Board Ready Women (BRW) joined Axis Connects last year, and together we are working to establish a continuous career pipeline, moving women from mid-career milestones through to executive and governance roles. Building on BRW’s long-standing foundation of impactful programming in Calgary, our focus has shifted from simply providing access to delivering intentional and strategic readiness.
Our recent expansion into Edmonton has already seen a strong response from the local community. Driven by targeted events, Edmonton professionals are looking past basic networking to actively master the realities of boardroom dynamics, fiduciary duties, and strategic oversight.
Edmonton Highlight: Unpacking the Board Chair and CEO Dynamic
The strength of this growing Edmonton community was on full display at our recent BRW event: The Relationship Between the Board Chair & CEO.
This standout evening brought together directors, executives, and governance leaders for a rare and transparent look into one of the most critical partnerships in any organization. We were incredibly fortunate to host a truly unique dynamic on stage: Joan Hertz, Board Chair of ATB Financial, alongside Chris Turchansky, President and CEO of ATB Financial.
Hearing directly from a sitting Board Chair and their CEO provided unfiltered insight and immense value. Their candid discussion explored how to cultivate a high-performance relationship, learn from past mistakes, and navigate the inevitable complexities of governance.
Key themes explored during the event included:
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- Building Trust Through Candor: The duo highlighted the necessity of giving and receiving honest feedback, sharing insights on how to create an environment where open communication flows in both directions, especially during crucial moments like annual evaluations.
- Closing the Communication Gap: Addressing the reality that executives face a storm of disruptive forces, Chris shared how a strong relationship with the Board Chair helps close communication gaps, enables top-tier leadership, and ensures the board has the right knowledge to help the organization cope.
- Protecting the CEO: Joan offered her unique perspective, having sat on both sides of the table as both a CEO and a Chair, on what it truly means for a board to support and protect its chief executive while maintaining healthy tension and safeguarding integrity.
Stay Curious and Join the Conversation
Achieving a high-performance career is never accidental. As our pipeline of talented, board-ready women continues to grow across Canada, we invite you to be part of the momentum. Whether you are aiming for your first board seat or looking to refine your governance skills, Axis Connects and BRW are here to support your journey.
Get Involved Today:
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- Become a Member: Purchase a Board Ready Women membership to unlock exclusive event invitations, access to curated board opportunities, and member-only updates.
- Stay Informed: Sign up for our insider newsletter delivered directly to your inbox to stay ahead of the curve on governance trends and community news.
- Join Us Live: Keep an eye out for upcoming BRW events in Calgary or Edmonton to connect with decision-makers, ask questions, and stay curious about what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of leadership.
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