In this episode of Discovery Series: Unplugged, we welcome Chantal Gagné, Executive Vice President, Life and Health Insurance Division at Desjardins Group, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, strategy, and long-term growth.

Chantal shares reflections from her professional journey—how early curiosity, strong mentorship, and a deep understanding of risk and responsibility shaped her approach to leadership. She discusses what it means to lead at scale within a large, purpose-driven organization, and how thoughtful decision-making becomes even more critical in times of change.

The conversation explores building sustainable growth in insurance, developing high-performing teams, and aligning strategy with values while navigating complexity. Chantal also offers insights on talent development, collaboration, and why intentional leadership matters more than ever in an evolving industry.

This episode offers a thoughtful perspective for advisors, leaders, and professionals looking to better understand what effective leadership looks like at the executive level—and how long-term thinking shapes lasting impact.

What can a former sports broadcaster teach advisors about building trust, elevating conversations, and standing out in a crowded marketplace?

Quite a lot, it turns out.

In this energetic and insightful episode, David Hutchison — known across the industry as “Hutch” — Manager of Business Development at Gryphin Advantage, shares the unexpected lessons he carried from the broadcast booth into financial services.

From crafting a strong opening, to asking insightful questions, to bringing presence and energy into every client interaction, Hutch breaks down the six “Plays of the Year” that every advisor can use to sharpen their craft and grow their business.

Blending storytelling, humour, real-world advisor scenarios, and even a few memorable dating stories, Hutch shows how great communication isn’t just a skill, it’s a strategy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your intro is everything — and how to “hook” clients in seconds

• How to ask questions that uncover emotion, meaning, and real needs

• Why a clear personal brand makes you referable — and memorable

• How presence, body language, and energy shape every conversation

• Why networking matters more than ever — and what advisors miss about it

• When it’s time to pivot, move on, and refocus your energy

Hutch’s journey proves that the best advisor skills often come from unexpected places — and that when you master how you show up, everything else becomes easier.

What does it take to rebuild an organization, inspire a profession, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing industry? For Kelly Gorman, CEO of Advocis, the answer begins long before the C-suite—back to an 11-year-old girl in Chatham, Ontario, learning resilience, responsibility, and independence from a single mother who worked tirelessly to build a better life.

In this powerful episode of Discovery Series: Unplugged, Kelly shares how early life lessons, personal experiences with illness, and a transformative insurance claim shaped her understanding of protection, financial security, and the true value of advice.

Her journey—from accountant, to securities regulator, to CEO of Canada’s largest professional association for financial advisors—reveals a leader driven by clarity, conviction, and deep respect for the advisor community she now serves.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How resilience is built early—and how Kelly’s upbringing shaped her leadership

• Why a real-life claim experience reframed her belief in the purpose of insurance

• The emotional and financial impact of illness—and how protection buys families time

• Why Canadians need trusted advice more than ever, despite growing protection gaps

• How Advocis is rebuilding with purpose through education, advocacy, and advisor community

• What leadership really requires—and the one skill Kelly believes all great leaders share

This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about life, leadership, purpose, and the profound impact advisors make every single day.