WATSON Webinars

Is DEI in Your DNA? Embedding DEI in the Fabric of Your Board.

It’s 2022 and it’s highly likely that almost every board will add Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to their agenda.

Boards are steadily making progress in terms of their capability, focus and impact in this area yet most have gaps, and few are at a stage where they would say that DEI is a true strength in their work.

Moderated by Rachel O’Connor, join WATSON senior governance consultant, Jodi Butts, and guest panelist David Simmonds as they discuss about what comes next in DEI. They’ll look at how boards can get ahead of the curve and be ready for the next conversations in DEI. This is about what your board can do to feel truly ready for whatever might come next.

We’ll discuss:

• Where most boards are focused today
• Where they need to expand their thinking and their work
• What leading boards are doing

We’ll bring the topic to life by combining WATSON’s knowledge with real-world insights from guest panelist, David Simmonds, who sees this topic from multiple vantage points: as a director, an executive, and an advisor. We’ll be sure to leave ample time for Q&A and discussion so we can tap into the wisdom and experience of the group.

When: January 25, 1pm EST / 10am PST

Register HERE.

Registration is Complimentary

Prepare to Transition – What the New Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act Means For Your Organization’s Governance

Did you hear? The new Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (the Act) came into force in late October 2021, reflecting an important move to modernize the corporate legislation for not-for-profits in Ontario.

Organizations incorporated under Ontario provincial legislation have three years to come into compliance (sigh of relief), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about the transition now. With such diversity in the sector, the new legislation will have varying impacts, and this can be an opportune time to evolve your organization’s governance structure and approach, or to make long needed changes in these key areas.

Join WATSON’s Natasha Himer in conversation with fellow governance expert Teresa Budd as they host a webinar shedding light on key changes and answering your questions.

In this session, you will:

• Learn about key provisions in the new Act
• Think about the transition from a governance perspective
• Hear lessons learned from similar transitions in the BC and federal jurisdictions
• Explore what your board should be thinking about now as your organization prepares for this transition

Date: November 30, 2021

Time: 9:00 – 9:50 am PST / 12:00 – 12:50pm EST

Cost: FREE

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6516365815082/WN_M3FfysUJRGaotRejYKQ53A

Change comes with a lot of questions, and we want to get to them all. Send us yours in advance at academy@watsoninc.ca

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