On the TechTO stage ×2
Don Mal of Vena Solutions presents Why Vulnerability May Be Your Biggest Strength
Watch on YouTube ↗Humility in leadership I Don Mal, Executive Chairman of Fluence Technologies
Watch on YouTube ↗First seen on the TechTO stage in 2018. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Don ↗
In their words
When we started at Vena there were three of us co-founders. I was the salesperson, we had a technical person, we had a product person. And I'll tell you right now, I definitely was not the product or technical person. I recognized that, and I gave way to my co-founders to really lead that part of the business.
One thing I really believe is that EQ is equal to or greater than IQ. My background is sales, and if you want to convince someone to buy something from you, you better have some level of emotional intelligence to connect with that person.
In business school you learn that you need to be tough, that it has to be a win-lose scenario, that you need to win every time. But the reality is what I personally experienced: you can be humble, and humility is also a great path to great outcomes.
Around the web ×4
Quick answers
What is Don Mal known for?
Co-founding Vena Solutions in Toronto in 2011 and serving as its founding CEO until 2019. Vena crossed $100M USD in annual recurring revenue in 2024. He also co-founded Fluence Technologies, which Anaplan acquired in 2024.
What does Don Mal do now?
He is Executive Chairman and co-founder of Una Software, a Toronto FP&A company. In February 2026 Una named Michael Morrison CEO and announced US$13M in total funding, with its seed round led by Staircase Ventures.
What did Don Mal talk about at TechTO?
Vulnerability and authentic leadership in 2018, and humility in leadership in 2020. Both talks made the same argument: name your weaknesses and give way to co-founders who are stronger where you are not.