Oversight to Insight: Elevating the Board-to-Executive Dynamic
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
6:00 PM
- 9:00 PM ET 
- Toronto,Ontario,Canada
- TMX Market Centre
- 120 Adelaide St W
Join us at the Toronto Stock Exchange for a panel discussion on how the evolving board-executive dynamic is transforming governance, strategy, and leadership at the highest levels
Fees
$35 ($25 for Ivey and GPC Alumni)
The Future of Boardroom Leadership
Today’s most effective boards and executive teams operate as strategic partners, navigating disruptions, shaping long-term value, and driving organizational resilience in real time.
Hosted at the iconic Toronto Stock Exchange, this exclusive forum convenes board directors, executive officers and governance leaders to explore how the dynamic between boards and management is evolving, and what it means for those steering strategy and accountability at the top.
Presented in partnership with the Ivey Alumni Network Toronto Chapter and Governance Professionals of Canada, this timely and strategic dialogue will challenge traditional notions of corporate governance models and deliver actionable insights for current and aspiring board directors, C-Suite leaders, and those who shape decisions at the highest level.
Key Themes
- Insights on how boards and executive teams can evolve from oversight and foresight to sustainable strategic partnership
- Lessons from high-performing boards that drive resilience, innovation, and long-term value
- Understanding of how trust, transparency, and collaboration reshape boardroom effectiveness
- First-hand experiences and candid reflections from respected board chairs and CEOs
- Practical frameworks to strengthen board-management engagement and collaboration
This conversation is designed to benefit board directors, executive decision-makers, and those preparing for board service.
Event Details
6:00 PM – Arrival & Executive Networking
Connect with board directors, C-Suite executives, governance professionals, and alumni leaders over refreshments.
6:30 PM – Panel Discussion
Hear from a distinguished panel of senior leaders as they discuss the evolving board–executive relationship and its impact on strategy, performance, and culture.
7:30 PM – Networking Reception Continues
Deepen the conversation, expand your network, and engage with peers shaping governance and leadership at the highest level.
Leadership Insights You Can Use
- Understand how board-executive dynamics are shifting, and why it matters
- Gain insight into how high-performing boards contribute to strategy
- Hear candid reflections from experienced board chairs and executives
- Connect with leaders across governance, business, and finance
- Leave with practical ideas to strengthen board engagement in your own organization
Guests
Julian Birkinshaw
Dean, Ivey Business School
Julian Birkinshaw is the Dean of Ivey Business School and a globally recognized expert on strategy, innovation, and organizational leadership. Before joining Ivey, he spent over two decades at London Business School, where he served as Deputy Dean and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship. An Ivey MBA and PhD alumnus, Julian has authored numerous books and articles on how large companies adapt to complexity and change. His insights are frequently featured in global media, including The Economist and The Wall Street Journal.
Michelle Banik
Board Member | Empire, Western University
Michelle Banik is a global C-suite executive and board director with deep expertise in human resources, organizational transformation, and governance. She has held senior leadership roles across North America, Europe, and Asia, and currently serves on the boards of Empire Company Limited and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada. Michelle holds a Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation and is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE), bringing a strategic, people-first lens to governance and boardroom effectiveness.
Larry Lau
Founder and Board Member
Larry Lau is a serial entrepreneur, investor and board advisor known for building and scaling ventures across e‑commerce, consumer goods, health tech and web3. He founded the venture‑studio Eighty8 Ventures in London, Ontario, and co‑founded Canada’s largest e‑commerce agency (Northern Commerce) before shifting into investing and building brands. He now supports early‑stage companies as founder, board member and mentor, helping leaders turn bold ideas into growth‑oriented businesses.
Wendy Kei
Board Chair | Ontario Power Generation
Wendy Kei is the Board Chair of Ontario Power Generation and a highly respected corporate director with over 25 years of experience in finance, risk management, and governance. Formerly CFO of Dominion Diamond Corporation, she brings deep expertise in audit, ESG, and corporate strategy. Wendy is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA, FCA), holds the F.ICD and GCB.D designations, and is known for her leadership in advancing boardroom diversity. She has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and received the Women Corporate Directors Visionary Award.
Lynn Beauregard
President, Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC)
Lynn Beauregard is the President of Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC), a national association that represents governance professionals across all sectors—private, public, and not-for-profit. Under her leadership for the past 23 years, GPC has grown into a leading voice in corporate governance in Canada. She oversees the organization’s operations, governance, stakeholder relations, and programming. These include the flagship Annual Corporate Governance Conference, which attracts professionals from across Canada and internationally each August; the Excellence in Governance Awards (EGAs), to recognize outstanding governance contributions by organizations, boards, and professionals; and the GPC.D ‘Governance in Practice’ designation program, which equips practitioners with the tools and expertise to elevate governance standards within their organizations.
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