Michael also led digital transformation for all GroupM agencies in Canada, overseeing a centralized team of 300 digital practitioners. Subsequently, Canada led all other markets in preference and performance scores as judged by their agency peers.

However, Michael also likes to run (really) long distances. This long-time Toronto resident, originally from London, ran 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West, Florida, to satisfy his “fascination with ultra running.” He also ran the Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge — four miles every four hours for 48 hours — multiple times. However, Michael’s running is about more than a sense of accomplishment. “In the Goggins Challenge,” he notes, “We raised $250,000 for youth mental health charities. Google it!”

Michael’s journey with Scotwork began when he took the Advancing Negotiation Skills course. “I realized, despite my experience, there was so much I still had to learn as a negotiator.” Upon completing the rigorous program to become a negotiation consultant, he shared a view that informs how he provides negotiation training, “Life is one big negotiation, whether at work or home. So, the better you are at this skill, the better you will be in the game of life!”

Pushing limits to prove that one person’s crazy is another person’s normal continues to drive Michael on his journey. It continues to make the husband and father of three push himself in his downtime, to run the local trails with his black lab, Lily, “to see who runs out of energy first.” Spoiler: It’s never the dog.