Learn more about the guest speakers from our multi-class World of Choices special program events.
November 21, 2024 | Financial Services
Join us to explore Financial Services. Students will engage in insightful discussions with industry professionals, discovering the diverse roles within the financial sector and how these positions contribute to economic stability and growth. A live Q&A session will enable students to ask questions and explore potential career paths in this vital industry.
October 24, 2024 | Healthcare
Join us to discover Healthcare. Students will explore various healthcare professions through discussions with industry experts. They’ll gain insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and the significant impact healthcare professionals have on individual and community well-being. A live Q&A session will allow students to ask questions and uncover career opportunities in this dynamic and crucial field.
September 26, 2024 | Public Safety
Join us to delve into Public Safety. Students will hear from professionals dedicated to protecting and serving our communities, gaining insights into their experiences and the critical role public safety plays in society. A live Q&A session will offer students the chance to engage directly with experts and explore opportunities in this essential field.
Inland Enforcement Officer
Firefighter
June 13, 2024 | Indigenous Leaders
President
Integrated Social Worker
Executive Producer, Creator, Core Judge
Longshoreman
May 23, 2024 | Hospitality & Tourism
Director of Sales
General Manager and Equity Owner
Teaching Professor and Chair, Tourism Management Department
Youth Case Worker
A/Manager, Travel Media Relations
April 25, 2024 | Entrepreneurship
Founder, Creative Director
Founder & CEO
CEO & Co-Founder
Co-Founder of Saje Natural Wellness; Founder of The Alchemy Network
February 22, 2024 | Healthcare
Director of People & Culture
Vice President Technology Development
Vice President, Medical & Quality Affairs
Co-owner, Physiotherapist
Vice President of Pharmacy and Healthcare Innovation
January 25, 2024 | Transportation and Warehouse
Director of Flight Operations / Corporate Pilot
Vessel Operations Superintendent
Vice President, Advisory Services – Associates & Operations
Talent Acquisition Advisor
Vice President/General Manager
November 23, 2023 | Financial Services
Talent Attraction Senior Manager
Vice President, Advisory Services – Associates & Operations
Product Manager – Personal Banking
TEDx Speaker, Best Selling Author, Entrepreneur, Financial Literacy Expert
Co-Founder & CFO
Senior Investment Associate
October 26, 2023 | Skilled Trades
RBC Olympian
General Manager
Manager, Youth Programs
Superintendent
Machinist Instructor
Head Chef
Director of Fixed Operations
Project Coordinator
Director, People & Culture Refinery
September 28, 2023 | Public Safety
Program Manager, Credential Programs, Emergency Management Division
Firefighter
Naval Communicator
Inland Enforcement Officer
Proactive Recruiter
June 8, 2023 | Indigenous Leaders
CEO
Chief Executive Officer
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)
Head Chef
Ben Feagin Jr. is Métis and CEO of the thriving company AgriTech North, the inaugural season winner of the “Bears Lair,” an Indigenous business pitch competition where the winner took home $100,000 on National Television, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
AgriTech North is a first-of-kind in Northwestern Ontario, growing at wholesale-scale, year-round, including a variety of lettuces, herbs, and fruits. All their food is distributed to communities and First Nations throughout the region.
Their farming methods use 95 percent less water, 60 per cent less nutrients, and no chemical pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides,
Ben says they contribute to the resolution of food insecurity throughout northwestern Ontario. They carry a variety of local food products to support the development of other small businesses like his own, helping customers access more local products and reducing imported food.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You won’t learn anything if you’re always right; every mistake is an opportunity to learn something and do better the next time. Just make sure you accept your mistakes, and don’t repeat the same mistake twice, then you’ll be on the path of life-long improvement and will become a very successful individual no matter what you want out of life.
Lynn-Marie is from, Gitxaala (Git Kxa’a la), Nisga’a and Metis Nations and was born and raised in East Vancouver. Lynn-Marie has a cooking background. However, she has been working in the construction industry for the past 5 years. Lynn-Marie has taken the next steps to further her education, and has graduated from UBC’s Aboriginal Management Program and BCIT’s Project Management Program in June 2019. Lynn-Marie has had a busy year with completing full time school while also working full time and co-founding Sisters Sage.
Kris is a Cree woman in Vancouver who is from Big River Saskatchewan and raised by her grandfather in Saskatoon.
She graduated in 2013 from Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology with her Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Diploma. In the same year she worked with the Saskatchewan government in wildfire management working on CL215s as an AME. Shortly after she also earned her M1 and M2 licenses allowing Kris to work on small and large sized aircrafts.
Kris loves spending time with loved ones and working out. In her spare time she also likes making old things new again: she’s currently rebuilt her CBR 250 motorcycle and plans and holds a learners license for the motorcycle.
Truly believe in yourself at whatever you want to become.
My name is Aaron George and Cheetlum is my coast Salish name. I am a member of the Songhees Nation. In the past I started as a dishwasher while in high school, after high school I attended and completed the Indigenous studies program which I continued into Vic. I worked my way up in family restaurants, pubs and then moved into hotel cooking while in school gradually working into the hotel grand pacific for many years where I learned the most and pursued my passion for cooking. After Covid I was offered a job to manage and run the food truck with Songhees nation and have been happy working with my nation.
Do what you feel in your heart for a living and don’t be pressured into an area of work you do not enjoy.
The Spindle Whorl Dancers have been together since 1974. Presentations of both our Stólô and the Prairie Style of dancing and singing are shared. Today there are three generations of the family represented with the eldest at 69 and the youngest is 6 years old. Over the years they have participated in events such as Expo ’86, The Calgary Stampede, Represented Canada at the International Folk Festival, a Music Festival in Switzerland, Featured at the 2010 Olympics, The Annual Chilliwack Fair, and many, many community events.
