Episode 29
Neil Desai
Deeper Diversity

Join us in this episode of the Future in Sound podcast where we welcome Neil Desai, an accomplished corporate director and executive with a rich background in public policy and the private sector. Neil has played pivotal roles from serving in Canada's parliament to leading tech companies. Most recently, he served on the leadership team of Magnet Forensics, a Canadian technology company that develops digital investigation software used by more than 4,000 police, national security and other public and private organisations in over 100 countries. There, he helped lead the growth of the company from startup to its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2021 and its 1.8 billion Canadian dollar sale in 2023. As a senior fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation and various board positions, Neil brings a wealth of experience and insight into the integration of governance and technology. In this episode Neil discusses the transformative role of diversity in board recruitment, the interplay between corporate values and economic strategies in fostering long-term business success, and much more.

Expand Diversity in Board Recruitment:

Neil advocates for widening the criteria for board diversity to include not just demographic variety but also diversity of expertise and experience to enrich board dynamics and enhance governance effectiveness.

Align Corporate Values with Market Realities:

Neil discusses how integrating core values into business operations can foster long-term economic success, highlighting the importance of aligning business missions with societal needs to ensure sustainable impact.

Uphold Ethical Standards in Technological Advancements:

Drawing from his tech background, Neil emphasises the need for stringent ethical guidelines in governance to ensure technology development aligns with public good while supporting business objectives.