HIGH
IMPACT

Executive
Development

HIGH IMPACT

Peer Groups

High Impact Peer Groups bring executives and senior leaders together to develop, challenge and support one another through facilitated conversations and development that focus on each member’s goals and challenges. As member-based, peer-to-peer advisory groups, our peer groups give executives a safe, confidential way to immediately connect and grow. Acting like a personal Board of Directors, peers provide perspective and insight into your biggest business and personal opportunities and challenges. We aim for members to feel a true sense of trust and belonging in their groups which allow for real conversations and real support.

Ideal for:

CEOs, Executives and potential successors who seek breakthrough, inspiring growth and recognize that there is always opportunity to learn more through dialogue with others.

Format:

With co-created guiding principles and explicit goals, annual memberships include six sessions and a retreat, tailored to the unique needs of the group.

  • Jim Case, CEO, TFG Financial Corp

    Life for a CEO is complex, and the support of my High Impact CEO group helps make it all possible. Our group understands each of our respective businesses and personal situations so we can act as a personal board of advisors on many topics and issues. The group and chair Sue Matheson provide a safe haven for me and a place where we can all share and support one another in an unbiased and judgement-free environment.

    - Jim Case | CEO, TFG Financial Corp

  • Kent Bowie, CEO, Metrie

    My High Impact Peer group is like a personal Board of Directors that are also friends. They help to keep me accountable and also provide a safe place to unpack difficult challenges in life and in business. I have changed my perspective on a number of key business challenges as a result of the experiences and thoughtful responses from our group – we support each other and push each other to be the best leaders we can be.

    - Kent Bowie | CEO, Metrie

  • Tara Finnegan, Senior Vice President, Brokerage, CBRE Canada

    Through my High Impact Peer Group, I’ve developed a greater sense of being supported in my corporate life. I’ve been able to face challenges and fears by holding myself personally accountable with this group whom I deeply respect and admire.

    Talking to our group about a change that I’ve wanted to actualize in my business and broader industry has helped me to road map and take action steps to effect change. The honest conversations in our group have developed a level of trust among all of us that is unique, apart from the natural friendships that have resulted. There is a different tone to the conversations that allows for direct input that has pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone.

    - Tara Finnegan | Senior Vice President, Brokerage, CBRE Canada

  • Lisa Sparrow, CEO, Corix Infrastructure

    Even with the best Board and Executive Leadership Teams, the role of a CEO can be a lonely place. Whether it’s a significant business challenge, or a casual question, the input and feedback from my High Impact Peer Group is always on the mark and provides real value both personally and professionally. We challenge one another to do better and because of this, my assessment of what’s possible is continually increasing. Sue brings authenticity and genuine care which garners a high degree of trust.

    - Lisa Sparrow | CEO, Corix Infrastructure

  • Joining a High Impact Peer Group has been a game-changer for my career, executive presence, and leadership development. Sue’s exceptional coaching style is nothing short of transformative. Her deep insights, keen understanding of leadership dynamics, and unwavering commitment to our growth have propelled me to new heights in my professional journey. The peer interactions within the group have been a source of inspiration and a catalyst for innovative thinking. Sue fosters an environment where open dialogue and diverse perspectives flourish, creating a dynamic space for collective growth.

    - Fiona McFaul, Vice President of Marketing & Loyalty, Sandman Hotel Group

  • Kari Yuers CEO, Kryton International

    Sue Matheson has facilitated our group for 9 years and in that time I have found her to be one of the best facilitators during my over 25 years as part of CEO peer mentoring groups. Sue creates a safe environment where everyone has an opportunity to be heard and listened to as well as be challenged on their assumptions and goals. Sue leads with empathy and true curiosity. She helps and supports each member to explore opportunities and take action on important learnings. She is authentic and raises the game of everyone around her. I highly recommend Sue to any CEO or Executive team.