May 11, 2023 | Sports, Culture and Recreation
Education Coordinator
Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist
Executive Director
Manager of Recreation and Lost Lake Nordic Trails
Astronomer
Amina Chergui is a settler of Kabyle Algerian and Portuguese descent, living on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She serves as the Education Coordinator at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC and previously worked as a Learning Program Facilitator at the Royal BC Museum. She is also the Director of Resources for the National Emerging Museum Professionals Network, an organization committed to supporting museum workers in building vibrant, equitable, and inclusive communities of collaborative practice and exchange.
Instead of centring your career in your life, centre your life in your career. Think about how a career could support your wellbeing and personal values, and how work will fit into your overall life goals.
In her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Madison Mailey was a member of the women’s eight that won gold. It was Canada’s first Olympic gold in any women’s rowing event since Atlanta 1996 and the first gold in the women’s eight since Barcelona 1992. She sings classical music as a hobby and received a certificate of Merit in Music Performance from the New England Conservatory while attending Northeastern University. Madison Graduated from Northeastern in 2018, majoring in Business Management and Entrepreneurship nd now is a Wealth Advisor with the Mailey Rogers Group of ScotiaWealth.
The one piece of advice I would give my younger self would be to ask the question, “Why not me”. We can be so self-deprecating and hard on ourselves. I never thought I would be an Olympic Champion and I never thought I would be a part of a team managing millions of dollars of assets. Step back and start believing in yourself. It’s powerful!
Heather Paul currently serves as executive director of the Squamish and Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC), showcasing the two original First Nations communities of the Whistler area.
Her community involvement has led her to take on the role of a torchbearer in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, craft a thriving theatre company, serve as the chair of the Arts Whistler board of directors, and be named Whistler’s 2017 Citizen of the Year at the Whistler Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence Awards.
In her ongoing work at the SLCC, Heather continues empowering Cultural Ambassadors because, as they represent the original stewards of the land, they view their work as “a calling, not a job. They are the voice of their ancestors.”
Over the last 30 years Roger has delivered high-quality community, business and tourism services for non-profit, corporate and public organizations.
Roger currently works for the Resort Municipality of Whistler as the Manager of Recreation and Lost Lake Nordic Trails, directing the general management of various recreational, cultural, resort and park programs, services facilities and destination tourism amenities in Whistler, including Lost Lake Ski Area.
He enjoys imparting his diverse education and experiences as a thought leader in public recreation and community businesses in BC, working with stakeholders and volunteering on several boards.
Marley is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (UBC), where she completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in Astronomy. She completed a research project with the Dunlap Institute at the University of Toronto, and has volunteered teaching physics concepts to local Girl Guide groups with the Physics and Astronomy department at UBC. As the Astronomer at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Marley assists in the development, production and presentation of space science shows and programming. She is also a space science resource for media and the public.
Don’t let the Math scare you.
April 20, 2023 | Transportation & Warehousing
Vice President/General Manager
Vice President, Finance & CFO
Vice President Marketing & Sales
Director, Strategic Human Resources
Officer In Charge, Bella Bella Coast Guard Station
After graduating from the University of Idaho with degrees in Marketing, Human Resource Management and Production and Operations Management Troy began working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the year 2000 as a Management Trainee in Spokane Washington. Over the next several years he worked up through Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Manager before becoming an Area Manager overseeing several locations throughout Eastern Washington. In 2011 he moved to Seattle to oversee the Car Sales division in Washington. After two years overseeing three dealerships, Troy moved back into Enterprise’s daily rental division as a regional manager and then became a Regional Vice President. Troy joined the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Eastern Washington/North Idaho and has served ever since. In August of 2021, Troy moved to British Columbia to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Holdings for the province.
Be curious and enthusiastic! The path you are on is not always the one you will stay on so don’t be afraid to try new things and when you do, put your whole self out there. You never know where you will find your passion.
Diana Vuong is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over 20 years of experience. She joined the Airport Authority in 2007 as Director, Finance and Controller and has been in her current position since 2018. As Vice President, Finance and CFO, Diana is involved in all facets of our business and is responsible for finance, accounting, enterprise risk management and sustainability reporting.
Believe in yourself! All things are possible.
Chris is responsible for GCT Canada’s commercial activities, securing contractual relationships, and mutually beneficial sales strategies to generate volume via new markets for container traffic through their marine terminals in Vancouver, BC and New York, New Jersey. With 20 years of experience in marine operations and supply chain logistics in global trades, Chris oversees most of the terminal capacity within Canada’s largest gateway – the Port of Vancouver. His work ensures that GCT Deltaport, Canada’s flagship container terminal and GCT Vanterm one of the region’s most productive terminals have optimal capacity for customers. Chris joined GCT Canada in 1999 and held various positions in terminal operations before transitioning to his commercial capacity. In 2013, Chris was appointed Vice President, Marketing and Sales. He has developed a trust based network and established cross-functional alignment between shippers and terminal operations in growing the Vancouver Gateway. Chris received his Bachelors of Business Administration and Economics from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.
Pay attention to the world around you, and far beyond you. Everything is interconnected and global issues create local impacts. Understanding how things work together, brings critical perspective and insight to decision making for business and life.
Sean is currently employed as the Director, Strategic HR Business Partners, at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. He originally studied civil engineering in Toronto but soon realized that there weren’t many job opportunities at the time. He decided to continue my studies in law and business shortly afterwards. Sean practiced as a lawyer before discovering his passion for strategic human resources and learning and development twenty years ago.
Be open to new ideas and opportunities as you explore careers, hobbies, and experiences that make you happy. And; Look for opportunities to maximize the enjoyment that you get out of your career, hobbies and experiences.
Sarah Powell joined the Canadian Coast Guard fleet in 2015 as a deckhand. She has worked on science research, buoy tending, ice breaking, and fisheries patrol vessels and is now Officer In Charge of Bella Bella Coast Guard Station, a Search and Rescue station on the Central Coast of BC.
We spend so much of our life in our profession, it shapes who we are: feverishly pursue what you’re passionate about.
