Behind the Business

Hosted by Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

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Episodes

112

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Behind the Business is presented by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by Gore Mutual, this podcast features weekly episodes hosted by Ian McLean, President and CEO of the Greater KW Chamber. It is recorded on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee, peoples. Each week Ian sits down for candid conversations, taking listeners beyond the boardroom and Behind the Business to uncover the real stories within Waterloo Region’s business community. From innovation and sustainability to leadership and community impact, each guest offers invaluable perspectives and inspiring journeys. Discover what drives their ambition, and WHO is fueling the future of Waterloo Region’s success. Join us as we go Behind the Business!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 14, 2026Episode 3044 min

Building Canada’s Manufacturing Advantage with Aaron Toplician

On this episode of Behind the Business, Ian is joined by Aaron Toplician from Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC). Aaron is the Manufacturing Consortium Manager for Southern Ontario.Aaron brings more than a decade of experience working across advanced robotics, software, AI, and cybersecurity, and now works directly with manufacturers across Southern Ontario to help them navigate growth, workforce pressures, technology adoption, competitiveness, and long-term resilience.In this conversation, they talk about Aaron’s own career journey into manufacturing and technology, what he’s hearing frommanufacturers right now, where the sector is headed, and why partnerships and collaboration are becoming more important than ever.They also dive into the new partnership between EMC and the Greater KW Chamber around this year’s Manufacturing Summit, and what that means for manufacturers across Waterloo Region, Guelph, Cambridge, and the broader Innovation Corridor.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

April 30, 2026Episode 2922 min

Where Smart Leaders Find Profit in Plain Sight with Kevin L.

On this episode of Behind the Business, Ian is joined by Kevin Litwiller, Strategic Partner with Schooley Mitchell, the largest independent cost reduction consulting firm in North America.Kevin brings decades of experience as a senior leader, entrepreneur, and investor, with a deep understanding of what it really takes to run and grow a business.In his work, Kevin helps organizations uncover hidden inefficiencies in essential business services, with a focus on delivering objective, data-driven insights that support stronger margins and better long-term decision-making.Beyond his advisory work, Kevin is also actively engaged in the Waterloo Region business community, including his role as Chair of Kitchener-Waterloo Business Connections, and his involvement in peer-driven entrepreneurial circles.In this conversation, they explore Kevin’s entrepreneurial journey, what he’s learned from decades of building and advising businesses, and how leaders can think differently about cost, growth, and resilience in today’s economy.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

April 23, 2026Episode 2842 min

Pierre Cléroux: Decoding Canada’s Economic Future for Business Leaders

On this episode of Behind the Business, Ian is joined by one of Canada’s leading economic voices, Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC.With more than 25 years of experience shaping economic policy, advising governments, and analyzing business trends across Canada and globally, Pierre brings a unique perspective on what’s really driving success, and risk, for today’s entrepreneurs.In this episode, they go beyond the headlines to unpack the current economic climate, what it means for Canadian businesses, and how leaders can make smarter, more strategic decisions in an increasingly complex environment. They also explore Pierre’s own career journey from public policy to global advisory roles, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.If you’re a business owner, executive, or emerging leader looking to stay ahead of the curve, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

April 16, 2026Episode 2732 min

Leading Across Borders with Tomoko King: Turning Cultural Differences into Strategic Advantage

Tomoko King is a Japan–Canada business advisor who helps organizations navigate the real challenges that come with cross-border partnerships. Things like misaligned expectations, different decision-making styles, and communication gaps that can quietly slow down progress or strain relationships.Tomoko brings a unique lens to her work. She was born in Canada, raised in Japan, and spent over 15 years working with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, where she built a foundation in operational excellence and strategy execution. Since then, she’s worked across sectors, including healthcare, municipal government, non-profits, and higher education.Ian and Tomoko discuss what it really takes to build effective global partnerships, how leaders can bridge cultural differences without losing momentum, and why alignment is the key to execution.Go “Behind the Business” with Tomoko King. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

February 26, 2026Episode 2619 min

Reimagining Oktoberfest for a New Generation with Oktoberfest Ambassador, André Killingbeck

André Killingbeck is the 2025–26 Ambassador for Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, and the first male Ambassador in the program’s history.At just 24 years old, André brings a unique blend of healthcare experience, community leadership, and cultural pride to this one-of-a-kind role. By day, he works as a Care Access Coordinator at CBI Home Health. By night, and often on weekends, he’s representing one of the largest Bavarian festivals outside of Germany.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

February 19, 2026Episode 2533 min

Building Trust in AI: How Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia is Transforming Primary Care

Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia is the CEO, founder, and visionary force behind Amplify Care. Amplify Care is a not-for-profit, founded as the eHealth Centre of Excellence in 2014, and was established to support clinicians and their teams with the innovative solutions that meet their needs and improve patient experience.Dr. Alarakhia’s career spans family medicine, digital health, and education, with deep roots in Waterloo Region. He is a faculty lead at McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and a practicing family physician at The Centre for Family Medicine.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

February 12, 2026Episode 2424 min

The 1% That Changes Everything: Leadership Insights with Andrew Leith

Andrew Leith, Founder of Octant Executive Advisory Group, joins Behind the Business to unpack what it really takes to lead through complexity and change.Andrew’s leadership philosophy wasn’t shaped in a boardroom. It began on a marina in Southern Ontario. Growing up on the water taught him early lessons about unpredictability, resilience, and navigating uncertainty. Those lessons became the foundation for Octant, a firm that empowers executives and teams across industries to embrace curiosity, accountability, and innovation.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

February 5, 2026Episode 2341 min

Behind the Lens: From Love Story to Global Brand with Gary & Kim Evans

On this episode of Behind the Business, Ian McLean sits down with Gary and Kim Evans — a husband-and-wife team who’ve built far more than an award-winning wedding photography brand.Ranked among the top photographers in the world, Gary and Kim have gone on to launch multiple businesses, redefining what’s possible within the creative economy. From Gary’s bold move from Wales to Canada and the challenge of rebuilding from the ground up in Waterloo Region, to Kim’s leadership in systems, strategy, and marketing, their story is one of calculated risk, reinvention, and intentional growth.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

January 29, 2026Episode 2233 min

Building More Than Homes: Philip Mills on Housing, Hope, and Systems Change

Philip Mills is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region and BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region. Housing affordability has become one of the defining challenges of our time, impacting businesses, families, talent attraction, and the overall health of our communities.Fortunately, Philip is at the forefront of tackling housing from both an affordability and systems-change perspective. In this conversation, Ian & Philip explore how Habitat for Humanity’s unique model creates long-term impact, why the “missing middle” is critical to our region’s future, and what it takes to move from incremental change to bold, collaborative solutions. They also talk leadership, lessons learned, and why Waterloo Region continues to be a place where ambitious ideas can actually happen.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

January 22, 2026Episode 2121 min

Selling Smarter with Kelly Koner: How CRM Strategy Turns Relationships into Revenue

Kelly Koner is an Account Executive at Rolldog CRM — an award-winning Canadian platform helping businesses better understand their customers, streamline sales, and drive smarter growth.Kelly’s career spans consumer goods, analytics, and technology, with a strong foundation right here in Waterloo Region as a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business. She has previously held positions at Dynac Inc., Axonify, SC Johnson, and PepsiCo.In this episode, Ian and Kelly unpack what businesses often get wrong about CRM, how sales is evolving in a data-driven world, and why human relationships still sit at the centre of sustainable growth.They also talk about leadership without titles, navigating a career in sales, and what makes building a business (and a career) in Waterloo Region so unique.Go “Behind the Business” with Kelly Koner.Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.