Episode 2: Nicolas Darveau-Garneau
Join us for an exclusive session with Nicolas Darveau-Garneau ("Nick"), former Google’s Chief Evangelist and a strategic advisor to over 1,000 CEOs.
In his upcoming book, Be a Sequoia Not a Bonsai, Nick argues that many organizations unknowingly limit their own potential, managing for safety rather than scale. For Board Directors, recognizing the difference between a "bonsai strategy" and a "sequoia strategy" is critical to effective oversight.
In this candid conversation, David and Nick will explore:
- The 7 Growth Secrets: The specific traits that separate exponential organizations from the competition.
- Rethinking Risk: How boards can encourage management to take smart strategic risks without being reckless.
- The Director’s Role: Critical questions you should be asking management to ensure your corporate strategy isn't self-limiting.
Nicolas Darveau-Garneau is a veteran technology executive, author, and consultant. As Google’s Chief Evangelist, he has spent years analyzing the data and decision-making processes of the world's most successful companies. He specializes in helping boards and C-suites identify the invisible barriers to their own growth.
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Speaker Highlights

Nick Darveau-Garneau
Mr. Nicolas Darveau-Garneau (“Nick”) is an AI and digital transformation expert with over 25 years of experience.
Nick was Google’s Chief Evangelist, where he worked with the C-suites of more than 800 of Google’s top customers to help them accelerate their digital transformation. Nick also worked as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Coveo, a leading AI company.
Nick is on the Board of Directors of the TMX Group (TMX:X), iA Financial Corporation (TMX: IAG), and Alida.
Nick has been a technology entrepreneur, investor, and analyst since 1995. He was part of the founding team of MSn.com at Microsoft. He co-founded four Internet companies, selling three of them. Nick has also invested in 21 technology companies.
Mr. Darveau-Garneau graduated with a Bachelor's in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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David R. Beatty, C.M., O.B.E., F.ICD, CFA
One of the world’s most experienced corporate directors and educators, David has served as a Director on 40 boards in Canada, America, Mexico, Australia and England. He has been chair of 11 companies, nine public and two private.
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