We’re excited to feature Irene Zaguskin, Chief Information Officer at PwC Canada, on this episode of Firing On All Syllables™.

Irene dives into how A.I. is revolutionizing digital transformation, the art of building high-performing teams, and maintaining compliance in today’s complex technology landscape. Whether you’re a tech leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about innovation, this episode offers actionable insights on the future of technology and leadership.

In this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Institute of Corporate Directors, joins Gary Kalaci for an insightful conversation on leadership, trust, and personal growth.

Drawing on his expertise in corporate governance and leadership development, Rahul shares actionable strategies for navigating change and fostering innovation within organizations. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on the future of leadership and governance.

On Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci sits down with Driss Temsamani, Citibank’s Head of Digital, for a powerful discussion on technology, leadership, and the immigrant experience.

Driss shares his journey from Morocco to Citibank, the transformative role of A.I. in creativity and productivity, and his vision for a future shaped by digital innovation. Tune in for actionable insights on digital transformation, economic growth, and building a meaningful career in the digital age.

Step into an inspiring conversation with Beth Wilson, as she shares her remarkable journey from aspiring dentist to trailblazing leader in accounting and law. In this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Beth talks with Gary Kalaci about overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing mentorship, and taking bold risks that lead to extraordinary opportunities. Whether you're navigating career transitions or aspiring to lead, this episode is packed with actionable insights on authentic leadership and making an impact.

In this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, entrepreneur, investor, and author Asheesh Advani joins Gary Kalaci to discuss his journey from founding CircleLending, later acquired by Virgin Group, to leading JA Worldwide, one of the largest youth-serving NGOs.

Asheesh shares insights from his latest book Modern Achievement, exploring the skills young leaders need to thrive in a fast-changing world. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on innovation, leadership, and making an impact.

Join us on Firing On All Syllables™ as Gary Kalaci chats with Jennifer Armstrong, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO).

Jennifer delves into her role overseeing legal, risk, and regulatory affairs, as well as her career journey, including leading BMO’s Canadian Capital Markets legal team. This episode offers a compelling discussion on legal innovation, regulatory strategy, and the future of business leadership. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci sits down with Claire Johnson, CEO of RBC Investor Services, to explore her inspiring journey from her early days at CIBC Mellon to leading TSX Trust and now RBC Investor Services.

Claire shares her insights on navigating leadership challenges, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building resilient teams. Tune in for a powerful conversation on purpose-driven leadership and resilience in today’s corporate world.

Dive into an exclusive conversation on Firing On All Syllables™ as @Gary Kalaci sits down with @Simon Fish, corporate director and former General Counsel at the @Bank of Montreal.

With over 30 years of leadership experience spanning legal and financial services, energy, and mining, Simon is a seasoned executive who has navigated complex regulatory environments and driven sustainable business strategies worldwide.

New Episode Alert! Dive into an insightful conversation on Firing On All Syllables™ as @Gary Kalaci sits down with @Fernando Garcia, Chief Legal and People Officer at @Opta Group.

With over 15 years of experience as General Counsel and leadership in HR across various industries, Fernando brings a wealth of knowledge. He’s a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession, and an expert on how technology is reshaping the future of law.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Walied Soliman, the Canadian chair of Norton Rose Fulbright and co-chair of the Special Situations team.

Walied is widely regarded as one of Canada's leading lawyers in his field, having been involved in some of the most significant and complex M&A transactions and proxy battles in the country, advising buyers and sellers, boards, hostile bidders and shareholder activists.

In addition, his practice focuses on restructurings, corporate finance, governance and structured products. Walied was the only lawyer featured in The Globe and Mail's Report on Business Magazine Power 50 list in 2017, was designated as a "Star Lawyer" by Acritas for ranking in the top 28 lawyers globally, and he has been continuously recognized by the most prestigious legal rankings over the years, including Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.
Walied sits on the boards of Ryerson University and the BlackNorth Initiative against anti-Black racism, and is also the chair of the Board of the Toronto SickKids Hospital Foundation. This is one episode you don't want to miss!

