Behind the Business

Hosted by Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

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Episodes

119

Latest episode

Oct 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

October 22, 2026Episode 747 min

BDC Small Business Week: Two Brothers, One Standard: Building More Than Homes with Faizal & Riz Jamal

Today’s guests are Riz and Faizal Jamal, the brothers behind Welcome Home Construction. What began in 2001 with a single custom home has grown into a full-service construction and development company, taking on everything from luxury homes and major renovations to multi-residential communities and affordable housing. We'll talk about building a business as brothers, navigating the challenges of growth, learning from setbacks, and staying true to your values in an increasingly complex industry. We'll also explore what makes Waterloo Region such a special place to build a business and a community. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

October 15, 2026Episode 640 min

BDC Small Business Week - The Business of Belonging with Ren Navarro

Today’s guest is Ren Navarro of B. Diversity. Ren is a culture consultant, drinks expert, and founder of B. Diversity. With more than 20 years of experience in customer service and management and more than a decade in the beer and drinks industry, Ren has worked with organizations ranging from small family-run breweries to multinational brands, helping them build workplace cultures that people genuinely want to be part of. What began as conversations over pints has evolved into a broader mission to help organizations build more inclusive, welcoming, and authentic workplace cultures. We'll talk about Ren's own career journey, what the drinks industry has taught her about people and business, why there's often a gap between an organization's stated values and the culture people actually experience, and what business leaders can do to build workplaces where people genuinely want to belong. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

October 8, 2026Episode 541 min

Planting for the Next Generation: Family, Farming and the Future of Agriculture with Tim Shuh

Today’s guest is Tim Shuh of Shuh Orchards. Tim is the fourth generation of the Shuh farmers in Elmira. He made the decision in 2025 to leave the corporate world and join the farm full time. He's now leading the farm's direct-to-consumer sales and helping shape the next chapter of the orchard, including its growing agritourism opportunities. We’ll talk about what it's like to close a chapter on one career for the family business, what four generations of farming can teach us about leadership and resilience, and some of the bigger issues facing agriculture today — from labour and seasonal agricultural workers to sustainability, food security and the future of farming in Canada. Join me in this episode, as we go “Behind the Business” with Tim Shuh of Shuh Orchards. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

October 1, 2026Episode 426 min

BDC Small Business Week - Dr. Tahira Bilal on Business, Safety & Community

Today’s guest is Dr. Tahira Bilal Asim, a physician, Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor and the Director of Canadian Health & Safety Education here in Waterloo Region. Tahira has taken her medical experience and passion for education and turned it into a business focused on giving individuals, workplaces and organizations the knowledge and confidence to respond when it matters most. We'll talk about her journey from medicine to entrepreneurship, what she's learned about building a business around her expertise, and why there's a big difference between simply being compliant and creating a culture of safety. Join me in this episode, as we go “Behind the Business” with Tahira Bilal Asim of Canadian Health & Safety Education. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

September 24, 2026Episode 345 min

Beyond Good Intentions: Stephen Jackson on Making Reconciliation Actionable

Stephen Jackson is the CEO of Anishnabeg Outreach Employment and Training and a leader behind AONest. On this episode, Stephen talks about his journey to this work, how Anishnabeg Outreach has evolved into a broader system of support, and how technology is being used to make mental-health support more accessible. We’ll also explore what meaningful reconciliation can look like for businesses, the importance of preventing youth homelessness, the power of community partnerships, and why Waterloo Region is such an important part of the work. Let’s go “Behind the Business” with Stephen Jackson of Anishnabeg Outreach Employment and Training. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

September 17, 2026Episode 236 min

Feeding the Future: Leadership, Business and the Fight Against Hunger with Faune Lang

Faune Lang is the Executive Director of Food4Kids Waterloo Region. With a background in nonprofit and financial services, Faune has found a meaningful way to combine her passion for children with her commitment to serving the community and creating lasting change. On this episode, she shares what drew her to Food4Kids, what it takes to grow a community-focused organization, and the realities of meeting rising needs across Waterloo Region. She also reflects on leadership, business, mindfulness, and the power of building a stronger community together. Let’s go “Behind the Business” with Faune Lang of Food4Kids. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

September 10, 2026Episode 145 min

From Nuclear to Net Zero: Corey McNair on Building for the Future

On this episode of Behind the Business, Ian is joined by Corey McNair, Executive Vice President, Earth & Environment, WSP in Canada with WSP in Canada. Corey leads more than 4,000 professionals across the country, and his career has taken him through some of the sectors that are critical to how communities grow - from nuclear and construction to transportation and now environmental and earth sciences. We've been asking through our Vision 1 Million series whether Waterloo Region can become a national model for intentional growth. One that balances economic opportunity with environmental sustainability, infrastructure and community well-being. In this episode, Ian and Corey take that conversation a step further: What does sustainable growth actually look like? What do we need to get right before we get to a million people? And can growth, economic opportunity and environmental responsibility really work together? Go “Behind the Business” with Corey McNair. Get a look Behind the Business in Waterloo Region with Ian McLean, President & CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

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 from manufacturers 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.

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