February 16, 2023 | Healthcare
Vice President, Client Experience
Co-owner/ Physiotherapist
Senior Research Scientist I
Strategy Leader
Veronica Tissera works as a Caregiver in HealthCare, specifically at Nurse Next Door, where she has worked for the past 7 years and is currently Vice President of Customer Experience. Nurse Next Door is a home care service founded in Vancouver where they focus on a few pillars including companionship, meal preparation, homemaking and home nursing care for the seniors. She has previously worked at Please Mum, Aritzia and YYoga.
Follow your heart and your passion and you will love what you do. Be the first one to put up your hand and say you want to learn and to be given the opportunity to step into situations that will develop your leadership and skills. Don’t wait for anyone to ask you, take the initiative to contribute, lead and make a difference.
Mark Dale is a Physiotherapist and clinic owner. He grew up in Shawnigan Lake B.C. and now lives and works in Victoria B.C. where he and his business partner own two physiotherapy clinics. He obtained his undergraduate degree at the University of Victoria in Political Science and his Masters of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Alberta. He has been practicing Physio for 7 years and has been a business owner for the past 5 years after meeting his business partner early in his career. Mark strives for a work-life balance. Outside of work he loves being active outdoors hiking, camping, running and taking advantage of what Vancouver Island has to offer.
Experience as much as you can and learn from others. Time is going to pass no matter what so you might as well work towards what you want in life!
Melissa has a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry specializing in protein structure and function. She has over ten years of post-doctoral research experience, seven of those working in the biotechnology industry. In her first position in biotechnology Melissa conducted preclinical research to validate the company’s technology and designed novel proteins as therapeutics for solid tumours. In her current role she is involved in the preclinical research and development of lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acid payloads. She conducts studies to examine the efficacy and safety of novel lipid nanoparticles and produces data to support the company’s numerous global partners in their regulatory submissions for new therapies.
Have confidence in yourself and what is possible.
Tim joined the Engineering Physics program at UBC because he had a desire to “make something that someone else found useful”. After someone pointed out that the most useful thing you could make would be something that helped others, he began looking into careers in the health and biotech fields. Shortly after graduation, Tim joined Precision NanoSystems as one of the original employees and has been a part of growing the company to where it now supports scientists around the world developing RNA medicines. In his current role, Tim is in charge of understanding the market, customers and charting strategy for the company.
You shouldn’t be too busy to grow.
January 26, 2023 | Construction & Skilled Trades
HET/ ThinkBIG student
Superintendent
Machinist Instructor
Manager, Youth Programs
I found out that I enjoyed working on vehicles at a young age, I enjoyed working on automotive but felt there was more opportunities as a Heavy equipment technician. During high school I joined the Registered Apprentice program (RAP). I attended classes for half days and worked towards an apprenticeship in a small automotive shop for the other half of the day to get my foot in the door and gain some experience before going to Heavy equipment. After 10 months of working there, the loss of a contract caused them to close the doors, I took that as an opportunity to go after what I had ultimately planed on doing as I felt I was ready to take the next leap. I found a job at a (on highway) tractor trailer shop and attended online classes in the evening to finish high school while working full time towards my apprenticeship in Heavy equipment. After graduating high school I spent about half a year gaining hours in the trade so I could go to my first year of schooling. After my 1st year of schooling I felt like there was more for me to learn then just on highway equipment, I spent a year continuing to work at that shop while I was applying for The Caterpillar ThinkBIG program. I was chosen for the program and plan on finishing my apprenticeship through Caterpillar.
Work extremely hard at everything you do. Apply yourself even if what you are doing does not seem useful to you at the time, choose a career that you enjoy and makes you happy.
Steven has worked in the commercial construction industry for 15 years. During this time Steven has worked in many roles, starting as a carpenter apprentice, then Journeyman Carpenter, Carpenter Foreman and Superintendent. Steven has led several complex projects in Vancouver with Ledcor Construction and is currently working on Vancouver’s tallest office tower.
Don’t be afraid to make a decision. You can shift direction at any time.
Chelsea is a member of the Chilcotin First Nation and a Machinist Instructor at BCIT where she teaches both manual and CNC machining. She is also a Regional Representative with BCCWITT (BC Centre for Women in the Trades) a Mentor and Advocate for all youth, women, indigenous peoples, and other minorities in the skilled trades.
Work hard towards your goals, ask questions, be dedicated to lifelong learning, and do not let other people’s ideas of what you can and cannot do get in the way of building the future you want.
Maureen is the current manager of SkilledTradesBC Youth Programs and has been working with School Districts, First Nations Schools and Independent Schools in BC for over 8 years to offer skilled trades programs and opportunities to K-12 students. She also took part in these youth programs in high school which resulted in her achieving the BC Hairstylist Certification of Qualification. Because of the experiences she’s had, she is very passionate about supporting youth in finding their career path and showcasing the opportunities available in skilled trades.
Take advantage of any opportunity that interests you because you never know where it will take you. Exploring and trying a skilled trade will provide you with lifelong skills even if you decide to move into other fields!
November 17, 2022 | Financial Services
Financial Advisor/ Partner
Associate, US Small Cap
Wealth Advisor
Vice President, Advisory Services – Associates & Operations
Assistant Manager
Prospera, Agassiz Branch
In 2011, Laurent founded his fifth company, Safe Pacific Financial, to help Canadians achieve their financial dreams. He’s been living the Canadian dream since immigrating here at 5 years old. His work life started with a paper route in the 3rd grade and he’s been working and building ever since. The “Why” behind launching Safe Pacific is to work with great people, add value to both their business & personal life and demystify the convoluted world of finances so they can focus on being the best at what they do for their families, companies and community. Laurent’s personal work philosophy is simple: Independent, relationship focused, no pressure, no rush. He loves working with like-minded and motivated people that strive for success every day.
Some of the greatest value you are going to get from your school now, and any other schools you go to in future, are the relationships you build. Some of the people in your classroom now you will know forever and some you will never see again once you graduate. When you leave school it’s not so easy to meet this many people and to spend so much time with them and develop deep relationships where you know a lot about each other.
