Be It Resolved is where bold ideas meet courageous leadership. Hosted by Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada, this podcast delves into the key corporate governance issues shaping boardroom decisions today. With the governance landscape facing emerging risks, changes, trends, and shifts, Canadian boards and directors must leverage governance leadership strategies to navigate unprecedented times successfully. If you're eager to deepen your boardroom insights and stay ahead of evolving trends, this podcast 

is for you.

Are Canadian boards too cautious to foster real economic growth? In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), sits down with Nik Nanos, founder and Chief Data Scientist at Nanos Research, to explore how corporate boards can better navigate risk, engage in policy discussions, and drive innovation for long-term competitiveness.

With shifting global markets, evolving regulations, and increasing stakeholder expectations, corporate boards must rethink their approach to risk and innovation. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of Canadian board leadership.

Be it resolved that Canadian boards are too risk-averse to drive economic growth.

To our listeners - which way would you vote? 

For more information on Nanos Research, please visit their website: https://nanos.co/. 

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/.

Directors need more decisive leadership and organizational resilience than ever in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. In this episode of Be It Resolved, brought to you by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in Canada, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the ICD, sits down with Major-General Darcy Molstad, Chief of Force Development in the Canadian Armed Forces, to explore strategies for effective crisis leadership and resilience-building.

With decades of experience leading in high-stakes environments, Major-General Molstad provides actionable insights on navigating crises, fostering adaptability, and building a resilient organizational culture. He shares lessons from military strategy that directly apply to corporate governance, crisis management, and leadership development.

This episode is essential for board directors, executives, and organizational leaders who want to enhance their ability to manage uncertainty and prepare for the unexpected.

For expert advice on leadership, resilience, and corporate governance, visit the Institute of Corporate Directors: https://www.icd.ca/.

As Canadian businesses grapple with a weakened dollar, rising tariffs, and the threat of foreign encroachment, how can public companies protect themselves during turbulent times? In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), sits down with Walied Soliman, Canadian Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright and Co-Chair of the Special Situations team, to explore the importance of poison pills in safeguarding public companies during periods of economic uncertainty.

A leading authority in corporate law and governance, Walied discusses the relevance of poison pills in the Canadian landscape compared to the U.S., the increasing wave of shareholder activism, and the steps boards should take to protect Canadian companies. The conversation also highlights how directors can balance fiduciary and patriotic duties while navigating regulatory challenges and hostile bids.
Be it resolved that poison pills are important tools for public companies in times of tariffs and trade wars. To our listeners—how will you vote?

For more information on Norton Rose Fulbright, please visit their website: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

Climate risk and sustainability are no longer peripheral concerns; they’re boardroom imperatives. From evolving ESG regulations to heightened stakeholder expectations, directors must ensure their organizations are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with Sarah Keyes, Partner in PwC Canada’s Sustainability Strategy & Transformation practice, to explore the critical role of boards in overseeing sustainability strategy, climate risk, and long-term value creation. Drawing on her deep expertise in sustainability, governance, and risk, Sarah offers practical insights on regulatory trends, board strategy, and what it takes to lead with resilience in a rapidly changing world.

Be it resolved that the boardroom is where climate leadership begins. Which way will YOU vote?

As the regulatory landscape grows more complex, how can corporate boards balance compliance with effective strategic oversight? In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Jonathan
Goodman. He is a Vice Chair and member of the board of Deloitte Canada, where he leads the firm’s CEO and Boardroom programs, including Deloitte Canada’s Podium Club for Directors. He is also Global Chair and former global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte. Jonathan brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of strategy, governance, and CEO leadership. Together, they discuss how compliance culture is shaping boardroom decision-making. From setting strong compliance frameworks without stifling strategy to navigating the fine line between prudence and paralysis, this podcast covers the challenges and opportunities facing today’s boards. Are increased compliance pressures distracting directors from their core mandate? And if so, what is the antidote?

Be it resolved that a strict focus on compliance limits board effectiveness.