    - Kari Yuers | CEO, Kryton International

  • Jennifer Cudlipp COO, Lifelabs

    I’ve had the privilege of being part of one of Erin’s High Impact Peer Groups along with the work she’s led inside LifeLabs. I can say without a doubt that the work we have done together has been a key driver in the leader I am today, and helped me think more boldly about not just my own future but the impact I could have. Erin has the combination of academic and hands-on experience, coupled with the ability to deeply connect with people. She has this unique ability to really understand people and quickly identify their superpowers.

    - Jennifer Cudlipp | COO, Lifelabs

  • Bridgitte Anderson

    The leadership, facilitation and connections in my High Impact Peer (HIP) Group make our work together some of the most valuable time I spend.

    I’ve seen significant benefits, both professionally and personally. Sue’s masterful facilitation helps leaders delve into issues which result in meaningful conversations and deep insights. Each time, I leave the discussions energized with new ideas to implement at work that ultimately drive my organization forward.

    - Bridgitte Anderson | CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

  • My company has grown 20x while I’ve been a part of my forum group.

    The structure provided by High Impact Lab has helped us successfully reduce risk and increase growth for the company during an incredibly exciting but uncharted time. As a leader, I have navigated this journey with less stress and more capability, both of which have been materially improved because of the connections and framework I’ve gained through High Impact Lab.

    - Matt Lewis | CEO, Braidy Corp

  • John Friesen, CEO, Mission Group

    Through the High Impact Peer Group, I’m better able to focus my management efforts on areas of the business that create meaningful outcomes. My peers constantly help me focus on the most salient points rather than the regular churn of the business.

    Some years ago, our organization experienced a very challenging business issue. I was backstopped by the combined experience of High Impact Peer Group chair Sue Matheson and the group. With them, I’ve experienced profound support in finding positive ways to create value in our company. On a personal note, I have discovered friendships that go well beyond a peer group experience. I look forward to our meetings for what I will learn as a business leader, but also for the friendships that continue to grow.

    Sue Matheson is insightful, caring, pragmatic, candid and respectful. Because of her many leadership connections, she is also an amazing resource for creating synergies. Sue has the unique ability to demonstrate nearly instant rapport with people.

    Mission Group is a vertically integrated development and construction company. We build for a broad spectrum of residential and commercial needs, completing over 2,000 homes in Kelowna as the largest builder of their kind in the BC Interior.

    - John Friesen | CEO, Mission Group

  • In a position of leadership, there are times when you seek others to share ideas or to ask for help. I had a team situation I was working through that I brought to my High Impact group. I received great examples of similar situations, kind and direct feedback, and had great counsel from Sue, all in one meeting. These insights and ideas helped me to confidently solve the problem. I leave every meeting feeling inspired by my fellow group members and having learned from Sue. She is direct, kind and a fantastic facilitator who brings knowledge, challenges us in the right way at the right moment.

    - Samantha Taylor | President, 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters

HIGH IMPACT

Executive Team Development

High Impact Executive Team Development aligns team performance with the strategy and desired culture of the organization.  Quarterly offsites challenge team members to collectively envision and work towards higher team performance, while building skills and competencies required to execute on strategy and reinforce the culture they are committed to. Sessions are designed to build stronger connection and trust among the members and to elevate individual and collective leadership skills.

Ideal for:

Executive teams who want to take their team performance to the next level.

Format:

Team assessment to identify issues and opportunities followed by regular customized sessions that work with the client’s context.

  • John Nicola, CEO, Nicola Wealth Management

    A number of years ago, Sue Matheson led our board through a process that allowed us to better identify our priorities and the kinds of issues that would possibly act as impediments. We’ve experienced significant growth over three decades, from 8 staff to more than 500 staff and 9 offices managing $15B for more than 3000 households. Over the last few years, we’ve had to focus on leadership development, strategic planning, collaboration, and execution of our business plan more than ever before. It’s here that Sue and her team at High Impact Lab have made such a difference for our leadership team. They’ve helped teams objectively assess their own skills and areas of weakness and improve their communication with each other and their own direct reports .