So as you continue your education journey, get the education, but make sure you develop strong and deep relationships with the good people around you. The most successful people I know have the best people around them. Learn how to find the best people, learn how to help people and add the most amount of value to their lives. If you can do this you will be successful in whatever you do.
Alicia Armstrong has worked in BCI’s Public Markets department for over 4 years. After having completed an eight-month co-op term with the Canadian Small Cap team, she joined the newly formed US Small Cap team to help launch the fund. She is a very passionate and driven individual, with a particular love of learning. Having completed her BCom degree from UVic in 2019, Alicia spent the next few years studying for her CFA and received her CFA charter in 2022. Currently, Alicia spends her time volunteering with BCI’s Financial Literacy Committee and mentoring students in UVic’s Applied Portfolio Management Program.
If you don’t know what career path to follow, start by finding something you’re interested in. It doesn’t matter if it’s investing or biology or art or writing. Start there. Then find a career where you get to use those skills and that passion.
The one piece of advice I would give my younger self would be to ask the question, “Why not me”. We can be so self-deprecating and hard on ourselves. I never thought I would be an Olympic Champion and I never thought I would be a part of a team managing millions of dollars of assets. Step back and start believing in yourself. It’s powerful!
With over two decades in the financial services industry, Selena brings passion and expert experience to her role as Vice President, Advisory Services – Associates and Operations at Nicola Wealth, an independent financial planning firm, where she leads one of the largest teams in the firm.
A graduate from The University of Calgary, Selena graduated with her Bachelor of Arts, Economics and holds her Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations. She is the host of the Women’s LEAD podcasts at Nicola Wealth dedicated to celebrating and lifting women up from all backgrounds by sharing their stories, is involved with Junior Achievement teaching financial literacy to youth and is also passionate about providing mentorship to aspire others to achieve success personally and professionally and being an inspiring role model for female leaders.
- Change is the one constant in life. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to know exactly what you want to do when “you grow up”. It’s rare that one’s career journey is linear and often there are twists and turns along the way. As you grow and evolve over time, embrace the changes as learning opportunities, take risks, and allow your career to change, grow and evolve over time as well.
- You do you and believe in yourself. Don’t spend time comparing yourself to others. Spend the time instead to plant your own seeds and water them and never think that you are “behind”. There is nothing to be behind of, you are right on time. Recognize that everyone’s career journey and timelines are different, some achieve success early on and others later in their life.
- Enjoy the journey and celebrate your little wins along the way. They all add up!
As somebody who became proficient with numbers through a family business and recognizing this at an early age, Joban decided to get into the financial industry and follow his strength. Starting off as a front line teller gave Joban great insight into the financial industry and ignited a passion to help people understand their own financial situation better. That feeling of having someone understand a concept they felt was too complicated for them to comprehend is priceless!
Save early and save often. Your expenses are typically at their lowest the younger you are and growing your savings early will be rewarding. Learn to budget early so you can spend without guilt. Remember to utilize specialists in the industry and always keep in mind ‘ it’s time in the market and not timing the market’ to get ahead financially.
October 20, 2022 | Entrepreneurship
Chairman
Co-Founder & President
Owner
Associate
Yuri is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and philanthropist. He has been building businesses since his early twenties, when he grew a $60 million business portfolio from a single A&W franchise. Yuri is currently Chairman of Fulmer & Company, a director and advisor on numerous Boards and charities, and the Chancellor of Capilano University.
I have never had a job that I knew existed when I was in school. Not a single one. There is way more opportunity out there than you know. Your task is to grab hold of those opportunities when they come along. Not when it is convenient for you.
Jamileh Askarian Co-founded Noura Homes in 1992 and continues to successfully grow the company almost 30 years later. Despite the many challenges of being a woman in a “man’s industry” she was able to turn her opposition and barriers into opportunity and is now well respected in the construction community. With over $150 Million in total project experience, she is helping to pave the way for the next generation builders. “Honesty, hard work, good intentions and giving back to the community are the foundations to my success.”
Get educated.
Maya has a company called Basecamp Cards that makes multipurpose playing cards with questions to make games more meaningful and memorable. She lives in Kelowna, BC and started her small business in high school with the help of Junior Achievement!
I would say to have grace with yourself for figuring it out as you go. You don’t know what you don’t know, but you’ll learn so much more from trying and messing up than not trying at all! And also, there’s so many amazing opportunities out there for every single niche. I think there’s no better time than to go pursue whatever interests you the most and to be successful with it
Prior to joining Mercer, Sofia worked in a variety of roles including: assistant editor for a nutrition website, an analyst for a retail pharmacy software system, and an onboarding manager for a start-up software company.
Sofia has a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Outside of work, Sofia enjoys travelling, reading, performing music, cooking and spending time outdoors.
Do something that gets you closer to your dream, every day, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
September 22, 2022 | Education
Jr. Behaviour Consultant/ Program Supervisor
Senior Associate Dean of Students
District Indigenous Enhancement Teacher
Retired Educator
Melissa has over 15 years of experience working with children and youth. She has had the opportunity to work as a Youth Worker in Treatment Foster Care, an Early Childhood Educator, an Educational Assistant and a Behaviour Interventionist. Melissa’s many roles working with children and youth have led her to specialize in Applied Behaviour Analysis, specifically autism. Melissa now works as a Program Supervisor/ Jr. Behaviour Consultant, where she supports families, provides individual behavior therapy and runs social skills groups.
You don’t have to know what you want to do the rest of your life right now.
Find something you have passion for and a career will grow with hard work and dedication.
Elicia is the Senior Associate Dean of Students and lecturer at the UBC Sauder School of Business, where she currently teaches Commercial Law, Real Estate Law and New Venture Development. Elicia comes to academia from private practice, where she was a tech lawyer at national firms specializing in mergers & acquisitions and private equity. In practice, she leveraged her business acumen, grounded in her Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC Sauder, to deliver strategic and uniquely valuable advice. Coming back to UBC Sauder, Elicia found herself with an incredible platform and opportunity to focus on sharing and fostering business acumen and perspective with students; it makes walking into the classroom each day a decidedly exciting privilege.
