Sue Tardi, President & Founder

Throughout my career, I've hired or been involved in the hiring of many people. Today, through Leaps&Bounds, we have the privilege of helping organizations through executive search, recruitment, leadership transitions, and strategic growth. Whether it's an executive search, a critical hire, or supporting a leadership transition, one thing I know, recruitment is about far more than filling a vacancy. It's one of the most visible expressions of your leadership, your culture, and your brand. Every interaction a candidate has during the hiring process shapes their perception of your organization. Long before they accept an offer, they're deciding whether they trust [...]

In consulting and professional services, it’s common to see requests for proposals ask for a specific number of years of experience. Sometimes it’s five years. Sometimes ten. Sometimes more. And on the surface, that makes perfect sense. Organizations want to know they are working with people who are credible, capable, and seasoned enough to navigate complexity well. But over the last couple of years, I’ve found myself reflecting more deeply on what we really mean when we talk about experience. Are we measuring the age of a company? The tenure of a brand? Or the lived experience of the people [...]

In February, I wrote Leaps&Bounds’ year-in-review article on a flight to Toronto. We had such a strong year, and I was so proud of what the L&B team had accomplished. At the same time, the flight was taking me to deliver a eulogy for my dear friend Josy, while also processing a breast cancer diagnosis I had just received. It was a lot. Over the last decade, I’ve become disciplined about my health. No matter how busy things get, I go to the appointments, and I do the tests. So when something felt off in December, I followed up right [...]

Two years ago, on March 8, 2024, Leaps&Bounds officially launched. I had no idea what the first two years would bring. Since then, I’ve started a small tradition for myself: writing a “report card” at milestone moments to reflect on how things are going. My hope is that ten years from now I’ll look back on these reflections and remember what the early years of building this business actually felt like. The short version of this year’s report card? It’s been an incredible year. Our Team Is Growing In March 2025, we had four full-time team members and one part-time. [...]

The best work happens when you stop protecting and start partnering. I’ve seen this again and again in my career. Generosity, not scarcity, is what creates better outcomes, better relationships, and better results for clients. And as we move into the holiday season, I’m reminded of how powerful that mindset really is. I learned this early on. Back in my IBM days, I worked alongside people who were technically “competitors,” often pursuing the same clients or solving similar challenges. But instead of creating distance, those relationships opened doors. We shared ideas, we supported each other, and we built trust that [...]

One of the most fulfilling roles I’ve ever held was working in career transition. Not just leading the team, but being in the work myself, sitting with clients, listening to their stories, and helping them chart their path forward. I’ve supported corporate clients in making tough decisions, guiding them through planning, communication, and the human side of organizational change. And I’ve sat across from individuals on the day they lost their job, helping them take the first step toward what’s next. There are many stories I could share, but one stands out. I was onsite when an executive was being [...]

When Leaps&Bounds was launched in March 2024, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t anticipate the incredible highs of winning important, complex projects, or receiving texts like this: “You’ve been outstanding. A lifeline. You have been pivotal at a critical time.” I also hadn’t imagined having to dip into personal funds to cover payroll at the end of 2024 and feeling the doubts creep in. On the one hand, I knew the work we were doing was meaningful. On the other hand, I wondered – would it be enough? And then January hit, and everything changed. The seeds [...]

Many of the articles I’ve written have touched on leadership, often at the executive level and sometimes about new leaders. It got me thinking that I, like many others, have overlooked the importance of middle managers in our organizations. We define middle managers as team leads, regional directors, and senior managers who translate strategic vision into reality. They carry the weight of culture, accountability, and influence – not from the top, but from the centre. They’re expected to inspire, deliver, align, adapt, and hold it all together. In my opinion, it’s one of the most demanding leadership roles in any [...]