A speaker whose authority comes not from studying these issues — but from living them.
Four decades of practice across fifteen countries. From the Supreme Court of Canada to constitutional court judges in Kyiv. From parliamentary committees to international symposia. From crisis leadership to institutional transformation.
"I have never spoken about something I have not done. That is the only kind of speaking worth doing."
Darrell Brown brings to the platform a career that spans litigation at the Supreme Court of Canada and Federal Court of Appeal, multi-year legislative reform programmes in post-Soviet and post-Yugoslavia republics, review of legislative and regulatory systems after regime change in Southeast Asia, the transformation of a 145-year-old national institution through a pandemic, owning and operating his own art sector businesses, and two decades of governance advisory work across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
He is equally at home delivering a keynote to a room of general counsel on regulatory compliance as he is speaking to an executive audience on leading through institutional crisis — because he has done both, at the highest level. His international experience — speaking before constitutional court judges in Ukraine, chairing reform symposia in Jakarta, presenting to USAID and ADB-supported audiences across Southeast and Central Asia — gives his delivery a breadth rarely found in Canadian practitioners.
Darrell is also a seasoned media presence, having served as the principal public spokesperson for the Canadian National Exhibition across television, radio, and public platforms since 2020 and as the principal spokesperson for multiple international projects.
Governance & Accountability
For boards, bar associations, regulators, and general counsel who need a speaker with demonstrated experience reforming institutions, litigating at the highest courts, and navigating the intersection of law, governance, and institutional power.
Darrell has advised and reformed governance structures across the public, private, charitable, and international development sectors — and has the litigation record to match.
Leadership & Institutional Transformation
For executive audiences, sector conferences, and organisational development contexts where lived experience matters more than theory. Darrell rebuilt the CNE during COVID, secured $15 million in emergency funding, and delivered the largest surplus in the institution's 145-year history.
He has opened his home to Ukrainian refugees, personally delivered medical supplies to a war zone, and intervened at personal risk to protect lives abroad. He speaks on leadership from a place of genuine consequence.
Policy, Reform & Public Affairs
For government bodies, multilateral institutions, sector associations, and international conference organisers. Darrell has appeared before parliamentary committees in Canada and Ukraine, chaired international reform symposia, and served as the public face of a major national institution on policy matters at all three levels of government.
His policy fluency spans social sector reform, municipal finance, trade and investment, tax, and institutional governance.
Succeeding in the Art Sector
Darrell oversaw the operation of his own for-profit gallery, several not-for-profit arts and cultural endeavours, and the CNE's Withrow Common Gallery. He has coordinated the sale of artwork through major auction houses (Sotheby's, London; Westbridge, Canada) and assisted with the creation of new arts and music festivals.
Having studied the art market and identified the keys to success, he can lend insight to art practitioners, gallery managers, and curators on how to survive and thrive in one of the most opaque industries on the planet.
Keynote
Full-length keynote addresses for conference openings, annual general meetings, convocations, and sector summits. Tailored to audience and occasion.
Panel & Moderation
Experienced panel participant and moderator across legal, governance, policy, and sector conference formats. Brings structure and insight to complex discussions.
Workshop & Training
Half-day and full-day workshops for boards, executive teams, and professional associations on governance, compliance, government relations, and leadership.
International & Multilateral
- Multi-city speaking programme, Ukraine — market reform, pension reform, and transparency best practices for government officials, judiciary, and public audiences Ukraine, 2000–2003
- Lectured constitutional court judges on transparency and governance best practices Ukraine
- Chair & lead presenter, Two-Day International Symposium on Provident Fund Reform Jakarta, Indonesia, 2000
- Keynote and panel speaker — World Bank, Asian Development Bank & USAID-supported programmes Armenia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Ukraine
- Guest lecturer, Commercial Law Master's Program, St. Cyril & Methodius University Macedonia, 2003–2006
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans — pension governance 1990s
Canadian Legal & Professional
- Frequent presenter, Osgoode Pension Certificate Program Multiple years
- Moderator & speaker, Lancaster House Labour Law Events Multiple years
- Presenter, Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute Fundamentals Series Multiple years
- Guest speaker, Annual Ontario Conference of Judges
- Speaker, Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers Annual Conference
- Speaker, Inaugural Innis Christie Symposium in Labour & Employment Law
- Keynote Speaker — Pension Reform: An Outside View, CBA/IPEBLA Pension & Benefits Conference Quebec City, June 2010
- Lecturer, Northwinds Professional Institute
- Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Conference — Contracts between Growers and Processors St. Catharines, February 2010
- Parliamentary committee appearances — Canada & Ukraine
Festivals and Events Sector
- Panel discussion — industry trends and the future of the sector Canadian Association of Festivals & Exhibitions Annual Conference, 2023
- Speaker — Achieving recognition as a Heritage Event Canadian Association of Festivals & Exhibitions Annual Conference, 2023
- Panel — best practice approaches to government relations CAFE Annual Convention, 2024
- Chair — entertainment booking: new approaches and best practices CAFE Annual Convention, 2024
- Principal public spokesperson — CNE, all platforms Television, radio, civic & government forums, 2020–2024
Publications & Written Lectures
- Contributing author — International Corporate Governance After Sarbanes-Oxley (Wiley)
- Editor & contributing author — Mercer Pension Manual (multi-volume)
- Contributing author — Employee Benefits in Canada (IFEBP)
- Multiple newsletters and research studies — Hewitt Associates (1990s); international development work (1997–2008)
- Articles in host-country legal and economic journals — Canada, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Macedonia
- Submissions to parliamentary standing committees — Canada, Macedonia & Ukraine
- Policy papers on pension and insurance reform — Armenia, Canada, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Ukraine
Available for keynotes, panels, and workshops worldwide
Darrell accepts speaking engagements across Canada and internationally, tailored to your audience, format, and objectives. No geographic limitations.