Give yourself the same kindness and perspective you give others; when you find yourself in a tough situation, think about what you would tell your best friend if it was them.
Valerie is an enrolling member of the Chala:at Nation from Washington State. She has a Bachelor of Science from Western Washington University, a Bachelor of Ed from SFU and a Masters Diploma in Inclusive Education from Simon Fraser University. She is currently a Indigenous Enhancement Teacher in the Chilliwack School District.
My advice to my younger self would be to spend more time with my elders.
Karen Kettenacker has been a classroom teacher for 26 years and recently retired this past June. She worked at Mt. Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook for all of her teaching career, teaching grade 10-12 students. Karen is a Business Educator and taught the following: Accounting 11 and 12. Entrepreneurship 12, Marketing 11 and 12, Business Computer Applications 12, Career Life Education and Career Life Connections, Work Experience and supporting dual credit students in the trades. During this time she used Junior Achievement programs extensively in her classroom. Karen’s favourite
part of her job was sponsoring extracurricular activities while at the school. She coached many teams and enjoyed being with students outside of the classroom. She was the Regional Coordinator for SkillsBC. She also served as a Professional Development Representive for her school for many years.
A piece of advice I would give my younger self is to go and volunteer for a school in any capacity. Support a classroom teacher, coach a sports team or club.
June 2, 2022 | Businesses Leaders, Entrepreneurs & Role Models
Aboriginal Relations Advisor
CEO/Founder/Entrepreneur
Principal, Managing Director
Johnna’s unique experience in building collaborative relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations organizations arose from her roles as Communication Protocol Officer in the Musqueam Indian Band and Band Coordinator in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In Johnna’s role, she ensures Indigenous voices are heard and included in the development of their lands and territories.
Johnna believes that Indigenous peoples are and have always been storytellers, passing knowledge and teaching from generation to generation through a story. She is an advocate for Indigenous voices and stories not only in development but in the creative realm of film and television.
At the age of 24 Chief Clarence Louie was elected as the Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, focusing on economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living. For over thirty years, under his direction, the Band has become a multi-faceted corporation that owns and manages thirteen businesses, five joint ventures, and employs approximately one thousand people.
Chief Louie’s efforts have been widely recognized in Canada and the United States as he is invited regularly to share his experiences and best lessons learned with First Nations people and Government & Corporate agencies.
Native people have always worked for a living; Go to School, get a job, or go get some counseling.
Sharon Bond has always enjoyed cooking, baking, and providing excellent customer service. For several years she has longed for her own restaurant and a place where everyone would feel acknowledged and welcome. To make this dream come true, Sharon created a unique Indigenous cultural cafe called Kekuli Café, complete with Indigenous art, staff, cuisine, and light pow wow music! Her specialty in the restaurant industry is bannock.
Find someone who inspires you, motivates you, and keeps you accountable.
William Belleau is an actor, writer and director from Alkali Lake, British Columbia. He received his schooling at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts from which he graduated in 2008. He is best known for his roles in the films The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Killers of the Flower Moon, Blackway with Anthony Hopkins, Corner gas with Lorne Cardinal and the TV series Frontier.
William has given back to his community by teaching First Nations youth about writing, making acting choices, getting over fear, blocking, rehearsing, and the principles of photography and editing.
A dream becomes reality through sweat, determination and hard work.
Corey Brown is a member of the Old Massett Village Band, which forms part of the Haida Nation on Haida Gwaii. He is part of the Sta’staas Eagle Clan and is the nephew of the current serving hereditary Chief 7idansuu. Corey is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBG) and a member of the Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada. Since founding Gwaii Engineering in March 2017, Corey has grown the business significantly, including the addition of three partners.
Study harder.
May 12, 2022 | Agriculture and Natural Resources
Section Leader, Environmental Technology for Technical Services Trail, a division of Teck Resources, Dr. Clemente Miranda-Trevino has over 20 years of experience in the petrochemical and mining industries of Mexico and Canada. Clemente holds a B.Eng in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Iberoamericana and a M.Eng. and PhD in Process Engineering from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. In his current role at Teck, Clemente oversees the team that focuses on technology development in the environmental area. Some of the cool projects include the development and application of genomic tools in the mining industry, innovative water treatment and source control. A proud father of three, Clemente and his wife have embraced the outdoor lifestyle that living in the West Kootenay provides. Although originally from Mexico, he is a proud, self-proclaimed adopted Newfie.
Learn to enjoy every step of your journey. Learn how to laugh at yourself.
Stepan is a seasoned business and UX professional with over 17 years of experience in managing teams and projects in Canada, the USA, Europe and Russia. He thrives in creative environments when dealing with complex issues that require innovative thinking. He loves to navigate a complex environment of global corporations as well as small dynamic startups. Stepan most enjoys building teams that strive to design cutting edge products and one-of-a-kind user experience.
The world has never been this good and it is only getting better.
A software engineer with nearly 20 years of experience, Jordan has worked at a wide range of companies from 2 personal startups to large corporations like Microsoft and Electronic Arts. Across those companies, he has worked in a variety of industries including financial software, web development, video games and most recently agricultural technology.
There’s some aspect of your life that you enjoy doing, try your best to have a career related to that.
Mike is Director of Business Development, TELUS Agriculture, and is based in Vancouver, BC.
Mike started with TELUS in 2006 as General Manager in Customer Solutions Delivery Alberta, quickly becoming a well-known and respected TELUS and community leader. In 2009, he moved westward to B.C. and has since held key senior leadership positions supporting national infrastructure investment and customer experience.
Prior to joining TELUS, Mike worked within the Bell Canada family of companies for 20 years in a number of senior leadership roles.
Continue to seek out opportunities like this to learn about different career opportunities. You never know what you might discover.
April 28, 2022 | Tourism & Hospitality
Paul began his career in the hospitality industry in 1995 and since then has owned three restaurants, multiple barber shops and a home services business. He currently is a regional manager for a national restaurant franchise and uses his expertise to help franchise partners set and achieve their goals.
