In this episode, Nancy MacKay hosts Keith Ippel and Natalie Michael to discuss the challenges and triumphs of social purpose leadership. They explore the loneliness often felt by CEOs, the importance of health and well-being, and the transformative role of AI in business. Keith shares his journey as a social purpose entrepreneur and the impact of his co-CEO model, while Natalie discusses her work in supporting CEO transitions. Together, they emphasize the need for community, coaching, and innovation in leadership.

Keith Ippel is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has co-founded five ventures including Spring Activator, a Vancouver based incubator and accelerator that exists to change the world through innovation. A global company, Spring has supported over 3,300 purpose driven companies across Canada to launch and scale their impact, and 1,100+ Canadians to step into impact investing. Keith also co-founded Spring Impact Capital Fund, an early stage VC that focuses at the intersection of people and planetary health. Keith holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business.

Natalie Michael is a Master Certified MacKay CEO Forum chair, executive coach, and succession consultant who helps CEOs and executives grow their leadership and navigate C-suite transitions. She’s passionate about building socially responsible, high-quality businesses and believes personal fulfillment drives long-term success. Over the past decade, she has coached hundreds of leaders, led world-class development programs, and chairs multiple CEO groups. Natalie is a Partner at Waterfront Partners and co-author of Your CEO Succession Playbook and author of The Duck and The Butterfly. Natalie is known for connecting leaders who share goals and strengthening executive communities.

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In this episode of the It's Lonely at the Top podcast, Nancy MacKay interviews Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO of Meridian Credit Union, discussing her journey from HR to CEO, the importance of peer groups, and the challenges of leadership. Jay-Ann shares insights on overcoming loneliness at the top, inspiring leadership practices, and the role of mental fitness and positive intelligence in her daily routine. The conversation also delves into the integration of AI in business and how to address workforce concerns regarding AI adoption.

Jay-Ann Gilfoy joined Meridian as President & CEO on January 3, 2022. She is focused on leveraging Meridian’s unique value proposition to transform the business, achieve its winning aspiration, and secure its future. In collaboration with the Board and senior management, she is responsible for articulating the organization’s strategy and delivering on its purpose of helping Members and customers achieve a better life, while growing the business.

Jay-Ann’s wealth of business transformation, social impact, and leadership expertise has been cultivated over more than 20 years as a senior executive in a broad range of roles and experiences in the private and public sector and co-operative financial services.

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In this episode of 'It's Lonely at the Top,' Nancy MacKay hosts Sushant Trivedi and Nico Human, discussing the challenges and triumphs of leadership. They explore the loneliness that often accompanies high-level positions, the importance of peer support, and strategies for self-leadership and accountability. Sushant shares his journey from being an immigrant to becoming a successful CEO, while Nico reflects on his experiences and the significance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly digital world. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in business transformation and the necessity of prioritizing health and well-being as a leader.

Sushant Trivedi is the Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Tracks Canada, a leading travel company specializing in custom-designed Canadian travel experiences. As CEO, Sushant is responsible for setting the strategic vision, driving growth, and leading a values-driven organization that blends operational excellence with exceptional client experiences. He is known for his thoughtful, people-first leadership style and his ability to navigate complexity with clarity, balancing performance, culture, and long-term stewardship while guiding teams through change and scale.

Nico Human is a Master Certified Forum Chair with MacKay CEO Forums, where he facilitates confidential peer groups for CEOs and senior executives. In this role, Nico creates a trusted, high-performance environment that enables leaders to work through their most pressing business and personal challenges. He is widely respected for his calm presence, sharp listening skills, and ability to guide deep, practical conversations that lead to better decision-making, stronger leadership, and sustained impact both inside and outside the organization.

Join a MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Peer Group:

MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. www.mackayceoforums.com/members/

Louise is the CEO of Erickson Coaching International. Established in 1980, Erickson has trained over 55,000+ professional coaches and worked with leaders in 125+ countries. Louise has a 25-year career spanning across multiple industries including consulting, education, non-profit, financial services and coaching. She has a Master’s Degree in Business (summa cum laude and top student) and completed her published thesis on the topic of Work-Life Integration. She is a qualified teacher, counselor/coach and has a particular passion for human development, but she calls herself a chameleon leader.

