WATSON Speaks

Recent events have shone a spotlight on the changing role of the CEO (and corporation) in society. Highly charged issues including gun control, climate change, carbon economy, living wage, indigenous rights, systemic racism, BLM and #MeToo have found their way onto the corporate agenda as many customers, employees and other stakeholders have demanded the CEO and corporation take a public stand on the issues. An outstanding panel of CEOs, who are also independent board directors, will discuss this new reality from their perspective.

Join Liz Watson and the esteemed panelists; Ian Anderson, President & CEO, Trans Mountain Corporation., Scott Thomson, President & CEO, Finning International Inc., and Tamara Vrooman, President & CEO Vancouver Airport Authority.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020
11:00AM EST / 9:00AM MDT / 8:00AM PDT

More information HERE

The dynamic duo of board and management is critical to an organization’s effective functioning, and critical to its success.

In this unique relationship, these two groups must balance alignment and collaboration with the need for clear boundaries between operations and oversight.

It’s not as easy as it sounds, especially when organizations are experiencing the stresses of challenge and opportunity.

Join WATSON’s Practice Leads, Rachel O’Connor and Sharon Rudy, and our featured guests panelists: Glenn Wong, Founder of Catalyst Solutions Ltd and LIFT Philanthropy Partners Board Chair, and Bev Briscoe, current Board Chair of Kal Tire , Chair of the Board of Richie Bros. Auctioneers Inc., Lead Director of Goldcorp Inc., and Director of Newmont Inc., as they share their unvarnished stories and experience from both sides of this duo.

We will explore:

• What makes for an effective relationship between Boards, CEOs and executives?
• What are the practices, boundaries and dynamics that make a difference?
• Where do the cracks tend to appear under strain? What are the pitfalls to watch out for?
• How do you adjust the dynamic when you need to, whether to respond to a short-term situation or address an issue?

Boards and executive teams are under significant pressure right now. In times of uncertainty, relationships, communications, and lines of accountability are tested and strained – and can fray.

Learn how you can strengthen your relationship and be better prepared to face the coming months of pandemic recovery – and build a strong organization for the long term.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020
1:00PM EDT/ 2:00PM ADT/ 12:00PM CDT/ 11:00AM MDT/ 10:00AM PDT

More information HERE

In case you missed the webinar, catch it HERE!

This time of challenge and change is also a powerful learning opportunity for family enterprises and their leaders. Join FEX, WATSON and our family enterprise panelists as we learn from the experiences of family enterprise leaders, the findings from the Family Business Pulse Survey, and emerging insight into what has helped leaders and businesses survive and thrive. We’re looking forward to a conversation with our panelists and with you – positioning family enterprise to strengthen as we move forward.

We’ll explore:

• What the Family Business Pulse Survey tells us about the experiences and takeaways for family enterprises during COVID
• The experiences of our panelists – challenges, leadership, and lessons learned
• Recent research and findings around leaders and leadership teams that perform well through challenge, change and opportunity – and implications for a family business context
• Your questions and the contributions not only of our panelists but of our family enterprise community participants

Thursday, October 22, 2020
1:00PM EDT/ 2:00PM ADT/ 12:00PM CDT/ 11:00AM MDT/ 10:00AM PDT

More information HERE

WATSON is proud to partner with CPABC to deliver a new CPABC executive education program (Fall 2020). Teresa Budd, WATSON Governance Advisor will deliver a three-day workshop that will combine content from WATSON’s Flagship Governing with Intention™ and Chair with Intention™ courses to equip current and future directors with the skills needed to navigate the modern boardroom. It will take place on October 26-28 in Vancouver.

For more information about WATSON’s course with CPABC, or to register today, click here. 

Also highlighted, is Heather Kelsall, WATSON Governance Associate, who authors the featured article “Leveraging Your CPA Designation in the Boardroom”, (page 44), and Jane Butterfield, WATSON Practice Lead, Advisory, is featured (page 18) a as Fellow for the incredible accomplishments she has earned over her career.