In this episode, I sit down with Carol Hansell, a Senior Partner at Hansell LLP and a member of the Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group in Canada. With over 30 years of experience, Carol has advised boards, management teams, institutional shareholders, and regulators on legal and governance challenges. We explore her vast experience in board and legal affairs, the focus of her current firm, and best practices for boards. Our discussion covers some of the latest governance trends, including ESG, the influence of institutional investors, and shareholder activism in Canada. Additionally, we explore the impact of geopolitics, cybersecurity, and AI in the boardroom. If you like this show, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing this podcast on social media. You can also contribute as a Patron on the link patreon.com/BoardroomGovernancePod or you can subscribe to the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at evanepstein.substack.com This podcast is sponsored by the American College of Governance Counsel.
(0:00) Intro.
(1:10) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.
(1:57) Start of interview.
(2:30) Carol's origin story.
(4:34) Evolution of corporate governance in Canada since the late 1980s.
(5:51) The origin and focus of her firm Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group, based in Canada.
(10:13) On her personal board career and the benefits of lawyers serving on boards.
(14:20) Best practices for board evaluations and distinctions between board education in Canada and the U.S.
(18:57) The rise and influence of large institutional investors in corporate governance.
(22:00) Shareholder activism in Canada.
(24:25) On the state of ESG in Canada.
(30:03) On addressing board diversity.
(37:01) Impact of geopolitics and national security in the boardroom.
(39:45) Impact of AI in the boardroom. "It's top of mind for everybody."
(41:29) Impact of cybersecurity and talent management in the boardroom. Oil and gas directors in boards of banks?
(44:01) Books that have greatly influenced her life: biographies (people that have stood up to authority).
(44:48) Her mentors.
(45:50) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by: "A man's reach must exceed his grasp, or what's the heaven for?"
(46:29) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.
(47:00) The living person she most admires.
(48:20) The challenge in advising corporate governance: "everyone thinks they're an expert now." Plus, recognition of conflicts of interest.
Carol Hansell is a Senior Partner at Hansell LLP and a member of the Hansell McLaughlin Advisory Group in Canada.