SPRING 2018 THE TECHNOLOGY ISSUE LIVE. WORK. LEARN. ualbertabusiness

BATTLE OF THE CITIES What the bid for Amazon HQ2 revealed about the new economy

PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAGE 22 VISION QUEST MOM AND BOT SHOPS GREEN WITH ENVY Virtual reality got a blue-collar job Small business can capitalize off AI Alberta goes big on cannabis We think of Sandhill Fen as a worthy show & tell.

In our quest to rebuild the landscape, we’ve engaged the best minds to understand how natural systems work and what it needs to thrive. Syncrude, together with academics from across North America, has reclaimed a former mine site. We now have a success story that’s 62 football fields large, filled with plants and wildlife. Learn more at syncrude.ca

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Imperial Oil Resources Limited; Mocal Energy Limited; Nexen Oil Sands Partnership; Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership; and Suncor Energy Inc. (with the Suncor interest held by Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1 and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership, both wholly owned affiliates of Suncor Energy Inc.). SPRING 2018 3

CONTENTS SPRING 2018 ISSUE A magazine for alumni and friends of the Alberta School of Business

FRONT FEATURES dean 04 Message from the Dean 17 Rumble in the Jungle Joseph Doucet supervising editor 05 On the Web by Jeremy Klaszus Heather Newton The bid for Amazon HQ2 was a long editor shot for the 238 cities battling to win Omar Mouallem it. But Calgary and Edmonton got some art director Sarah Jackson LIVE economic soul-searching in the process. photo editor 06 Field Trip Aaron Pedersen Hunter-gather-businessman Kevin associate editor 22 How High? Angela Johnston Kossowan’s tools of the trade by Renato Pagnani assistant editor Cannabis is already big business, Mike Kendrick but with Legalization Day around 08 Deconstructing GearHalo class notes editor Jacqueline Kokic The science behind every athlete’s the corner, might it become a vital new best friend Canadian industry? contributors Raymond Biesinger Tema Frank 09 Good Money Kalyna Hennig LEARN Jeremy Klaszus We think of Why more investors are putting Taylor Lambert social responsibility first Renato Pagnani 27 Quick Study Jyllian Park The difference between job satisfaction Jeannie Phan Sandhill Fen 11 Snack Attacks and “job love” Jordhana Rempel Weapons to fight your vending Paul Swanson machine urges Adrien Veczan as a worthy 28 Social Ties Daniel Wood Catching up with our alumni— ualberta business online wherever they gather David Holmes show & tell. WORK 29 Class Notes 12 Vision Quest Virtual reality gets a blue-collar job 34 The Corner Office View UAlberta Business magazine ATCO’s CEO on carrying forward is published twice a year and In our quest to rebuild distributed to more than 20,000 her late father’s vision the landscape, we’ve 13 The Frank Files alumni and friends. The views and by Tema Frank opinions expressed in the magazine engaged the best minds to do no necessarily represent the understand how natural systems Small business can capitalize views of the University of Alberta or work and what it needs to thrive. off AI too the Alberta School of Business. All material copyright © 2018. Syncrude, together with academics email from across North America, has 14 Fountain of Youth [email protected] How “reverse mentorship” bridges reclaimed a former mine site. facebook the values gap between young and old University of Alberta We now have a success story that’s School of Business 62 football fields large, filled 15 Cutting Out “the Middle Man” twitter with plants and wildlife. Why more women are relying on @ualbertabus Learn more at syncrude.ca each other to advance their careers to advertise [email protected]

telephone 1.780.492.4083 1.877.362.3222 (Toll-Free)

address Office of the Dean Alberta School of Business University of Alberta 4-40 Business Building Edmonton, AB T6G 2R6 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065531

The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Imperial Oil Resources Limited; Mocal Energy Limited; Nexen Oil Sands Partnership; Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership; and Suncor Energy Inc. (with the Suncor interest held on the cover by Canadian Oil Sands Partnership #1 and Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership, both wholly owned affiliates of Suncor Energy Inc.). Illustration by Raymond Biesinger FRONT

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

IF YOU WERE to pick an issue of Life magazine from the Space Era, you would see that the way we discussed “technology” is very different from how we now discuss “tech” (as we’re prone to call it in our much-abbreviated parlance). Back then, technol- ogy evoked conversations around aerospace and NASA, TV’s influence on the modern family and the incredible microwave. We consider variations of the same things today too. Will we find another Earth-like planet? Are smartphones giving us ADHD? But I’ve noticed we spend as much time or more discussing tech as a business—as a job-creator, diversifier of the economy, indus- try disruptor, investment opportunity, or bubble. “Tech,” to many, is synonymous with business and markets. Silicon Valley has become the West Coast analogue to New York’s Wall Street. This is a modern notion and one realized in part because of the dizzying speed of technological changes on the wings of globalization. This rapid shift gives me flashbacks to the 1970s (but not for the reasons you might expect): I was working a summer job in a General Motors car plant in Oshawa, Ont., an undergrad student surrounded by blue-collar guys (and a small number of women) comfortable that the technology we assembled, though evolving, was relatively stable. There was a sense of permanence for the people in the plant and industry. Of course, the automotive plant of today is highly automated— and the cars will be too, soon enough—which has filled the industry with excitement and angst. Excitement for future conveniences. Angst for the serious threat to existing workers who might not have another chance to retool their skills for that future. This is a modern We need to spare the emerging business professionals this anxiety. That’s why, as a leader in higher education, I think B- schools everywhere have to ensure that their students are adept notion and one realized at living in this fast-paced world, teaching them to use the lead- ing technologies, but, more importantly, making them adaptable in part because of to what comes next. For example, at the Alberta School of Busi- ness, we’re evolving quantitative analysis teachings to account for business analytics and “big data.” the dizzying speed of While we prepare future business professionals at a local level, we need to recognize that tech is global. It won’t help Canada technological changes or Alberta isolate itself from global competition. If anything, tech accentuates the competitive forces. We should continue to encourage tech that solves local problems—getting clean water on the wings of in remote communities, for instance, or making energy more efficient—while recognizing that these tools will be applicable globalization. (and valuable) to the markets around the world. So let’s embrace tech jobs, tech startups, tech investment, not as something that safeguards us from globalization, but something that exploits it—as something that can help us compete!

Joseph Doucet

Stanley A. Milner Professor and Dean, Alberta School of Business SIEMENS RICHARD CREDIT: PHOTO SPRING 2018 5 FRONT

ON THE WEB

[ENTREPRENEURSHIP] Taking Care of Business Canada has seen a surge of entrepreneurship in

KAREN HUGHES, Alberta School of our economy over the last Business professor, on new evidence that Canadian women are more likely to become 20 years, and women have business owners than in any other G20 country. tinyurl.com/GEMReportG20 been at the forefront, ALBERTA HONOURS launching businesses at rates UAlberta Business was nominated for 10 that often outpace men.” Alberta Magazine Awards this year. We’d like to thank the Office of the Dean, the Business Marketing & Communications team and our sterling contributors for upping the quality of this magazine. We’re proud to be in the company of Alberta’s [BUSINESS CASE] finest publications. Congratulations to the Duck and Weave winners and nominees. What do you do when your blood, sweat and tears aren’t enough? You pivot—just Sarah Jackson & Min Gyo Chung, like MBA student Luke Butterworth Bright Spot Ahead (WINNER, Best Cover) (pictured, centre), who changed his Adrien Veczan, Deconstructing company from a software business for Brew Green (WINNER, Photograph: health insurers to one for health-care Landscape, Architecture or Still Life) practitioners. Trioova, which essentially acts as a virtual home base for medical Sarah Jackson & Loveis Wise, information for caregivers and patients, The Human Touch (Finalist, Best Cover) is ready for a pilot with Canadian Forces Sarah Jackson, The Movement Issue Western Health Services. Learn more (Finalist, Art Direction Single Issue) about it at tinyurl.com/UofATrioova. Tim Querengesser, MaaS Effect (Finalist, Feature Writing–Long) [START-UP] Taylor Lambert, Trade and Turmoil Clean Breakthrough in the Age of Trump (Finalist, Feature Writing–Short) The newest start-up hatched from inside UAlberta is a clean water tech company that has big implications for rural communities the world over. Roshan Water Solutions, founded Jyllian Park, For Love and Money by engineers Mojir Shaibani and Amirreza Sohrabi and supported through eHUB’s (Service: Business, Education, Accelerate program, short-circuits cumbersome and faulty water testing in isolated Health or Medicine) areas with a handheld testing sensor. Read about it at tinyurl.com/RoshanWaterSolutions. Min Gyo Chung, Bright Spot Ahead (Finalist, Illustration) Vikki Wiercinski, Economy 150 [APPS] (Finalist, Infographic) Fashion App Reaches Fever Pitch Sarah Jackson & Aaron Petersen, Two UAlberta students and former staff launched an app that caught the attention of MaaS Effect (Finalist, Feature Design) Tinsel Town. Billed as the “Home of Hollywood Fashion,” Nelo was licensed by Universal Studios to promote a contest in which fans of the popular trilogy Pitch Perfect can dress digital versions of the movie’s stars. It’s just one of a few milestones for the new Send us your letters and comments.

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD SIEMENS RICHARD CREDIT: PHOTO company, which you can read about at tinyurl.com/NeloAppPitchPerfect. Email us at [email protected]. LIVELIVE 6 ualberta.ca/business

FOOD

FIELD TRIP 4 Hunter-gatherer-businessman Kevin Kossowan’s tools of the trade writer photographer Kalyna Hennig Daniel Wood

THE EXTENT TO which Kevin Kossowan, BCom ’99, and his family go to eat only what they can grow, forage or hunt is staggering. “Today I had canned pike for lunch, there’s black bear in the oven for supper, and our freezer is full of white-tailed deer, grouse, waterfowl, and more,” the financial-planner-turned-food expert says from his central Edmonton home, where all the game is skinned, butchered, cured and/or frozen. As for fruits, roots and veggies, all the trees and shrubs on his property are fruit-bearing—sour cherries, saskatoon berries, apples, pears—and the backyard is almost all garden. 1 2 3 5 Oh, and there’s a henhouse. And rabbits, to help keep the land fertile. Kossowan doesn’t just live as hunter-gatherer-grower- locavor (anything he can’t hunt, fish, forage, or grow him- self he barters for from local farmers)—he teaches the lifestyle on his popular blog kevinkossowan.com and web series From the Wild, currently in its fourth season. The former hobby is now a company, Story Chaser Produc- tions, and his highly stylized movies have garnered him film festival awards, as well as corporate contracts with Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance, Canadian Cattle- men’s Association and others. But Kossowan’s career change isn’t a total divergence from his finance-focused education, which he says readied him for creating his own company. “A spreadsheet is my spirit animal,” he jokes. “Regardless of what you’re sell- 04 ing, managing any company still involves the day-to-day HANDCRAFTED MORITAKA modelling of project management, counting, and financial KNIFE:“You become dependent management of the entire operation.” His education made on knives for breaking down him a critical thinker, he says, helping him advocate against 01 animals, for daily living, cooking— such issues as catch-and-release fishing, which he calls CAST IRON POT everything,” says Kossowan. But not “animal harassment,” and conditions in the meat industry all knives are created equal. Cheap, ‘abusable’ ones can serve many that he considers unsafe. Management science classes lent 02 ROTHCO PARACORD: A bundle purposes—splitting wood, sawing a hand in making shot lists for his films and in organizing of versatility, it’s used for tying rope, butchering animals—but for his work in the field. up a lean-to shelter, stringing up more refined purposes—skinning But once he’s out there, his formal education gives way an animal, or (knock on wood) animals, deboning fish—he uses to pure human instinct. “We chase it, we kill it, we cut it creating a tourniquet if you’re Japanese white carbon knives and we cook it,” he says. “In the meantime, we try not to cut and bleeding out. with precision blades that were die.” He does it with these tools of the trade. gifted to him on his travels. These 03 would also inspire his award- BROWNING MEDALLION winning documentary on Japanese KALYNA HENNIG is a born-and-raised Edmontonian A-BOLT 30-06 RIFLE blacksmithing, Springhammer. whose writing has been published in Avenue, The Yards, and Infrastructure Insight. SPRING 2018 7 LIVE