Just say “Yes”. You never know what excites you if you don’t try.
After graduating from the University of Idaho with degrees in Marketing, Human Resource Management and Production and Operations Management Troy began working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the year 2000 as a Management Trainee in Spokane Washington. Over the next several years he worked up through Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Manager before becoming an Area Manager overseeing several locations throughout Eastern Washington. In 2011 he moved to Seattle to oversee the Car Sales division in Washington. After two years overseeing three dealerships, Troy moved back into Enterprise’s daily rental division as a regional manager and then became a Regional Vice President. Troy joined the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Eastern Washington/North Idaho and has served ever since. In August of 2021, Troy moved to British Columbia to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Holdings for the province.
Be curious and enthusiastic! The path you are on is not always the one you will stay on so don’t be afraid to try new things and when you do, put your whole self out there. You never know where you will find your passion.
Having over 10 years of Customer Service Experience, Velour has worked in various roles: Child Program Developer, Front Desk Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Event Coordinator, Server, Barista, and Management in various companies. With a wide scope of abilities, Velour has been able to navigate a volatile job market which has led him to being the Executive Coordinator at our very own JA British Columbia.
In a new position, be as friendly as you can be and show that you are willing to work hard at things that you do not enjoy. Anyone can work hard at what they like and enjoy; people respect those that can work hard at tasks that are not enjoyable.
Alisha is the Vice President of Sandman Hotel Group, overseeing 13 hotels and a team of nearly 400 employees. Prior to her career at Sandman Hotel Group, she worked in various roles: in human resources at a golf and country club, as a corporate lawyer at two international law firms, and as a real estate advisor for Moxie’s Restaurant Group. She has a Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments from Cornell University, and an MBA from Queen’s University. She is married, has two kids, and an adorable Yorkshire Terrier.
You owe it to yourself to follow the path you love. Find your passion, and be great at whatever you choose to do!
April 7, 2022 | Workplace Safety and Skilled Trades
Shannon Corbeil is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and works as a Prevention Officer for WorkSafeBC. Her career in Occupational Health and Safety started from her desire to help others and was shaped through her pursuit for life-long learning.
Never stop asking questions, even if you think you know the answer.
Red Seal Certified Sprinkler fitter with 10 years of installation, maintenance and testing experience. During this time Dawn embraced many opportunities to tackle different types of construction projects all over Canada and the US. Through industry networking and her desire to try new things, Dawn sought out a sales role 7 years ago. Dawn is currently selling Fire Protection products in the Vancouver region optimizing her experience and knowledge in the Fire Protection field.
Don’t be afraid to try new things and make mistakes, these experiences grow you as a person and lead you to endless possibilities.
Well-versed in all operations aspects including training, budgeting, communication, marketing, people development, succession planning, project management, business analysis, culture creating, management and leadership.
Cyril’s passion for food and people go hand in hand, good food and good people are the keys to life.
Lead and love yourself. Be relentlessly yourself.
March 9, 2022 | BioTechnology and Medical Devices
Candice has over 10 years of experience in the biotechnology industry and has held roles in Business Development, Project Management and Operations. She earned a BSc from the University of Victoria, her MBA from UBC Sauder School of Business and holds a PMP. During her time at UVic she had the opportunity to take part in the co-op program which exposed her to many different career options within sciences and introduced her to the business side of science which ultimately changed the trajectory of her career.
Try everything, what you like and what you’re good at might surprise you.
Ariana has been working at StarFish Medical for just over 2 years, starting as a Manufacturing co-op and now working as a Junior Systems Engineer. She has worked in a number of different industries, including solar energy, motorsports, and marine engineering, before discovering her affinity for the medical device product development field.
Don’t close any doors. Whether you have a clear career path or haven’t found what you’re passionate about yet, that’s ok; try to expose yourself to as many different things as you can and push yourself out of your comfort zone to pursue unique opportunities.
Having a background and passion in kinesiology, health care and business, Lilin has taken on many roles in these areas. Currently, Lilin works in the business development team at Acuitas and has been with the company for just over two years.
Keep an open mind and be open to all opportunities that come your way.
With 10 years of experience in the pharma and Research & Development industry, Kate has had the opportunity to work in many areas of drug development and manufacture. Beginning her career at Pfizer in Ireland, Kate gained invaluable industry experience working in a GMP environment for almost 4 years. The transition to Canada brought with it a transition into the Research & Development lab and Kate has been working at the forefront of mRNA therapeutic development. Now specializing in scale-up and process development, Kate has had the fantastic opportunity to work on the recent COVID-19 vaccine and many other cutting edge technologies like it.
Work hard in all areas of learning but really try to identify and focus on what you enjoy, not necessarily just what you’re good at.
Alec studied for an Undergraduate Degree in Biomedical Engineering in Ireland before traveling the world for several months. He returned to Ireland to do a Master’s Degree in Medical Device Design and worked for another 3 years at home before traveling again for over a year. He moved to Canada to work with StarFish Medical, a Medical Device Design Consultancy in Victoria BC and also spent 2 years in Toronto helping with setting up a second StarFish Medical facility. He has had the opportunity to support the design of over 30 Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Products in several roles including R&D Engineer, Product Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Industrial Designer, Human Factors Engineer, and Project Manager.
Try different things and consider all opportunities that come your way. Never stop learning and expanding your mind. Be open to all possibilities. Some of the most valuable learnings are not found in textbooks.
February 14, 2022 | Healthcare
Lyndsey Albrecht started as a social worker assistant in the Child Protection office at Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society. 2 years ago, she moved to the guardianship office where she currently works. A guardianship social worker is the legal guardian of children from 0 to 18 years old who are growing up in foster care. Her job is really anything and everything for a child and youth, where she has to ensure that their rights are protected and that their needs are met.
If you’re willing to be open to possibilities, success can look like so many different things. Being able to adapt to different life events can help you be successful and happy in what you choose to do.
