About
David

Experiences

I’ve spent more than five decades in boardrooms across five countries, serving on over 40 public and private boards and chairing 11 companies. Every role has deepened my understanding of effective governance and its role in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

Some Kind Words

“David did our most recent VIA Board Evaluation and it was a very positive and value-added activity. David’s wide experience provides insightful ideas and guidance for improving our boards’ effectiveness. I would highly recommend to other board chairs, that they leverage David’s experience as a governance and strategic advisor.”

Francoise Bertrand

VIA Rail Canada

“David was our global Governance Advisory partner and taught brilliantly at a number of our partners’ universities and for some of our clients – wonderful addition to our professional teams”

Dominic Barton

McKinsey & Company

“I worked alongside David on the Colliers Board where he chaired the Governance Committee and he “onboarded” me as a new Director: we worked closely together and I greatly valued his wisdom and business judgement.”

Stephen Harper

Colliers

“I asked David to join the Board of Canada Steamship Lines Limited, our family company, in 2005. He was a hugely value-added director for 12 years, some 7 of them as Chair of the Governance Committee. Our company and our family benefited enormously from his contributions, and I am very grateful to him.”

Paul Martin

Canada Steamship Lines Limited

“My nine colleagues and I were blessed that David created The Black North Academy following the establishment of the Black North Initiative – a bespoke combination of an Executive MBA and a Directors Education Program.”

Rosemarie Davis

Black North Initiative

Leadership & Roles

Across business, academia, and policy, I’ve focused on raising the standard of corporate governance in Canada and abroad.

Founding ChairDavid & Sharon Johnston Centre for Corporate Governance Innovation, Rotman School of Management

Founding Managing DirectorCanadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG), representing $3 trillion AUM

Professor of Strategy & GovernanceRotman School of Management (1998 – 2024)

Advisor & Speaker Global lectures and programs on board effectiveness and director education

Recognitions and Distinctions

ICGN Lifetime Achievement Award | International Corporate Governance Network

Global recognition for leadership in governance

Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.)

For advancing the practice of corporate governance in Canada

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

For service to Canada’s mining industry

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Medal

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)

For economic advisory work in Papua New Guinea

Continuing the work

Boards shape how leadership manages and mismanages the organisations they oversee. After a lifetime in those rooms, I’m still driven by the same question: how can directors do better?

Through my writing, public speaking, and the Director’s Compass, I’m focused on sharing what experience has taught me so others can become value-added and govern with more clarity, conscience, and conviction.

Chat with the Director’s Compass AI

Browse the books I’ve written

Find me at my next event

Boards and Chair Positions

I’ve had the privilege of serving with some of North America’s most respected companies. These experiences continue to shape how I think about leadership and accountability.