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Mina Farinacci, the East Managing Partner in BDO’s business services and outsourcing practice.

Mina Farinacci has 15 years of client-serving experience in providing assurance, accounting advisory and private client services. Her clientele operates in a variety of industries, namely financial services, manufacturing, agribusiness, real estate, construction and high-net-worth clients.

She focuses on strong client satisfaction level, while sparking new ideas and innovative client solutions. Her goal is to provide a five-star service to all of her clients. An accomplished professional and recognized as such by her peers, Mina Farinacci is a compassionate and articulate woman who touches others with her sense of perspective, integrity and dynamism.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Lynn Beauregard, the President of Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) and President/CEO of T.O Corporate Services.

Lynn Beauregard’s mandate is to lead and to be the spokesperson for GPC, which provides a voice for governance professionals in Canada.

Lynn Beauregard also offers a complete range of strategic and administrative back office solutions to smaller associations, such as membership services, event management, IT/website, financial and accounting support as well as governance assistance through T.O Corporate Services.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Luis Vázquez, the founder and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Diavaz Group.

Luis Vázquez is a chemical engineer who graduated from Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. He founded the company Diavaz in 1982 which evolved into a Mexican business partnership made up of several business units specializing in oil and gas exploration and production. As former president of the Mexican Natural Gas Association and of Mexico’s Chapter of the World Energy Council, Vázquez is a veteran in the Mexican energy industry.

Luis discusses his love for Canada and highlights the significance of natural gas in Mexico, the challenges of building Diavaz, and the importance of taking risks in business.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Greg Bryk, a Canadian actor, producer, writer, coach, and keynote speaker known for his work in both film and television. Greg is one of Canada’s most compelling and versatile actors with starring roles in over 110 films, television shows and video games.

Some of Bryk’s award-winning and more memorable roles include his work in the films History Of Violence, Poor Boys Game, Deadliest Sea, Ad Astra, Code 8, and My Spy. Television credits include the harrowing CBC/BET mini-series The Book Of Negroes, the critically acclaimed @Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale, JETT for HBO/Cinemax, SyFy’s Bitten, Wynonna Earp and The Expanse, @CBC’s Caught, Global’s Mary Kills People, as well as Frontier and V Wars for @Netflix. Bryk also lent his talents and his likeness to the iconic antagonist, Joseph “The Father” Seed in the all-time best-selling Ubisoft produced video game Far Cry 5.


Greg talks about his early moments as a young actor that shaped his career. He delves into his philosophies on acting, passions, hobbies, professional communication, and how an actor's skillset empowers his everyday life.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Gordon D. Giffin, partner and global vice-chair emeritus in Dentons, the world's largest law firm.

With 30 years of experience in the practice of law and government service, Gordon’s practice at Dentons continues the trend, focusing on international transactions and trade matters, government procurement, energy regulatory and policy matters, corporate governance and crisis counseling, federal and state regulatory matters and public policy. Having previously served as Ambassador of the United States to Canada from August 1997 to April 2001, he also managed US interests in the world's largest bi-lateral trading relationship, as well as US collaboration with Canada on global issues in international fora.

The recipient of a number of honorary degrees granted by Canadian and US universities and several awards that recognize outstanding achievement, this episode sees Gordon share his career journey and the skills his experiences have honed. Turning to leadership, he also shares some hard-won wisdom and valuable advice for those who seek success in today’s rapidly changing and increasingly digital world.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Ian Urbina, the founder and director of The Outlaw Ocean Project.

Before founding the organization, Ian spent 17 years as a staff reporter for The New York Times, during which time he received a number of esteemed awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. Ian has also received an Emmy nomination, and recently, his second George Polk Award for International Reporting with The New Yorker. In 2019, he published The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times bestseller about lawlessness at sea, the movie and TV rights for which were purchased by Netflix and Leonardo DiCaprio.

