Canadians Leading with Impact
Welcome to Canada’s premier leadership podcast, where we spotlight the leaders transforming businesses and communities across the True North.
Discover practical wisdom and inspiration from executives, entrepreneurs, and rising stars who share strategies and stories that define Canadian leadership.
What You’ll Hear:
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Proven leadership tactics from Canada’s most influential business voices
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Real stories of grit, growth, and transformation across industries
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Actionable insights to elevate your impact and career trajectory
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The competitive advantages that make Canadian leadership distinctive globally
Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned executive, gain blueprints for building skills that drive real results.
New episodes every week—subscribe now and lead with impact.
Presented by Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven | Dale Carnegie Business Group
Episode 10 - Building Trust in High-Stakes Business: Lessons from Alex Van Zijl
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
What does it really take to lead when the stakes are high, the market is uncertain, and people are counting on your decisions? In this episode of Canadians Leading with Impact, we sit down with Alex Van Zijl, Founding Partner of InterAtlas Chemical, to explore the leadership mindset required to build trust, make tough calls, and create long-term impact in business.
Episode 9 - Leading With Trust, Courage, and Accountability with Alan Beech
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
How does real leadership show up in the moments that matter most; when trust breaks, when teams struggle, or when decisions impact people as much as performance? In Canadians Leading with Impact's first episode of 2026, we sit down with Alan Beech, President of Beech Consulting, to explore leadership from the inside out: trust, courage, accountability, communication, and the human side of business. From developing leaders on the front lines to strengthening culture, Alan shares insights from years of working with organizations that want results without losing their people in the process. You’ll hear reflections on: 1. Why trust and confidence are the foundation of influence 2. The role of empathy and accountability in leadership growth 3. Lessons learned from real-world leadership challenges 4. How communication shapes performance, culture, and relationships 5. The importance of learning, coaching, and leading with humility This conversation goes beyond theory, it’s about leadership as a daily practice.
Episode 8: Leadership Lessons from Ron Foxcroft: Courage, Communication, and Canadian Grit
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode of Canadians Leading with Impact, hosts Troy Treleaven and Kevin Crone sit down with one of Canada’s most remarkable leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators - Ron Foxcroft. Ron’s story defies convention. A self-described introvert who didn’t graduate high school on time, he went on to become an Order of Canada recipient, a 24-year NBA official, the inventor of the world-famous Fox 40 whistle, and the builder of a globally respected Canadian business. From officiating the 1976 Olympic gold medal basketball game, to calling Michael Jordan’s first college game, to meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, Ron shares the lessons behind a lifetime of impact; including why courage matters more than credentials, why failure is just a learning experience, and why business is ultimately about people communicating with people. He also reflects on how Dale Carnegie training transformed his confidence and communication, helping him move from self-doubt to leadership presence, and why those skills are more important than ever in today’s virtual, fast-moving world.
Episode 7 - Building Leaders Through Real Work: A Conversation with Luke Shantz
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
What does real leadership look like when you learn it on the job, not in a textbook? In this episode, host Troy Treleaven sits down with Luke Shantz - Founder & President of Arcadian Projects - to explore what real, grounded leadership looks like inside one of Canada’s most trusted trades and energy-management companies. Luke’s story begins far from corporate boardrooms. Raised on a farm and shaped by the skilled trades, he learned early that leadership isn’t something you’re handed; it’s something you build through hard work, resilience, and the pressure of real-world experience. From millwright to entrepreneur, Luke shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and choices that helped him develop confidence, communication skills, and the people-first leadership approach he uses today. His journey offers a refreshing and authentic look at how leaders grow, not through titles, but through responsibility, challenges, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Episode 6 - From Collision to Legacy: Sam Mercanti on Values, Leadership, & Building CARSTAR Canada
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode, hosts Troy Treleaven and Kevin Crone sit down with Sam Mercanti, self-made entrepreneur and former CEO of CARSTAR Canada, to uncover how values, faith, and family became the foundation of his business success. Sam shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings as an Italian immigrant in Hamilton, Ontario, to building one of Canada’s most respected automotive brands. With deep insights into leadership, vision, and culture, Sam reveals how surrounding himself with great people, and staying true to his principles, helped turn CARSTAR into a Gold-level, 50 Best Managed Company. Now President of Mercanti Management Inc., Sam continues to mentor leaders and give back to the community through his family office and philanthropic work.