To our listeners—where do you stand?

For more information on Deloitte Canada, please visit their website: https://deloitte.ca/.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/.

As Canada seeks to strengthen its global economic position, how can Indigenous partnerships play a pivotal role in driving growth, innovation, and long-term success? 

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with John Desjarlais, Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network, and Trent Zacharias, Director of Community and Indigenous Affairs at Cenovus Energy, to discuss the essential role of Indigenous partnerships in shaping Canada’s business landscape.

From governance frameworks to geopolitical shifts, this conversation explores why Indigenous inclusion is not just a social responsibility but a critical business strategy. What are the risks for companies that fail to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities? How does Indigenous representation on boards impact corporate decision-making? And in an evolving political climate, how can businesses prepare for the future while fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships?

Join us for an insightful discussion on how Indigenous partnerships are shaping Canada’s economic future.

Be it resolved that Indigenous partnerships are critical to unlocking Canada’s global competitiveness.

To our listeners—what do YOU think?

For more information on the Indigenous Resource Network, please visit their website: https://www.indigenousresourcenetwork.ca/

For more information on Cenovus Energy, please visit their website: https://www.cenovus.com/

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/ 

Ethics in business is no longer a "nice to have — it's non-negotiable. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with José Hernandez, Founder and CEO of Ortus Strategies, to break down why ethical leadership is not just about doing the right thing, but about safeguarding long-term value, brand integrity, and organizational resilience.

From the pressures of geopolitical tensions and trade tariffs to the temptation of short-term gains, leaders are increasingly at risk of cutting corners. José explains why boards must go beyond aspirations and embed ethics into strategy, processes, and culture, because without a clear ethical compass, even individuals with good intentions may still make unethical decisions.

We explore how boards can set the tone from the top, implement meaningful oversight, and build systems that reinforce trust, especially when operating across diverse cultural landscapes. Learn why ethics is not only the last line of defence, but a powerful driver of stakeholder trust and brand value.

Be it resolved: Ethical decisions are the last line of corporate defence—when the pressure is on, which
way will YOU vote?

For more information on Ortus Strategies, please visit their website: https://www.ortusstrategies.com/

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

With cyber threats and AI-driven risks escalating, how can corporate directors ensure their organizations remain resilient and secure?

In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Stephen Burns, Partner at Bennett Jones LLP and Co-Head of the ITB Practice Group. This conversation explores why cybersecurity and AI governance must be viewed as strategic imperatives for boards.

From evolving privacy regulations to the role of AI in corporate decision-making, this conversation explores the responsibilities of directors in safeguarding their organizations against emerging cyber risks. What are the biggest cybersecurity threats facing businesses today? How should board members assess and mitigate AI-related risks? And in a rapidly changing digital landscape, how can companies build a culture of security and resilience?

Join us for an insightful discussion on how directors can navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and AI governance.

Be it resolved that boards need to re-think cyber risk in the age of AI.

To our listeners—how will you vote?

For more information on Bennett Jones, please visit their website: https://www.bennettjones.com/

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

Trust in business is no longer a soft skill—it’s a strategic imperative. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj sits down with Bruce
MacLellan, Founding President of the communications consultancy Proof Strategies, and Kathleen McGinn, co-founder of TrustLab. This discussion explores why trust is not just the foundation of strong relationships but the lifeblood of effective corporate governance, culture,
and performance.
From the boardroom to the front lines, today’s leaders must understand what truly drives trust—and how to build it. Bruce and Kathleen unpack a working definition of trust grounded in vulnerability and introduce the ABI framework—Ability, Benevolence, and Integrity—as a practical lens for leadership.
Together, they examine why trust must be built from the inside out, how it can be measured, and what happens when it breaks down. Learn how trust reduces friction, strengthens collaboration, and enables better decision-making—because when trust is strong, organizations thrive. When it’s not, everything is at risk.

Be it resolved: Trust is a zero-sum game—when the pressure is on, which way will YOU vote?