In this episode, Ian talks about the most formative moments of his impressive career. He also dives into the reality of investigative work at sea and the challenges that come with it.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Denis Giangi, the president of Rolls-Royce Canada.

Having started his career at Rolls-Royce as a Tax Manager in 1999 and reaching the position of president in 2016, Denis talks about what his more than 24 years at Rolls-Royce have been like, including some of his biggest learnings. He touches on some of the challenges he has faced throughout his career and how he was able to overcome them.

A 2023 Fellow of the Ordre des CPA du Québec, Denis speaks about leadership, and his methods for bringing an organization together through a shared vision and mission.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Michael Casia, the president and managing director of Organon Canada.

With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Michael talks about his career, and the experiences that brought him to where he is today. A major part of Michael’s role is the promotion of an inclusive culture and he shares why this is important. Additionally, Michael speaks to his belief in the need to foster technological innovation within teams and organizations.

Michael reflects on his experiences working abroad, and what this has taught him.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Dr. Samantha Nutt, who founded and serves as president of War Child Canada.

Dr. Nutt talks about what inspired her to get involved at the frontlines of many of the world’s major crises and how she remains motivated. She also gives advice to those seeking to make a change in the world and see an idea realized.

We also hear about Dr. Nutt’s belief in the importance of the rule of law and access to justice as the next frontier of international humanitarian assistance, and the potential for each and every one of us to be a leader.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks Perry Dellelce, founder and managing partner of Wildeboer Dellelce LLP.

Specializing in securities, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions, Perry’s expertise has made him a trusted advisor to numerous entrepreneurs, executives and corporations, and gained him recognition in The Best Lawyers in Canada.

Perry reflects on the 30 years since founding Wildeboer Dellelce LLP and shares his secrets to success. He also talks about the importance of getting involved in organizations and endeavors that have a positive impact, and gives advice to students and new lawyers who hope to accomplish success.

On the latest episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Laurie Lanoue, Office Managing Partner for Montreal at McKinsey & Company.

Laurie has worked across many sectors, including advanced industries, medical devices, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Much of her work is focused on helping clients implement organization-wide operational excellence programs, develop strategies, and transform procurement.

In this episode, Laurie shares her expertise, and speaks about how she’s overcome challenges while remaining positive. We also learn about her experience completing an MBA at the University of Oxford, the importance of apprenticeship, and why community and civil society movements sit near to her heart.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Andrée-Claude Bérubé, executive vice president and general counsel at SNC-Lavalin.

With a great deal of international experience, Andrée-Claude has developed a reputation for innovation and a belief that legal teams can transform themselves to follow the direction a business is going.

Andrée-Claude shares her career journey, highlighting key moments, and gives her thoughts on the best thing young lawyers can do to accomplish success and fulfillment in both their careers and their personal lives.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Al Varney, the President of PowerON Energy Solutions and Group Leader of the CEO Global Network.

Prior to joining PowerON, Al had an esteemed career spanning 33 years at Xerox, which saw him at the helm of the organization in executive roles in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Al discusses the challenging decisions he has had to make along the way, and what leadership principles are worth prioritizing to lead a team to success, sharing key pieces of advice for all aspiring leaders of tomorrow.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Chad Aboud, former General Counsel and Law Firm Lawyer. Other than his legal background, Chad helps people build more inspiring and fulfilling careers through business advisory and consulting, also being a TEDx Speaker.

Chad discusses his career evolutions, legal insights, public speaking development, and a deeper look into his mindset.

Chad covers a large range of topics that will help viewers get exclusive advice and personal knowledge.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Leila Rafi, who is recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the field of corporate law, as well as being known as a part of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada. Aside from being a lawyer, Leila also has a background in teaching as an adjunct professor at Queen’s University.

Leila discusses her upbringing, the pivotal moments in her career, building professional relationships, and challenges in the legal profession.

