Shannon Talbot
A bit about Shannon
- Human Connection & Leadership Expert
- Experienced Corporate Leader With Practical Insight
- Transformational Communicator & Speaker
Meet Shannon Talbot
Shannon Talbot is a leadership speaker and facilitator who helps leaders navigate pressure, complexity, and the moments where leadership actually gets tested.
With over 15 years of corporate leadership experience in financial services and advertising, Shannon brings a grounded, real-world perspective to the challenges leaders face every day. Her work is further shaped by her experience mentoring incarcerated men in a medium-security prison, where accountability and leadership behaviours are exposed without titles, politics, or excuses.
This unique combination of boardroom experience and firsthand insight allows Shannon to deliver powerful, story-driven keynotes that challenge leaders to confront hard truths, stop avoiding difficult conversations, and lead with clarity when it matters most.
Shannon has worked with organizations including Nestlé, BMO, Publicis Groupe, and Loblaw. She is the author of Breaking Free, a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards, and her work has been featured on CBC Radio, Breakfast Television, Business Insider, and Today’s Parent.
Shannon's Group Overview
Shannon is deeply passionate about helping people and organizations move forward. She coaches CEOs and helps leadership teams level up their performance.
Group Member Overview
Shannon leads and mentors her Forum Group of executives and CEOs to help them resolve their biggest challenges.
Technology
Health Food
Accounting
Children’s Healthcare
Financial research
Recruitment
Nonprofit
Print production
Artificial Intelligence
Meeting Locations
Shannon’s forum group meets 7 times per year. Each member hosts the meeting at their preferred location, which is hosted within the Greater Toronto Area.
Special Advisors
MacKay Chairs engage a committee of Special Advisors in their professional and group development, expanding the network and support available to our members and Chairs. These seasoned experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, elevating the quality of our Forums. By collaborating closely with Forum Chairs, they enhance the peer support system, tapping into a deeper pool of connections and expertise to foster even greater leadership development and business success.
Andrew Webster
Managing Partner, Webster Financial
Andrew Webster is a seasoned financial services leader and Managing Partner at Webster Financial, where he helps individuals and businesses navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Andrew combines deep expertise in wealth management, retirement and estate planning, and insurance strategy to build personalized financial plans that support clients’ long-term goals.
Carly-Anne Fairlie
CEO & Executive Recruiter, Catalyst Search
Carly-Anne is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Executive Search, a boutique executive search and recruitment firm supporting organizations through senior- and executive-level hiring and talent advisory. With over 15 years of experience in executive search and recruitment, she is most often engaged when roles are business-critical, the market is highly competitive, and leadership alignment truly matters. Her focus is helping leaders make sound, long-term people decisions—reducing risk, strengthening leadership teams, and avoiding costly mis-hires.
Gus Markou
CEO, 30 Degrees Management
Gus Markou is a seasoned sales and business development leader with deep experience in the aviation industry. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he has built a strong track record in driving revenue growth, cultivating client relationships, and leading high-performing sales teams. Known for his strategic mindset and customer-focused approach, Gus combines industry expertise with a passion for delivering tailored solutions that meet complex business needs.
WHAT CAN PEER LEARNING DO FOR YOU?
Vision
The collective group will be able to provide valuable insights as to future outcomes.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
A valuable platform for creating a collective narrative that strengthens connections and promotes a sense of community.
SUPPORT
Members find a supportive community that offers insights, understanding and creates a valuable network for navigating challenges and fostering personal growth.