8 11

6 7 9 10

09 BROWNING BRIDGER BOW AND ARROW

10 DJI PHANTOM 2 DRONE: Even in the most challenging conditions, Kossowan captures smooth, cinematic, bird’s-eye view shots of the field with a GoPro attachment. “You just 05 have to fly a remote-controlled A-CAM KIT: Canon 100 Mk2, thing and hope that you don’t lenses, microphone, MacBook, crash it.” In that case, he has a power pack, spare batteries, 07 backup drone. chargers, and headphones. MSR POCKETROCKET 2 08 “This is my favourite tool, ISOBUTANE STOVE: This folds ANKER POWERCORE BLOCK 11 because this is what I get out into a life source in precarious CHARGER: You thought your LIFESTRAW: If he can’t boil to tell the story every time.” situations, like during a fire ban phone dying midday was water, this could save his life, The only thing it can’t do? or emergency. The pocket-sized annoying? Try coping without allowing him to drink directly Underwater footage—that’s device screws onto a small can of communication on a days-long from any water source— his GoPro’s job. isobutane fuel, producing intense hunt. This brick-sized portable including puddles—by filtering heat that lasts for a week, or charger stores enough power the contaminated water before 06 unfolds into a stand for a pot so to keep seven devices alive for it reaches his mouth as safe DEER-HIDE GLOVES he can boil water in a pinch. a weekend. and drinkable. LIVE 8 ualberta.ca/business

SIMPLE SCIENCE: SCIENCE Using a patent-pending blend of deodorizers, moisture absorbers and natural oils, GearHalo penetrates textiles as sturdy as leather to control bacteria on DECONSTRUCTING a molecular level by changing the interior writer photographer environment. “We took Mike Kendrick Adrien Veczan it through many, many GEARHALO generations to get it right where it needs to be,” says Konidas. The science behind athletes’ new best friend ZERO WASTE: A single pod lasts the length of a hockey season (over a year in a work bag) but doesn’t require a full replacement. Simply toss it in the dryer to remove accumulated moisture, and it’s ready for baseball season—even after the deodorizers have worked their magic.

RECHARGEABLE: The moisture removal system operates much like a battery. “The dryer removes the moisture and allows the user to continue using the product, long after the deodorizer has faded,” says Konidas.

EDMONTON-MADE: The proof of concept was backed by a $24,500 USD Indiegogo campaign with funders from around the world, but GearHalo is decidedly Edmontonian. Designed and manufactured in the founders’ home city, the product also got its first retail boost in Edmonton skate shops and sporting good stores, but continues to ship tens of thousands of pods to retailers across the continent.

SPARKED BY THE funk of a boys’ atom partnered with Bazos, an industrial with sprays, deodorants and disposable hockey locker room, coach Peter Konidas, polymer specialist, to design GearHalo, chemicals. Since hitting store shelves last BCom ’95, and his business partner an odour-killing pod that athletes can year, GearHalo’s war on rancid bacteria Demetrius Bazos have made it their just pop in their duffel bags like pucks. has offered salvation to thousands, from mission to snuff out putrid gear. Konidas Beta-tested on hockey moms, the duo was yogis to construction workers, and even (co-owner of jewelry store chain Metal- determined to create a renewable, zero- private military contractors—basically,

smiths Sterling in his non-coaching hours) waste product for a market saturated anyone who sweats to make a living. JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION SPRING 2018 9 LIVE

INVESTING

GOOD MONEY

Why more investors are putting social responsibility first

writer Taylor Lambert

RESPONSIBLE INVESTING GLOSSARY

ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance): the types of non-financial criteria typically considered in responsible investing

Ethical Investing: often misused in place of “responsible investing,” this usually connotes using a negative screen, i.e., ruling out investing in areas such as tobacco or coal on moral grounds

Impact Investing: another type of responsible investing with a focus on specifically quantifiable social or environmental returns

Non-Financial Disclosure: a company’s voluntary self-reporting of its business practices, strategies and outlooks beyond the bottom line, such as how much water a firm uses and from where it’s sourced

MAKE MONEY, OR DO GOOD. Pick one. of assets professionally managed with Centre for Corporate Social Responsibil- That was long believed to be the choice an eye to ESG (environmental, social, ity at the Alberta School of Business. for investors and corporations: either you governance) concerns was $22.89 trillion Responsible investing is an umbrella can focus on taking a principled stand USD, according to Global Sustainable term for investments that have at their when it comes to business practices, or Investment Alliance. That’s more than core a consideration of non-financial you can seek to maximize your return on a quarter of all managed assets, and factors. Traditionally, investors and fund investment. Anyone who tried to have an increase of 25 per cent from 2014. managers would put their dollars into their cake and eat it too was dreaming. “People have seen the wisdom of trying whichever firm was likely to succeed. Suc- But the menu has changed since then, to combine social and environmental cess, of course, was defined by profit, but and the cake—sweet, delicious “responsi- issues with business issues in order to responsible investors consider other as- ble investing”—has become surprisingly create positive change,” says Devereaux pects of the firm’s performance as part of

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION popular. Worldwide, the total amount Jennings, coordinator of the Canadian the success. Like, for instance, how many LIVE 10 ualberta.ca/business

women sit on its board? Are there clear Investment—a set of “voluntary and efforts to promote diversity? Is it environ- aspirational” guidelines for investors— mentally sustainable? Does management were launched in 2006, and the number even think about these things? of signatories from people representing That’s not to say that responsible Making responsible investments investment firms has since surged to 1,800, investors don’t want to make money. starts early for some. Net Impact, a representing $70 trillion USD in assets. Fiduciary duty—the principle that global non-profit encouraging young With longer-term data to analyze, investors and fund managers have a professionals to use their talents academic research has helped responsible responsibility to act in the best financial to “drive transformational change investing’s recent surge in popularity. interests of their clients—is still the bed- in the workplace and the world,” Different long-term studies from Dutch rock of the profession. What’s changed has a UAlberta Business chapter academics and MSCI indexing show that is the notion that investing responsibly for students willing to volunteer for companies focusing on and reporting consulting projects for good causes. subtracts from the bottom line. ESG criteria can at least match or even “Fiduciary duty concepts have evolved outperform the returns of other similar For more information, visit over the years and now includes the ualberta.ca/business/student- companies that don’t use ESG, providing concept of systemic risk,” says Alison organizations/net-impact. a business case for being environmentally Schneider, MBA ’11, director of respon- and socially conscious. sible investment at the Alberta Invest- ESG investing has become such a ment Management Corporation (AIMCo). mainstream idea that there are regula- “In other words, if we’re investing in tions to enforce non-financial disclosures. companies in which we could arguably For instance, Schneider points to two do well in the short term, but in the long jurisdictions: Ontario, which requires term there is a great cost to society, that pension plans to report on whether and could actually pose a loss for AIMCo in how ESG policies are incorporated into the long term, and a loss for our clients In the court of their investments; and France, where in- and beneficiaries.” stitutional investors must report on their Schneider points to climate change— carbon footprint on top of disclosing their what she calls “the systemic risk of our public opinion, ESG policies. time”—as an obvious concern for inves- But when it comes to encouraging busi- tors, for multiple reasons. The unpre- businesses nesses to be better social actors, external dictability of dramatic shifts in climate pressures may be more effective than patterns poses risks for businesses, for regulation, says Smirnow. “Often, regula- one. But ESG reporting also reflects the are finding tions aim to set the minimum standard, quality of management at a company. but often that becomes the maximum “If you’re tracking and reporting your themselves that corporations are willing to do.” She ESG performance, it means you under- adds, “There’s a growing pressure on stand what goes on in your organization,” businesses to do things differently. Not says Dasha Smirnow, a PhD student having to become because there’s regulation, but because, studying non-financial disclosure at the in the court of public opinion, businesses Alberta School of Business. “If you can really defensive are finding themselves having to become tell me how much water you recycle, that really defensive about their practices.” means you know. That means you under- Experts see the adoption of respon- stand your processes, you are keeping an about their sible investing continuing, but where eye on your operations, and you’re trying that eventually leads is anyone’s guess. to ensure they’re efficient.” If manag- practices. “I think you will see more funds targeted ers have a more granular understanding to emerging countries,” says Jennings, of their company’s operations, goes the citing in particular a growing interest in thinking, that’s an indicator of better funding initiatives around climate change overall performance. in the developing world. Though principled investing has a More generally, if the data continues to long history (American Quakers refused in the environmental scene he was in- show that ESG investing can be profitable, to invest in businesses involved in the volved in. “People started to flip it around there may be no limit to how widespread slave trade, as one example), the modern and think more about the virtuous side: it could become. Says Schneider, “The concept has roots in the social revolution Is it possible to pursue business and the ideal is there’s no need for a responsible of the ’60s and ’70s. environment simultaneously?” investing department because it’s so fully Thirty years ago, as a graduate student After the 2008 global financial crisis embedded across the organization.” at Stanford University, Jennings was exposed the questionable actions of involved in pressuring the university financial actors, ESG became a way to win TAYLOR LAMBERT is an Alberta journalist to divest itself of investments linked to back public trust by acknowledging con- and the author of Darwin’s Moving and South Africa, as a response to apartheid. cerns in the broader society. The United Roots: Extracted Tales from a Century of Dentistry at the University of Alberta. Then, in the ’90s, Jennings recalls a shift Nations-backed Principles for Responsible JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION SPRING 2018 11 LIVE

HEALTH

SNACK ATTACKS

Weapons to fight your vending machine urges 1

writer Skip the diets. Angela Johnston “They’re distractions,” says Siemens. Don’t deprive yourself of food groups like carbs—just choose them wisely, like brown rice over white rice. Siemens emphasizes shopping for “real food” rather than prepared items, cooking from scratch, and always preparing lunches so that you’re in control of your intake.

2

Meal times matter. Breakfast is critical, since you haven’t eaten in about 10 hours and your body needs to refuel. When it comes to lunchtime, she emphasizes making it a real break, not one you spend on the computer or in line at the food court. And if you eat at noon, Siemens says you should expect to need a snack at around 3–4 p.m., as the body naturally craves food every three or four hours.

3

Plan ahead. If you’re a stress eater, ensure you have healthy snacks on hand to curb the vending machine urge. If you like to nibble on crunchy foods, pack apple slices, nuts or carrot sticks. If you prefer IT’S 3 P.M., YOUR energy is flagging, and And it’s no wonder why: according to to sip on something, try a healthy but all you want is a tasty treat. A chocolate Ontario-based health management group flavourful smoothie or tea. bar, chips or the latte of the season come Cookson James Loyalty, getting back to to mind first, but you’re on a sugary or the basics with exercise, sleep, nutrition, 4 starchy streak this week. How can you and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, could curb your cravings and make better food save the Canadian economy $69.4 billion “You can’t outrun your fork.” choices at work? Ask Joanne Siemens. yearly. As for the employee’s incentive, That’s Siemens’s warning to those who The registered dietician and instructor in consider this: a survey by a Dutch organic think they can eat whatever they want the Alberta School of Business Execu- food producer claims the average woman as long as they exercise. If you choose tive Education program offers workplace consumed 2,240 calories a week—100,000 junk food, know that you’ll have a hard nutritional guidance to Government a year—from snacking at her desk. time burning those calories, so enjoy a of Alberta managers, part of a trend We asked Siemens for tips on how to small portion only. Siemens points to an of more companies trying to improve maximize lunches and minimize poor eat- old adage. “Weight loss happens in the

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION the workplace with wellness programs. ing habits at work. kitchen; fitness happens in the gym.” WORK 12 ualberta.ca/business

