Connecting The Dots

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Jim Hamilton, an iconic professor at Smith School of Business known for teaching sales, for a conversation about listening, influence, and the human skills behind every great conversation. Jim challenges the traditional idea that sales is simply about pitching or convincing, and explains why the best salespeople are often the ones who ask bet...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada & Chile, for a conversation about leadership, AI, creativity, and building a meaningful career in a rapidly changing world. Anthony shares how his nonlinear path was shaped by mentors, uncomfortable opportunities, and a shift from chasing personal achievement to helping others grow. In just a few minu...

In Part Two of Connecting the Dots , I continue my conversation with Ken Wilden. What picks up from the turning point we paused on becomes a practical look at performing under pressure, learning from failure, and staying sharp when the stakes are high. In this episode, Ken breaks down how he approaches feedback, checks his ego at the door, and uses setbacks (including major crashes), as fuel for g...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Ken Wilden, a professional race car driver, stunt man, and Ferrari driver coach who’s built a career in environments where pressure is constant and mistakes are costly. What began behind the wheel evolved into a life shaped by risk, resilience, and mastery; from racing at elite speeds, to recovering from major crashes, to coaching drivers at...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Nick Dean, a creative leader who has built his career at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and people-first leadership. As President of one of Canada’s most recognizable restaurant brands, The Keg, Nick has spent years shaping environments where people feel seen, empowered, and excited to grow. In just a few minutes, Nick breaks down...

In Part Two of Connecting the Dots, I continue my conversation with Randy Powell. What starts with the risk story we paused on becomes a practical playbook for running the room, raising the hiring bar, and executing when the numbers are fuzzy. In this episode, Randy shares how he pressure-tests his gut with the team, makes the call, and owns the result. His story is a reminder that the long game i...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Randy Powell, a president and people-first leader who’s scaled brands across food, retail, and consumer goods. What started as a “spiral up” at Campbell Soup evolved into leading organizations at SC Johnson, Second Cup, and Maple Leaf Foods, and even owning a brewery. In Part One, Randy shares how he trusts his intuition, listens hard, and ma...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Renata Chubb — a graphic designer who walked away from the commercial design world to pursue something deeper. What started as a personal creative outlet evolved into a full-blown practice in expressive art therapy. In just 10 minutes, Renata shares how she followed her instincts, embraced the mess, and built a career rooted in healing throu...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Paulo Rhee - the son of immigrants who started in private equity, pivoted into hedge funds, and eventually took a leap to build something of his own. In just 10 minutes, Paulo shares how he spotted an overlooked opportunity turned and why starting a hedge fund doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s playbook. His story is a reminder that t...

In this episode of  Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Luis Almeida Fernandes, former McKinsey Partner and healthcare leader now driving impact as an entrepreneur. In just 10 minutes, Luis shares how his journey through consulting and public service led to the founding of Usawa Care. His story is a powerful example of what happens when experience meets purpose. We talk about making bold career ...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with John Steadman — former varsity swimmer and educator making an impact on the court and in the classroom. In just 10 minutes, John shares how he's built a meaningful path beyond sport by staying true to himself. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t require a perfect plan — just presence, purpose, and patience. We talk about navigating t...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Jules Porter, Director of Programs at the Jays Care Foundation. In just 10 minutes, Jules shares her journey from camp to career, reflecting on many incredible adventures where she supported NGO initiatives to help kids in need across the globe. We explore her inspiration for social impact work, how she made a life out of it, and her advice...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Jayne McCaw, President & Founder of Jayne’s Cottages, winner of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Start-Up Award, and a pioneer in the luxury cottage rental industry. In just 10 minutes, Jayne shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, detailing how she built a thriving business by identifying an untapped market and bu...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Roy Benin, President & CEO of The Beer Store, a globally recognized CMO, and a dedicated marathon runner. In just 10 minutes, Roy takes us through his unique journey to leadership, sharing how he navigates challenges with a people-first mindset and his advice on becoming your own leader. We discuss his approach to turning ideas into mean...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Sarah Arulanandam, a trailblazer in both academia and business. In just 10 minutes, Sarah reflects on her journey through education and the corporate world, sharing how she persevered through systemic challenges. We discuss her experiences overcoming obstacles, her advice on staying committed to your passions, and how she has helped redefine...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Mike Murray, managing partner and co-founder of Peloton Capital, and a 13-time Ironman triathlete. In 10 minutes, Mike reflects on his journey in private equity and endurance sports, sharing key lessons he’s learned along the way. We discuss what inspired him to start Peloton Capital, how Ironman taught him the value of mental resilience, his...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots , I sit down with Carl Oxholm, the acclaimed author of The Biology of Leadership , a Forbes top 5 must-read on business leadership. In 10 minutes, we explore the exhilarating journey of taking that first bold step, the power of building unstoppable momentum, the importance of forging a strong, supportive network, and the art of turning obstacles into opportun...

This prelude episode will give you an idea of what to expect in this series, but remember, I'm still figuring this whole podcast thing out! I'm excited to take you along a journey of memorable moments, and hope you enjoy listening in!