Nick Bontis


Nick Bontis is a Canadian academic, management consultant, professional keynote speaker, sports management executive and author. His research focuses on intellectual capital, knowledge management and organizational learning. Bontis is Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Chair of Strategic Management at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is also the Director of the Institute for Intellectual Capital Research a management consulting firm and research think-tank that specializes in conducting human capital diagnostic assessments for corporate and government clients. He is also Associate Editor of the Journal of Intellectual Capital and Chief Knowledge Officer of Knexa Solutions - the world's first knowledge exchange auction.
In 1992, Bontis graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario. In 1999, he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from Ivey.

Academic

Bontis is an award-winning tenured professor who teaches business strategy to undergraduates, knowledge management to MBAs, and advanced statistics to doctoral students. He is also the coordinator of the fourth year commerce capstone course. In 2007, he was recognized as the first professor ever to win three outstanding teaching awards simultaneously: undergraduate instructor of the year, MBA instructor of the year, and McMaster University instructor of the year. He also received the faculty researcher of the year award for the business school. Maclean’s has rated him as one of McMaster’s most popular professors for six years in a row. In 2007, Bontis was one of 38 professors nominated for the 2008 Ontario's Best Lecturer award. In February 2008, TVO announced that he was among the top ten finalists. In 2008, the OUSA recognized Dr. Nick Bontis as the top university professor in the province. The official award citation read "OUSA would like to recognize Dr. Nick Bontis for having made a significant contribution to teaching excellence and for facilitating a positive learning experience for Ontario students". In 2009, Bontis was awarded the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, an exclusive honour only bestowed upon the top university professors in Canada. He was also the OCUFA Teaching Award winner which is given to the top professors in Ontario.

Management Consultant

As a management consultant, Bontis advises organizational leaders on various strategic management issues. He is the Chief Data Scientist of Performitiv, a learning software organization. He is also on the Advisory Board of several organizations including a variety of educational-based institutions designing and implementing executive development programs across the country. He is on the Executive Board of Harvest Portfolios, an investment company based in Oakville, Ontario. He is a former member of the Board of Governors for Hillfield Strathallan College, an independent school located in Hamilton, Ontario. He is a former member of the Board of Governors for Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures program. He is Director of the Institute for Intellectual Capital Research, a management consulting firm that specializes in conducting human capital measurement diagnostics. In 2012, Bontis was elected as a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Soccer Association.

Keynote Speaker

As a professional keynote speaker, Bontis presents for a variety of industry, government and association audiences. His presentation topics typically focus on knowledge worker productivity, information bombardment and collaboration drawing from his research expertise surrounding the strategic management and measurement of an organization's intangible assets. He is represented exclusively in Canada by Speakers' Spotlight.

Media

Bontis is in constant demand to express his opinion in the media, especially in television, radio and print. He has a regular recurring role on a CHCH-DT News segment entitled Bontis on Business during which he highlights the past week's business news.
Bontis was a regular guest on the TV Show Always Good News which aired on CTS. He often spoke about new technology, the economy, and management trends.
Bontis wrote a weekly column in The Hamilton Spectator that appeared on Saturdays entitled Bontis on Business. He typically wrote articles that highlighted local entrepreneurs and new ventures.

Sports Management Executive

Bontis was appointed Co-Chair, of the Sport Organizing Committee for Men's and Women's Soccer at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Bontis is currently serving his third term on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Soccer Association. As Chair of the Strategic Management Committee, Bontis was responsible for formulating the CSA’s Strategic Plan entitled Leading a Soccer Nation. .
On May 6, 2017 Bontis was appointed Vice President of Canada Soccer. On May 7, 2018 he was re-elected Vice President.
On February 11, 2019 Bontis spearheaded Canada Soccer's launch of an updated version of the Strategic Plan entitled Canada Soccer Nation.

Other interests

Bontis is an avid athlete and musician.
Bontis spent many years as a Euphonium player competing at various music festivals as a youth. He was also an active member of his high school's jazz ensemble, choir and orchestra. While at UWO, Nick played the Euphonium in the Symphonic Band for several years.
Bontis has played soccer competitively since childhood for a variety of premier clubs in Ontario. He currently plays for Proto Stars and Schalke FC. He is a former winner of the Ontario Cup and represented Canada in a World Youth Cup tournament in Bremen, Germany in 1986. As a varsity soccer player at the University of Western Ontario, he was a multiple OUA all-star, leading goal scorer and team MVP. Bontis also received the Bronze W and the Purple Blanket Award as an outstanding dual athlete at UWO. He was a Canadian all-star and national silver medallist in the running long jump as a member of the UWO varsity track & field team.
Bontis was the head coach for the Hamilton Sparta 2003 boys soccer team. He has several years of coaching experience as well as the following licenses
On December 20, 2010 Bontis carried the Olympic Torch in downtown Hamilton while it was en route to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
On June 21, 2015 Bontis carried the Pan American Games Torch in downtown Ancaster while it was en route to the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
On October 19, 2018 Bontis was inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame for his significant achievements in soccer and track & field.