CEOx1Day matches top Canadian executives and business leaders of tomorrow

In the war for talent, smart Canadian businesses recognize the value in opportunities that provide a competitive edge in identifying and developing Canada’s future leaders. Over the next month, leading global executive search firm, Odgers Berndtson will pair 18 post-secondary students with leading Canadian CEOs.

Now in its sixth year, CEOx1Day is a unique leadership development program designed to provide insights into what it takes to lead a major organization in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing environment. The program matches students with top CEOs from organizations including IKEA Canada, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, BroadbandTV, Hydro Ottawa, WSP, First Gulf and Calgary Economic Development. With diversity high on today’s talent agenda, nine of 18 participating CEOs are women.

CEOx1Day finalists come from across the country and include top students from 14 universities. The students have been paired with presidents and CEOs from industries including retail, technology, financial services, government and not-for-profit, providing an extraordinary range of unique experiences. To follow their experiences, check out CEOx1Day on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and use the hashtag #CEOx1Day.

What it takes to be a CEOx1Day

To evaluate their leadership potential, students underwent a rigorous selection process that began last October and included an online leadership assessment by Hogan Assessments, as well as telephone interviews with Odgers Berndtson’s executive search professionals. The selection process culminated with a half-day evaluation conducted by Odgers Berndtson and one of its partners, McKinsey & Company, where students went through a series of exercises and workshops to assess their interpersonal and communication skills, teamwork, problem solving abilities and leadership potential.

Participating CEOs and student finalists include:

Toronto

DAVID GEROFSKY, FIRST GULF
Matched with: Daniel Sequeira
University: Western University

HOWARD ENG, GREATER TORONTO AIRPORTS AUTHORITY
Matched with: Harminder Kang
University: McMaster University

MICHAEL WARD, IKEA CANADA
Matched with: Lauren Hwang
University: University of Toronto

CAROLINE RISEBORO, PLAN INTERNATIONAL CANADA
Matched with: Aislin Roth
University: Queen's University

VINCE DE PALMA, SOFTCHOICE
Matched with: Ryan Alizadeh
University: Western University

JAN DE SILVA, TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
Matched with: Grant McNaughton
University: Western University

Vancouver & Victoria

LAURA NASHMAN, BC PENSION CORPORATION
Matched with: Simon Litt
University: University of Victoria

SHAHRZAD RAFATI, BROADBANDTV
Matched with: Alex Cyphus
University: University of British Columbia

ANDREA SCOTT, SKOAH
Matched with: Sharon Shamuyarira
University: University of British Columbia

Calgary & Edmonton

MARY MORAN, CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Matched with: Tingting Yan
University: University of Calgary

GARTH WARNER, SERVUS CREDIT UNION
Matched with: Omar Sabbagh
University: University of Alberta

Montreal

DANIEL LAMARRE, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Matched with: Élodie Lussier Piché
University: HEC Montréal

NATHALIE PALLADITCHEFF, IVANHOÉ CAMBRIDGE
Matched with: André Dasté
University: HEC Montréal

VALÉRIE PLANTE, MAYOR, CITY OF MONTREAL
Matched with: O’Nell Agossa
University: McGill University

ALEXANDRE L’HEUREUX, WSP
Matched with: Emily Cole
University: Concordia University

Ottawa

BRYCE CONRAD, HYDRO OTTAWA
Matched with: Chelsea Clark
University: Bishop’s University

ELI FATHI, MINDBRIDGE ANALYTICS INC.
Matched with: Blair Watson
University: Carleton University

TERESA MARQUES, RIDEAU HALL FOUNDATION
Matched with: Nayaelah Siddiqui
University: University of Ottawa

The success of CEOx1Day is made possible by Odgers Berndtson’s supportive partners, including McKinsey & Company, Hogan Assessments, The Globe & Mail and TalentEgg.

To date, more than 1,000 students and CEOs have participated in the firm’s unique CEOx1Day initiative worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.ceox1day.ca.