Kearney started her nursing career in North Carolina in 2005 working as a Level 1 Trauma Centre. She has a daughter who wanted to move back to Canada and so she researched the process and took the required exams to move back and work in Newfoundland. In 2011 they moved to Newfoundland where she continued to work in an emergency. After 7 years working in an emergency, she felt that she needed a change so she transferred to labor and delivery, where she has been working for the last 3 and a half years.
Don’t be afraid to do what you’re amazing at! My entire elementary parent-teacher meeting reports always came back with “Kearney’s grades would be so much better if she did her own work before helping others”. My mom knew I’d be a nurse, since I was a little girl. She knew because she’s also a nurse just like her mother.
Dr. Shafi has been involved in healthcare for over 10 years. He got interested in this field after working as a crisis line consoler during his undergraduate years. After finishing his bachelor’s in Genetics and Cell Biology from UBC, he went to Saba University School of Medicine for medical training. He completed a portion of his training with medical health systems in Louisiana, New York, Michigan and Quebec. After medical school, he worked as a research coordinator for Oregon Health and Science University where he helped run pediatric neuro-oncology clinical trials. In 2019 he joined the residency training program at UBC. He currently works as an urgent care physician; full-scope family physician and he is also the faculty lead for research projects at Surrey Memorial Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency program.
Always have faith in yourself and stay resilient in the face of adversity.
Veronica Tissera works as a Caregiver in HealthCare, specifically at Nurse Next Door, where she has worked for the past 7 years and is currently Vice President of Customer Experience. Nurse Next Door is a home care service founded in Vancouver where they focus on a few pillars including companionship, meal preparation, homemaking and home nursing care for the seniors. She has previously worked at Please Mum, Aritzia and YYoga.
Follow your heart and your passion and you will love what you do. Be the first one to put up your hand and say you want to learn and to be given the opportunity to step into situations that will develop your leadership and skills. Don’t wait for anyone to ask you, take the initiative to contribute, lead and make a difference.
January 27, 2022 | Construction
With more than 15 years of experience in Corporate Real Estate, Zen has represented her clients and managed teams through the Tenant Fit Up process. She has held different titles such as Project Manager, Facility Manager and now Design Manager. Her process remains the same each time. She values her team and has a proven successful track record.
It is ok to be unsure, uncomfortable and hesitant. I find when I am gaining the most growth when I am experiencing those feelings. Embrace them and explore what new things they are bringing to you.
Coming from a family full of tradespeople, it was only natural that Jonathan followed in their footsteps. Jonathan’s plumbing career began at BCIT and during his career, Jonathan moved around to different companies exploring many facets of the plumbing trade. He has experience in condo new construction, residential and commercial plumbing and heating, custom homes and renovations, and building retrofits. Jonathan is currently a business student at Langara College.
Get out of your comfort zone and connect with other people. By interacting with more people, you learn through their unique human experience.
Christina worked in various firms in different places like Vancouver, Toronto, Boston and Paris throughout her schooling. When she graduated with her Masters of Architecture, she started working for MMC Architects, an architectural design firm that specialized in high-end retail. She started as an Intern Architect and worked hard to become a Senior Associate before moving to Gensler. Gensler gave her the opportunity to contribute back to the community and urban fabric – the real reason why she decided to become an architect in the first place.
Work hard and with integrity for what you are passionate for and always remember that finding personal fulfillment in your career is what will keep you motivated and happy. Never stop growing and know that you bring a unique and valuable perspective to everything – own it!
Patrick has worked with Ledcor Construction for 8 years and was hired immediately after he completed his degree in Civil Engineering from BCIT. Since then, Patrick has been a part of three major construction projects for Ledcor; The Tsawwassen Mills Mall, VIU Health Sciences Center, and currently what will be the third tallest high-rise tower in downtown. When he is not at work, Patrick enjoys playing sports like hockey and golf, carpentry, barbecuing, and hanging out with his dog.
The best way to find out what we want to do for a career is to learn about the things we like and don’t like. Stay curious, learn about yourself and it’ll lead you to a career you will be excited about each and every day.
November 18, 2021 | Financial Services
Laura Kershaw has been in the finance industry for over 20 years now and is about to celebrate her 10th anniversary with CMHC as an account manager. In this role Laura manages bank, credit union and broker relationships for the Interior and Kootenay regions of BC.
Be open to all possibilities.
Samantha Liang is a Manager, Business Markets at RBC, overseeing the entire Fraser Valley Region. She currently has a CPA, CMA. She has worked at the Royal Bank of Canada for over 5 years in various different areas and has many advices to share, including this one.
It’s great to know exactly where you want to go, but don’t let tunnel vision have you turn down an opportunity that could be hugely impactful to your personal growth and career development. Take a chance, and always be curious.
My name is Colton Cheney, born and raised here in the Okanagan. I am currently the Branch Manager for Prospera Credit Union in Penticton and have worked in the banking industry for 9 years between here and TD bank. I started my banking career when I was 19 as a part time teller while getting my business degree at Okanagan College. I was promoted to a part-time financial advisor in my third year and received a full-time position as I finished my last few courses. Six months after officially graduating I was promoted to management and haven’t looked back since. I have held my current position for three and a half years and started my MBA this past January.
Your financial health matters! As you get older and start using credit cards etc. it is extremely important to make sure that you are spending within your means and making payments on time. Same goes for bills like your cell phone. If you miss payments, your credit will be impacted negatively which can lead to issues when you want to get a car loan or buy your first home.
Pay attention in school! Your grades do matter. Whether you are going to post-secondary school right after high school or not, your grades will follow you if and when you do decide to seek further education.
Jaime Rein is a Product Manager in the Cloud- Native Products at Sage, and currently living in Kamloops. She has been working as a Product Manager working on the cloud native products and was previously an owner of the Rein Business Services, a professional bookkeeping company.
If you are worried that you don’t know what you want for a career, that is okay, technology is moving at such a fast rate of change that for the majority of you, your career hasn’t even been invented yet.
