Lead Change with a Strategic Plan that Actually Works

Neil Thornton

Founder - The Thornton Group

• Understand the three key questions for any planning process

• Apply the Balanced Scorecard approach (Kaplan) with 5 key priorities

• Understand the strategic planning is easy; it’s the ‘doing’ that is the hard part

• Ensure fingerprints are on the planning process at every level of the organization

• Engaging people in the process through vision, mission, and values

• Speaking and coaching skills required

• Remember that your culture will eat your strategic plan for breakfast!

📅 Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 🕓 Time: 11:30am – 2:00pm

📍Location: Conestoga College – Waterloo Campus

Objectives:

Director's Crisis Playbook

📅 Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 🕓 Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

📍Location: Westmount Golf & Country Club

Join author Jaime Watt discussing the latest book Director’s Crisis Playbook: Proven Methods for Boards to Manage Issues, Respond to Crisis, & Recover Reputation.

In today’s unforgiving environment, crises arrive faster, spread wider, and cut deeper than ever before. The old playbook—slow, cautious, and reactive—is obsolete.

Jaime Watt is the Chairman and Founder of Navigator and a bestselling author specializing in complex public strategy issues. He is currently the Chancellor of Ontario College of Art and Design University and serves on the boards of several organizations, including the University Health Network and Shaw Festival.

A respected public affairs commentator, Watt regularly contributes to CBC platforms across Canada and writes a column for the Toronto Star. His latest book, Director's Crisis Playbook, draws on his decades of experience advising boards. His debut book, What I Wish I Said: Confessions of a Columnist, was a national bestseller.

Jaime Watt

Author

2026-2027 Events Calendar

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For waitlist inquiries or additional assistance, please contact Kelly at kelly@cffb.ca

We look forward to welcoming members to our Annual General Meeting this September, bringing members together to reflect on our accomplishments, strengthen community connections, and discuss the year ahead. This year's featured session, “Lead Change with a Strategic Plan that Actually Works” with Neil Thornton, will explore why creating a strategic plan is often the easy part, while successfully putting it into action is where organizations truly succeed or struggle. With practical insights and proven approaches, Neil will share how to turn strategy into meaningful results and lasting impact.