TECH THE FUTURE OF job training is now— and it looks a bit like Pokémon Go. Thanks to Alberta companies like Scope AR and Serious Labs—plus upstarts like Daqri, a company whose US-made safety goggles display data such as pressure VISION QUEST guages in your field of vision— training videos and job shadowing might be replaced by augmented Virtual reality gets and virtual reality (or AR and VR). Beyond reduced training costs, a blue-collar job estimated by Training magazine to be $1.5 million USD for mid-sized writer companies, simulator technology Angela Johnston helps trainees gain muscle memory and confidence before they operate photographer Adrien Veczan machinery in the field, increasing safety and performance. It could also alter the way some traditional jobs are done. Imagine doing maintenance on a motor that you work on only once a year and skipping the learning curve; using Scope AR’s app, simply point your phone camera at the ma- chine and step-by-step instructions appear overlaid on the real-world image. A checklist then tracks your work, allowing you to refer back to when the maintenance was last done and who did it. Serious Labs takes a more heavy- duty approach, using nearly full- scale VR simulators. It allows work- ers to practice operating machinery such as cranes, using headgear, joysticks and stationary equipment that simulates on-site tasks in the goggles. “You can just turn your head and it’s there,” says Danielle Enns, MSc ’06, director of project management at Serious Labs. When the company started, Neil Lamoureux, MBA ’96, vice-presi- dent of engineering at Scope AR, says industry didn’t really “get it.” But today the global VR/AR market is worth about $4.4 billion USD (projected to be $108 billion in three years according to data analyzed by TechCrunch). Much of it is for professional usage, as in hospitals and medical schools, and people are grasping the technology’s full potential. “Now that it’s out there in the consumer world, people get it. They see their kids using it. We’re having to explain less and less about AR, and companies are getting how

important it can be.” FRANK TEMA BY SUPPLIED PHOTO SPRING 2018 13 WORK

THE FRANK FILES AI Tools for Small Businesses:

Crystal: Analyzes the “DISC personality style” of people you correspond with MOM & via email and social media to give you an idea of how to communicate with them more effectively, offering real-time suggestions as you type. BOT SHOPS Starts at $19/month. crystalknows.com

Small businesses can capitalize columnist Tema Frank off AI too Path: An inexpensive “chatbot” welcoming visitors to your website, asking qualifying questions, and sending leads to relevant (human) staff for ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS often The key to getting started with more immediate follow-up. thought of a resource possessed by giants customized types of AI, says Gary Starts at $79 USD/month. chatpath.com that can throw billions of dollars at it, like Filan, BCom ’92, and vice-president Google, Amazon and IBM, but seldom at Toronto-based technology solutions the mom-and-pop shop. More recently, company T4G, is getting help from your “machine learning” is an oft-discussed existing vendors. Many of them are subfield of AI that lets computers learn already improving their own products Botsify: Similar to Path, but it includes from their mistakes, much as humans do and services with AI, and they don’t want an option for Facebook messenger but faster. But for it to work, it needs two their market to be limited to just the integration and doesn’t require coding. things that most small businesses don’t enterprise giants. For customer rela- Starts at $10 USD/mo. botsify.com have and can’t afford. tions management, there are Salesforce’s The first is huge amounts of data to Einstein AI tools and Microsoft’s Cortana practice with while it learns, and the Intelligence Suite. In the industrial sector, second is data scientists who can write GE’s Predix Studio requires minimal algorithms—rules that help it decide computer programming experience from x.AI: An AI assistant to avoid the back- and-forth of scheduling meetings. how to turn the data into useful informa- operations staff. Starts at $17 USD/month. x.ai tion. Kory Mathewson, a UAlberta PhD That said, AI isn’t a magic wand. “It’s candidate in computing sciences, says not going off and hiring data scientists that although smaller sets of data can be and saying, ‘Go find a problem to solve,’” a start in training machines, the models says Filan. “It’s applying the technology won’t be great at predicting outcomes at against existing processes.” (In fact, with Salesforce Einstein: Several integrated first. It can take “one million rows of data the shortage of trained data scientists, AI tools for customer relationship for making some data-driven decisions.” highlighted by the Harvard Business management. Companies with only a few hundred cus- Review in 2011, few small businesses Costs vary. salesforce.com tomers likely won’t have enough informa- could hire one even if they wanted to.) tion of their own to teach the machines. Look at how your company works and That said, smaller organizations can still think through the problems you’d like benefit from AI indirectly. AI to solve for you. A restaurant, for ex- Software like x.AI, an automated meet- ample, might be able to use AI to look at Cortana Intelligence Suite: A bundle of ings scheduler that skips the back-and- historical patterns of what its customers cloud-based and customizable analytics forth emails, and Crystal, a personality have ordered, on which days of the week, services for small and medium-sized analyzer based on written communica- at which times, and in which weather con- businesses with big data sets. Costs vary. tions, as well as the many “chatbots” for ditions, to predict what it should serve and cortanaintelligence.com technical support are available (see side- which ingredients it should stock up on. bar). Even Amazon is selling subscriptions Once you know what problem you to its facial recognition service, Amazon want to solve, talk to vendors who have Rekognition, to small counties hoping it AI tools and ask what they can do for will aid in crime prevention. By 2030, AI you. The big players are racing to domi- TEMA FRANK, BCOM ‘82, is the author is set to contribute $15.7 trillion to the nate the world of AI, so they’re quite of PeopleShock: The Path to Profits When global economy, according to accounting willing to invest in helping businesses Customers Rule. She writes, consults, multinational PwC, and a big part of that of any size use their products to solve teaches and podcasts about customer

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY TEMA FRANK TEMA BY SUPPLIED PHOTO will be mass-market tools like these. problems creatively. experience in the digital era. WORK 14 ualberta.ca/business

MANAGEMENT

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

How “reverse mentorship” bridges the values gap between young and old writer Jordhana Rempel

MOST SENIOR PROFESSIONALS would 28-year-old mentor: “[He] is mentoring Rubis was introduced to Luo in April balk at getting mentored—especially me on what the workplace should look 2016, when she joined ATB through its by someone less than half their age. But like going forward, what his generation summer student program. Rubis enjoyed Lorne Rubis, an executive at ATB Financial, is interested in, what they are looking for, her entrepreneurial approach and was brings his 20-year-old advisor into meet- how we can make ourselves attractive for impressed by her creativity and digital ings with the bank’s top brass. After all, young talent, and last but not least, how smarts. “She’s so intelligent, she writes Christina Luo, a sunny BCom student, is his we make sure we stay relevant to them.” code for fun,” he says. Luo returned in “reverse mentor”—an expert on all things There are several advantages to April 2017 as ATB’s Google Ambassador Millennial, like tweeting, valuing collabora- learning from Millennials, or “digital and intern support, meant to help in the tion over competition, and other ideals natives” as they’re sometimes called. In adoption of technology. In return, Luo has common amongst the newest workforce. a paper published by the Zur Institute, gained leadership skills. Rubis, BEd ’72, joined ATB in 2012 as digital natives are described as intuitive, But the dissolution of traditional the chief people officer, a role that encour- participatory learners who can quickly mentor-student roles did come with a ages employees to practice corporate val- task-switch. The egalitarian nature of the learning curve. “I had to learn not to ues to improve customer experience. Last internet taught them to see the world in ask for permission to do what I think is year, he became its first chief evangelist, in less hierarchical terms, so they have a dif- right,” Luo says. “I learned to be more charge of advancing the 85-year-old crown ferent view of authority. Luo says this has fearless and open to experimenting,” corporation’s culture and helping it adapt transferred over to her relationship with adds Rubis. “I learned how much I didn’t to new technologies and social engage- Rubis. “There’s no power dynamic over know, and I had to learn to be vulnerable ment. In an already forward-looking role, ideas and contribution,” she says. “It’s a in that regard.” it wasn’t a big leap for him to see the very organic process.” Both Rubis and Luo encourage others potential in reverse mentorship. “We hang out,” adds her mentee, whose to try reverse mentoring, though, as Reverse mentorship has been incorpo- traditional suit and tie contrasts Luo’s with all mentorships, finding the right rated into big companies like Microsoft relaxed fashion. Rubis prefers the casual connection between mentor and mentee and Target. With Millennials predicted structure he and Luo have over more is imperative. In the end, they praise the to make up nearly half the workforce by formal mentorship programs. “You meet continuous nature of the arrangement 2020, it bridges the generation gap and someone for lunch and they bring their and the way they’ve come to appreciate keeps companies on the cutting edge eight questions and that’s it.” With Luo, disparate personalities. “It’s intergenera- of digital culture. In a company post, he says, “we get stuff done. We work tional and interdisciplinary,” says Luo. Michael Jacobs, the general manager through conversations, not necessarily “You can learn a lot from each other.”

of Microsoft Norway, wrote about his through structured meetings.” JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION SPRING 2018 15 WORK

HUMAN CAPITAL

We believe that we’ll CUTTING OUT be stronger if we do “THE MIDDLE it together” MAN”

Why more women are relying on each other THE TAIL END of 2017 was all about tearing down the “boy’s club” mentality permeat- for career success ing politics, entertainment and offices the world over. And 2018 is no different. writer Professional women are demanding an Jyllian Park end to the toxic culture of gender-based sexual harassment and belittlement. With the support of many allies, especially mem- bers of the LGBTQ community, themselves tired of workplace discrimination, it feels like the obstacles facing women in their careers are finally being taken seriously. But while high-profile companies take steps to become safer, more equitable workplaces, women have been doing the work themselves for a long time. In every city, peer support networks— like Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), the Alberta School of Business’s Women’s Network for MBA students and alumni, and the student-run Network of Empowered Women—give guidance and resources so women are better represented on every rung of the corporate ladder. “We believe that we’ll be stronger if we do it together,” says Jessica Leung, BCom ’10. In 2013, Leung and Irena Kahn, BCom ’97, founded one of Canada’s fastest- growing professional networks, Forward Together, to help advance the women in their workforce. What started as a one-off conference has grown into an ongoing platform of engagement events and train- ing tools to help women obtain leadership positions in their companies. Forward Together partners with companies to share best practices to support their women in achieving career goals. The Toronto-based group now partners with 15 top-tier organizations, including Face- book, Canadian Tire, Pepsi and Procter & Gamble, focusing on building confidence Irena Kahn, BCom ’97 (left), and and inspiring high-performing women to Jessica Leung, BCom ’10 (right), advance towards leadership roles within

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION founders of Forward Together. the partnering corporations. WORK 16 ualberta.ca/business

They argue that the key to professional led companies, while firms like Hera equality is in more women ascending to Angels in California focus on educating leadership positions. “What we’re seeing the female investors themselves. is that women are dropping off closer to the top,” says Kahn. “We don’t have a problem with the number of women who are entering the workplace. We have a GOVERNMENTS NOT IMMUNE Breaking & Entering problem with women reaching the top The public sector isn’t immune to gender the Start-up Scene levels of their careers.” discrimination. Last fall, the City of Edmonton came The hurdles facing women under scrutiny after an employee engage- entrepreneurs are many. We asked ment survey showed one-fifth of city KRISTINA MILKE, BCOM ’94, SMALL BUSINESS, BIG PROBLEMS employees who completed the 2014–16 president of one of Canada’s most When it comes to running their own busi- survey faced instances of workplace active angel groups, and a founding nesses, Canadian women are better off harassment. Unsurprisingly, in many mentor of the University of Alberta’s than their counterparts in other nations’ departments, morale and job satisfaction Venture Mentoring Service, for tips innovation-based economies, according to was lower among female employees. for women breaking into the fast- a recent Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Senior City staff admit the issues had paced start-up world. (GEM) Report authored by UAlberta been ongoing for several years. 1 Business professor Karen Hughes. In After reviewing the results of the 2016, 13.3 per cent of Canadian women culture audit, executive leadership from SEEK OUT YOUR PEERS: “Find were engaged in early start-ups, well seven departments of municipal gov- other organizations, incubators and accelerators where like-minded ahead of women in the U.S., Australia and ernment examined the steps needed to individuals are gathering. Women other countries. But Canadian women who ensure a safer and more supportive work are famous for trying to get it all choose to establish their own businesses, environment for city employees. The done ourselves—and that’s crazy to regardless of size or sector, typically face team developed an external reporting me. Time is precious. Whether you more barriers than their male counter- system for employees and senior leader- have children or a family, that doesn’t parts, especially in tapping into the knowl- ship to facilitate better communication matter. Time is still precious. Why edge, mentoring, and networks they need among staff, and it’s running respectful not find and seek out like-minded to get their ideas off the ground. workplace sessions across the different entrepreneurs who can point you in “Women have the same growth aspira- branches. They’ve also introduced a new the right directions, connect you with tions as men,” says Marcela Mandeville, branch, called Corporate Safety and people, and share their experiences?” BCom ’96, MBA ’14, CEO of AWE. “It’s Employee Health, to address mental 2 often the implementation piece—access to health in addition to traditional occupa- capital, networks and markets to support tional health and safety. MAKE MENTORS: “There are a lot of the growth—that’s missing for women The realization that there’s a deep- folks in your town willing to mentor; looking to start out and build successful rooted culture problem at the City of you just have to ask. Most will say yes. You have to be a bit bold, but what’s ventures.” For AWE, a non-profit founded Edmonton is troubling, but there’s hope the worst-case scenario? Someone in 1995, that “piece” means providing the work being done to resolve longstand- rejects you? It’s not life or death. The women-owned businesses with repayable ing issues will lead to a supportive and best thing you can do is find people loans of up to $150,000, as well as advis- equitable work environment for all who’ve been down this path before. ing, networking, and workshops to help municipal employees. It might even inspire Make it easier on yourself.” their businesses. other organizations to take a sober second Lacking financial support is a severe look at their internal culture, as a global 3 hindrance for women entrepreneurs, and conversation sharpens its focus on detoxi- LOOK FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO it’s less a circumstance of all women being fying problematic work environments. HELP YOU: “Look for resources like innately risk-averse—a commonly-held Forward Together’s Kahn affirms this the Venture Mentoring Services, stereotype among investors—than it is of moment, noting that companies are start- a program for U of A students entrepreneurs not knowing when, where ing to accept culpability and welcome and graduates to apply for free and how to access capital. Loans, business ideas that support not just women, but mentoring. The mentors are high- plan assistance, and pitch training from all employees across all levels of the quality, successful business people in Alberta’s ecosystem from a variety of AWE help women in entrepreneurial company. different backgrounds and skill sets.” spaces to get started and grow. Mean- while, several women angel investors JYLLIAN PARK is the Edmonton editor This has been edited for brevity have launched firms like the New York- of Western Living and a fashion stylist. and clarity. based Golden Seeds to invest in women- She won a 2017 Alberta Magazines Award. SPRING 2018 17 FEATURE

