Mission Critical with Lance Chung

DEI has become one of the most polarizing conversations in the corporate world, especially in the 2025 Trump era. Is it a critical business strategy, or just corporate virtue signaling? On this episode of Mission Critical with Lance Chung , Lance sits down with Laura McGee, CEO of Diversio, to cut through the noise and uncover what’s really happening behind the headlines. McGee shares how Diversio...

In this episode of Mission Critical (presented by Ryde:), CEO Richard Schmidt joins Lance to explore what modern wellbeing really looks like. Richard shares how his background leading major CPG brands shaped his approach to building Ryde, a fast-growing company focused on functional shots designed for the real rhythms of daily life. During their discussion, Richard breaks down his leadership philo...

What does it really take to become an owner in professional sports? For Brenda Ha, the answer is surprisingly simple: conviction, community, and the courage to raise your hand. In this inspiring episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with AFC Toronto co-owner and investor Brenda Ha to explore how a first-generation Korean Canadian, lifelong Torontonian, and self-described “soccer mom” stepp...

In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Teresa Resch (President of the Toronto Tempo) on set of her GLORY 2025 Women of the Year cover shoot. Teresa walks us through her journey—from shaping the franchise’s identity to designing a brand that captures the heartbeat of Canada's basketball community. She shares how she’s navigating challenges in launching a major-league women’s spo...

In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Andre De Grasse (Canada’s most decorated Olympian) to explore what it really takes to sustain greatness, both on and off the track. From his journey of resilience and reinvention to building a legacy that goes far beyond medals, De Grasse opens up about the mindset, discipline, and purpose that continue to fuel his success. Fresh off voici...

In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Jennifer Meyer, the Los Angeles–based jewelry designer whose eponymous brand has redefined celebrity-driven luxury for nearly two decades. Long before influencer marketing became an industry, Meyer understood the power of emotional connection, storytelling, and authenticity. Her designs—delicate gold charms and signature modern heirlooms—f...

In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with David Zilber — chef, fermentation expert, author, and Top Chef Canada judge — to explore how food reflects who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed. From his groundbreaking work leading the Fermentation Lab at Noma (once named the world’s best restaurant) to his current work in biotechnology, Zilber has become one of the most...

Filmmaker Maggie Kang has captured the world’s imagination with Kpop Demon Hunters , the animated blockbuster that’s topped Netflix’s most-watched list and redefined what global audiences expect from K-pop storytelling. Blending the spectacle of superhero cinema with the infectious energy of Korean pop culture, Kang’s film has inspired entirely new audiences and generations to a story that is univ...

From scaling a billion-dollar tech company to trekking through the Amazon rainforest with Dr. Jane Goodall, Dax Dasilva has learned that growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone. In this episode of Mission Critical , the Lightspeed CEO and Age of Union founder opens up about leadership, purpose, and risk—sharing lessons from both the boardroom and the jungle. We talk about how s...

Hosted in partnership with Holt Renfrew, host Lance Chung sits down for a follow-up interview with Yung Wu—co-founder of the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect and former CEO of MaRS Discover District. In their discussion, the two catch up for a live recording of the Mission Critical podcast to chat about leadership style, artificial intelligence, advice on how to navigate a volatil...

In recent years, Toronto has made bold moves that signal its evolution into a true global sports capital — from the launch of the PWHL and AFC Toronto, to the announcement of a WNBA expansion team and the NHL’s renewed focus on international competition through the Four Nations Face-Off. And in the next two years, that momentum will reach a new peak as the city prepares to host World Cup matches i...

From grassroots leagues to the global pitch, Canadian soccer has come a long way—but the journey is far from over. As Toronto prepares to become a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the spotlight is not only on the players but on the systems, the people, and the communities that have shaped the game here at home. Recorded live at the 2025 GLORY Sports Summit (powered by GE Appliances) in Toron...

Diana Matheson is one of the most decorated athletes in Canadian soccer history — an Olympian, a World Cup veteran, and the player responsible for one of the most iconic moments in Canadian sport: that 92nd-minute goal at London 2012 that secured Canada’s first medal in a traditional team sport in over 70 years. But what might be even more historic is what she’s doing now. As the co-founder of Pro...

