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# Lessons from Melinda Rogers-Hixon
- URL: https://www.antoinebuteau.com/lessons-from-melinda-rogers-hixon/
- Published: 2026-06-11T17:56:59.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-18T21:52:52.000Z
- Description: Melinda Rogers-Hixon is Rogers Communications’ deputy chair and founder of Rogers Venture Partners, whose career examines the collision of corporate strategy, family succession, board independence, generational wealth, and high-stakes institutional conflict within a telecom giant.
- Author: Antoine Buteau
- Tags: Profile, Business Leaders & Executives Profiles

![Visual summary of operating lessons from Melinda Rogers-Hixon.](https://www.antoinebuteau.com/content/images/2026/06/lessons-from-melinda-rogers-hixon-profile-infographic.webp)

## Lessons from Melinda Rogers-Hixon

As Deputy Chair of Rogers Communications and founder of Rogers Venture Partners, Melinda Rogers-Hixon spent two decades managing the friction between corporate strategy and family succession. She drew national attention for defending board independence during a bitter, highly public fight for control of the telecom giant. Beyond her philanthropic work with the Jays Care Foundation, her career offers a practical study in handling generational wealth and surviving high-stakes institutional disputes.

### Part 1: The Founder's Legacy & Stewardship

1. **On Optimism:** "In the words of our late father, the best is yet to come." — [*Source: \[CityNews*](https://citynews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On National Duty:** "Our father, the late Ted Rogers, was a proud Canadian. He always worked to make Canada better and make our communities stronger." — [*Source: \[Billboard*](https://billboard.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Stewardship:** Founders' children must be taught to work collaboratively to be the best stewards they can possibly be. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Transitioning Leadership:** The complex nature of leading founder-led organizations requires a careful transition to CEO-led businesses without losing the original drive. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Protecting the Vision:** A founder's legacy is protected by maintaining the company's core values, not just by holding onto control at all costs. — [*Source: \[The Guardian*](https://theguardian.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Entrepreneurial Drive:** What makes the struggle of entrepreneurship worthwhile is the passion, the drive, and the dream that you have. — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Recognizing Roots:** Remembering where a family business started is essential to guiding its future trajectory. — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Moving Forward:** With family differences settled, the focus must immediately return to supporting the success of the business. — [*Source: \[MarketScreener*](https://marketscreener.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On The Relentless Spirit:** Upholding a founder's legacy means maintaining a relentless voice for innovation across the entire company. — [*Source: \[The Fast Mode*](https://thefastmode.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 2: Corporate Governance & Board Independence

1. **On Information Access:** "I cannot properly perform my duties as a director if information that is provided to the rest of the directors is being withheld from me." — [*Source: \[CTV News*](https://ctvnews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Dangerous Precedents:** Allowing independent directors of a public company to be removed with the stroke of a pen is a black eye for good governance. — [*Source: \[The Guardian*](https://theguardian.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Shareholder Rights:** Capital markets rely on the protection of shareholder rights against unilateral board changes. — [*Source: \[The Guardian*](https://theguardian.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Professional Management:** A strong, independent board and professional management serve a public company better than direct intervention by family members. — [*Source: \[TechDirt*](https://techdirt.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Resolving Disputes:** It is always preferable to find a resolution that respects the employees and avoids negative publicity. — [*Source: \[CTV News*](https://ctvnews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Board Authority:** "No other group of individuals has any authority to purport to act as the Board of Directors." — [*Source: \[CTV News*](https://ctvnews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Fiduciary Duty:** A director's primary responsibility is to the company's stability and its tens of thousands of employees. — [*Source: \[CityNews*](https://citynews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Retiring with Grace:** Knowing when to step down from a board is a necessary step in ending disputes and allowing a company to heal. — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Oversight:** Developing pathways to success requires focusing heavily on structured governance and oversight. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 3: Family Business Dynamics & Succession