Since its inception, Erickson has pioneered transformational change in individuals and organizations using a methodology of coaching techniques informed by neuroscience that are action-based and future-focused. Above all, Erickson is committed to empowering people by placing emphasis on solutions rather than problems. With a strong track record of implementing long lasting positive change in Fortune 500 companies such as SAP and Google, Erickson has earned a reputation as one of the most recognized human development institutes in the world.

Louise is a relational person, and this started when her mother drilled in the ‘importance of success’ in life, and in business which lead to Louise’s success in growing Erickson Consulting. Currently residing in South Africa, Louise is a scuba diving enthusiast, and strongly believes in a coach approach to leadership.

In this podcast, hear Nancy and Louise discuss Louise’s childhood, her family, how she leveled up to get the Erickson CEO role, and the importance of receiving coaching despite your professional role.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI, by Fei-Fei Li.

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We’re pleased to have connected with David Poirier, CEO, The Poirier Group. David is an accomplished leader having progressed in his earlier career from retail clerk (while in University), to Executive and C-Suite roles in major National Grocery and Retail organizations, as well as an International Health and Life Sciences corporation.

The Poirier Group is a boutique management consulting firm operating throughout North America. They focus on executing your strategy, optimizing your processes, increasing your productivity and reducing your costs. David’s innate ability to navigate organizational bottlenecks that impede progress, and his influential style for conflict resolution across all levels of an organization have been key to instilling a culture of teamwork, focus and accountability leading to lasting change for his clients.

David is a CEO, Professional Engineer and Professional Logistician. David has won numerous awards for contributions to The University of Toronto, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and for his career achievements in engineering and management. Partner of 20 years to Tina and together they have 10 children and 11 grandchildren.

In this episode, Nancy and David discuss how The Poirier Group grew from 5 to over 50 people while having maintained an enviable record of 100% positive client experience, the power of peer learning, and David’s elevation in business and science.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠Rocket Fuel: the one essential combination that will get you more of what you want from your business, by Geno Wickman and Mark Winters.

JOIN A MACKAY CEO PEER GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Cameron Herold is the founder of the COO Alliance and the Invest In Your Leaders Course, not to mention the author of six books, including "Vivid Vision" and "The Second In Command." As the former COO of 1-800-Got-Junk?, he took the company from $2 million to a staggering $106 million in revenue, and from 14 to 3,100 employees, all in just six years. Cameron is no stranger to the global stage. He's a top-rated international speaker who's been paid to share his wisdom in 26 countries and on all 7 continents, including Antarctica! With the nickname "CEO Whisperer," Cameron is known for helping his clients double their profits and revenue in just three years or less.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ⁠'The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO', By Cameron Herold

JOIN A MACKAY CEO FORUMS GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. ⁠⁠⁠Learn more.⁠⁠⁠

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Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sara Daw, the Group CEO of The CFO Centre. With over 19 years at The CFO Centre, Sara has spearheaded the growth of her organizations, revolutionizing the landscape of C-suite services across 17 countries.

A graduate in Chemistry from Oxford University, Sara's journey from Chartered Accountant at Deloitte to earning an MBA from The London Business School, and most recently, a Specialized Masters in Consulting and Coaching for Change jointly run by Oxford University and HEC Paris, showcases her relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise.

As the author of "Strategy and Leadership as Service: How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite" (published with Routledge) and co-author of "Executive Freedom" (2019), Sara offers invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics of leadership in the modern era.

But beyond her professional achievements, Sara opens up about her personal life, sharing stories of her 25-year marriage to Andrew and her pride in raising three almost grown-up daughters.

Tune in as Sara Daw shares her journey, wisdom, and passion for leadership, offering inspiration and guidance for aspiring leaders everywhere.

TODAY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: ‘⁠Strategy and Leadership as Service: How the Access Economy Meets the C-Suite’, by today’s podcast guest, Sara Daw.

JOIN A MACKAY CEO FORUMS GROUP TODAY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MacKay CEO Forums⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ brings results-oriented CEOs, Executives, and Business Leaders together to solve their toughest problems and maximize opportunity through peer learning and support. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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