In our latest episode, Bill Brushett, Advisor, Director, and TEC Canada Chair, shares his insights on intentional leadership development and succession planning in family enterprises. With over 40 years of experience spanning roles from President & CEO of Family Enterprise Canada to National Clients & Services Partner at Grant Thornton LLP, Bill brings a powerful combination of financial acumen and executive wisdom to help families navigate generational transitions and strategic growth.

Throughout the conversation, Bill illuminates the interplay between emotional connection and strategic foresight in family business success. He explores compelling perspectives on mentorship and peer learning while offering practical guidance for developing next-generation leaders. His framework for creating meaningful transitions emphasizes the importance of intentional design and external influence, providing valuable insights for families seeking to build lasting legacies that honor both individual aspirations and collective purpose.

About Bill Brushett

Bill Brushett is a highly accomplished leader, advisor, and mentor with over 40 years of experience in financial management, executive leadership, and governance. Currently working closely with family enterprise boards, he offers strategic guidance on governance, leadership transitions, and sustainable growth. As a TEC Canada Chair, he mentors emerging executives and business leaders, creating transformative growth opportunities. His previous role as President & CEO of Family Enterprise Canada saw him championing family-owned businesses, helping them navigate succession planning, governance, and wealth stewardship. During his distinguished career at Grant Thornton LLP, he rose to become National Clients & Services Partner, providing oversight for multiple service lines and steering client strategies.

A Chartered Professional Accountant with ICD.D and FEA certifications, Bill's credentials reflect his commitment to excellence and diverse expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland & Labrador. His community engagement includes contributions to the Arthritis Society, St. John's Board of Trade, and Memorial University's School of Business Advisory Board. Beyond his professional life, Bill is a dedicated family man who values time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and continues to empower leaders, strengthen businesses, and foster meaningful legacies through his various roles and initiatives.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Family Enterprise Foundation
• Family Enterprise Canada
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
• TEC Canada Chair

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Bill Brushett | TEC Canada Chair:

• Website: tec-canada.com/about-tec/our-chairs/
• LinkedIn: Bill Brushett
• Email: bill.brushett@hotmail.com

In our latest episode, we sit down with Torri Hawley, a dynamic voice in family enterprise education who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role as Director of Client Learning Experience at Tamarind Learning. Drawing from her journey as a seventh-generation member of a 150-year-old family enterprise, Torri shares insights about finding one's place within a family business legacy. Named among Family Business Magazine's "25 Under 35: Next-Gen Members to Watch," she embodies the bridge between traditional family enterprise values and next-generation perspectives.

In this conversation, Torri explores the importance of patience, relationship building, and the unexpected ways our early career experiences shape our journey. Through personal stories and professional observations, she offers fresh perspectives on developing next-gen leadership and navigating the complexities of family enterprise dynamics. Her unique vantage point – as both a next-gen family member and an educator – brings depth and authenticity to discussions about growth, learning, and intergenerational collaboration.

About Torri Hawley

Torri Hawley serves as the Director of Client Learning Experience for Tamarind Learning, bringing a decade of experience working with enterprising families. As a seventh-generation member of a family with a 150-year-old operating company, she has been actively involved in governance from an early age, helping establish a family council and promoting next-gen education. She currently serves on her family office and operating companies' boards and her personal experience drives her passion for helping next-generation members build confidence and credibility.

With a BBA in Family Enterprise Management from Stetson University and a master's in strategic human resources from the University of Denver, Torri has earned certificates in family business and wealth advising from the Family Firm Institute. She has spoken at numerous prestigious conferences and was named one of Family Business Magazine's "25 Under 35: Next-Gen Members to Watch." Based in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband Charlie and dog Murray, she remains committed to community service, particularly focusing on addressing childhood hunger locally.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• 10 x 10 Podcast
• Tamarind Learning Knowledge Assessment
• Tamarind Newsletter
• Tamarind LinkedIn

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Torri Hawley | Tamarind Learning

• Website: tamarindlearning.com
• LinkedIn: Torri Hawley
• Email: torri@tamarindlearning.com

In this episode, Vincent Valeri, Managing Director of Vincent Valeri & Associates and Principal, Family Capital Services at CMG, shares his insights on guiding enterprising families through the delicate balance of wealth stewardship and personal authenticity. With extensive experience working with some of the wealthiest families in the country, Vincent brings a unique perspective that emphasizes the importance of individual self-actualization within the context of family wealth. His approach focuses on helping next-generation family members discover their own path while navigating the complex dynamics of inherited privilege.

Throughout the conversation, Vincent illuminates the critical balance between honouring the family legacy and fostering individual growth, particularly emphasizing the value of "walking your path." He addresses the often-overlooked challenges of choice abundance in wealthy families and stresses the importance of creating safe spaces for honest dialogue between generations. Vincent also highlights the transformative power of peer communities and intentional mentorship, advocating for an approach that acknowledges both the unique blessings and burdens that come with family wealth.

About Vincent Valeri

Growing up in a multinational family enterprise, Vincent gained firsthand experience of the dynamics families face when working in business and managing wealth together. Like many who grew up in a family business, he learned from the bottom up from a very young age, which solidified his commitment to supporting families in wealth management and entrepreneurship. His professional background includes a Master of Management degree, experience as a management/marketing consultant for major North American companies, and five years in wealth management at one of Canada's largest banks, where he focused on family enterprises and generational wealth transfer.

As a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) and certified Family Legacy and Executive Leadership Coach, Vincent works as a trusted advisor helping family members develop legacy and enterprise continuity strategies, resolve conflicts, and align their values and vision for wealth and relationships. His experience in wealth management revealed a significant gap between financial management and familial dynamics, leading him to focus on bridging this divide. A recognized speaker on wealth transition and behavioural risk in family enterprises, Vincent lives in Hamilton, Ontario with his wife and two sons.

Contact Cory Gagnon | Beacon Family Office at Assante Financial Management Ltd.

• Website: BeaconFamilyOffice.com
• LinkedIn: Cory Gagnon
• LinkedIn: Beacon Family Office
• Email: beaconfamilyoffice@assante.com

Contact Vincent Valeri | Vincent Valeri & Associates and CMG:

• Website: vincentvaleri.com | cmgpartners.ca
• LinkedIn: Vincent Valeri
• Email: vav@vincentvaleri.com