E437 – Current & Critical – Elliot D. Schneier, Insights on Scaling Startups, Market Trends and Mastering Remote Work
In this episode, hear from Elliot Schneier, the dynamic COO of Virtual Gurus. Join us as we explore Elliot’s profound journey from helping founders raise over $750 million at Fundable, to his current role at Virtual Gurus, where he’s at the forefront of innovative AI-powered virtual assistant technology. Elliot shares invaluable insights on the shifting landscape of venture capital, emphasizing the critical pivot towards seed and pre-seed funding. He also discusses the unique opportunities emerging in secondary cities like Calgary, the evolving role of remote work, and the exciting sectors driving entrepreneurship’s future.
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E436 – Current & Critical – Jennifer Massig, Revolutionizing Engineering: Community-Focused Innovation and a New Workplace Culture
In this episode, discover an innovative approach to engineering and workplace culture with Jennifer Massig, CEO of MAGNA Engineering Services. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey from embracing engineering to innovating in community-based water treatment solutions, highlighting the power of listening and consensus in creating solutions that align with community values. Jennifer began her own business to ensure substantial flexibility as a single mom of two young girls, and that flexibility is baked into MAGNA’s culture, as it introduced a four-day workweek to provide a culture of care across its team.
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E435 – Current & Critical – Jen Lussier, Fostering Community and Connections in Calgary’s Tech Industry
In this episode, get a detailed look at the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Calgary, particularly within the tech sector with Jen Lussier, COO of Platform Calgary. Jenn delivers a comprehensive run-down of the support structures available to entrepreneurs in Calgary, the importance of non-traditional business environments like mixed-use spaces, and the vision of creating a community-centric hub akin to a 'central library' for tech.
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E434 – Current & Critical – Colleen Pound, How to Transform Professional Services with Data & Analytics
In this episode, explore the exciting world of entrepreneurship and innovation with Colleen Pound, CEO and Co-Founder of Proxure. Colleen unveils her latest venture, Proxure, which aims to revolutionize professional services procurement with cutting-edge data analytics, starting with the legal sector. From motivations to milestones, Colleen shares her path to becoming an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of addressing genuine client pain points and integrating customer feedback into product development.
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E433 – Current & Critical – Aleia Robin, Branch Out Bike Tour 2024 – A Must-Attend Event
In this episode, discover how to pedal your way to progress, accelerating tech solutions for neurological disorders with Branch Out Neurological Foundation’s annual Bike Tour and Aleia Robin, Managing Director. The Branch Out Bike Tour is the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event, which has contributed to the over $3.5M raised to date for neurological research.
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E432 – Current & Critical – Kevin Crowe, Mission for Miles – 1,400 KM in the Yukon to Raise $ for a Great Cause
In this episode, discover why, after a life-altering battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia, also known as the suicide disease due to the excruciating pain it causes, ultra-marathon-participant and senior executive Kevin knew he could come back stronger than ever. His next ambitious project? A 1,400-kilometre-long trek through the Yukon, split between a summer paddleboarding down the Yukon River and a winter expedition on foot. Why take on this extreme event? To raise 37 flights for his charity, Give A Mile.
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E431 – Current & Critical – Dan Balaban, Exposing the Realities: Navigating the Storm of Renewable Energy Politics
In this episode, explore the challenging dynamics of Alberta’s renewable energy sector with Dan Balaban, Co-Founder and CEO of Greengate Power. Dan emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals, fostering collaboration over confrontation, and the coexistence of different energy forms to create a robust system. While navigating skepticism and embracing a history that teaches us never to take peace for granted, Dan suggests how business leaders can drive change and advocate for an inclusive, resilient energy future for all.
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E430 – Current & Critical – Jamie L. Smith, CFO Confessions: How Embracing Your Financials Can Save Your Business from Disaster
In this episode, pull back the curtain on unspoken challenges that growth businesses face with Jamie L. Smith, Co-Founder of Amplify Advisors and CPA. Jamie’s insider perspective can help you make sense of cash flow difficulties that can arise during a business’s expansion and the often under-acknowledged value of a proactive financial approach. Through client stories and practical advice, Jamie delivers an optimistic view on the resurgence of business activity post-pandemic.
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E429 – Current & Critical – Crystal Phillips, Collaborative Spirit and Impactful Entrepreneurship in the Alberta Startup Scene
In this episode, discover what happens at the crossroads of innovation and entrepreneurship with Crystal Phillips, Venture Capitalist at Thin Air Labs and Co-Founder of Branch Out Neurological Foundation. She explores the world of startups, investment capital, and the transformative power of resilience and positivity in business. From conception to commercialization, Crystal has insights into Thin Air Labs’ approach, including fractional talent access and the unique challenges of raising capital.