1. **On Family Differences:** Public family disputes can be settled, but they require all parties to eventually prioritize the business over personal grievances. — [*Source: \[MarketScreener*](https://marketscreener.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Personal Vendettas:** Personal conflicts within a family trust can easily spill over and damage the public company if governance boundaries are breached. — [*Source: \[CTV News*](https://ctvnews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Intergenerational Success:** Navigating from the first generation to the second requires deliberate planning and clear pathways. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On The Control Trust:** The mechanisms designed to keep a company within a family can become the very tools that fracture it if consensus fails. — [*Source: \[MobileSyrup*](https://mobilesyrup.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Mother's Legacy:** "To have our recognition in a place dedicated to providing care, empathy, and hope feels like a fitting tribute to my mother's legacy." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Sibling Dynamics:** In family businesses, siblings must find ways to balance their inherited power with their individual professional capacities. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Public Scrutiny:** Family enterprises face the unique challenge of having their internal disagreements play out in the national media. — [*Source: \[The Wire Report*](https://thewirereport.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Staying Committed:** You can retire from a board while remaining a proud and committed shareholder of the family business. — [*Source: \[TelecomPaper*](https://telecompaper.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Generational Wealth:** Wealth must be managed with a focus on transition, ensuring the next generation understands their role as stewards. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 4: Venture Capital & Technology Innovation

1. **On Looking Outside:** Expanding a company's capabilities requires looking beyond its walls for outside talent and ideas to fund. — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Next-Generation Tech:** To keep a legacy company at the forefront, you must actively invest in early-stage, disruptive technologies. — [*Source: \[Simply Wall St*](https://simplywall.st/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Partnership:** "This is not vendor, this is partner. I do not believe in a vendor relationship." — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Self-Awareness in Tech:** "You have to be insightful enough to know what you can do and what you can't do... what support you need and what support you don't need." — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Customer-Centric Building:** "Whether we build it ourselves or we partner with the best of the best, our reason for being here is always our responsibility to our customer." — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Failure:** Being an entrepreneur means you are going to fail at some point; passion is what gets you through it. — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Venture Strategy:** Corporate venture capital is about broadening innovation horizons, not just financial returns. — [*Source: \[The Fast Mode*](https://thefastmode.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Digital Media:** Investing in digital media requires anticipating consumer behavior shifts before they hit the mainstream market. — [*Source: \[Simply Wall St*](https://simplywall.st/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Corporate Strategy:** Moving a telecommunications giant forward requires acting as a relentless voice for internal innovation. — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 5: Philanthropy & The Responsibility of Wealth

1. **On Core Values:** "Philanthropy is a core value for our family. It serves as a reminder of our interconnectedness." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Shared Responsibility:** Giving back "allows us to engage with the world beyond ourselves, fostering a sense of shared responsibility to uplift others." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Recognizing Privilege:** Philanthropy is "about recognizing the privileges we have and using them to uplift others." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Filling Gaps:** "We feel a strong sense of responsibility to step in where we can help provide the funding and resources that go beyond what government support alone can achieve." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Crisis Response:** When a pandemic hits, families with means have a duty to create solutions to support those disproportionately affected. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On National Community:** "At Rogers, we consider all Canadians to be part of our extended family and we believe we have a responsibility to give back." — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Targeted Giving:** Donations should target the root causes of suffering, such as food insecurity, homelessness, and domestic violence. — [*Source: \[Billboard*](https://billboard.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Empathy:** Funding spaces dedicated to care and empathy is a direct way to honor family members who valued those traits. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Long-Term Commitment:** Philanthropy is not a one-time event; it is a continuous commitment to nurturing the community. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
10. **On Extended Impact:** The goal of wealth is to engage with the world and foster environments where people can develop into their best selves. — [*Source: \[Huron University*](https://huronu.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 6: Empowering Youth Through Sports (Jays Care)