For more information on Proof Strategies, please visit their website: https://getproof.com/.

For more information on the Institute of Corporate Directors, please visit the ICD website:
https://www.icd.ca/.

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant transformation in how and where business value is created. In this episode of Be It Resolved, host Rahul Bhardwaj speaks with Drew Schardt, Co-Head of Direct Equity Investments at Hamilton Lane.

This episode explores the rise of private markets and the shifting role of the public company model in Canada’s economic landscape. Together, they explore the structural realities of Canadian capital markets, the growing appeal of staying private longer, and how Canadian companies are navigating global trade tensions, supply chain dependencies, and investor expectations.

The conversation also looks at how private companies structure compensation, build agile governance models, and create long-term value while maintaining transparency and trust in the absence of quarterly earnings pressure. From board composition and capital strategy to talent attraction and cross-border expansion, this episode offers key insights into why more Canadian businesses are rethinking the traditional path to going public—and what it means for boards, shareholders, and the broader economy.

Be it resolved: The public company model no longer serves Canadian business—

When the pressure is on, which way will YOU vote?

For more information on Hamilton Lane, visit: 

https://www.hamiltonlane.com/en-us

For more information on the ICD, visit: 

https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Drew Fagan, professor at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, Fulbright visiting professor at Yale, and former senior government leader. Together, they explore why geopolitical fluency is no longer optional for corporate boards.

From shifting U.S.–Canada trade relations to the rise of China, and from national security concerns to AI’s role in global power structures, Fagan unpacks how directors can ask smarter questions, strengthen oversight, and adapt to a rapidly changing global order.

Be It Resolved: It Is the Board’s Job to Be Fluent in Geopolitics. Which Way Will You Vote?

For more information on the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, please visit: https://munkschool.utoronto.ca.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Catherine McCall, CEO of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG), Canada’s foremost organization representing leading institutional investors managing approximately $5.5 trillion in assets. Together, they explore how strong governance practices and effective stewardship are shaping the future of corporate accountability in Canada.

From promoting sound governance across public companies to engaging in regulatory advocacy and global policy discussions, McCall shares insights on how directors can enhance transparency, strengthen investor confidence, and uphold trust in Canada’s capital markets.

Be It Resolved: Quarterly Reports: Fuel for Market Frenzy

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Bill Furlong, executive in residence at the Ivey Business School and co-author of The Character Compass. Bill has spent more than a decade researching leader character, with work published in MIT Sloan Management Review, Business Law International, and the Global Risk Institute. A former vice chair at TD Securities, he has also served on the Ontario Securities Commission and the Capital Markets Tribunal.

Together, they explore today’s resolution and discuss why leader character is emerging as a strategic asset in corporate governance and how directors can embed it to strengthen trust and performance.

Be It Resolved: Character Needs to Be on the Board Matrix.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be it Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Stewart Beck, former President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and Canada’s former High Commissioner to India.

With more than forty years of experience as a diplomat, trade commissioner, and senior advisor, Stewart has advanced Canada’s interests across Asia and the United States—including serving as Consul General in Shanghai and San Francisco. At the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, he deepened Canada’s engagement in the region by building strategic partnerships across policy, trade, technology, and economic security. Drawing on this global perspective, he offers insights into how directors can understand Canada’s role in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape and navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Be It Resolved: Directors need a new playbook for Canada’s place the world.

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Duncan Sinclair, Chair of Deloitte Canada and Chile. With more than 35 years of experience advising clients across industries—from mining and telecommunications to consumer business, manufacturing, and government. Sinclair brings a global perspective shaped by extensive board leadership.

Throughout the episode they explore how boards can navigate emerging challenges and opportunities in an era defined by rapid technological change. Drawing on his deep governance experience, Sinclair shares insights on how directors can strengthen oversight, foster innovation, and position their organizations for long-term success.

