Women in Business
Entrepreneurship is a key driver of innovation, job creation, and productivity growth. However, men and women are still unequal in their ability to become entrepreneurs and grow their businesses: Women are less likely to become entrepreneurs, and women-owned businesses are smaller than their men-owned counterparts.
These women are making economic waves in their fields, from corporate Canada to non-profits to entrepreneurship. McKinsey shows that gender-diverse businesses are 15% more likely to outperform financially above the industry median.
Tune in and learn more about how women in business are an important economic driver for Western Canada!
Kristina Williams
In this inspiring episode, Kristina Williams, President and CEO of Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC), shares her visionary approach to revolutionizing Alberta's technology sector. She unveils how the AEC has successfully attracted venture capital by investing in funds that, in turn, invest in local tech companies, emphasizing the importance of providing capital and access to markets, mentors, and management talent.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the strategic moves that can uplift our tech landscape.
Reva Bond
Reva Bond knows how to build - whether infrastructure or students' future. Reva will help you understand how technology changes what students learn, where and how they learn, and how quickly curriculums must change to keep up. Her insights into the traditional construction industry complement her forward-thinking approach to construction in the future.
Leah Sarich
Leah Sarich, Head of Story for Thin Air Labs, takes you on a journey through her transition from a seasoned broadcast journalist to a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Alberta's future. At Thin Air Labs, she has embraced the challenge of articulating the complex mission of an ecosystem studio that aims to elevate the entire innovation landscape of Calgary and beyond. Leah's passion for meaningful work that aligns with her values shines through as she discusses the importance of telling the untold stories of local entrepreneurs and innovators transforming the tech sector.
Her efforts to demystify innovation and engage the broader community reflect a heartfelt dedication to reimagining Calgary's charisma through new energy and ideas. This episode is ideal for anyone interested in the power of storytelling to catalyze change and the role of innovation in building a brighter future.
Amber Griffith
Amber is passionate about gender parity and advancing women in the workplace. As Executive Director of Axis Connects, she has the opportunity to connect organizations working to improve gender parity and take meaningful steps to solving this issue. Tune in to learn about their annual awards honouring women and male allies, and how Axis Connects is transforming corporate Calgary one initiative at a time.
Jyoti Gondek
Mayor Jyoti Gondek shares her experiences and vision for Calgary, embodying the meaning of her name, "light," by illuminating paths toward a more inclusive, collaborative, and optimistic future for the city.
Her focus on creating cross-sector partnerships and leveraging Calgary's strengths in clean tech, where diversity and innovation thrive, showcases her commitment to economic and social progress. Her efforts to celebrate small wins, encourage civic engagement, and foster a vibrant, livable city for all underscore a leadership deeply invested in the well-being and future of Calgary.
This episode is a testament to the resilience, dedication, and vision that Mayor Gondek brings to her role, encouraging listeners to partake in the journey towards a more inclusive future.
Anu George Canjanathoppil
The world is full of injustice, but there is hope. Anu has the experience and knowledge to lead the way in justice reform. International Justice Mission Canada focuses on finding solutions to difficult problems, like human trafficking. When the justice system protects the poor and vulnerable, it stops injustice in its tracks. Learn about some of the ways IJM Canada is working to end slavery and trafficking. In targeted areas around the globe, IJM Canada has the ability to rescue millions of people and protect half a billion people against trafficking and slavery by 2030.
Crystal Phillips
Crystal tells the story of how Alberta is a hub for life sciences innovation. She shares how the province’s research labs are commercializing their findings and making a real impact at scale. The health sciences industry is always evolving, and Thin Air Labs is constantly investing in cutting-edge companies. Learn how they’re changing the narrative and setting the standard for Alberta’s ecosystem.
Jasmine Palardy
Jasmine Palardy shares her passionate vision for Calgary's future, blending her deep roots in tech startups, entrepreneurship, and creative engineering to reimagine the city as a vibrant, innovative hub.
Jasmine's enthusiasm for creating a "living laboratory" in Calgary shines as she discusses her initiatives to activate underutilized spaces downtown, turning them into platforms for community engagement, experimentation, and storytelling.
This episode is sure to inspire you with a sense of possibility and a call to action to participate in shaping Calgary's future as a city that boldly embraces change, creativity, and community collaboration.
Koleya Karringten
Koleya is the Co-Founder and CEO of Absolute Combustion, a clean combustion technology company innovating change in the energy vertical. When Koleya first started the company, she was met with a lot of “No”s, so she had to go back to the drawing board and deepen her understanding of her customers’ problems. Learn more about how making your customers’ problems your primary focus will give you longevity and a competitive advantage in the market.
Jameela Ghann
If you're a small business owner, you know that competition from big names like Amazon and Walmart can be tough. But what if there was a way to level the playing field?
Jameela Ghann is here to share her expertise on how small businesses can use eCommerce to create unique customer experiences and stay competitive. As the co-founder of Alora Boutique, Jameela is an expert in online sales. Jameela shares her own experiences as a female entrepreneur and reveals why it's so important for small businesses to stand out from the crowd.
Ellen Parker
Alberta is more than just an oil and gas province. We are a province of innovators and entrepreneurs. Our businesses and brands thrive through thoughtful communication strategies. Join me as Ellen Parker, Founder of Parker PR, shares the power of branding, the importance of telling our stories, and how we can help the world to think of Alberta as a province of opportunity.
Tannis Gaffney
Join the Chief Marketing Officer of Travel Alberta, Tannis Gaffney, to learn how uncovering the stories and experiences can drive tourism in our province. Travel Alberta works with organizations like Tourism Calgary and Explore Edmonton to promote our province as a world-class destination for leisure travel, conferences, and events. This attracts tourists and helps boost the economy with key partnerships.
Sandi Gilbert
Explore the entrepreneurial community in Alberta and how scrappy start-ups have transformed in recent years with Sandi Gilbert, Managing Partner of Intergen. She helps investors find good investments and good companies find the right investment they need. You’ll also understand more about the founders who led those companies to success, and what you can learn from them.