Recorded live at the 2025 GLORY Sports Summit (powered by GE Appliances) in Toronto, this specia episode features Jesse Marsch, Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team. In less than a year, Toronto will serve as one of the key host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, welcoming fans and teams from around the globe. Sure, this opportunity is about roaring stadiums and matchdays. But it...

What happens when you blend Indigenous values, entrepreneurial grit, and a mission to do business differently? You get Cheekbone Beauty, one of Canada’s most purpose-driven beauty brands—and the brainchild of Jenn Harper. In this live episode of Mission Critical recorded in Toronto at Waterworks Food Hall, Lance sits down with Jenn to unpack her incredible journey—from overcoming addiction and sel...

What does it take to thrive as both a designer and an entrepreneur? In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Lesley Hampton—Indigenous artist, acclaimed fashion designer, and founder of her namesake brand—for a conversation about creativity, community, and self-preservation. From dressing icons like Lizzo, Lily Gladstone, and Sandra Oh, to challenging colonial norms in fashion, L...

This episode is presented in partnership with Mastercard Canada. Listen now and join the Mastercard Small Business Community—a network built to help entrepreneurs learn, grow, and connect. Sign up at mastercard.ca/smallbusiness. What if a beverage could change how we gather, how we connect, and how we feel seen? In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Andrea Grand, co-founder of...

This episode is presented in partnership with Mastercard Canada. Listen now and join the Mastercard Small Business Community—a network built to help entrepreneurs learn, grow, and connect. Sign up at mastercard.ca/smallbusiness . What if networking wasn’t transactional, intimidating, or exclusive—but reimagined as a safe, empowering, and welcoming experience for ambitious women? That’s the mission...

What does it mean to reclaim space in a world that was never built with you in mind? And how do you transform platforms designed for performance into spaces for healing, community, and cultural resurgence? In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance sits down with Shayla Stonechild, a powerful voice in the movement to uplift Indigenous stories, wisdom, and wellness. As the founder of the Matriarch...

Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. And in a world where LGBTQ+ lives are still under threat, that call has never been more urgent. In this powerful episode, Lance sits down with Latoya Nugent, Head of Engagement at Rainbow Railroad, an international organization helping LGBTQI+ individuals escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. Latoya speaks not only as a leader, but...

Happy Pride Month, everyone. Pride is many things—celebration, visibility, love—but it’s also resistance. It began as a protest, led by queer and trans people who demanded to be seen, safe, and free. And while we celebrate today, that original spirit feels more urgent than ever. Across the world, queer and trans communities are facing renewed backlash—their rights questioned, their bodies debated,...

In this episode of Mission Critical , Lance catches up with David and Kavi Moltz, the husband-and-wife duo behind the cult fragrance brand D.S. & DURGA. You might recognize their minimalist, design-forward bottles on the shelves of your favorite department store—clean fonts, matte black caps, and labels that evoke poetry, punk, and place in equal measure. But what you won’t see on the shelf is the...

Today’s guest knows what it means to disrupt the status quo. Carinne Chambers-Saini is the co-founder and CEO of Diva, the Canadian company that put menstrual cups on the map long before the fem-care space was even a thing—they created an entire business category. While most brands steered clear of the stigma around menstruation, Carinne leaned in, using her platform to advocate for body autonomy,...

What does it mean to be a ‘modern Inuk woman’—and who gets to define that? That’s one of the many bold questions  North of North  poses. It’s the first large-scale TV series shot in Nunavut, co-produced by CBC and Netflix, and presented by APTN, with over 500 locals cast as background actors and a $23 million impact on the Canadian economy. But beyond the numbers, it’s a groundbreaking s...

The Met Gala is fashion’s grandest stage — a place where style, celebrity, and cultural commentary collide in a single, glittering red carpet. But even amid the extravagance and fantasy, some things remain untouched. Why do so many men still cling to the sartorial safety net of conservative suiting and restraint? And what does it reveal about the ways we continue to police masculinity, even in spa...