All in all, Leila covers a large range of topics that will help viewers get a deeper understanding of the world of law.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci speaks with Leo Martellotto, who is a Harvard graduate and the president of Junior Achievement Americas, a successful NGO dedicated to inspiring and preparing the youth for the future of jobs.

Leo discusses his upbringing, the key moments in his career, entrepreneurial advice and debunks myths surrounding non-profit organizations.

From challenges that he’s faced in his career to motivational advice, Leo covers a large range of topics that will help viewers get a deeper understanding of the business environment.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Jacqueline Sanz, a financial services compliance, risk, and governance expert and the Managing Director Canada for Risk and Compliance a Protiviti.

In a career spanning three decades, Jacqueline has headed risk and compliance departments at several notable organizations, and has designed compliance frameworks and operational processes to mitigate risks.

She gives insightful advice based on her experience, and provides some amazing advice for budding professionals pursuing a career in risk and compliance.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Morgan MacLeod, the founder and CEO of Cubicle Fugitive, a full-service law marketing firm.

Morgan talks about the evolution of the digital marketing landscape as a whole, and the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur, and more importantly, how she overcame them.

From tips around productivity to devising marketing strategies, Morgan provides amazing insights and information that’s great for people looking to grow professionally.

On the seventh episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Joachim Lépine, a
Canadian entrepreneur who founded Traductions LION, a translation agency.

Joachim talks about his success as a translator, his challenges as a lecturer in his early
career stages, and how he manages a growing agency.

Give it a listen to learn more about Joachim’s experiences and glean some fantastic
insights into entrepreneurship, management, and how to build a success-first mindset.

On the sixth episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Caroline Codsi, a Canadian businesswoman who is the president and founder of Women in Governance, a non-profit organization.

Caroline talks about her early childhood in Lebanon, her move to Canada, and her business success, as well as the challenges of running one of the country’s top organizations for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Give it a listen to learn more about Caroline’s experiences and learn some amazing tips about management and networking.

On the fifth episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Andrew Bowyer, the CEO and founder of ADB Insights and the man behind CANLIF.

Andrew talks about his career, including his work in marketing and how he ventured into legal marketing, as well as the different challenges he’s faced throughout his career.

Give it a listen to learn more about Andrew’s experiences and gain some fantastic insights from one of the industry’s top marketers.

The fourth episode of Firing On All Syllables is out now!

On the fourth episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Erik Sloane, the Chief Revenue Officer of NEO Exchange.

Erik Sloane talks about his illustrious career, shares his personal and professional experiences, and what helped him excel in a highly competitive industry.

Learn more about revenue generation, product development, and other tips, like how to balance productivity in this podcast.

On the third episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci talks to Bindu Cudjoe, the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Laurentian Bank of Canada.

Bindu shares her experiences throughout her career, tips on balancing life and work, and how she has overcome professional challenges faced in the legal industry.

Learn more about what it takes to excel in the legal landscape from one of Canada’s top legal professionals.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Gary Kalaci interviews Norman Steinberg, the Vice-Chair of BFL Canada and the former Chair Emeritus of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada. Norman recently joined Alexa Translations as the Vice-Chair of our Board of Advisors.

Listen as they discuss Norman’s previous experiences, leadership principles, and share timeless advice on professional development.

Learn more about what it takes to lead one of the largest law firms in the country, from managing expectations to overcoming challenges and balancing productivity.

Norman also shares some insightful advice that he received throughout his career for those starting in the corporate, legal and financial sectors.

On this episode of Firing On All Syllables™, Mark Vecchiarelli, the VP of Marketing at Alexa Translations, interviews Gary Kalaci, the founder and CEO of Alexa Translations. Gary discusses his past, from his early days in Albania to immigrating to Canada, and what drives him as the CEO of a leading translation company.

Learn more about Gary’s evolution as a leader, how he remains productive throughout the day, his tips on prioritising tasks, and managing time more effectively as the face of a fast-growing services business.