Shaun Francis

Shaun Francis is the Chair and CEO of Medcan, with headquarters in Toronto. Established more than 30 years ago, Medcan is a global leader in assessing their clients’ overall well-being and inspiring them to live well for life. In 2018 Medcan was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation, presented by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums and published by The National Post. This marks Medcan’s eighth year on the list and the second in the coveted Platinum status. Medcan joins a select group of Canadian companies that are noted for fearless leadership, a culture of teamwork, and a relentless focus on innovation.

Previously, Shaun was the Executive Chair of New York City’s EHE, the recognized American leader in preventive medicine, and one of the founding employees and Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development for Dallas-based Broadlane, Inc., a leading business process outsourcer for more than 900 American hospitals. In 2010, Broadlane was sold to MedAssets for US$850MM. Prior to joining Broadlane, Shaun worked for Morgan Stanley’s New York and Toronto investment banking divisions where he managed equity, debt and mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Shaun serves on the board of the Fraser Institute and is the Chair of the True Patriot Love Foundation, which he founded to benefit Canada’s military families. He previously served on the boards of the Invictus Games Canada, which he collaborated with the Royal Foundation to bring to Toronto; the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR); Toronto Pearson Airport; Upper Canada College; and he was the Chair of both the Ontario Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and the PC Ontario Fund.  In 2013, he was asked by Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs to Chair the Veteran Transition Advisory Council (VTAC). The Council was comprised of Canadian business leaders and assisted the Minister in drafting strategic recommendations for the transition of service personnel to the private sector.

The Globe and Mail featured Shaun as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2008, when he selected by a national panel. In 2010, Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Walter Natynczyk, awarded Shaun the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, the military’s highest recognition for a civilian. In 2011, Shaun was the convocation speaker at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario where he received his Honorary Doctor of Laws from Canada’s Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay.  In 2012 he was selected by Toronto Life as one of Toronto’s top 50 most influential people. In 2013 he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Senator Linda Frum and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney. In 2014 he was awarded the Veterans Affairs Commendation by Minister Julian Fantino for contributing in an exemplary manner to the care and well-being of veterans. In 2015 he was recognized by Toronto’s Junior Achievement chapter with their Bold Thinkers Inspiring Leaders award for taking risks and challenging convention. In 2016 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross by Canada’s Governor General. In 2018 Shaun received the Fraser Institute Founders’ Award, which is presented annually to individuals in recognition of their exceptional entrepreneurial achievements, generous philanthropic endeavors and dedication to competitive markets.

Shaun enjoys endurance sports and in 2012 co-led an expedition to Everest Base Camp and the summit of Island Peak, a 6,189-metre Himalayan Peak adjacent to Mount Everest. The expedition featured 12 injured Canadian soldiers raising funds and awareness for the True Patriot Love Foundation and injured veterans. It was the subject of a national prime time documentary named March to the Top airing on the CBC in February 2013. In 2014 Shaun co-led another True Patriot Love Expedition to the Magnetic North Pole, which was also the subject of a national prime time documentary on the History Channel. In 2017 Shaun completed his third True Patriot Love Expedition retracing the route of Canadian explorer George Douglas in the Northwest Territories to celebrate Canada’s 150^th anniversary as a nation.

Simon & Schuster published Shaun’s first book, Eat, Move, Think: The Path to a Healthier, Stronger Happier You, which debuted as a national bestseller in 2018.

Shaun earned his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science with honors and merit from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland after he received a nomination from President Reagan to attend as a Canadian. While there he also earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Canadian Army.

Shaun is married to Stacy Francis and is father to Robert, William, and Christopher. Born and raised in Canada, he has lived with his family in the United States, the United Kingdom and France, and has travelled extensively throughout the world. He can be reached at shaun@medcan.com or @ShaunCFrancis on Twitter. Follow him on Instagram @shauncfrancis