Be It Resolved: Boards are having the wrong conversation about AI

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj is joined by Mark Rigotti, Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). Before joining the AICD, Mark served as the global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills, where he chaired the firm’s global executive and held a number of senior leadership roles.

Mark is also a non-executive director of Smart Group Corporation Limited and chairs the global network of director institutes where he and Rahul first met. Together, they explore today’s resolution and discuss key issues shaping contemporary governance and board leadership.

Be It Resolved: Canadian directors should know the Australian director's playbook.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, speaks with Victor Li, Executive Vice President, Governance Advisory at Kingsdale Advisors. A senior advisor to boards and institutional investors, Victor brings more than two decades of experience in shareholder-sensitive governance, activist defence, and contested M&A.

Drawing on his work at Kingsdale and his earlier experience at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), the conversation explores how boards navigate increasing investor scrutiny and rising expectations around governance, disclosure, and engagement.

Be It Resolved: Proxy Advisors Are Another Victim of AI

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, speaks with Chantal Guay, CEO of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), a federal Crown corporation advancing standardization and accreditation nationwide.

Chantal also serves as Vice President of Policy at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), becoming the first woman to lead SCC and represent Canada on the ISO Council. Together, they discuss how standards drive innovation, strengthen competitiveness, and help Canadian companies access global markets.

Be It Resolved: Standards Are the Key for Canadian Companies to Unlock New Global Markets

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Peter Dey, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Paradigm Capital and one of Canada’s most influential voices in corporate governance. With a distinguished career that includes serving on numerous public company boards, chairing the Ontario Securities Commission, and leading the Toronto Stock Exchange Committee on Corporate Governance, Dey is perhaps best known for the landmark 1994 report 'Where Were the Directors?' widely referred to as the'Dey Report'.

Together, they examine why boards must foster a culture that encourages bad news to surface early, particularly in light of evolving disclosure obligations following the Lundin decision. Dey shares insights on how boardroom culture, judgment, and information flow are now central to meeting regulatory expectations and maintaining trust in Canada’s capital markets.

Be It Resolved: Boards Need a Culture Shift to Bad News Early to Meet Disclosure Obligations Post-Lundin.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

Welcome to Be It Resolved, the podcast where bold ideas meet courageous leadership. I am Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada. In each episode, I speak with experts to delve into pressing issues impacting directors and decision-making in the boardroom.

My guest today is Manal Corwin, Director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Prior to joining the OECD, Manal held senior leadership roles at KPMG and the U.S. Treasury Department, where she helped shape major international tax initiatives. Today, she works at the forefront of global tax policy and international cooperation.

Be It Resolved: The Global Minimum Tax is a Game Changer for Board Oversight

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with Jeff Hauswirth, a Board Advisor and seasoned executive search leader with extensive experience supporting boards and leadership teams in Canada and globally. Currently serving as a Board Member at Habitat for Humanity Canada and Fitzrovia, Jeff brings a wealth of insight from his leadership roles at Ferguson Partners and Spencer Stuart, where he led CEO and Board practices.

Drawing on a career that includes over 150 CEO succession and search engagements worldwide, Jeff shares his perspective on executive leadership, succession planning, and the evolving role of boards in shaping organizational success.

Be It Resolved: The Board's Role is to Appoint and Dis-appoint the CEO.

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/

In this episode of Be It Resolved, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, sits down with José Hernández, CEO of Orda Strategies AG, a global crisis management firm.  A CPA and CFA, José brings deep expertise advising boards and governments on fraud, corruption, and misconduct across five continents, helping organizations navigate complex regulatory and enforcement challenges.

An author of Broken Business and a member of the Government of Canada’s Advisory Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing since 2016, José shares a global perspective on trust, accountability, and leadership in times of disruption. Together, they explore today’s resolution: Disruption doesn’t erode trust—it rewards it, unpacking what it means for boards, executives, and institutions operating in an increasingly complex risk environment.

Be It Resolved: Disruption Doesn't Erode Trust, it Rewards it

For more information on the ICD, please visit our website: https://www.icd.ca/