Interac Corp. held its second Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on March 3, 2020, with a program that included management reporting on corporate performance and achievements in the past year; a vision of the future from President & CEO Mark O’Connell; recognition for the outgoing Chair of the Board, Michael E. Roach; and an engaging fireside chat between Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri and Chief Legal Officer, Ombudsman and Corporate Secretary at Interac, Kikelomo O. Lawal. While mandatory for publicly traded companies in most jurisdictions, Interac, a private entity, chooses to hold AGMs for the sake of increased transparency, accountability and reporting.
“Demonstrating and communicating the value of Interac to our shareholders has always been a top priority,” said Kikelomo. “Transparency and accountability are foundational to our leadership in the financial industry and are values we do not take lightly.”
Beyond official business, the Interac AGM is a chance to connect with inspirational leaders. In 2019, at the inaugural AGM under Interac Corp., Astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield shared lessons he learned throughout his career. This year, attendees – including Interac employees for the first time – heard from Toronto Raptors President and NBA Alternate Governor Masai Ujiri.
Opening the Interac AGM to employees was an opportunity for education and development. Traditionally reserved for the Interac executive team and senior leadership, employees learned how Interac engages its shareholders and communicates its corporate strategy. Further, at the post-AGM networking event, employees had a rare chance to mingle with the 80+ shareholder representatives in attendance – including CEOs, VPs and senior leaders from financial institutions across Canada.
It was also an opportunity to inspire.
“So much of what Masai Ujiri embodies reflects the ethos of Interac as a corporate entity, and the winning culture we strive to encourage among our employees,” said Interac President and CEO Mark O’Connell.
We spoke to seven Interac employees – and a few of the Toronto Raptors’ biggest fans – to hear what they learned from this opportunity.
What was the most important lesson you learned from Masai Ujiri?
“Don’t just do things for show. Be passionate about everything you do in your professional and personal life.”
— Edine Boujan, Specialist, Compliance and Enforcement
“Hire smart people for their respective roles on the team. Masai said that he was not the ‘smartest’ person on his team. You need to hire resources who are experts in their fields and empower them to make independent decisions.”
— Virginia Rozario, Specialist, Change Management
“Remember where you came from: Masai speaks fondly and proudly of his past; it’s a refreshing reminder that our upbringing truly shapes who we are today. The challenges and opportunities we face throughout our lives are what makes us individual and unique; this is something that cannot be replicated.”
— Jeff Alkins, Associate, Client Management
“The importance of inclusivity. When Masai Ujiri shared his focus on hiring women, it highlighted his belief that everyone has something unique to offer. The more diverse the team, the better chance you have to win.”
— Peter Seney, Specialist, Communications
“You should always strive to strike a balance in your life between adding value to yourself, to your community, to your family, to your friends and to your workplace. In today’s world, we should all be responsible for something bigger than simply drawing a paycheck.”
— Mamata Krishnamurthy, Senior Manager, Digital Commerce
“It’s important to win and win as a team.”
— Goran Vukancic, Full Stack Developer
“Focus on winning, both on the court, then off the court, and bring the right people with you. I like Masai’s approach to hiring talent for his leadership team and finding people that are smarter than him to create an elevated culture.”
— Zamir Rahemtulla, Manager, Risk Management
How will you weave the lessons you learned into your career?
“By always speaking up without fear, being introspective, and by encouraging others around me to do the same.
— Mamata Krishnamurthy, Senior Manager, Digital Commerce
“Take full advantage of opportunities that arise, and do not be intimidated by the moment or the people in the room. Instead, I will ask questions and learn from experience. And I will go into new opportunities whole heartedly and passionately.”
— Edine Boujan, Specialist, Compliance and Enforcement
Did anything you learned about Masai Ujiri surprise you?
“I learned Masai Ujiri took on a non-paid position with a basketball team early on in his career. This shows his passion for the game and how it is more than just a job for him.”
— Peter Seney, Specialist, Communications
“That he initially played soccer and later played basketball across European countries.”
— Goran Vukancic, Full Stack Developer
“It was fascinating to hear about Masai’s gameday routine; whether he’s watching with colleagues, or in an isolated location to focus – game time requires the pinnacle of his attention.”
— Jeff Alkins, Associate, Client Management
*Some answers have been edited for clarity