Episode 5 - Trauma-Informed Leadership: How Leaders Manage Conflict with Empathy w/ Treena Reilkoff
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode, host Troy Treleaven sits down with Treena Reilkoff QMED, WFA, PHSA, CCM, Trauma-Informed Conflict Management and Resilient Risk Consultant at TLR Solutions for Conflict, to unpack how leaders can navigate conflict with compassion and composure. Treena shares powerful insights on the role of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and trauma-informed practices in leadership, and why understanding human behavior is critical to creating safer, stronger workplaces.
Episode 4 - Building Confidence and Character: Leadership Training with Chris Thomson
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode, Chris Thomson, Head Coach at Student Works Management Program, joins hosts Troy Treleaven and Kevin Crone to unpack the art of developing leaders from the ground up. With decades of experience coaching university students to become high-performing entrepreneurs, Chris shares how accountability, mindset, and resilience shape the future of Canadian leadership. 🎙 What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • The core leadership principles behind the Student Works Management Program • How coaching creates leaders who thrive under pressure and embrace responsibility • Why character and discipline outperform raw talent in the long run • Chris’s approach to turning mistakes into learning moments that drive growth • Actionable takeaways for new managers and leaders building high-trust cultures
Episode 3 - Leadership Mindset Secrets: From Ego to Empowerment with Andy Martiniello
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode, host Kevin Crone sits down with Andy Martiniello, Principal & Professional Coach at Click Coaching and a member of the Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, to discuss what truly drives leadership growth in today’s complex business world. Andy shares deep insights from years of working with executives, business owners, and leadership teams across Ontario—covering everything from emotional intelligence to ego awareness and balance under pressure. 🎯 What You’ll Discover: • Why great leaders start with self-awareness before strategy • How to balance confidence with humility in high-pressure roles • Why ego can be both your best ally and your biggest obstacle • The mindset shift that separates average managers from impactful leaders • Real coaching takeaways to build trust, empowerment, and accountability
Episode 2 - Leading with Conviction: Jayson Lowe’s Journey as a Canadian Financial Trailblazer
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this episode, we’re joined by Jayson Lowe, Founder and CEO of Ascendant Financial Inc., one of Canada’s most talked-about financial leadership voices. Jayson pulls back the curtain on what it means to lead boldly in a fast-changing industry, while staying rooted in values, service, and long-term vision. 🎙 What You’ll Learn in This Episode • How Jayson built a high-performance team through values-first leadership • The importance of having a mentor that will guide you in your leadership journey. • How to re-wire your thinking and be a positive force for others. • Real-world strategies for empowering people to own their results; at work and in life • What value-focused leadership really looks like, regardless of size.
Episode 1: How Canadian Leaders Create Lasting Impact: Insights from Ron Harper
Kevin Crone & Troy Treleaven
In this premiere episode, we sit down with Ron Harper, President & CEO of JFE Shoji Power Canada, Inc., to explore how strong leadership development and real-world experience shape business growth. Ron shares insights that every new manager, seasoned leader, or executive can learn from—whether you’re overcoming new manager challenges, avoiding common leadership mistakes, or looking for practical management tips to grow your team. 🎙 What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • First time manager tips for building trust and authentic influence • The key differences between managing people and truly leading a team • Ron’s personal leadership journey, including the challenges and wins that shaped him • Practical leadership skills for new managers to use right away • Actionable strategies that serve as a new manager survival guide
