88: From Deloitte to the Deep Blue: CEO Kendra MacDonald on Leading Bold Innovation

No Limit Leadership

What if the biggest untapped leadership opportunity on the planet lies underwater?

In this eye-opening episode of No Limit Leadership, Sean Patton sits down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster and former Deloitte partner. Leading a national transformation to bring AI, automation, and collaboration into the $1 trillion ocean economy, Kendra shares insights on navigating complex stakeholder environments, leading without ego, and why 75% of the ocean floor remains unmapped—representing one of humanity's greatest frontiers.

You'll discover why successful leaders fall in love with problems, not technology, how to manage friction points in multi-stakeholder environments, and why the ocean economy may redefine global business in the next decade. Whether you're leading innovation in traditional industries or driving change across complex partnerships, this conversation is packed with practical frameworks for leading transformation in uncharted territory.

What You'll Learn in This Episode
01:20 - Who is Kendra MacDonald and her journey from Deloitte to ocean innovation

05:28 - Project-based vs. sustained leadership: the crucial differences

10:29 - From 275,000 people to one: transitioning to mission-driven CEO

12:38 - The mission of Canada's Ocean Supercluster and the $1 trillion opportunity

16:53 - The unexpected truth about the ocean economy most people don't realize

23:13 - Leading without ego in a complex stakeholder environment

26:59 - The friction point framework: where leaders need to focus their energy

30:36 - The #1 mistake companies make: falling in love with technology, not problems

37:22 - Essential skills rising leaders need for the next 10-15 years

40:01 - The timeless leadership principle that will always matter

Connect with Kendra MacDonald
💻 Website: oceanssupercluster.ca
🔗 LinkedIn: Kendra MacDonald

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No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.