Our mission.

We are a group of experts in global intelligence, analytics, research and reputational risk. We seek and share knowledge today for a better tomorrow. Our purpose is to develop content illuminating the sometimes hard to see connections between events and trends and motives to empower intelligent, long-term decision making and strategy.

Meet the hosts

If ever two people should be stuck in an elevator together, it’s Michael Vieira and Kate LaVail. They have walked different paths, but both have committed their professional careers to analyzing information, data and intelligence to better understand the world around us. They’ve seen how early indicators, nuanced understand and flexible thinking has led to better outcomes.

They formed Canary Strategies, LLC and the Canary Group as another phase of their shared mission to foster deeper understanding and smarter, long-term strategies for a better tomorrow. If information is power, then our Achilles heel is shoddily constructed of our assumptions. Join them as they talk with experts, question conventional wisdom, listen and learn about critical issues affecting the world today.

They’re learning everyday. Join the conversation, they would love to learn from you too.


  • Founder and Host

    For over 20 years, Kate has leveraged data, analytics and intelligence to build strategies ameliorating reputational risks and navigating reputational crises. She designs and implements programs protecting the world’s largest brands and public health and safety efforts in government, multinational corporations and start-ups.

    With a background in journalism, she knows the impact of storytelling and how critical it is to understanding the world today.

    Kate loves puzzles of every kind and especially loves working with smart people on complex challenges.


  • Founder and Host

    Michael has spent almost 20 years as a geopolitical threat intelligence expert in the government, military and private sector.

    He has operated in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

    Living in Tokyo for eight years, Michael led business integration for multiple Japanese multinational corporations.

The Guest Nest