In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, host Robin Bailey and co-host Al McDonald sit down with Conner Bays, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Common Wealth Retirement, to explore how technology, inclusion, and purpose are reshaping financial wellness and the future of retirement.

Conner shares his journey as a competitive runner turned mission-driven leader helping Canadians achieve lifelong financial security. Through his work at Common Wealth, he’s redefining how small and mid-sized businesses can offer accessible, high-impact retirement plans that support employee wellbeing and retention.

Together, they dive into the realities of financial stress, the misconceptions about cost and complexity in group retirement programs, and the profound shift from viewing retirement as an ending to embracing it as a new beginning.

This conversation blends insight and empathy, showing how small changes in how we save, educate, and communicate about money can spark long-term transformation, for both employees and employers.

You’ll hear about:

• From law to leadership: How Jessica pivoted from securities law to executive search and why she never looked back.
• Family in business: The rewards and realities of working with family in a multigenerational company.
• Ripple effects in leadership: How one placement can change lives, organizations, and communities.
• Culture fit vs. skill fit: Why the best person on paper isn’t always the right person for the role.
• Hiring with heart: How Bedford’s 93% success rate comes from prioritizing alignment, not just experience.
• The role of AI in talent strategy: How leaders can navigate technological change with transparency and trust.
• Mentorship and legacy: Why paying it forward and planting seeds for others defines lasting leadership.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:00 From competitive running to leading at Common Wealth
• 04:00 How Common Wealth is closing Canada’s retirement gap
• 06:00 The biggest barriers to offering group retirement plans
• 09:00 Financial literacy and breaking the taboo around money
• 10:00 Retirement planning as part of overall wellbeing
• 12:00 How younger generations are engaging with retirement savings
• 15:00 Making financial confidence accessible through technology
• 18:00 Balancing fees, service, and meaningful financial outcomes
• 20:00 Personalization in benefits: what employees truly want
• 22:00 The evolution of retirement: purpose, health, and longevity
• 25:00 The psychology of retirement and identity beyond work
• 27:00 Wins for employers heading into 2026: new and upgraded plans
• 30:00 Planting trees for future generations through better access and education

Connect with Conner

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorbays
• Website: https://www.commonwealthretirement.com/

Connect with Us

• LinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald
• Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, host Robin Bailey and guest co-host Cory Chadwick sit down with Jessica Pezim, Client Partner at Bedford Consulting Group, to explore how leadership, culture, and human connection shape organizational success.

Jessica shares her journey from practicing securities law to leading executive search and leadership advisory at Bedford. With a unique background spanning law, finance, and talent strategy, she brings deep insight into how the right leadership match can transform not just an organization but lives.

Together, they discuss what it takes to hire beyond the résumé, build cultures that thrive on belonging, and navigate transformation with empathy and purpose. From AI-driven fear to family business dynamics, this conversation blends strategy with humanity, showing that careers are, at their core, deeply human stories.

You’ll hear about:

• From law to leadership: How Jessica pivoted from securities law to executive search and why she never looked back.
• Family in business: The rewards and realities of working with family in a multigenerational company.
• Ripple effects in leadership: How one placement can change lives, organizations, and communities.
• Culture fit vs. skill fit: Why the best person on paper isn’t always the right person for the role.
• Hiring with heart: How Bedford’s 93% success rate comes from prioritizing alignment, not just experience.
• The role of AI in talent strategy: How leaders can navigate technological change with transparency and trust.
• Mentorship and legacy: Why paying it forward and planting seeds for others defines lasting leadership.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:00 From law to executive search and Jessica’s bold career pivot
• 07:00 Family business dynamics and lessons learned from twin mentors
• 10:00 The ripple effect of leadership and the power of impact
• 16:00 Preventing burnout and balancing high performance with humanity
• 17:00 The competency model and why Bedford’s 93% success rate matters
• 18:00 The best person vs. the right person and the difference that changes everything
• 20:00 Values, culture fit, and why alignment matters more than perfection
• 22:00 Diversity of thought and inclusive hiring in times of transformation
• 26:00 AI, fear, and the future of work
• 30:00 Legal meets leadership and Jessica’s unique approach to talent strategy
• 34:00 Planting trees for future leaders, mentorship, purpose, and legacy

Connect with Jessica

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-pezim-a73b2752/
• Website: https://bedfordgroup.com/

Connect with Us

• LinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald
• Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group

In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, host Robin Bailey and guest co-host Cory Chadwick sit down with Mike Daser, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Pure Technology, to explore what it means to lead with heart, empathy, and inclusion in today’s evolving workplace.

With over 15 years of experience building cultures that balance people and performance, Mike shares powerful lessons from his time at Starbucks and Target, and how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. Known for his belief that great leadership starts with empathy, Mike opens up about his passion for supporting newcomers to Canada, building trust-first teams, and creating cultures where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

From “Don’t move the mocha” to hiring for values over skills, this episode is packed with insight, authenticity, and heart.

You’ll hear about:

• Falling in love with people: How Mike’s early experiences at Target changed how he sees leadership and humanity.
• The “Don’t Move the Mocha” lesson: Why great leaders listen first, learn second, and lead through trust.
• Culture fit vs. skill fit: Why attitude and alignment matter more than résumés.
• Supporting newcomers to Canada: How employers can create truly inclusive, equitable workplaces beyond surface-level initiatives.
• The power of mentorship: Lessons from coaching newcomers through job searches, interviews, and cultural transitions.
• Storytelling as leadership: How humanizing yourself builds connection, trust, and belonging.
• Resilience and perspective: Why life goes on, and how setbacks can lead to new opportunities.
• Planting trees for the future: Mike’s vision for a global workforce where talent and potential transcend borders.

If you’re an HR professional, business leader, or anyone passionate about people-first leadership, this conversation is a masterclass in leading with empathy, purpose, and connection.

We talk about:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 04:00 Falling in love with people and stories
• 07:00 The “Don’t Move the Mocha” principle of leadership
• 10:00 Lessons from Target and values-driven hiring
• 13:00 Creating inclusive workplaces for newcomers
• 16:00 Bias, belonging, and the hiring gap
• 21:00 Supporting immigrants inside organizations
• 25:00 Mentorship, storytelling, and authenticity in leadership
• 30:00 Building trust through shared humanity
• 33:00 The trees Mike is planting for future leaders

Connect with Suzanne

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-daser-phri-72b2028a
• Website: https://puretechnology.ai/

Connect with Us

• LinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald
• Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group