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

The bid for Amazon HQ2 was a long shot for the 238 cities battling to win it. But Calgary and Edmonton got some economic soul-searching in the process. writer illustrator Jeremy Klaszus Raymond Biesinger

IN A THREE-STOREY brick building in down- town Edmonton, Danielle Strang, BCom ’08, is singing the praises of the city she once hoped to leave. As head of people operations for Jobber, a plucky homegrown start-up that makes scheduling software for busi- nesses, Strang is at the forefront of the city’s nascent tech scene. Her job involves culture development and talent strategy—recruiting talent and selling them on the idea that, no, moving to the frosty northern edge of the Great Plains isn’t lunacy. You can really build something in this city—and with the digital economy growing rapidly in Canada and internationally, Edmonton is in on the shift. “Whether you’re relocating or not, what I love about the conversations that we’re having is that it’s changing people’s percep- tions about what’s here,” says Strang. She eagerly lists Edmonton’s perks: strong arts and food scenes, a relatively low cost of liv- ing, and affordable homes. “I didn’t think I would still be in Edmonton,” admits Strang, who thought of herself as Toronto or New York-bound. “But Edmonton is not the same as it was when I graduated in 2008, and it’s going to continue to be Canada’s best-kept secret.” FEATURE 18 ualberta.ca/business

The secret’s safe—for now. Edmonton and Calgary both hoped to land Amazon’s much-hyped second headquarters, HQ2, a move that would transform their econo- mies with up to 50,000 new “high-paying” jobs and $5-billion in capital investment, but failed to make the shortlist. Toronto is the only Canadian city still in the running, along with Chicago, L.A., New York, and wildcards Raleigh, North Carolina, and Montgomery County, Maryland. But even though Edmonton and Calgary aren’t in the running, their Amazon bids revealed each city’s high-tech aspirations. After being battered by another oil crash, the province’s two major cities are back on their feet and looking beyond oil and gas for the next iteration of their economies. Both want to be places that draw and nurture tech talent. All around Strang, Edmonton is transforming in little ways. A few blocks southwest of Jobber, the city opened a scenic funicular, making it easier for people with disabilities to access the river valley. Protected bike lanes were recently installed downtown, just as they were in Calgary several years ago. Both cities have new bridges that double as impressive architectural gateways to their downtowns: Edmonton with the Walterdale Bridge’s white arch, and Cal- gary with its car-free Peace Bridge. Both cities are getting new amenities that are 01 increasingly important as cities compete for talent and investment. “It’s very different than 30 years ago,” says Kyle Murray, vice dean and profes- sor of marketing at the Alberta School of It’s really now a global phenomenon Business. “Both cities are larger and more of cities all over fighting constantly for urban, and that’s more attractive to not just tech sectors but any of the higher- these kind of opportunities—not just end, white-collar type careers.” to attract them, but also to keep what But is it enough to attract large tech companies? When Amazon put out its they already have.” request for proposals, it asked for a lot. It didn’t only request tax breaks (though it wants plenty of those, too), it asked for a city with good recreational and educa- tion opportunities, a high quality of life, a diverse population, excellent post- secondary schools and, yes, bike lanes. A city, in other words, that can draw and keep people. Throughout history, cities have always competed for commerce—but as the world becomes more urbanized and competi- tive, there are more players. “It’s not just New York fighting with Chicago and L.A., or Toronto and Montreal battling it out,”

says Murray. “It’s really now a global EDMONTON BIOWARE AND JOBBER BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS SPRING 2018 19 FEATURE

phenomenon of cities all over fighting like an Olympic bid—to share Calgary’s constantly for these kind of opportuni- story,” says Moran. Calgary accompanied ties—not just to attract them, but also to its bid with a cheeky marketing blitz, keep what they already have.” including sidewalk chalk graffiti in Seattle, Amazon’s hometown. On a building by the tech behemoth’s campus, they unfurled a banner that read: “Hey Amazon. Not TECH IS NOT what comes to mind for saying we’d fight a bear for you… but we most people when you mention Calgary totally would.” An ad with the same mes- or Edmonton, but look a little closer sage ran in the Seattle Times. and you’ll see foundations well in place. The campaign turned heads for its play- Edmonton’s BioWare, widely regarded ful gutsiness. “That’s great to try to get as one of the world’s best video game the Amazon bid,” says Murray, “but it’s studios, was founded by three University also a strong signal of a city saying, ‘We’re of Alberta grads in the mid-’90s (and willing to spend money to try and attract since purchased by Electronic Arts, a these kinds of companies—and we’re multinational American corporation). In open for business.’” Calgary Economic 2017, DeepMind, the UK-based artificial Development openly admits that Amazon intelligence division of Google, set up an wasn’t the only intended recipient of the Edmonton research office in collabora- campaign: “For us it was about potentially tion with the University of Alberta. And getting recognition from other Seattle- start-ups like Jobber, founded by Sam based or Pacific Northwest-based compa- Pillar, BCom ’05, and Forrest Zeisler, BSc nies,” says Moran. ’07, have popped up around town. Staying The campaign was also designed for put gives Jobber a certain prominence in people at home, who are still recover- its community—a status it likely wouldn’t ing from the recession. “Calgary got hit have in Vancouver or Silicon Valley. harder, faster than most jurisdictions Down the highway, Calgary has long that suffered from the drop in commodity had oil and gas tech. But as the city pivots price,” says Moran. “We wanted to give from being primarily an energy hub Calgarians some hope and pride.” (since the 2014 crash, a quarter of down- As an outlier, both geographically and in town offices are still empty, according to perception, Calgary had to be original in its commercial realtor CBRE), it’s trying to approach. There’s no way it could compete jump-start its start-up culture. Across the financially with the likes of Newark, New street from the Bow, the crescent-shaped Jersey, which publicly offered a staggering skyscraper that’s home to Cenovus, tech $7 billion in tax breaks, including $5 billion entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from the state itself. (Indeed, Newark made meet at a new hub called Nucleus, with a the shortlist.) The details of Edmonton’s view toward building more connections and Calgary’s proposals were kept under between Calgary and Silicon Valley. The wraps—both economic developers cited building doubles as a co-working hub confidentiality for competitive reasons. for start-ups. Nearby, Calgary Economic “Saying it’s secret is a little bit of a cop out,” Development is fleshing out its next says Murray. “[It’s] like saying ‘We don’t economic strategy. “The perception of really want to tell people what we did, be- what Calgary is is probably our biggest cause it’s not that attractive.’ The ones that hurdle,” says Mary Moran, Calgary put together great bids told everybody.” Economic Development’s president and CEO. “Rightly or wrongly, people don’t put tech and Calgary in the same sentence.”

02 While “economic diversification” has WHILE POLITICIANS AND economic been a refrain of Alberta politicians for developers fell over themselves to land years, progress on that file has been slow. the Amazon prize, less attention has been Left to their own devices and $100-per- given to the negatives that the company barrel oil, most Albertans would happily could bring. The Seattle Times reports stick with the oil and gas boomtowns that, thanks in large part to Amazon’s 01 Jobber co-founder Sam they know. influx of 40,000 workers, Seattle has Pillar, BCom ’05 (left), in the fast-grown company’s Calgary saw the Amazon RFP as seen a surge in housing prices—turning downtown Edmonton office. chance to disrupt that oil town narrative— affordable neighbourhoods into unafford- regardless of the outcome of the bid itself. able ones. Landing a company the size of 02 Internal staff event at “We knew there would never be a more Amazon could overwhelm Edmonton’s

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY JOBBER AND BIOWARE EDMONTON BIOWARE AND JOBBER BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS Bioware’s Edmonton office. public platform—other than something fledgling tech ecosystem. Danielle Strang FEATURE 20 ualberta.ca/business

Or, in the casual parlance of Jobber on its website: “We are building a humble and supportive company that really gives a shit, and we’re having a blast doing it.” The company, for example, has part- nered with Girls Learning Code Canada to host a series of coding camps in 2018. The idea is to give back to the community, while also nurturing the next generation of coders. This will become increasingly important: Canada will need another 218,000 tech workers by 2020 to meet labour demands, according to projections by the Information and Communications Technology Council. Finding ways to fill these roles will be increasingly impor- tant, and wooing talent from elsewhere is just one way to tackle it—and likely inadequate. “Being a bit of an outlier in a place like Edmonton, I’d like to think that we’re thinking a bit more creatively about that,” says Strang. Canadian cities also have an edge over American cities in the extent to which citizens have a say over how their com- munities are developed. “The average Canadian large city is more proactive in public involvement,” says Paul Messinger, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Alberta School of Business. His research has explored the concept of “citizen-centred cities.” Whereas American cities are required by higher levels of government to consult the public for development projects, “in most Canadian cities, it’s more [from the] ground up,” says Messinger. And that kind of civic engagement tends to increase citizen happiness. “It makes it a good place for people,” says Messinger. “Despite the oil downturn, Edmonton (Top) A peek inside Calgary’s bid continues to grow.” for Amazon HQ2.

