passion and unique expertise for navigating organizations through transition and change. She is renowned for providing thoughtful insight and expertise to boards and management teams that are practical, effective and enhance their organization’s success. 

Likewise, Jodi Butts has been an invaluable contributor to our firm’s growth and reputation. With an extensive background in board governance and deep industry knowledge, she has consistently demonstrated a keen understanding of the challenges faced by modern boards. Jodi’s ability to connect governance with people, strategy, and operations and bring a wealth of practical know-how to boards and executive teams has been instrumental in helping our clients feel confident and ready to lead their organizations. 

We are excited to witness the continued growth and success that Manijeh and Jodi will bring to WATSON as Partners. Their insights and leadership will undoubtedly elevate our services to new heights and strengthen our position as trusted advisors to boards across Canada. Manijeh and Jodi join fellow Partners: Sid Hathiramani, John Jennings, Rachel O’Connor, Sharon Rudy, Barb Schimnowsky, and Founder and CEO Liz Watson.  

Congratulations once again to Jodi and Manijeh! We look forward to the bright future you will help us shape at WATSON. 

March 29, 2023 was National Governance Professionals Day. In celebration, we’re spotlighting some of our colleagues with backgrounds working as governance professionals within organizations. We asked each of them what inspired them to pursue a career in governance and what about it they find most rewarding…

At WATSON, Alicia leads and supports governance reviews, board evaluations, director evaluations, policy development, and just in time advice related to board effectiveness and the board’s oversight of human resources, legal and financial matters. Her governance experience spans nearly 15 years, both as a board member and an executive reporting to boards.

“The impact of a board’s decision can reach far beyond the organization that it serves. Through my background as a lawyer and a Chartered Professional Accountant working both with, and on boards, I came to realize just how important a role boards play in our society. And the more I learned through that experience, the more I was inspired to pursue a career in governance.To make progress in some of the most challenging areas that our world is facing, such as DEI and ESG, boards must be engaged. At WATSON, I am fortunate to work with boards that are committed to making our world a better place for everyone.”    

Jodi brings more than 20 years’ experience in governance and law, working with public and private corporations, public sector entitles, member-based organizations, regulatory bodies, and not-for-profit organizations. At WATSON, Jodi connects governance with people, strategy, and operations to bring a wealth of practical know-how to boards and executive teams.

“I got my start in governance as General Counsel at Mount Sinai Hospital where the new Chair wanted to drive change in the culture at the Hospital. He knew that needed to include the tone and practices at the top, and I saw first-hand how that shaped the future of the whole organization. The rest for me is history … from joining boards to joining the fabulous WATSON team!”

With nearly 25 years of experience as a director, corporate secretary and general counsel, and a deep knowledge of emerging governance issues, Manijeh Colabella provides thoughtful insight and expertise to boards and management teams that are practical, effective and enhance their organization’s success.

“I came to governance through my role as a general counsel and corporate secretary for a publicly traded Canadian company. I loved the interaction and collaboration between board and management, particularly on strategic matters that drove the future of the organization, and it’s this strategic, collaborative aspect that led me to WATSON and a full-time career as a board advisor.

 It is very rewarding working with boards and their management teams, guiding them in building healthy dynamics and governance practices as they get ready to shape the futures of their organizations.”

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the BC Police Boards Training Program in partnership with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Read more about the program and WATSON’s partnership with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General here: New training strengthens police oversight, governance | BC Gov News

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day – Embrace Equity – is especially close to our hearts here at WATSON.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is an integral part of WATSON’s DNA and incorporated in every engagement we undertake. Our firm is woman-founded and women-led, with women making up over 75% of our Senior Leadership Team.

Recently, we completed a CEO search for One Girl Can, an organization whose mission is to create opportunities for young women through a holistic model of education, mentorship, and training, and this year the WATSON team celebrated International Women’s Day by working through One Girl Can to sponsor a scholarship for a third-year high school student in Kenya. We are humbled to be able to help this incredible young woman access equal opportunity to education.

And while equal opportunities are a huge step in the right direction, we also recognize that to reach gender equality, opportunity must be tied to equitable action. Let’s act to embrace equity together, today and all days.