CEO Global Network Podcast

What does it take to rise from store manager to CEO and owner of a beloved Canadian brand? In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, John Wilson sits down with Pino Di Ioia , CEO of BeaverTails Pastry and Moozoo Creamery, to explore the values and lessons that have guided his remarkable journey since 1987. From grit and perseverance to balancing nostalgia with innovation, Pino shares how...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, host John Wilson sits down with Glenn Sommerville, President of High Performance Leaders Inc. and CEO Group Leader and Mentor with CEO Global Network , whose career has spanned executive roles at Honeywell, Toyota, BlackBerry, and Amazon. Glenn shares the biggest leadership lessons he learned while scaling Amazon, how his time at BlackBerry shaped...

What does it look like when a restaurant group pushes beyond industry norms? In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, I sit down with Court Desautels, CEO of Neighbourhood Group of Companies , to talk about building a business that measures success beyond profit. Court shares how unconventional decisions - like providing fully paid health benefits, becoming a Certified B Corporation, and...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast , John Wilson sits down with Jeremy D. Behar, Founder & CEO of Canadian Dental Services Corporation , to explore what it takes to lead with culture, empathy, and vision while scaling a business in a fast-changing industry. Jeremy shares how he built an “A team” leadership circle, why dental care is no longer just about teeth and gums, and how C...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast , host John Wilson sits down with Grant Heggie , President & CEO of Melmart Distributors Inc., a third-generation Canadian flooring company with over 55 years of legacy. Grant shares his insights from nearly 25 years leading Melmart, including how to keep a family-owned business competitive in a fast-changing market. From product innovation and...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, host John Wilson sits down with Eric Phaneuf , President & CEO of Walter Capital Partners , to explore how private equity can go beyond capital and become a true operating partner to entrepreneurs. Eric shares key insights from his journey leading companies like Cascades and Mega Brands, scaling across sectors, and building a PE firm rooted in...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, John Wilson sits down with Nat Korol, Co-Founder of Hyphen Co. , a B2B marketing strategist and advocate for sustainable growth. Nat shares how trail running informs her leadership, why joy must be protected amid entrepreneurial pressure, and what responsible marketing looks like in an increasingly digital world. We explore the values that built H...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast , John Wilson sits down with Josie Erzetic , President and CEO of the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) , to explore how leadership, data, and culture intersect in one of Ontario’s most vital sectors - electrical safety. Josie shares her journey from energy lawyer to CEO, how data-driven decisions are saving lives, and what it takes to lead innovat...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, host John Wilson speaks with Harry Blum , National Managing Partner of RSM Canada, about what it takes to build and lead one of the most distinctive advisory firms in the country - and beyond. Harry shares the leadership philosophy that earned him the Global Leadership Award at the RSM Latin America Conference , the lessons he’s learned scaling fr...

In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast , John Wilson sits down with Stephen Kropf, President of Dundee Recycling, to explore the leadership lessons forged in one of the grittiest and most overlooked industries: scrap metal recycling. Stephen opens up about the challenges and rewards of running a family-owned business, keeping customer service top-tier in a high-volume operation, and how...