(Above) Cheeky ads like this promoted Calgary’s bid throughout Seattle, in newspapers, billboards, IN EDMONTON, THERE was little fanfare and even on sidewalks. around the city’s Amazon bid, which was submitted quietly, unlike Cowtown’s aggressive marketing ploy. “[Calgary] put a lot of resources into that,” says Edy Wong, the School’s Associate Dean says a balanced approach is necessary. front of the industry shift is you get to (International). “And the approach of “The entrepreneurial spirit can be change the city’s culture, both inside and Edmonton was almost like: ‘We’re also fragile,” she says. “If it gets to the point outside the tech ecosystem. “That’s what here.’ We don’t have [high] expectations. where all of a sudden people are justify- really unifies a lot of Edmontonians,” That really reflected the differences in the ing not going to [tech incubators] like says Brad Ferguson, BA ’92, BCom ’94, business culture between the two cities.” Startup Edmonton to maybe grow their outgoing president and CEO of Edmonton Wong is on the board of Global idea, because there’s too much competi- Economic Development Corporation. Edmonton, a new regional economic tion, then we’ve officially squashed what “They’re all a part of building a great development agency launched in 2017. makes this city innately unique.” city. They don’t just live and work here. The idea is to promote the entire Ed- For Edmontonians like Strang, one of They actually feel like they’re part of monton area, as opposed to just the city

the rewarding parts of being at the fore- building it.” proper. “This way we don’t trip over each DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC CALGARY BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS SPRING 2018 21 FEATURE

other when we go overseas,” says Wong. “In today’s world, we FAILED SEDUCTION: FOUR CITIES THAT PULLED can’t afford to be fragmented.” OUT THE STOPS FOR HQ2—AND LOST* Edmonton and Calgary each have their advantages. Edmonton offers manufacturing facilities Calgary and expertise; Calgary is known Calgary went all out, getting hockey fans to chant “Amazon!” for head offices and profes- at a Flames game and taking its campaign right to Seattle, sional services. Both cities have Amazon’s home city, with guerilla-style ads on sidewalks populations with a high level of and buildings. “We knew that we had to get attention,” says Mary Moran, CEO of Calgary Economic Development. technical training and are increas- A staffer hand-delivered the bid itself to Amazon’s HQ—a ingly confident they can attract human touch for a city that has long prided itself on tech investment. “At one level it business being done by handshake deals. Moran is glad makes sense because high tech is Amazon gave cities the chance to put on a display. “It ups a footloose industry,” says Wong. the game for economic developers,” she says. “It can be located anywhere.” But the Amazon experience showed that Calgary and Edmon- Tucson, Arizona ton simply don’t have enough tech Leaders in southern Arizona tried to send Amazon a big ol’ talent yet. As well, Wong says 21-foot cactus, meant to symbolize that the company would Edmonton needs to figure out have room to grow if it opened its second headquarters in specifically which sector it’s aim- the Tucson area. Amazon declined the prickly plant, but ing to service and which global expressed gratitude on Twitter: “Thx @SunCorridorInc! supply chains the city is connect- Unfortunately we can’t accept gifts (even really cool ones) ed to. “That’s where we struggle so we donated it to @DesertMuseum.” The details of the bid itself were kept secret. a little bit,” he says. “Edmonton is not well known on the interna- tional stage because our supply chain doesn’t go anywhere except Birmingham, Alabama the United States.” To promote its bid, Birmingham dropped three giant As an example of a city that replicas of cardboard Amazon boxes, nearly tall as houses, has successfully created a new throughout the city. Residents were encouraged to take selfies in front of the boxes and post to social media with role for itself, he points to Dubai, the hashtag #bringAtoB. Birmingham lacks daily flights which has transformed into to Seattle and other elements of the RFP, but civic leaders a global aerotropolis through saw it as a chance to work toward a goal that will make it rapid airport expansion. “They easier to submit similar proposals in the future. are using the airport to build an economy and they’re offering good commercial conditions, low taxes and whatnot,” says Wong. Fresno, California While Stonecrest, Georgia made an honest-to-goodness “Their rationale is that they’re promise to rename the city “Amazon,” Fresno’s eager the linkage between Europe and bid offered Amazon a say in how their municipal taxes Asia. So they have a story to tell.” are spent, thanks to a board made up of city officials and Alberta’s cities are still finding Amazon staff. City amenities such as playgrounds would their stories about how they fit be branded with Amazon’s name and logo. “The potential into the tech world—even the negative impacts from a project would be turned into global economy. The Amazon bids positives, giving Amazon credit for mitigating it,” says the were a chance to flesh out those Fresno proposal. stories a little more, narratives that will become increasingly important regardless of who gets Amazon’s HQ2. “Winning this particular engagement [isn’t] *And Then There Was Edmonton... really the end of this game,” says The Alberta capital kept the details of its bid hush-hush, Messinger. “It’s really the begin- and did no marketing blitz. Even so, Brad Ferguson, then president and CEO of Edmonton Economic Development ning of it.” Corporation, says Edmonton is appealing for its well- educated and loyal talent base. “When you have talent, JEREMY KLASZUS is a National that’s what attracts companies,” he says. “So what we’re Magazine Awards winner who has focused on is building that environment that attracts contributed to Monocle and National talent—and making sure that young people want to stay,

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY CALGARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC CALGARY BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS Geographic Traveler. live and excel in the city.”

SPRING 2018 23 FEATURE

HOW HIGH?

Cannabis is already big business, but with Legalization Day around the corner, might it become a vital Canadian industry? All eyes are on Alberta, the province with the laxest retail laws and, soon, the biggest marijuana farm in the world. writer illustrator Renato Pagnani Jeannie Phan

IN 2014, SHELDON CROOME, BCom ’10, him the air of a college quarterback. licenses to companies across the country could already smell the smoke. An entre- He speaks with the purpose of someone looking to grow medicinal cannabis, preneur with a fondness for new markets, more than comfortable giving high- following a Supreme Court ruling that he knew that an opportunity, one he pressure business presentations to people had the right to reasonable legal couldn’t imagine just a decade before, was fat-pocketed investors. In fact, in 2013, access when authorized by a physician. on the horizon. He wanted to start growing he appeared on CBC’s Dragon Den, Croome had a hunch that full legaliza- and selling marijuana. Legally. Come July 1, pitching to the show’s celebrity investors tion was inevitable. He sold his shares in when recreational marijuana officially be- ICEcigs—e-cigarettes that vaporize ICEcigs, and MMJ Genetics—quickly comes legal in Canada, he’ll be doing just water and flavored glycol, designed to renamed Atlas Growers to be more that, along with hundreds and eventually help smokers quit. The dragons loved consumer-friendly—was born. thousands of other entrepreneurs across his fire. Bruce Croxon, co-founder of The production facility, located near the country. And he hopes to help make dating website Lavalife, ended up loaning Lac Ste. Anne, Alta., will span across Alberta the leader in the industry. ICEcigs $75,000. 38,000 square feet by the time it’s fully up The 31-year-old’s path to pot producer, But, after a while, Croome grew leery and running. Budgeted at just under $12 in retrospect, seems inevitable. After of how people, especially youth, were using million, it’ll feature a soil-free, hydropon- graduating in 2010, Croome began work- ICEcigs products. “A lot of kids were ic-based system that’s fully automated, ing with a liquor distributor. Dealing regu- starting to take up recreational vaping, meaning no human contact with the larly with government administration, when originally all of our clients were plants necessary, aside from occasional he learned the ins and outs of the various older people just trying to quit smoking,” trimming and eventual harvest. Croome permits required by liquor stores, dis- he says. “All of the sudden our demographic estimates that they’ll be able to harvest tributors and manufacturers. “I learned shifted so young, so quickly, that I didn’t 5,000 kilograms of cannabis annually, but a ton about cutting the red-tape with feel comfortable with things anymore.” Atlas is far from the biggest producer in government and how to work with them Croome had considered the U.S. Canada—or even Alberta. That would be to get through a controlled industry,” he marijuana market before but saw it as Aurora Cannabis which, if it gets its way, says. This skill to bend bureaucracy in his too risky since cannabis, while legal in will be the world’s largest cannabis favor would prove useful a few years later. many states, was (and still is) illegal at producer. Sooner than later, “Alberta- Croome is approachably handsome, the federal level. But in 2014 the federal grown” might hold more weight than with slate eyes and square jaw, giving government here in Canada started giving “B.C. bud.” FEATURE 24 ualberta.ca/business

represented by the Alberta Liquor Store Association, have chimed in to proclaim that they’re best suited to sell pot safely and responsibly. Multiple cannabis infor- mation centres, like those run by the B.C.- based Green Room, and 420 Clinic, which currently has locations in Calgary and Lethbridge, have also made public their desire to move out of simply providing counsel about marijuana and into selling the product itself. Even vape shops, not to mention head shops that have been around for decades selling smoking para- phernalia, want to be licensed retailers. Each province was left to its own devices to come up with a framework for legalization. True to the Alberta entre- preneurial spirit and famously privatized liquor industry, the province decided on a laissez-faire approach, at least when com- pared to certain provinces. Alberta will adhere to a hybrid model similar to that of Manitoba, where the provincial govern- ment will secure the supply of cannabis from federally-licensed providers and have private retailers sell it. In Alberta, private retailers will be allowed to grow and sell pot too, but the government will handle online sales. For comparison, the Government of Ontario is also controlling online sales in that province, but the province-run liquor stores, the LCBO, will handle physical sales. The size of Alberta’s marijuana industry won’t be determined by policy alone. To benefit from the billions of dollars up for THE CANNABIS MARKET IS PROJECTED Alberta in particular boasts several grabs, the province will need large-scale TO BE BIG. Very big. Based on a 2016 advantages for companies looking to get a farms and horticultural expertise. And it study of 5,000 Canadians over the age foothold in the industry. On the produc- has plenty of both. of 19, Deloitte projects the base retail tion side, electricity is comparatively market value of recreational marijuana cheap in the province, and growing pot to be around $8.7 billion. Add in ancillary is a power-intensive endeavor (ironically, services like security and transportation, the green stuff isn’t very green). Over THE INDUSTRY IS GROWING MORE and the entire industry could total $23 half a growing operation’s energy use can CROWDED BY THE DAY, even before a billion annually, roughly equal in size to come from lighting alone, because repli- single gram of legal recreational mari- Canada’s alcohol industry. cating the natural growing conditions of juana has been sold. If an upstart like And this is without factoring in revenue the plant as closely as possible is the goal. Atlas wants to make a dent, it’s going to from tourism, taxes, licensing and para- Efforts are being made to reduce the have to do it against one of the biggest phernalia, all of which could help that carbon footprint of cannabis (Atlas, for players in the industry: the Edmonton- number rise significantly. When Deloitte example, is investigating in low-energy headquartered Aurora Cannabis. conducted its study, Ottawa had yet to alternatives to high-intensity discharge Aurora’s first production facility was decide on a marijuana tax framework ($1 lamps, like LED lights). built in 2015 near Cremona, Alberta, just per gram, or 10 per cent of the sale price, Another advantage is Alberta’s gov- north of Calgary, as a 55,000 sq. ft. facility whichever is higher), or a tax revenue- ernment, unlike Ontario’s, isn’t placing that now produces thousands of kilograms sharing formula (provinces will take in limits on the number of stores that can of medicinal marijuana per year. That’s a 75 per cent of sales tax revenues), both of sell cannabis. At least, not in theory; how boutique business compared to their second which were finally worked out at the end the province decides to initially pace the production facility—Aurora Sky—currently of 2017. Considering that Colorado—a number of retail licenses handed out is under construction on the Edmonton state one-seventh the size of Canada— another matter entirely. But for now it International Airport’s land. When it generated $52 billion in tax and licensing sounds like good news for Alberta retail- reaches full capacity in 2019, the company revenue alone in 2015, $23 billion might ers, many of whom are clamouring to get claims its $100-million, 800,000 sq. ft. farm be a conservative estimate. in on the action. Private liquor stores, as will be the largest of its kind in the world. SPRING 2018 25 FEATURE