1. **On Unity:** "Tonight, we stand together. United together so that these children can pursue their dreams." — [*Source: \[Sportsnet*](https://sportsnet.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Imagination:** We must create a future for our country that only children can imagine. — [*Source: \[Sportsnet*](https://sportsnet.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Determination:** "Whether it is about being the best player you can be, the best person you can be – it is always about finding your passion and being relentless about pursuing it." — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Marginalized Youth:** Programs must specifically target children and youth in marginalized communities who face significant barriers. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Sports as a Tool:** Baseball is not just a game; it is a vehicle to teach life skills and create opportunities. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Pride and Support:** "Our passion is supporting all Canadians, by making them proud as their team and being there to support them when they need us most." — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Stepping Up:** Initiatives like 'Step Up to the Plate' demonstrate how sports organizations can pivot to address immediate community crises like hunger. — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Mental Health:** "Supporting \[mental health\] programs aligns with our commitment to nurturing the next generation by prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being." — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Breaking Barriers:** The pandemic disproportionately affected vulnerable youth, making targeted intervention more necessary than ever. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
10. **On Team Effort:** The success of a charity relies on the entire organization coming together to create innovative solutions. — [*Source: \[MLB*](https://mlb.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 7: Healthcare Advocacy & Support

1. **On the Pandemic as an Information Crisis:** "While most people think of COVID-19 as a health problem, it is also an information problem." — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Facts and Decisions:** "I’m a huge believer in knowledge and gathering facts... to help us as business leaders and individuals to make informed decisions." — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Rapid Testing:** Advocating for rapid antigen testing was a critical step in keeping businesses open and communities safe during the pandemic. — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Funding Innovation:** Donating to hospital programs, such as robotic surgery, pushes the boundaries of what local healthcare systems can provide. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Urgent Care:** Investing in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Care Clinics directly addresses the immediate crises facing modern families. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Physical Spaces:** Funding physical spaces, like Cancer Care Lounges, provides tangible comfort to patients undergoing grueling treatments. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Institutional Support:** Sitting on boards like the University Health Network Foundation ensures that business acumen is applied to healthcare administration. — [*Source: \[Generation Trust Advisors*](https://gtadvisors.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Government Limits:** Private philanthropy must step in where government funding for healthcare falls short. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Prioritizing Well-being:** Emotional and mental well-being must be treated with the same urgency as physical health. — [*Source: \[Humber River Health Foundation*](https://hrhfoundation.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*

### Part 8: Leadership, Resilience & Strategy

1. **On Influencing People:** "Crunching numbers isn't what contributes most to my success; it's my capacity for looking toward the future and for understanding and influencing people." — [*Source: \[Huron University*](https://huronu.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
2. **On Diversity of Voices:** We must "create more space for a variety of voices to be heard and for people, from every background, to develop into their best selves." — [*Source: \[Huron University*](https://huronu.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
3. **On Hard Work:** Being a leader, much like being an entrepreneur, is hard work that requires a clear vision to sustain. — [*Source: \[YouTube: Melinda Rogers-Hixon*](https://www.youtube.com/results?search%5Fquery=Melinda+Rogers-Hixon+interview&ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
4. **On Independence:** Serving as an independent director on outside boards provides necessary perspective outside the family business bubble. — [*Source: \[Bombardier*](https://bombardier.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
5. **On Strategy vs. Tactics:** Strategic development is about anticipating consumer needs before they arise, not just reacting to current market conditions. — [*Source: \[Simply Wall St*](https://simplywall.st/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
6. **On Enduring Crises:** When faced with a public crisis or negative publicity, maintaining focus on the company's employees and long-term health is paramount. — [*Source: \[CTV News*](https://ctvnews.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
7. **On Defending Principles:** Sometimes, standing up for governance principles requires engaging in uncomfortable and public legal battles. — [*Source: \[TechDirt*](https://techdirt.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
8. **On Future Capacity:** The capacity to look toward the future is the most essential skill a leader can cultivate. — [*Source: \[Huron University*](https://huronu.ca/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
9. **On Execution:** Finding your passion is only the first step; you must be relentless in executing it. — [*Source: \[Rogers Communications*](https://rogers.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*
10. **On Letting Go:** Stepping away from a powerful position is sometimes the best strategic move to ensure the survival of the enterprise. — [*Source: \[MarketScreener*](https://marketscreener.com/?ref=antoinebuteau.com)*\]*