Send us a text

Kendra McDonald serves as the CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster (OSC), where she spearheads a national effort to accelerate ocean innovation and cement Canada's position as a leader in the sustainable blue economy. Her leadership at the OSC has been instrumental in generating thousands of jobs and launching nearly 200 ocean companies. Notably, Kendra has been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEOs and as one of Canada's leading sustainability figures. Her previous role as a partner at Deloitte and the first Chief Audit Executive for Deloitte Global brings over 30 years of expertise in innovation and strategic growth to her current initiatives.

Episode Summary:

This insightful episode of Leadership Moments, hosted by Stacey Caster and Tracy Ann Palmer, features an engaging discussion with Kendra McDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster. The conversation centers around Kendra's transformative work in the sustainable blue economy and her personal journey of leadership and innovation. Kendra shares her wisdom on the importance of authenticity in leadership, deriving energy from problem-solving, and the necessity for continuous learning across a professional lifetime.

In this episode, Kendra delves into the critical components that make a great leader—combining vision, systems, and people. Kendra's narrative provides listeners with an understanding of what an ocean supercluster entails and how Canada's OSC is building economic growth through sustainability initiatives. Her perspectives on collaboration, particularly involving women and minorities in STEM, highlight her commitment to diversity and inclusion. Her openness about transitioning careers and embracing innovation serves as an inspiring blueprint for professionals at any stage in their careers.

Key Takeaways:

• Authentic Leadership: Kendra emphasizes the significance of being an authentic leader who actively marries vision with practical systems and people management.
• Continuous Learning: Understanding the importance of constant education and evolving one's career to stay relevant and invigorated.
• Collaboration Across Boundaries: Insights into effective collaboration despite hierarchical limitations and the value of diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.
• Introvert Leadership: Dispels the myth that introverts cannot succeed as leaders, stressing the power of being a thoughtful listener.
• Career Expansion and Change: Kendra’s career journey demonstrates the courage to pivot professionally after decades of success and finding purpose in new challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• "You have to walk the talk. You have to be authentic as a leader if you're not doing it."
• "For me, a great leader needs to be able to marry three things: vision, systems, and people."
• "Fall in love with the problem, not the solution."
• "You can't go to school for this stuff; sometimes you have to watch others and learn by doing."
• "It's not about the loudest voice in the room. It's about the best listener.

All episodes and guest requests can be found at:
www.leadershipmomentspodcast.com
Follow Stacey Caster on Instagram @staceycaster_
Follow Tracy-Ann Palmer on Instagram @tracy_ann_palmer