Aurora, already one of the biggest wasn’t easy. A number of interested par- marijuana operators in the country (vying ties tried to get the St. Albert resident to for the top spot with Ontario’s Canopy back their proposed cannabis projects, Growth), is thinking three moves ahead, but it was Croome’s thorough preparation opting to focus on aggressive growth, for safety, standardization, and advanced both domestically and internation- cultivation that impressed Hole. “Jim ally. “Everyone is focused on consumer was only willing to align himself with legalization, and we are too, but not to us because we had done such extensive the exclusion of our international growth planning,” says Croome, who boasts that plan,” says Cam Battley, the company’s he spent eight months working on the chief corporate officer. “The central fact Lac St. Anne facility’s design with “the of the global cannabis market is there’s highest level of standardization, quality a massive excess of demand over supply control and safety standards.” for legal, regulated cannabis, not only in The Holes have a wholesome family Canada, but in Europe, Australia, and image to protect. Jim’s late mother Lois a bunch of other new markets that are is a local hero. Aside from writing dozens opening up right now.” of horticulture books (some co-written Global demand has led Aurora to such Cannabis with Jim), she’s a philanthropist immor- deals as last spring’s $23 million acquisi- talized in murals and plaques. Before tion of German company Pedanios, a agreeing to partner with Atlas, Jim Hole leading wholesale importer, exporter and companies consulted with his family on whether distributor of medical marijuana in the EU. pot was something they wanted to get This gives Aurora access to the German need to become involved with. “After Sheldon described market, and if things go right, to the rest his vision, we had a family discussion of Europe. over a few months,” says Hole. “Because “We’re now selling product produced sophisticated it’s cannabis, it’s not just something that right here in Alberta in Germany,” says you jump into. It’s not to be taken lightly Battley, whose previous career was in cultural because it’s a bit controversial.” biopharmaceuticals. He has the taut He also spoke to a number of users features of a marathon runner in training whose real-life experiences helped and speaks with the unflappable conviction entrepreneurs convince him of marijuana’s alleviating of a door-to-door evangelist. “Unlike some properties. He recalls one particular en- other Canadian companies that are selling that develop counter that helped the family make their in Germany and only getting wholesale decision: “There was a lady, maybe in her prices, we’re getting full price— roughly seventies, who told us … ‘I don’t need double what others are making, because messages any medicinal cannabis right now, but I we own the distributor.” Now that Aurora may need it in the future, and knowing has received European Union Good resonating that you’re involved with Atlas gives me Manufacturing Practices certification, it confidence in their product.’” can supply all of the new markets that are While public opinion on pot is much opening across the Atlantic. “And they pay widely, more positive than it was during Lois in Euros,” he adds with laughter. Hole’s time, recreational legalization If Battley sounds confident, it’s with including with remains a contentious issue. According to good reason: Aurora Sky will be bigger Deloitte, only 40 per cent of the adult pop- than nine CFL football fields, including ulation favours legalization, while 36 per end zones. Surrounded by security fencing, soccer moms cent are actively opposed and a quarter planes land and takeoff less than a kilo- are undecided. A fifth of those polled still metre away. From the airport itself, only consider marijuana to be as dangerous as the hot water storage tank—a burgundy hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. behemoth roughly the size of one of the The stigma facing the country’s bud- 737s overhead—is visible. ding marijuana industry is likely to last So how does a smaller company like Atlas for decades, says Michael Lounsbury, compete with a giant like Aurora? With Canada Research Chair of Entrepreneur- strategic alignments—namely, a family ship and Innovation at the Alberta School brand that carries considerable clout. of Business. “Not unlike the efforts of Last fall, Atlas partnered with Jim our best energy corporations to combat Hole, BSc (Ag) ’79, of the Hole’s Green- the stigma associated with the label houses & Gardens dynasty, who, as the ‘tar sands’ and environmental destruc- company’s vice-president of cultivation, tion, cannabis entrepreneurs need to advises on all aspects of plant growth. legitimatize themselves with the broader Croome admits that getting Hole involved public by developing a ‘social’ license to FEATURE 26 ualberta.ca/business

operate.” By that, he means work needs hatched the idea for 5Points inside eHUB, to be done to earn the acceptance of the the University of Alberta’s entrepreneur public by changing negative perceptions incubator, it was as an e-commerce plat- of the plant to a societal positive contribu- form selling dry cannabis, oils, and edibles tion. This includes helping keep cannabis from licensed producers, as well as “per- out of the hands of minors and ensuring sonal grow technology and vaporizers.” marketing material does not target them, But that was before the Alberta Justice with the hopes of avoiding a scenario like Minister announced in November that the the one Croome encountered with ICEcigs provincial government would handle online and its troublesome demographic shift. sales itself, in response to public concerns The industry’s challenge isn’t just about the online age verification process, WHAT CONSUMERS proving to regulators that they can sell especially with regards to weed delivery. in an ethical and responsible manner; it’s On the surface, the decision seems like NEED TO KNOW changing the minds of the 60 per cent of an indication that they’re listening to legalization day: the population that either opposes or is input from the public about the policies July 1, 2018 undecided about legalization. It’s not sur- for a contentious topic, but it also gives consumer age: prising, then, that producers emphasize, the government exclusive rights to the 18 again and again, the medicinal benefits profits of online sales, in effect putting of cannabis—even as they fully intend the province in direct competition with carry limit: to capitalize on its recreational usage. private retailers. At least, as Loginov Individual adults can carry 30 grams on them; no limits on home possession. Lounsbury says cannabis companies points out, until the provincial govern- need creative solutions to change public ment unveils a clearer structure, since it personal plants: perception. For instance, Aurora’s slogan, is still figuring out a final framework as Four per household limit. “the Healing Power of Nature,” redirects legalization approaches. where it can be smoked: images of dorm-room stoners to notions As of January, the province hadn’t Similar restrictions to tobacco. of finding the plant next to the GMO-free, released any details about what technol- hand-squeezed almond milk in the organic ogy it will use for online sales, how it will aisle. “All cannabis companies need to enforce the age restriction, or exactly become sophisticated cultural entre- how purchasing cannabis online will work. preneurs that develop messages that Hope remains that at some point the resonate widely, including with soccer government will start allowing private moms,” says Lounsbury. And it’s not retailers to sell recreational cannabis only billion-dollar behemoths like Aurora online. Alcohol, after all, has long been and medium-sized companies like Atlas available for purchase online in Alberta as trying to reach the average Canadian, well as most other provinces, and medicinal but potentially hundreds of small-batch cannabis can be ordered via the internet. growers too. At the federal level, the government is WHAT COMPANIES racing to approve growing licenses lest there not be enough pot to fulfill demand NEED TO KNOW come July 1. There are cautionary les- regulations in place: IF AURORA IS THE ANHEUSER-BUSCH OF sons about market instability from the An agency overseeing distribution, CANNABIS, 5Points is the weed equivalent US that Canadians in the industry will similar to the Alberta Gaming and of a microbrewery producing limited- want to remember. Liquor Commission, will control the edition salted caramel oatmeal stouts. At the end of 2014, six months after pace of new licenses issued to retailers. Co-founded by Peter Loginov, MBA ’18, its Legalization Day, Washington State’s in what forms it can be sold: the start-up, which is in the process of be- cannabis industry went from a severe Loose leaves, pre-rolled joints, or oil coming a licensed producer, is concentrat- shortage—some stores had to actually (edibles won’t be available for purchase ing on small-batch craft organic cannabis, close temporarily because they ran out until July 2019). the kind that the big players will ignore of inventory—to having way too much where you can sell: in favor of more mainstream, accessible weed, causing growers to struggle to Stand-alone stores dedicated solely to strains. Unlike both Atlas and Aurora, sell their stock. How smoothly Canada’s recreational marijuana—not alongside who need to pump out thousands (or in legal industry will go remains to be seen, alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals the case of Aurora, hundreds of thou- but there’s little doubt that Alberta will (medicinal marijuana will still be sands) of kilograms of cannabis a year in be helping drive the industry forward. delivered by mail). order to satisfy shareholders, 5Points and “We’re inventing a brand-new industry what else can retailers sell: the like are willing to experiment with in real time,” says Battley. “It doesn’t get Weed-related products like rolling papers, more exotic strains. “There’s a need for much more exciting than that.” pipes, and lighters (think head shops). specialized local producers serving the other restrictions: local market,” he says. RENATO PAGNANI, BA ‘10, is an Edmonton- All staff must be over 18 and have The business plan is actually a pivot. based writer whose work has appeared in

undergone cannabis sales education. When Loginov and his partner initially Rolling Stone, Maclean’s and Pitchfork. JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION SPRING 2018 27 LEARN

QUICK STUDIES

JOB LOVE TRIANGLE Q&A The difference being job satisfaction and something greater What’s the difference between job writer satisfaction and loving a job? MI: It doesn’t Angela Johnston really reflect that you feel intensely about something if you say you’re “satisfied.” Whereas if you say you “love” something, Liking there’s a higher of intensity of emotion. (intimacy alone) Is there a type of leader that makes you more likely to love your job? MI: We have some preliminary data suggesting that the more transformational a leader is, the more likely it is that his or her employees will love their job. A transformational leader is one who is inspirational, a good

INTIMACY role model of the expectations they have Romantic love Companionate love for employees, so they live by a code or set (intimacy + passion) (intimacy + commitment) of values. They tend to ask the employees Consummate questions and get them involved in trying love to create solutions or improve the company. (intimacy + passion + They treat their employees like people who commitment) COMMITMENT can contribute in an intellectual way.

How do you differentiate between loving a job and workaholism? MI: Workaholism PASSION is when you feel a compulsive need to work, even if you don’t like what you’re doing. When someone loves their job, I Infatuation Fatuous love Empty love think they’re feeling “I want to work.” (passion alone) (passion + commitment) (commitment alone) Workaholism is based more on a feeling of “I should work.”

Do certain people more easily find WHAT DOES IT really mean to love your Passion: You feel passionate love in their jobs? MI: We measured job? It’s nothing like job satisfaction, about your work and this feeling that throughout every study we’ve run according to Michelle Inness, an associate might be motivational, leading to because we were also curious: Is it just professor in the Alberta School of Busi- increased effort. the fact that some people are positive, ness, who’s been researching “LOJ”— therefore they love their job? It seems “love of one’s job”—for years. In fact, she Intimacy: You feel closely bonded like certainly the personality you have with your coworkers, to the point finds more similarities between loving a contributes to LOJ, but it’s not just that. of friendship. job and loving a person. It seems like it’s also the situation that Using psychologist Robert Sternberg’s Commitment: You’re committed to you find yourself in. I researched people “triangular theory of love,” which posits the organization you work for and with two jobs at the same time, and three aspects of love between people that you want to stay there. they could love them different amounts overlap into the ultimate “consummate depending on what they experienced in love,” Inness and her coauthors surveyed each of these workplaces. workers in order to capture the psycho- This interview has been edited for length

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH JACKSON SARAH BY ILLUSTRATION logical experience of loving a job. and clarity. LEARN 28 ualberta.ca/business

SOCIAL TIES

01 Merritt Chisholm, BCom ’52 (second from left), of Vancouver Island, B.C., and Frank Gibson, BCom ’72 (right), of Victoria, B.C., attended the University of Alberta Alumni Brunch at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria on Dec. 2, 2017, for a speech on mental health and addiction. Merritt and his wife Bennie, BScN ’53 (centre), are long- time residents of Vancouver Island, and Frank made the permanent move in June 2017 after retiring.

02 Alvin Chow, BCom ’91 (right), Marcel Reghelini, MBA ’88 (left) and Donna Karpowich, attended the 2017 Alumni Holiday Brunch at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on Dec. 3, 2017. Chow served as the School’s key alumni contact in Vancouver for the past five years. He recently took on a new role with Glacier Media as vice-president of national sales Western Canada and is now publisher of the Richmond News.

03 Erica Viegas, BCom ’06 (first on 1 right), of New York, NY, development manager, World Economic Forum, met with Kristel Owens, MBA ’16, BCom ’15 (left), Employer Relationship Advisor, Masters Programs Office, Alberta School of Business and Ashton Rudanec (née Paulitsch), MBA ’16, BCom ’12, Analyst, Responsible Investment, AIMCo, during a New York visit.

04 Paul Lopushinsky, BCom ’12 (left) Janet Wood, BCom ’82 (second from left) and Jan and Brian Sharp, BCom ’64 (first and second on right), attended 2 3 the 2017 Alumni Holiday brunch at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club on Dec. 3, 2017.

