Carol Hansell: Insights on Modern Governance

Aug 5, 2024

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(0:00) Intro.

(1:10) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.

(1:57) Start of interview.

(2:30) Carol's origin story.

(4:34) Evolution of corporate governance in Canada since the late 1980s.

(5:51) The origin and focus of her firm Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group, based in Canada.

(10:13) On her personal board career and the benefits of lawyers serving on boards.

(14:20) Best practices for board evaluations and distinctions between board education in Canada and the U.S.

(18:57) The rise and influence of large institutional investors in corporate governance.

(22:00) Shareholder activism in Canada.

(24:25) On the state of ESG in Canada.

(30:03) On addressing board diversity.

(37:01) Impact of geopolitics and national security in the boardroom.

(39:45) Impact of AI in the boardroom. "It's top of mind for everybody."

(41:29) Impact of cybersecurity and talent management in the boardroom. Oil and gas directors in boards of banks?

(44:01) Books that have greatly influenced her life: biographies (people that have stood up to authority).

(44:48) Her mentors.

(45:50) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by: "A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or what's the heaven for?"

(46:29) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.

(47:00) The living person she most admires.

(48:20) The challenge in advising corporate governance: "everyone thinks they're an expert now." Plus, recognition of conflicts of interest.

Carol Hansell is a Senior Partner at Hansell LLP and a member of the Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group in Canada.

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