    We are managing our growth well and much of the credit should go to Sue and the High Impact team. They make us more accountable, organized and focused.

    - John Nicola | CEO, Nicola Wealth Management

  • Angela Chapman, President & CEO, VGH UBC Hospital Foundation

    I greatly valued working with Sheila as she has the CEO experience herself, as well as the academic and coaching frameworks which make her so credible, balanced and wise in her counsel. For me, working with her through this process certainly made me a better leader and more effective CEO.

    - Angela Chapman | President & CEO, VGH UBC Hospital Foundation

  • Shiah Bazeley, People Director, Vega / Daiya

    I’ve worked with High Impact Lab in 5 different ways over a period of 6 years. I’ve personally experienced a shift to operating at a higher level, not just as a leader of the people function, but as a leader of the organization. High Impact’s work with my leadership team has translated into a more connected, cohesive team, a higher bar of what ‘good leadership’ looks like in an organization, and the ability to elevate the quality of conversation that happens at the leadership table to drive the business forward.

    Sheila and Erin have a unique ability to create trust, connection, and credibility very quickly when working with executive teams – their approach to driving business through leadership - not in addition to - resonates very well with business leaders.

    - Shiah Bazeley | People Director, Vega / Daiya

  • Graham Fraser CEO, AG Care

    Our work with HIL has created a high degree of trust within the leadership team and between executives and directors/managers thanks to greater integration and engagement. The team feels empowered and works collaboratively to meet all challenges and opportunities head-on, keeping the interests of all stakeholders in perspective.

    It has also created a highly engaged workforce as reflected in our 5 year average engagement score of >90% and a 5% lift in our leadership score on our annual employee engagement survey.

    - Graham Fraser | CEO, AG Care

  • Lacia Kinnear COO, Alkan Air

    The impact of our collaboration with High Impact Lab has been substantial. Sheila’s expertise was instrumental in guiding our sessions and creating a common language around strategy and accountability that ultimately drove impactful changes in our organization. She also played a key role in defining our governance model and developing an accountable executive model across the company, leading to necessary integration, support, and vertical alignment.

    Personally, I've witnessed a positive transformation in my leadership style, fostering improved communication and strategic thinking. As a team, our managers eagerly anticipate and actively engage in the management summits, resulting in strengthened teamwork and alignment. Organizationally, we've established annual priorities crafted during these sessions which have guided our management team's efforts.

    - Lacia Kinnear | COO, Alkan Air

HIGH IMPACT

Executive
Coaching

High Impact Executive Coaching starts with an individual commitment to elevate leadership impact. Robust coaching goals are set at the beginning of the engagement and are reviewed at every coaching meeting that follows. Participants can expect to be challenged and will be given perspectives and actionable insights that will enhance their overall leadership impact and sense of purpose.

Ideal for:

Executives and senior leaders who are hungry to take their leadership to the next level and seek a one-on-one coaching relationship with a deeply experienced, trusted executive coach.

Format:

The process starts with a review of the leaders current impact to help develop the coaching goals. Regular coaching appointments will be pre-scheduled to build momentum and progress against the desired outcomes.

Hands down, the highest return investment we have made to develop our leadership team has been partnering with High Impact Lab. 

Over the course of our ongoing engagement, Sue Matheson has profoundly helped us move the needle.  We have clarified our purpose, forged a winning culture, catalyzed tough strategic decisions, and developed leaders to sustainably deliver high impact.  Sue and her colleagues are professionals at the very top of the coaching and facilitation game in Canada.

As a student of human and group interaction, leadership, change management and organizational development, Sue provides deep insight and perspective based on real experience. She effectively presents – often in real time – relevant and useful models, tools, experiences, stories and examples to frame and enrich our discussions. To quote Aristotle: “Excellence is never an accident.” Indeed, people, relationships and leadership are messy. I strongly recommend Sue and her team at High Impact Lab to support your leadership coaching and facilitation.

- Randy MacEwan | CEO, Ballard Power Systems