05 Dean Cronin, BCom ’84 (top row, fifth from left), production manager of Scalamandre and Michael Kaye (top row, right), of Michael Kaye Couture, hosted the Alumni Holiday Party in New York City on Dec. 8, 2017. Business grads Michael Tran, BCom ’08, Mary Colpo, BCom ’14, Ashton Rudanec (née Paulitsch), MBA ’16, BCom ’12, Kristel Owens, MBA ’16, BCom ’15 and other 4 5 grads joined the party. PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY JAMI DRAKE, ASHTON RUDANEC, AND ASHTON RUDANEC ASHTON AND RUDANEC, ASHTON DRAKE, JAMI BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS SUPPLIED IMAGE HAMRE ANNE SPRING 2018 29 CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES

1970s Meet the New Mentors & Mentees TERRY HARRIS, BCOM ’77, of Edmonton, (see PAGE 23). He was one of the featured president of Vantage Alliance Inc., ran for speakers at the Eric Geddes luncheon Venture Mentoring Service is a Catholic School Board Trustee last October lecture, “The Business of Legalizing special program developing alumni and was elected to represent Ward 71 Cannabis: A Joint Effort,” on Feb. 13, entrepreneurs by engaging them with teams of experienced mentors who (Northwest Edmonton). 2018 at the Matrix Hotel in Edmonton, provide wise counsel to help navigate which had more than 250 guests in business challenges. Their latest intake EDY WONG, BCOM ’77, of Edmonton, attendance. welcomed the following business Associate Dean (International) of the graduates into the program. Alberta School of Business, is now on the board of directors of Edmonton MENTORS: Metropolitan Region Economic CHARLENE BUTLER, MBA ’09, Development Company, a new non- President, Butler Business Solutions profit company established by 15 municipalities in the Greater Edmonton CHRIS DAVEY, BCOM ’01, region to promote international trade and Senior director, Customer Marketing, investment in the region (see PAGE 20). DocuSign ROBERTA MACGILLIVRAY, BCOM ’99, President, The Filter Shop 1980s MARK MCRAE, BCOM ’04, CAROLYN GRAHAM, BCOM ’86, of Business valuator and Edmonton, executive vice-president and partner, Sequeira Partners chief financial officer at Canadian Western Bank, was named one of Canada’s MENTEES: Most Powerful Women: Top 100 by the ANNE HAMRE, BCOM ’90, of Edmonton, MYRNA BITTNER, MBA ’93, Women’s Executive Network in 2017. recently published Passages (Friesen- RUN-WithIT After joining Canadian Western Bank Press) (ABOVE), a heavily researched in 2000, her roles and responsibilities but fictionalized narrative inspired by her ADAM SIMMONS, MBA CANDIDATE, Trioova grew to now overseeing finance, treasury, grandparents. It’s an authentic portrait of capital management, investor relations, early 20th century life, in all its hardships internal audits, group risk management, and triumphs, and Canada’s rich immigra- legal services and regulatory compliance. tion history. An historian and author, her She’s also chair of the audit committee for previous fiction collection is Stories: Past, MacEwan University. Present, and Future. retirement, financial and otherwise. He is recognized as one of Canada’s lead- ROBERT GETTE, BCOM ’87, of Innisfail, TRISH REAY, MBA ’91, of Edmonton, ing experts on retirement, investing and Alta., co-owner of the Fox & Hound professor in the Department of Strategic personal finance. Sports Pub, was one of the 200-plus Management and Organization, Alberta Albertans recognized by Senator Doug School of Business, received the McCalla PETER DENT, BCOM ’92, of Oakville, Black for volunteering in their communi- Professorship in 2017 for significant con- Ont., a partner at the Centre for Crisis ties. The ceremony was part of Canada tributions to the field of qualitative social Management at Deloitte LLP, received 150 celebrations. research and social theory. The profes- the MacEwan University Distinguished sorship allows Trish to draw together her Alumni award. Dent’s career started teaching focus on managing organizational in policing, but in time he became a 1990s change with her ongoing research inter- forensic accountant, travelling to over ests in how public sector managers work to 35 countries with the investigation unit ALLAN CLEIREN, BCOM ’90, of improve the quality of services provided. at the World Bank and Deloitte. Since Edmonton, was appointed chief graduating from the University of Alberta operational officer of Aurora Cannabis JIM YIH, BCOM ’91, of Edmonton, a and MacEwan’s Law Enforcement Inc. Cleiren is now responsible for financial expert, pension consultant and program, his work has been dedicated integrating domestic and international author, was the featured speaker in the to doing financial investigations and acquisitions, assessing expansion Educated Wallet speaker series on Oct. advising organizations on accountability, opportunities, and optimizing the 28, 2017 at the Edmonton Clinic Health transparency and governance. Dent also structure and processes of one the Academy. Yih spoke about building a lectures on a director’s responsibility

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY JAMI DRAKE, ASHTON RUDANEC, AND ASHTON RUDANEC ASHTON AND RUDANEC, ASHTON DRAKE, JAMI BY SUPPLIED PHOTOS SUPPLIED IMAGE HAMRE ANNE world’s largest cannabis corporations personal plan for a successful and happy with respect to crime risk in his role as CLASS NOTES 30 ualberta.ca/business

a faculty member at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

COURT CARRUTHERS, BCOM ’93, of Lake Forest, Ill., accepted a new posi- tion as president and CEO of packaging company TricorBraun. He is a former member of the Alberta School of Business Advisory Council.

MICHAEL BALDWIN, BCOM ’94, of Calgary, accepted a position as senior vice-president, corporate development at Trican Well Service Ltd., a com- pany he joined as a controller in 1997.

SHAUNA DE CARTIER, MBA ’98, of tion and fed excess energy back into the Toronto, Ont., founder of Six Shooter electrical grid for neighbors. Effect Home Records, was featured in a recent issue Builders, along with engineer GORDON of New Trail magazine, published by the HOWELL, BSC ’75 (ELEC ENG), built University of Alberta’s Alumni Relations. the home to demonstrate that a net-zero energy home was possible in chilly Central JANIS ISAMAN, BCOM ’99, of Calgary, Alberta. The Canadian Home Builders’ opened My Body Couture on the city’s Association selected the residence as the famous 17th Avenue, following a decade national and provincial winner of the Green working in fashion media in New York Home Award in 2012. City. Her studio provides customized BINDI KARIA, BCOM ’94, of London, fitness, movement, health and nutrition 2000s England, was named one of the most coaching, focusing on the root causes of Influential Women in UK IT in 2017 clients’ health concerns. She’s also a pub- DANILO TERRA, BCOM ’00, of Calgary, by Computer Weekly, one of her many lic speaker appearing at recent engage- accepted a new position as director, accolades, including being named a Top ments in New York City and Los Angeles. equipment financing and leasing at 1000 Influential Londoner by London ATB Financial. Previously, he was Evening Standard. She’s currently vice-president of equipment leasing working on an entrepreneurial project and corporate finance (brokerage and building a boutique advisory focused advisory) at Leasex Financial. around Europe’s technology ecosystem. JENNIFER PENDURA, BCOM ’01, of PERNILLE IRONSIDE, BCOM ’95, Deputy Calgary, accepted a position at the Representative at UNICEF Nigeria, University of Alberta as Director of gave birth to son Ivo Ironside on Jan. 11, Advancement (Calgary Office). She has 2017—born a very healthy 9 lbs. 7 oz. She extensive management and stakeholder wrote to say: “We are looking forward relations experience in oil and gas, in- to spending some time in Canada, NYC cluding having served in community and the Netherlands before returning to relations and investment with Cenovus Nigeria in July 2018.” Energy before working this past year for the University of Calgary’s Energize LAURIE SCHULTZ, MBA ’95, BCOM ’89 fundraising campaign. Pendura has been (ABOVE), of Vancouver, B.C., president a contributing member of the UAlberta and CEO of ACL Services Ltd., was LES WOLD, BCOM ’99, of Edmonton, Energy Alumni Advisory Board. recognized by Women’s Executive Net- and his company, Effect Home Builders, work as one of Canada’s Most Powerful announced the net-zero-energy home they GEORGE FAHMY, BCOM ’05, of Regina, Women in 2017, for the second year in a built in the Belgravia community recently Sask., accepted a new position as row. Laurie’s Vancouver-based software generated surplus energy for the third associate broker at Royal LePage Regina company, ACL, specializes in governance, year in a row. In other words, it generated Realty. Previously, he was associate

risk management and compliance solutions. enough energy for the home’s consump- broker with Coldwell Banker Venture. FUTURES ENERGY GREEN CREDIT: PHOTO WOLD LES / JEONG JIMMY CREDIT: PHOTO SCHULTZ LAURIE / SUPPLIED KARIABINDI PHOTO SUPPLIED PHOTO TKACHUK-TREMBLAY JENNIFER / SUPPLIED PHOTO NAKATSUI GREG / SUPPLIED PHOTO STEAD KIERSTEN / ULAN JOHN CREDIT: PHOTO KARIMA BAPOO-MOHAMED SPRING 2018 31 CLASS NOTES

group of alumni and MBA students on a study tour of the Bay Area’s innovation- entrepreneurship space. The panel was moderated by Joel Gehman, Alberta School of Business Professor of Strategic Management and Organization. Stead shared the stage with panel speakers Jorge Heraud, founder and CEO at Blue River Technologies, and Karsten Temme, CEO of Pivot Bio.

LAUNA LINAKER, MBA ’05 of Edmonton, KARIMA BAPOO-MOHAMED, MBA ’11 accepted a new position as experiential (ABOVE), of Edmonton, was featured in learning educator at MacEwan University. an accomplished alumni poster series in- Her previous role was as full-time faculty stalled by the University’s Alumni Associ- in MacEwan’s School of Business. ation and displayed at Enterprise Square. GREG NAKATSUI, MBA ’11, of Edmonton, Bapoo-Mohamed received the Alumni vice-president of Lincolnberg Master Build- ANDREW KNACK, BCOM ’06, of Honour Award in 2014 for contributions er and vice-president of Canadian Home Edmonton, was re-elected as City of to her profession as a clinician, instructor, Builders Association’s board of directors, Edmonton Ward 1 Councillor last October. businesswoman and humanitarian. was named one of Avenue’s Top 40 Under He currently serves as the council repre- 40. The majority of Lincolnberg’s clients are sentative on the City of Edmonton Youth new Canadians, he told the magazine. Council and Edmonton NextGen. 2010s

ALLAN BERG, BCOM ’07, of Calgary, JADON FRANK, MBA ’11, of Olds, Alta. accepted a new position as associate di- married Mikaela (Nelson) Frank on May rector, Group Risk Management, Energy 20, 2017. She’s the game day and event at RBC Royal Bank. Previously, Berg was promotions programmer at Olds College. a senior manager and crude oil broker at TradeX Markets.

SHAWN KANUNGO, BCOM ’ 07, of Edmonton, senior manager of strategy and innovation at Deloitte & Touche LLP, was a keynote speaker at the Go West Conference on Feb. 13, 2017 at the Ed- monton Marriott River Cree Resort. Go West is an annual two-day conference on education, innovation and networking, and Kanungo kicked off the second day with a JENNIFER TKACHUK-TREMBLAY, presentation: “Disruptive Innovation - Be BCOM ’11, of Toronto, vice-president of Bold, Be Brave, Be Experimental.” sales, electronic and algorithmic trading (automated execution) at TD Securi- HAYAT KIRAMEDDINE, BCOM ’09, of ties, was nominated for Markets Choice Edmonton, is the Alberta School of Busi- Awards’ 2017 Women in Finance award in ness Representative on Alumni Council KIERSTEN STEAD, MBA ’11, of San New York. She recently hosted a group of for 2017–2018. She is currently a senior Francisco, Calif., investment director of MBA students, led by KRISTEL OWENS,

