FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - [ATLANTIC CANADA] FEBRUARY 6, 2024
The Wallace McCain Institute for Business Leadership(WMI) welcomes a new chair and four new board members in 2024.
Current board member Todd Hiscock (ICD.D), CEO of Beaufort Solutions(St. John’s, NL) will serve as the new chair.
“I’m honoured to serve as the new Board chair for WMI, following two years of leadership by Rob Normandeau, Managing Partner & President of Seafort Capital. As an Entrepreneurial Leaders Program (ELP) alumni, I’ve experienced first-hand the impact of WMI’s programs on individuals and the region. I’m excited to lead it through the next chapter.”
- Ed Barrett (F.ICD, O.NB), Co-CEO, Barrett Corporation. A seasoned entrepreneur recognized in the NB Business Hall of Fame, Ed serves on several boards including Nav Canada and Medavie Blue Cross. He is a former Chair of NB Power and NB Business Council, among others. Ed has extensive governance experience and is a Director of Residence with the Institute of Corporate Directors.
- Blair Hyslop, Co-CEO, Mrs. Dunster’s Bakery. A passionate individual who has evolved Mrs. Dunster’s into one of the largest family-owned and operated bakeries in Atlantic Canada and was awarded exporter of the year in 2017. Blair is part of the Atlantic Business Magazine Hall of Fame Top 50 CEOs and a current New Brunswick Business Council member.
- Cathy Benett, Managing Partner, Sandpiper Ventures. She is an entrepreneur and investor with a wealth of experience across multiple industries from commercial and industrial construction to food service, technology and more. An active angel investor, Cathy has also sat on several boards including BDC. She previously served as Minister of Finance and the Status of Women for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Keith McIntosh, Founder/CEO, PLATO. He has transformed PLATO to be majority Indigenous-owned, the first Indigenous-led and staffed technology company. He received numerous awards from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business for his commitment to reconciliation, and in 2023 was named Atlantic Canada’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year. Keith is part of the Atlantic Business Magazine Hall of Fame Top 50 CEOs and a current New Brunswick Business Council member.
We’re grateful for the wisdom and knowledge shared by outgoing board members Bill Barrett, Co-CEO, Barrett Corporation and Elizabeth Rowe, Founder/Partner, Italian by Night Trattoria who have completed their board terms.
“I’m thrilled to have an experienced group of business leaders join our board and guide us as we embark on the next phase of our strategy that will be released next week at our Halifax event with Michael McCain. We remain focused on supporting Atlantic Canada’s entrepreneurial leaders as they grow their businesses and organizations,” said Sally Ng (ICD.D), WMI CEO.
Other members of the board include:
- Karen Cunningham, Retired VP Finance & Admin, UNB
- Ben Parsons, General Manager & Co-Owner, Dalmac – Print, Signs, Cresting
- David O’Brien, Retired VP Treasury, McCain Foods
- Rob Normandeau, Managing Partner & President, Seafort Capital
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About the Wallace McCain Institute(WMI)
WMI delivers a number of private/trusted peer-group programs for CEOs, Business Owners, Senior Executives and Family Businesses for individuals and organizations in Atlantic Canada. The programs are focused on helping to drive them to be future ready and thrive for generations to come. We aim to be the catalyst that impacts entrepreneurial leaders in the economic transformation of the Greater Atlantic Area.
The CEOs from the ELP Peer Groups employ 13,000+ people in the region and over $1.86B in revenue.The Wallace McCain Institute is part of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and is a registered Canadian & U.S. Charity.
Contact Information:
Sally Ng, ICD.D – CEO, Wallace McCain Institute
Phone: 506-292-7786
Email: sally.ng@wallacemccaininstitute.com