October 27, 2021 | Public Safety
Jessica Franz is a firefighter for the City of Surrey. She was a professional basketball player, was involved in her community and knew she wanted to do more for it!
Work hard, be present and dream big!
Ben is an active Primary Care Paramedic with British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS). In that role he is responsible for responding to emergency medical and trauma calls, and transporting sick and injured patients to hospital. Ben’s work with BCEHS has allowed him to travel to the Interior, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver. In addition to his role as a paramedic, Ben is a local ski patroller, first aid instructor and volunteers with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.
Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams and interests. It can be scary and people may tell you it’s not a good idea. Keep going, believe in yourself, and be ok being uncomfortable. It’ll be worth it!
Constable Binita Cieslar has been a police officer for 15 years and has worked in a variety of sections including patrol, Domestic Violence Unit, Youth Section, and Crime Reduction Units. She was born and raised in East Vancouver and speaks Hindi and English.
Keep trekking along, focus on your goals and you will achieve everything you want.
Aaron Cyr has been a firefighter with the Surrey Fire Service for 14 years. Aaron is a strong supporter of Community involvement and charity work.
Set your goals high! Hard work will always lead to bigger and better things.
September 28, 2021 | High Tech
With more than 10 years of experience in the Software and Cloud industry, Gustavo had the opportunity to work in many roles, including Software Developer, Development Manager, Team Lead, Operations Engineer and Solutions Architect. Gustavo co-founded 3 startups in his home country, Brazil, before relocating to Canada, where he worked in different startups before joining AWS Startups team.
You’ll often have many paths to choose from. After considering your options, embrace your decision and don’t look back: from this moment on you’ll never know what would be like to have chosen another path.
Sonia Singh is a senior sales leader with over 15 years of account management, business development and training experience. She currently works at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Vancouver where she is helping BC’s largest enterprise customers transition to the cloud and transform their digital businesses.
As a mentor and coach, she believes in using technology as an enabler and actively encourages her customers and mentees to develop the skills and abilities necessary to stay relevant in the fast-paced technology industry.
Rahim Jivraj is an Enterprise Account Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He has been with AWS for 4 years + 9 months.
The best advice one of my mentors gave me was treat people with respect and be humble, good things follow.
I am an entrepreneurial sales leader committed to leveraging technology to solve customer challenges. High energy and curious, I bring a unique balance of entrepreneurialism, leadership and marketing savvy to each situation I encounter. Areas of interest and focus include empowering collaboration in the enterprise and leveraging all that technology as to offer.
Say yes as often as you can – especially to those offers/ suggestions that seem completely out there.
January 26, 2021 Program Event
Senior Vice President, Investment Operations
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Victoria, B.C.
I started as an apprentice Heavy duty and Agriculture Technician, now I have two journeyman tickets and manage a Caterpillar branch. I have worked at sjx different branches across three provinces. I won the President’s Safety Award in 2019.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. The world will always need people that know how to use their hands.
Completing red seal and becoming a Journeyman Electrician. Getting to travel to different locations across Canada like the Diamond Mines in the NWT, Canmore, Red Lake Ont. Becoming a foreman and running crews of up to 50 guys at a time. Becoming a partner and learning business skills on top of electrical skills.
Never say no to an opportunity. The best things of life have come from some of the things that scared me, made me uncomfortable the most. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Some of the proudest moments of my career have been when I’ve been involved with significant change initiatives. I find it incredibly rewarding to work closely with people, to break down a massive goal into smaller parts, and in the end achieve something far greater as a team than any one person ever could.
Believe in yourself. You’re capable of much more than you give yourself credit for. At times, it won’t be easy, but if you persevere and work hard, you will succeed.
Representing the TELUS brand to our clients and the community, always focused on a positive outcome for all parties. I’m especially proud to have won the TELUS President’s Club award five times, and to be recognized as a TELUS Passionate Leader.
To not be so hard on myself considering I had no clear direction forward in terms of career and life path. As well, seek out mentorship, both formal and informal. Ask for help.
I have been recognized as a RBC Conference Recipient in 2019 – an honour awarded the top 1% of RBC employees for their dedication and performance excellence.
Your career is a journey, not a race. Be patient and take your time and look at every job or task you do as a learning opportunity. You end up having a lot more enjoyment in the process.
January 28, 2021 Program Event
Changing international insurance policy, establishing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) policy and assessment methodology, and currently working on solar-powered autonomous boats with Open Ocean Robotics.
Keep pursuing the things you like and are genuinely interested in — an emphasis on the plural; you don’t need to be a “specialist” just yet. All the things you were interested in led you to this point (where I am now). Believe in yourself and your wants.
After graduating from dental school, I matched to my first choice at a competitive General Practice Residency (GPR) program in Manhattan, NY. It was a demanding and rewarding program that required me to work regular hours at a hospital clinic and be on call at any moment. Completing the program allowed me to practice in New York, which I did for another year before returning to Vancouver.
Stay positive and calm. We all take different paths to get to the same destination, and it’s okay if it takes a little while for you to get there. Try not to compete with others and do your best. One person’s success does not mean you have failed or vice versa.
I have been Managing Director on three different continents before turning 30, was named “Sweden’s most innovative leader” in 2019, became a member of Forbes Technology council in 2018. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do with your career right now. Just make sure that you do work and try different things so that you become more and more certain about what you don’t want to do.
I experienced a secondment in Toronto to RBCx, an innovation and intreprenurship program where I worked within a cross functional team that used design thinking and agile methodologies to explore disruptive solutions and learn new ways of working. I am passionate about disruptive innovation, and love nothing more than an ingenious “outside of the box” solution!
Say yes to opportunities that come your way that give you an opportunity to stretch and grow.
Paul is proud of Formula’s strong relationships with employees, communities, commercial relationships and First Nations throughout the region. Formula has many long-term employees which provide the basis for its success. Formula operates in many northern communities and has a strong tradition of supporting important causes.
Life skills are really important, I like building stuff. Stay grounded, be kind and have grace. You can accomplish amazing things together.