BINDI KARIA PHOTO SUPPLIED / LAURIE SCHULTZ PHOTO CREDIT: JIMMY JEONG / LES WOLD PHOTO CREDIT: GREEN ENERGY FUTURES ENERGY GREEN CREDIT: PHOTO WOLD LES / JEONG JIMMY CREDIT: PHOTO SCHULTZ LAURIE / SUPPLIED KARIABINDI PHOTO SUPPLIED PHOTO TKACHUK-TREMBLAY JENNIFER / SUPPLIED PHOTO NAKATSUI GREG / SUPPLIED PHOTO STEAD KIERSTEN / ULAN JOHN CREDIT: PHOTO KARIMA BAPOO-MOHAMED manager in the Ernst & Young tax group. Monsanto Growth Ventures, spoke to a MBA ’16, BCOM ’15, Employer Relation- CLASS NOTES 32 ualberta.ca/business

ship Advisor, Masters Programs Office, SAIRA WAGNER, MBA ’13, BCOM ’05, of CHRISTOPHER LINDSAY, BCOM ’15, Alberta School of Business. Edmonton, board treasurer at Strategic of Calgary, accepted a new position as Alliance for Alberta Students with Learn- business development manager at Exempt RENA LIVINIUK, MBA ’12, BA ’07, of Ed- ing Challenges, ran for Edmonton Public Edge, an Olympia Financial Company. monton, accepted a one-year appointment School Board Ward I Trustee in October as acting director of Prospect Research 2017. She’s a founding member of the LORRAINE NICHOLS, MBA ’15, of Ed- at the University of Alberta, where she’s MBA Women’s Network at the University monton, accepted the position as Assistant worked since 2014. of Alberta and her humanitarian work in- Director, Information Technology Services, cludes contributions to the Elizabeth Fry with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of STÉPHANE ERICKSON, BCOM ’12, of Society, AIESEC Edmonton, AIESEC Engineering. Before that position, Nichols Ottawa, Ont., is now a lawyer at Norton Mexico, and United Way. worked at the Alberta School of Business Rose Fulbright, practicing in the field of as a technology specialist, instructor, and employment, labour and human rights law. LAURA MCDONALD, BCOM ’14, relocat- web and e-learning specialist. ed back to Edmonton from Calgary. She CHRISTOPHER LEEWORTHY, BCOM is HR operations specialist at DIALOG, MICHAEL STUART, BCOM ’15, of Edmon- ’12, of Edmonton, is now a senior account a fully integrated multi-disciplinary ton, senior accountant of audit and assur- manager at Canadian Western Bank. His design firm. ance at Deloitte LLP, successfully passed previous role with the company was as ac- the 2017 CPA Common Final Exam as count manager in real estate lending. JEN PANTELUK, MBA ’14, BCOM ’03, of one of nine candidates in Alberta named Edmonton, president and CEO of Junior to the National Honour Roll. He is cur- Achievement (JA) of Northern Alberta rently completing the practical experi- & NWT, was named one of Avenue’s Top ence requirements for the designation. 40 Under 40 as well as a Global Woman of Vision. She recently spoke to a group of THOMAS SIMPSON, BCOM ’15, of MBA students about her post-MBA career Edmonton, senior accountant at KPMG journey and her passion for community- LLP, successfully completed the CPA centered work, the importance of volun- Professional Education Program and the teering, and the unique challenges of lead- Common Final Examination, as one of ing a non-profit. The students also had an nine candidates in Alberta named to the opportunity to hear from NICOLE JANS- national honour roll. SEN, BCOM ’02, JA board chair, Medha Gupta, an entrepreneur and current MBA ZACHARY YACHIMEC, BCOM ’15, of candidate, and Minoo Soleymani, current Sturgeon County, Alta., plays on BCom student and JA Company Program Edmonton Impact, Canada’s first alumna. The January event was organized professional paintball team, with his by the MBA office and MBA student brother Zane. The team was crowned FRANCA BRODETT, BCOM ’12, of volunteer committee, and was sponsored world cup champions at a tournament Edmonton, accepted a position as senior by professor TRISH REAY, MBA ’91. in Florida in November, and this is the development officer at Glenrose Rehabili- second time Edmonton Impact has won tation Hospital Foundation. Previously, JANINE ROGAN, BCOM ’14, a CPA and the NXL Paintball World Cup. she was Assistant Director of Develop- tax specialist at PwC in Calgary, was the ment at Alberta School of Business. She featured speaker at the Educated Wallet SERENA MYLES, BCOM ’16, of Edmon- also serves on the board of directors for speaker series on Nov. 4, 2017 at the Uni- ton, accepted a new position as regional the Business Alumni Association and as versity of Alberta’s Engineering Teaching sales specialist at Ford Motor Company. community volunteer for the Stollery and Learning Complex. She spoke about Her previous role at Ford was as sales Children’s Hospital Foundation. how to master your money and grow your operations analyst. wealth towards a sustainable future. JEREMY BRYANT, BCOM ’12, of Edmonton, MATTHEW SEMAKA, MBA ’16, BCOM ’09 founder of Mealshare, and his business REBECCA TONG, BCOM ’14, of Edmon- (OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT), of partner Andrew Hall, will receive a ton, accepted a new position as senior tax Edmonton, and Steven Osterlund Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Di- specialist at KPMG. (RIGHT), invented Ketl Lab, an insulated, vision) from the Governor General later portable kettle made entirely of metal this year in recognition of their efforts JEAN-PAUL TSOTSOS, MBA ’14, of Toronto, that is able to withstand the elements to fight child hunger. With 300 partner has a new position as manager of corporate and make that perfect cup of coffee restaurants across the country, menu development at Hudbay Minerals Inc. anywhere, anytime. Since launching the items carry Mealshare logos, indicat- initial pour-over kettle, they’ve devel- ing that a dollar of that price will go to BRAD KERSCHER, BCOM ’15, of Calgary, oped and are in the midst of prototyp- a charity fighting hunger, such as a food accepted a position as sales executive at ing approximately 10 new products. bank, drop-in centre or school program. Distinctive Collection, an Aston Martin This has resulted in more than 1.7 million and Bentley dealership specializing in new MERON BOSIAK, BCOM ’17, of Edmonton, FRANCA BRODETT PHOTO SUPPLIED PHOTO BRODETT FRANCA free meals in four years. and pre-owned luxury vehicles. accepted a new position as associate at NAIT BY SUPPLIED PHOTO SPRING 2018 33 CLASS NOTES

Alumni Event Briefs by Julia Rudolf, BCom ’15

BAA HOLIDAY CHEER On Nov. 23, 2017, the Business Alumni Association (BAA) held the annual BAA Holiday Cheer event at the Hansen Distillery in Edmonton. The 32 alumni and staff in attendance enjoyed a tour of the distillery, sampled their locally made spirits, and rang in the holiday season with pizza and good company. The event also benefited the United Way; attendees assembled 100 pencil cases that will be donated to youth in need as part of United Way’s Tools for Schools campaign.

CPA CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT On Sept. 6, 2017, the BAA held the PwC. Previously he was a partner service TERRENCE ALLAN COCKRALL, BCOM ’62, annual CPA Cup Golf Tournament at the representative at TD. Edmonton, Alta. Highlands Golf Club in Edmonton. Over 110 local business leaders and Alberta KATE FARLINGER, BCOM ’17, accepted AL W. ANDERSON, BCOM ’67, School of Business alumni attended the a position as assistant brand manager Sherwood Park, Alta. event in support of business education. at Nestlé International Travel Retail in The winning teams tied for first place: Switzerland. She was previously a trade STEPHEN GORDON DAVID THOMPSON, Eric Germain, COLIN SZOPA, BCOM marketing intern with Nestlé in France. BCOM ’67, St. Albert, Alta. ’10, DANIEL PINGLE, BCOM ’11, and While in school, Farlinger was president JON GERMAIN, BCOM ’10; and DEAN EVANGER, BCOM ’06, DAVID REYNAR, of the Alberta School of Business Students’ HERMAN PETER KROEKER, MBA ’68, BCOM ’06, SCOTT KWASNECHA, BCOM Association in 2014–2015. Calgary, Alta. ’06, and MATT MCPHEE, BCOM ’06.

EDDY TAM, BCOM ’17, of Edmonton, DENNIS FREDERICK BUCKLE, BCOM ’70, UN-CASE COMPETITION accepted a new position as staff accountant Edmonton, Alta. The BAA hosted its first ever BAA at Ernst & Young LLP. Previously, he Student/Alumni Un-Case Competition was an assurance associate with PwC. RAYMOND BOSCH, BCOM ’70, on Sept. 23, 2017, bringing together Calgary, Alta. students and alumni from the School’s BCom, Masters, and PhD JEFFREY PARKER DEVINS, BCOM ’72, programs to help solve business issues IN MEMORIAM relating to artificial intelligence. The MBA ’73, Vancouver, B.C. competition allowed for more than MURRAY LINDON JACQUES, BCOM ’45, 70 participants, judges, volunteers Calgary, Alta. LARRY JAMES OLEXIUK, BCOM ’73, and sponsors to innovate, learn, and St. Albert, Alta. connect. Congratulations to the winners WILLIAM JOHN ARCHER TOOLE, BCOM ’49, AALEEM JIWA, BCOM ’14, Roger Calgary, Alta. LEONARD OWEN NELSON, BCOM ’77, Goulden, Michelle Lee, and Prathyusha Calgary, Alta. Ramayanam and to all the teams for GERALD DOUGLAS JOHNSTON, BCOM ’51, their innovative and thoughtful work. Edmonton, Alta. ANNE KATHLEEN SPELLISCY, BCOM ’80, Kelowna, B.C. FITNESS MEETUP On Oct. 12, 2017, the BAA partnered with BERNARD HENRI LEMAY, BCOM ’57, Fitset to host a Fitness Meetup at Blitz Edmonton, Alta. CLINTON JOHN MACPHAIL, BCOM ’82, Conditioning. Founded by TIM GOURLAY, Vancouver, B.C. MBA ’17, BCOM ’09, Fitset aims to DAVID ELI GROSSMAN, BCOM ’59, make fitness classes more affordable Calgary, Alta. JULIAN MICHAEL HENRY COWARD, MBA and accessible by allowing Fitset pass ’84, Victoria, B.C. holders to attend classes at dozens of KEN INNES, BCOM ’60, local gyms and fitness establishments Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. SIMONE ANNETTE SCHROEDER, BCOM for the price of a single membership. The ’85, Calgary, Alta. 32 attendees at the meetup got to enjoy EDWARD ROBERT BLASKEN, BCOM ’60, a killer HIIT workout designed by Blitz Conditioning’s talented team and also Calgary, Alta. BARBARA FLORENCE HANSEN, MBA ’97, walked away with 5 free passes to any of Edmonton, Alta. the dozens of FitSet partner studios. LEO SUPERSTEIN, BCOM ’61, FRANCA BRODETT PHOTO SUPPLIED PHOTO BRODETT FRANCA PHOTO SUPPLIED BY NAIT BY SUPPLIED PHOTO Edmonton, Alta. LEARN

THE CORNER OFFICE VIEW

as told to photographer NANCY SOUTHERN Mike Kendrick Curtis Comeau OF ATCO

…ON FUTURE-PROOFING AN INSTITUTION

TAKING A SMALL business global is no small task. ATCO, which How does an Alberta-grown business find its footing in began as a trailer rental company founded by S.D. Southern and an increasingly competitive global market? his son Ron in 1947, has become a diverse energy holdings com- NS: We’re finding a way to do modularized, low-cost urban pany and it’s only grown stronger since Ron passed the torch to housing. Things like senior citizens’ homes, assisted living or his daughter Nancy Southern in 2000. While the senior South- stacked apartments. That’s going to be a new market for us, but erns expanded ATCO’s initial revenues of $1,077 into billions, it requires reskilling and retooling the factory, and developing Nancy, looking for ways to fill gaps left by the energy industry’s relationships with a whole different set of customers. My gut says low commodity woes, set her sights on the future of modular we can be very successful in that. housing and energy systems. Her foresight is partly what’s earned her the 2018 Canadian Business Leader Award from the What place in Alberta’s economy does ATCO see for itself in Alberta School of Business. Here, the chair and CEO discusses the next decade? In the next 30 years? bringing a family institution into the 21st century. NS: Our hope is, long-long-term, we can make life easier for people in the future by building communities “in a box,” so to How have the values your father set in place helped you transform speak. When you look at the migrative, transient people in the ATCO from a family business into an international firm? world today, they’re looking for jobs. We can play a big role in NS: We started early with forming true equity partnerships teaching people how to construct and operate energy systems, with communities in remote areas: top of the Andes, into the how to have a solid roof over their heads and how to build it in a Arctic, across Alaska, Easter Island. ATCO would deliver about very portable, semi-permanent fashion that I think will accom- $100 million in revenue annually to First Nations and Métis modate the growing demand for these millions of people that communities each year through our joint-venture partnerships. are trying to find hope and a better life for their families. Those are real jobs. That’s real ownership. It’s not tokenism. It’s creating real capacity for development. That’s where Canadian This interview has been edited for length and clarity companies have to get to for the future. WELCOME TO THE EXECUTIVE CLASS.

What we lack in extra legroom, we make up for with a team of experienced educators and over 50 first-class Executive Education programs.

Lead the way at uab.ca/ExecEd Make a world of difference. Donate and help our students experience life-changing opportunities during their studies.

Donations to the Student Experience fund at the Alberta School of Business have an enormous impact. Your support provides students with opportunities that change the way they see the world, and inspires them to pursue their passions.

To learn more visit ualberta.ca/business/give or call 1-877-992-7587.