SPEAKER
AUTHOR
COACH
ABOUT
Brad Mahon, MBA, PhD, has enjoyed more than 25 years as a leader in higher education. His experience spans from the classroom to the boardroom, always with an emphasis on engaging the community.
Brad Mahon, President and CEO of Great Plains College in Saskatchewan, is a dedicated leader in education, known for his commitment to creating impactful, community-centered learning experiences. With a rich background as a university dean and college president, he emphasizes collaboration and strategic partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and industry. His book, "Leadership Is Personal" (2025), shares his philosophy of authentic, values-driven leadership that builds strong internal cultures and meaningful community connections, essential for organizational success. Recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for his service to education, Brad also serves on the Colleges and Institutes Canada’s Board of Directors. A professional guitarist with the American Federation of Musicians, he maintains his artistic roots as a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners.
Community engagement and corporate culture drive business success
Competitive advantage flows from the community you identify, participate in, help build, and ultimately serve—making that community your full partner. That starts with leadership, and leadership starts within.
At its core, leadership is a personal journey of self-discovery, learning to connect, and building partnerships.
Lead from within
True leadership stems from self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and clearly defined values that guide your vision and voice. By doing the inner work first, you can lead with authenticity and purpose.
Connect with your community
Organizations and leaders must move beyond a transactional mindset and fully engage their communities. Understanding your neighbors, forging partnerships, and creating win-win relationships provides meaning, and competitive advantage.
Walk the talk
As a leader, you set the culture through your words, actions, and what you celebrate. By modeling desired behaviors, communicating with transparency, hiring for values fit, and inspiring your team, you can realign your organization to support your community-focused leadership.
PUBLICATIONS
I wrote a book just for YOU!
"Leadership is Personal" by Brad Mahon explores the transformative impact of authentic, community-centered leadership. Through insights from his background in higher education and the arts, Mahon emphasizes the importance of building strong internal cultures and meaningful community connections. This book offers practical guidance for leaders seeking to make a lasting difference, from uncovering their unique leadership voice to fostering a purpose-driven company culture. Mahon’s inspiring approach highlights how aligning personal values with organizational goals can enhance engagement, loyalty, and partnerships, making this a vital read for anyone looking to lead with purpose and positive impact.
SPEAKING
Community engagement and corporate culture drive business success, and this premise has become my competitive advantage. The results have been happier customers, enhanced organizational reputations, greater brand awareness, heightened partnerships, improved employee satisfaction, and healthier financial positions.
And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that success can be studied and duplicated. What I’ve achieved is teachable, and my principles may be applied widely to businesses of varying sizes, in diverse sectors.