UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA | BUSINESS ALUMNI MaGAZINE SPRING/SUMMER 2009 We’ve got mail Postcards from globe-trotting alumni Hot wheels Grad turns a love of biking into a global affair On Americans Your outlook: international or irrational? Dancing with stars Todd Cameron reps TV’s top musical talent p.16 PM 40065475 PM p02_3Contents0509.indd 2 4/28/09 9:58:28 AM UVIC BUSINESS ALUMNI MAGAZINE | UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA Contents SPRING/SUMMER 2009 Business Class is published biannually for: Faculty of Business Features University of Victoria 3800 Finnerty Road Victoria BC V8P 5C2 8 Where in the world are they now Canada Postcards from alumni around the globe Phone: 250-721-8264 Fax: 250-721-6613 13 Global cycles Website: www.business.uvic.ca Charles Russell has travelled the world in a career that pairs his passion with his profession 16 That Hollywood song and dance 8 EDITOR Dianne George UVic MBA turned L.A. talent agent reps the best MANAGING EDITOR Kirsten Rodenhizer in the musical and dance-show biz ART DIRECTOR Timothy R Lee CONTRIBUTORS John Atkinson , Krista Boehnert, Angela M. 19 Good health is good business Downey, Andrew Findlay, Brent Furdyk, Dianne George, Kirsten A ‘wellness culture’ can cut health-care costs Rodenhizer, Jarett Vermette, Nathan Weathington by 26 per cent EDITORIAL BOARD Dale Beckman, Krista Boehnert, Robin Dyke, Pat Elemans, Dianne George, Cristy Hartman 20 Timing is everything PRODUCTION MANAGER Suzy Williamson Founder of Mitel Networks named sixth PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Kristina Borys distinguished entrepreneur PRODUCTION SYSTEMS MANAGER Kim McLane ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Allison Griffi oen, Miki May, 23 Love thy neighbour Chris Sherwood International relations start at the border SENIOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN Debbie Lynn Craig next door SALES MANAGER Lee Caldwell ACCOUNT MANAGER Jennifer Hanley Departments For advertising please contact Jennifer Hanley at 604-639-3796 13 or [email protected] 5 Message from the Dean A few words from Dr. Ali Dastmalchian 6 Reading room Our reviews of McMa a and The Truth About Social Networking Canada Wide Media 4th Floor, 4180 Lougheed Highway, 7 Giving back Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6A7 Phone: 604-299-7311 Rose Won Lau’s name lives on Fax: 604-299-9188 Email: [email protected] 24 Alumni in pro le Je Harris and Leanne Wingenbach CHAIRMAN & CEO Peter Legge, O.B.C., LLD (Hon.) PRESIDENT Karen Foss 24 Class notes EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Heather Parker Troy Gri ths makes Forty Under 40, the SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTING AND ADMINISTRATION Millie Warren Coles family expands and more SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SALES Bruce Wiesner VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION Corinne Smith 26 Degree at work VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING AND DIGITAL MEDIA Samantha Legge Paul Monger bites o just what he can chew 7 VICE PRESIDENT EDITORIAL Kathleen Freimond 27 Alumni report New Toronto alumni chapter chair and a call for class champions Business Class is the alumni publication of the Faculty of Business of the University of Victoria. Your comments are welcome. Please write to us: University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, B.C. V8P 5C2 28 Faculty news and notes www.business.uvic.ca Tel: 250-721-8264 Fax: 250 721-6613 Roger Wol retires; David McCutcheon wins a PDSA Business Class magazine is published biannually by Canada Wide Media Limited for the Faculty of Business, University of Victoria. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. 30 Back of the class Phone: 604-299-7311. Fax: 604-299-9188. Mail: 4th Floor, 4180 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6A7. A student weighs in on the economic crisis Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40065475. Send change-of-address notices and covers of undeliverable copies to Canada Wide Media 4th Floor, 4180 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6A7 10% Cert no. SW-COC-002226 COVER PHOTO Lee Cherry BUSINESS CLASS | UVIC BUSINESS 3 p04-5MessDean2col0509.indd 4 4/28/09 11:14:46 AM Message from the Dean As I write this editorial, I’m mindful of the eco- with the financial crisis, there has been a steady climb in commentary nomic turmoil sweeping the world. The business world has shifted about business education; it’s more important than ever to review dramatically in the last six months, and the situation is confounding the our curriculum and approach to learning. Through our strategic plan- world’s experts. ning process we have reaffirmed our vision and values. We still believe The uncertainty takes a toll on our collective psyches, and universi- that an education must be international in scope so we can appreciate ties are no exception. As with other universities, we have been