Courage Inc.

Racialized people in leadership are under-represented compared with their presence in the university population. The number of women among full-time academic teaching staff in senior administrative roles at Canadian public universities is growing-but not fast enough. Enter Dean of Smith School of Business at Queen's University, Dr. Wanda Costen. She is a champion of inclusiveness in business, research, managing diversity, racial inequality, women in leadership, and strategic human resources. Listen as she shares the courage needed to create diverse spaces and integrate community into business.

The oil and gas industry is under pressure to accelerate towards a decarbonized future.The energy transition has quickly become their priority. That means green investments and a hard pivot towards becoming energy companies, which lets them engage in a broader range of technologies. These efforts require bold and courageous leadership. Who better to change an oil and gas company from the inside out than its first Chief Climate Officer-Martha Hall Findlay. Duncan learns about her personal journey, current role at Suncor, work with Indigenous communities, the future of oil sand companies here and around the world.

If you are in need, can you help others? The answer for Dr. Mohamad Fakih is a resounding “yes”. Founder of the Middle Eastern restaurant chain Paramount Fine Foods, which has rapidly expanded across North America and internationally, Mr. Fakih has become well known for his charitable work and community service. Displaced from his home, because of war in his youth, having to pivot and work his way towards a better future, he understands the meaning of sweat equity. So did those who believed in his ambition, positive attitude and courage. Showing commitment to hiring those who are new to Canada is one way he shows gratitude for opportunities in a country that has shown him kindness. Recently, he was named to the Order of Canada for his business and community leadership, as well as his philanthropic contributions. Mohamad says: “if you give more, you get more back”. Duncan Sinclair finds out how. 

Our future in Canada includes more courage and action to end racial inequality. The COVID 19 pandemic exposed and intensified pre existing inequities. Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, named one of the nation's most influential power brokers by the Globe and Mail, Wes Hall is well poised to invest in racial equity in organizations. He is leading by example in dismantling anti-black racism and creating a more inclusive economy through his Black North Initiative. Nearly 500 leaders of Canadian organizations have expressed a commitment toward advancing the economic empowerment of black people. Duncan talks to Wes about his journey, inspiration and commitment to a more equitable society.

As the world forages for what the "new normal" might encompass, in Canada, it is incumbent on our vision and courage to build the future we want. On Season 2 of Courage Incorporated, host Duncan Sinclair continues conversations with courageous and powerful voices from the world of business and policy tasked with directing the future of their industries. Subscribe to even more courageous leadership!

Monique Leroux is the Chair of the Industry Strategy Council, the government advisory forum dedicated to studying industry fallout from COVID-19. She speaks with host Duncan Sinclair about the forum's recommendations, her personal commitment to gender equity, and her optimism that Canada can become a world leader in the ESG movement.   Courage Inc. is a podcast series hosted by Deloitte Canada and produced by The Walrus Lab.

Maryscott Greenwood, better known as Scotty, is a former political appointee in the Clinton Administration who is Partner and Managing Director at Crestview Strategy US LLC as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian-American Business Council. She speaks with host Duncan Sinclair about the state of the Canada - U.S relationship in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in American political direction. Courage Inc. is a podcast series hosted by Deloitte Canada and produced by The Walrus Lab.

Laura Jones is the Executive Vice-President and Chief Strategic Officer at the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses. She speaks with host Duncan Sinclair about the importance of Canada's small and medium-sized businesses, and how the CFIB supports them and advocates on their behalf, as they navigate serious economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Courage Inc. is a podcast series hosted by Deloitte Canada. It is produced by The Walrus Lab.

Andria Barrett is the President of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, and co-founder of The Diversity Agency. She speaks with host Duncan Sinclair about her leadership journey, advocating for members of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce in the midst of a pandemic, and what corporate Canada must do to include and support Black Canadians in business. Courage Inc. is a podcast series hosted by Deloitte Canada. It is produced by The Walrus Lab.

Tabatha Bull is the President of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Businesses. She speaks with host Duncan Sinclair about advocating for Indigenous businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in her role at CCAB, and the leadership journey that brought her there. They discuss the unique barriers facing Indigenous companies, the value of supporting these businesses through procurement, and why Indigenous economic inclusion means that "...there isn't an indigenous economy, it's all the Canadian economy and indigenous businesses have an equitable place within that economy." Courage Inc. is a five-part podcast series from Deloitte Canada. It is produced by The Walrus Lab.

When our sightlines on the future are unclear, it is incumbent on our vision and courage to build the future we want. On Courage Incorporated, host Duncan Sinclair will continue the conversations sparked by The Future Belongs to the Bold into the future, with courageous and powerful voices from the world of business and policy tasked with directing the future of their industries.