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E428 – Current & Critical – Dr. Michael Mousseau, The Neuroscience of Psychological Safety in the Workplace
In this episode, discover the importance of mental health -- and how to foster it at your workplace — with Dr. Michael (Mike) Mousseau, Business Development & Mental Health Programs Manager at GreenShield. As a behavioural neuroscientist, he understands how to develop training and employee programs that can holistically prevent and treat mental health challenges faced by employees. He also explains how psychological safety has evolved and the importance of it on high-performing teams. Dr. Mike also covers the significance of new-generation leaders and how they’re changing organizations with curiosity and openness. His candid approach to complex and nuanced topics makes them easy to understand and apply to your company.
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E427 – Current & Critical – Zacharie Magnan, Renewable Ventures: Inside Solfium's Solar Strategy
In this episode, enjoy a captivating episode with Zach Magnan, Co-Founder and CFO of Solfium, as he explores solar energy adoption, international business strategies, and the company's vision to innovate and scale global solutions. You’ll learn about Solfium’s approach to building a global company with a Canadian heart, underscoring the importance of local partnerships and advisory boards for capturing market share successfully.
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E426 – Current & Critical – Mark Radha, Aligning Marketing and Finance: A Future Vision for CMOs
In this episode, discover how to build better brands with Mark Radha, Chief Brand Economist at Strata Insights. As we navigate the evolving landscape of brand value and marketing metrics, Mark sheds light on the pressing need for CMOs to upskill rather than expand their teams. With the difficulty around setting validated key performance indicators (KPIs), the new breed of CMOs must be adept in integrated business skills across diverse fields.
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E425 – Current & Critical – Amber Griffith, Amplifying Diverse Voices: Advancing Women in Leadership
In this episode, Amber Griffith, executive director of Axis Connects, gives the lowdown on driving gender diversity in leadership roles, the critical importance of parental leave reform, and the barriers women face on their climb up the corporate ladder. Amber sheds light on Axis’s transformational work, from mentorships and leadership forums to the much-loved Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards.
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E424 – Current & Critical – Doug Downs, Podcasting - Why and How it Could Work for your Business
In this episode, learn about the economics of Canadian podcast production with Doug Downs, Principal at Stories and Strategies Podcast Productions. Discover the timeless value of evergreen podcast content, the secrets to creating genuine engagement in our saturated digital age, and the tenacity podcasters need to make waves. Tune in now: your podcast playbook is waiting.
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E423 – Current & Critical – Leor Rotchild, Crafting Impactful Sustainability Strategies for Modern Events
In this episode, learn how effective communication and genuine sustainability efforts can form the backbone of positive business stories with Leor Rotchild, Senior Director of Upswing Solutions and author of “How We Gather Matters.” He explores how sustainability has shifted from doing ESG off the side of your desk to growing a commitment around climate change and creating real impact. Leor shares real-world case studies, including how the Calgary Stampede restarted its compost and recycling program with great success with help from the Calgary Centre for Newcomers.
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E422 – Current & Critical – Sean Stinson, The Journey to $100M Revenue: Triumphs and Challenges in Tech
In this episode, discover how Blackline Safety has grown from a $2M venture to a global powerhouse that delivers multiple SaaS and safety product lines through its 500+ employees across 40 countries. Sean uses the parallel of a species’ genetic diversity to stay alive to demonstrate how the diversity of thought ensures greater success in business. Sean touches on everything from integrating hardware and software to deliver disruptive HeSaaS (Hardware-enabled software as a service) solutions, to the cultural shifts that occur as a company scales. Settle in for a thought-provoking conversation that’s as much about business as it is about the ethos of leadership and the endless drive for improvement.
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E421 – Current & Critical – Jay Kleinsasser, Carbon Capture's Future and Canada's Role
In this episode, hear from Jay Kleinsasser, Principal at JLK Resource Management Inc. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Jay focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). He was involved in managing two of the only four approved CO2 injection projects in Alberta, dealing with significant reporting and operational responsibilities. Jay underscores the significance of carbon capture and storage as a critical component in emissions management and environmental sustainability strategies while shedding light on the challenges and opportunities within Alberta's regulatory framework for CCUS projects, highlighting Alberta's position as having one of the most rigorous regulatory environments globally.
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E420 – Current & Critical – Ken Wilson, The Role of Noble Purpose in Marketing: Elevating Brand Messaging
In this episode, Ken Wilson, Vice President of Marketing at Network Innovations, candidly discusses product management and marketing in complex industries. From tackling cybersecurity threats to designing custom network solutions for sensitive data handlers, Network Innovations helps clients solve even the most complex communications challenges across maritime, IoT, and space/terrestrial networks. This episode is chock full of insights around customer-centric strategies, marketing attribution challenges and the appeal of noble purpose in business.
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