affected the diversity and complexity of the world in which we live; it must be by market conditions. Unfortunately we integrative so we gain a deeper under- have seen a decline in the value of our standing of the interaction of the various endowments, which will affect all areas of business functions, and it must prepare operations, including funds available for us to be creative and innovative so we can scholarships and bursaries. bring new perspectives, take risks and At UVic Business we expect to see an try new things. In 2004, we became the increase in enrolment, as education is a first business school in North America to counter-cyclical industry. Going back to embed courses in sustainability into our school is a good strategy for individu- core programs. Now we feel it deserves als looking for ways to enhance their special prominence and are establishing skills and weather the economic storm. our commitment to being socially respon- However, during difficult financial times, sible as our fourth philosophical pillar. We it’s not unusual for corporations and also believe that an education must be organizations to cut back on employee lived, not just learned through lectures education programs. This can be a mis- and cases; thus our experiential approach take. Encouraging and funding employees is embedded in everything we do. to train in areas that promote creativity In this issue of Business Class, we fea- and innovation are proven ways to help ture alumni who are living and working a firm remain productive and sustainable. internationally, or who have returned to In tough times organizations have excess Canada from a career abroad. We also capacity, and it actually makes sense to celebrate entrepreneurship through an develop managerial skills at a time when article about Sir Terry Matthews, our sixth it is least disruptive to business. Bad times Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year. inevitably end, and organizations that Dr. Angela Downey, health economist use lean times to build their strengths and new associate professor in account- are best able to capitalize on the rebound ing, shares some of her research insights that follows. in a piece entitled Good Health is Good Business. As always, we value Similarly, operating in lean times requires more efficiency in practices— your input and look forward to your comments and story ideas. Give slack that may be enjoyed in boom times disappears. Management skill us your opinion on the changes we have made to the magazine—for development is crucial to ensuring an organization functions as effi- example, the new cover page. Let us know what you think. ciently as possible without sacrificing its effectiveness in the market. For organizations, times of crisis and economic downturn provide Best regards, opportunities to question assumptions about the strategy of the unit, and the philosophy and overall focus of the entity. Even though ervices it might sound counter-intuitive, it may be wise to use this time to S explore alternative approaches, markets or processes that have not been previously considered. Ali Dastmalchian Vic Photo Photo Vic U Within the faculty, we are sharpening our strategic focus for the Professor and Dean Photo: Photo: 2009-2012 period and reviewing our approach to education. Along [email protected] BUSINESS CLASS | UVIC BUSINESS 5 | Reading room McMa a: A Journey Through the book focuses on the marijuana trade in the Global Criminal Underworld British Columbia. Affectionately known as Misha Glenny “BC bud,” BC marijuana is some of the Knofp, 2008, 400 pages most sought-after cannabis in the world, and the BC drug trade accounts for six per Misha Glenny delves into the dark cent of the province’s GDP. The author talks underground—and sometimes not so to a drug smuggler who explains how he underground—world of global crime routinely takes drugs across the border into syndicates. Their web is intricate and the US, where the value can double, or widespread, and includes trade in even quadruple what he would get for it in everything from untaxed cigarettes and Canada. As a result, many Canadians are illegal narcotics to humans. Glenny’s joining the cannabis trade, and Western journey spans the globe as he researches Canada is now home to the largest the pitfalls of a connected world. It is now per-capita concentration of organized much easier for businesses to connect, but criminal syndicates in the world. it’s also easier for criminals to connect too. Glenny’s style is conversational and very For example, on a trip to San Paulo, we’re readable. Because his book is based on data privy to a meeting between the author, an gathered from over 300 interviews with expert hacker and an “orange”—a person individuals on both sides of the law, By Krista Boehnert, Alumni O cer who arranges in-person meetings for readers feel like they are sitting at the table criminals who know each other only listening in. It makes for an intimate, through their alter egos in cyberspace.