Board Journey 360: Master Class Series

Robin Brudner is a seasoned Board director, business executive and lawyer. She has served on a variety of Boards spanning over 25 years. She is currently a Director of OverActive Media Corp (TSXV:OAM) a global esports, media and entertainment company and serves as the Vice Chair of Dress for Success (Toronto Chapter). Robin is the former Interim Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the former Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. She was the first female General Counsel in NBA history, and in 2013 was reported to be one of the most powerful female executives in sports in North America. Robin is a recipient of the Canadian General Counsel Award for Mid-Sized Department Excellence. She earned a BA degree from York University (Dean’s Honour List) and a Bachelors of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Robin is a graduate of the Director Education Program and holds the ICD.D designation.

Judi Cohen is an accomplished transportation and engineering consulting executive with over 35 years experience, and has held several influential roles in Canada. She is currently on the Board of the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority and is Chair of the Community and Outreach Committee. In addition, Judi currently serves on the Board of the Travel Media Association of Canada, and acts as Secretary.  Previously, she was appointed by the Province of Ontario to serve on the Toronto Police Services Board and on the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Board, where she chaired the Governance Committee. 

Judi has also served on numerous charitable and professional association boards including the Homes First Foundation, Engage and Change, Toronto Board of Trade, the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers, Film North, Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Toronto Star Community Editorial Board.  

Judi is currently a Freelance Travel Writer for various international media outlets and is writing her first travel book.

Wendi Locke is a partner in the Business Law Group of McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Toronto office, where she has practiced as a corporate and securities lawyer for over 20 years. She advises on both domestic and international securities offerings as well as on general corporate governance and compliance issues, and focuses on providing practical, results oriented solutions to clients on a cost-efficient basis. She represents both national and international clients in various industries, with a particular focus on the financial services, real estate and technology sectors.

Wendi speaks regularly on various governance topics such as director and officer liability, board accountability and diversity. She is also an instructor for the Chartered Director Program offered by The Directors College and teaches the advanced securities law programs offered by the University of Western Ontario and University of Windsor law schools.

Working with boards and leadership teams, Lisa Kershaw serves a broad client base, particularly focused on healthcare, financial services/pensions, not-for-profit and retail/manufacturing.  Her strategic expertise brings value to international, mid-market and growth companies across virtually all functions including finance, marketing, HR, operations and general management. A Board Director of Boyden Canada, Lisa is also North America Regional Practice Leader, Financial Services Practice and Global Sector Leader, Healthcare Providers. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for United Way of Lower Mainland. 

Brenda Brown was formerly the CHRO, Compass Group Canada, the country’s leading food service & facilities management company. She is currently on the Advisory Committee for Ryerson University Engineering & Architecture faculty, and JMSB, Concordia University. She is also a Director on the OTEC Board and SolBVL Board. In 2010, she was awarded the distinction of Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. In 2012, she completed the Directors Education Program (ICD) at the University of Toronto. As well, in 2012, she was selected as a member of the Diversity 50 leaders. Brenda has written articles for various HR publications and is frequently a speaker at industry events.

An experienced executive and corporate director, Martine M. Irman has over 30 years' experience in International Banking, Treasury, Securities and Trade, and 20 years of expertise on both Corporate and Not-for-Profit boards along with Executive Advisory Councils. Formerly Vice Chair, TD Securities and SVP, TD Bank Group, Martine currently sits as an Independent Director of the Board of the TMX Group of Companies and Chair of the Board for Export Development Canada. Martine values community involvement and is known as a strong leader and mentor for women in the investment industry. Past and current leadership roles include the United Way of Toronto and Past Chair of the Board of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. She also sits on the Board of St-Michael’s Hospital Foundation and the Campaign Committee of MAP Centre For Urban Health Solutions.  A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Martine also completed The Wharton Business School Advanced Management Executive Program, is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management Institute of Corporate Directors, and holds the ICD.D certification.

Leslie Woo CRE® is a respected leader with over 25 years of experience building sustainable communities and shaping urban development in Canada’s fastest-growing urban region, greater Toronto. Leslie assumed the role of CEO at CivicAction in September 2020. An accomplished leader, Leslie was named Bisnow’s 2019 Toronto Power Women in Commercial Real Estate, one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 by WXN, Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker in 2016 and Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network’s 2015 Outstanding Leader. Founder of shebuildscities.org, Leslie uses her voice and platform to amplify and celebrate other women city builders. Leslie is federally appointed to the Board of Waterfront Toronto, serving as member of its Investment and Real Estate Committee. She also sits on the Board of Women’s College Hospital and serves as its Chair for the Quality, Academic and Equity Committee. With the global organization Urban Land Institute, Leslie is a member of the Curtis Infrastructure Global Advisory Board and just completed a term on the Americas Executive Committee. Leslie had previous experience as a Board member of the YMCA GTA where she Chaired the Government Relations Task Force.

Nick Chambers brings a fresh approach to executive recruitment, combining his expertise in leadership development, organization performance consulting, board governance, and client service. Nick is adept at aligning strategic executive talent insights and solutions to the specific needs of his clients. He is passionate about the social impact sector, and the critical role of higher education, healthcare, and not-for-profit institutions in creating vibrant communities and societies. He is a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms.