The Innovation Glass Ceiling: How Governance Shapes Innovation

Innovation rarely fails because of a lack of ideas. More often, it stalls because of governance.

As organizations face accelerating technological change, AI adoption, and increasing pressure to innovate responsibly, one question continues to surface in boardrooms and executive teams alike:

How does the Board of Directors actually influence innovation—and how should innovation leaders work with them?

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This year, we are moving beyond the one-way discussions to focus on the EXPERIENCE of collaboration. In an era of digital noise, we are reclaiming the power of the room. This series is about the raw energy of connecting and problem-solving with true peers.

We aren't just here to talk; we’re here to build solutions. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to try out some new diverese, tactile methods to bridge the gap between theory and reality. You can expect the breakthrough clarity that only comes from candid, closed-door conversation and hands-on problem-solving. No passive listening. No "innovation theatre." Just the collective wisdom of Calgary’s brightest operators solving the questions that don’t have simple answers.

Michael Procee, Forum co-founder, shares insights from his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Field of Study research and practitioner experience to explore how Boards shape, enable, constrain, and ultimately influence innovation outcomes inside organizations.

This interactive, discussion-driven session will be split into two parts:

Part 1: How Do You Set Up the Board for Innovation?

We’ll explore how board composition, structure, and mindset influence innovation long before any project is approved, including:

• What research tells us about board oversight vs. board enablement
• How boards balance risk, control, and long-term value creation
• The roles boards play as monitors, resource providers, and strategic partners
• Common governance patterns that unintentionally slow or distort innovation

Part 2: How Do You Work With the Board on Your Innovation Program?

Shifting from structure to practice, we’ll examine:

• How innovation leaders can engage boards more effectively
• What boards actually want to see from innovation programs
• How to frame exploration, experimentation, and uncertainty in Board terms
• Practical ways to reduce “innovation theatre” and increase meaningful oversight

Throughout the session, Michael will connect real-world board dynamics with established management theory, translating academic insight into practical guidance innovation leaders can actually use.

This forum is designed for those navigating the "gravity" of leadership, whether in a skyscraper or a community hub. We are looking for:

• Transformation & Digital Leaders: Anyone leading large-scale digital transformation or AI-focused initiatives who needs to bridge the gap between technical potential and board-level risk appetite.
• Corporate & NFP Innovation Leaders: Senior practitioners driving transformational change who want to move beyond "innovation theatre" and secure long-term governance buy-in.
• Continuous Improvement & Ops Specialists: Leaders focused on iterative growth and continuous improvement who find their scaling efforts stalled by traditional oversight structures.
• Executive Directors & CEOs: Leaders of Non-Profits who need to align a volunteer Board with modern, tech-forward service models.
• Strategy & R&D Leads: Anyone responsible for translating high-level ambition into a roadmap that a Board can confidently approve.

This session is being held at the The Deloitte Greenhouse, 7th floor, 850 2 St SW #700, Calgary, AB. Reception is open for participants who have signed up only. Access is located from ground floor or the +15 level in Bankers Hall (west tower).

Please try to arrive 15 minutes early to help you navigate the new space and check in at reception.

Snacks and drinks provided.

The Deloitte Greenhouse in Calgary is a specialized innovation and workshop space designed to help business leaders and teams break through complex challenges. It moves away from "business as usual" by combining behavioral science, design thinking, and high-tech environments to accelerate decision-making.

As always, the session will emphasize peer discussion, shared experience, and candid conversation—not presentations for presentation’s sake.

• In-person, closed-door peer forum.
• Method-driven: Short framing presentations followed by Lego builds, design thinking sprints, or peer-led workshops.
• Zero Fluff: No sales pitches, no recordings—just honest, tactile conversation to solve real problems.

The Calgary Innovation Peer Forum exists to bring together senior innovation practitioners to tackle the questions that don’t have simple answers. This session goes straight to the top of the organization—where innovation governance quietly succeeds or fails.

Thanks to our sponsor, Unbounded Thinking.

We look forward to seeing you on February 19th, 2026.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Deloitte, 850 2 Street Southwest, Calgary, Canada

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