Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

In this insightful episode, corporate strategy and innovation experts Zoe and Chantel delve into the crucial role of the board of directors in fostering innovation within organizations. They emphasize the importance of the board serving as the "brain" of a company, responsible for setting strategy and managing risk.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 

Guest: Zoe Harrison is a corporate board director and innovation consultant.  She has made her home in Alberta and is committed to growing the local innovation community and creating space for people of all backgrounds to innovate.   

Guest: Chantel Cabaj In 2016, Chantel Cabaj (she/her) was inspired by political events to ensure women's voices were entrenched in leadership. With a group of dedicated volunteers, this led to the creation of DirectHer Network, a registered charity committed to demystifying the board experience and expanding the number and types of women and gender diverse people in board service.  Since 2016, Chantel has educated thousands on the topic of board governance through DirectHer, private consulting and her online governance company, BoardWell. 

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• DirectHer Network
• Platform Calgary
• Startup TNT
• Avatar Innovations
• Thin Air Labs
• Council of Canadian Innovators
• McMaster University 
   

Show Quotes:

"I like to think of the Board of Directors as the brain. It's the decision maker for this legal thing you've created."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In our latest podcast, Chantal Elliott of 321 Growth Academy shares how her company helps businesses accelerate their growth through sales and marketing training and advisory services. Chantal explains their hands-on, collaborative approach to addressing the fundamentals of sales and marketing - from defining target markets to building strategic sales processes.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Chantel Elliott is a Partner at 321 Growth Academy and helps entrepreneurs and leaders bring their world-changing ideas to life. She has 25+ years of marketing leadership experience in tech startups, large organizations and is a certified leadership
coach (CPCC, ACC). 

Chantel is passionate about helping business leaders make powerful professional impacts. She’s been through the fires of entrepreneurship for the past 12 years, as co-owner of 321 and Material Insight, a leading technology marketing agency. She knows how to build standout brands and products, with deep experience at both the enterprise level (Procter & Gamble) and with smaller companies and startups (Intuit Canada, Kryos, Karo Group, Venture Communications). 

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Chantel is her ability to see connections and imagine opportunities that others don’t. She’ll help you see the future of your business, even when you can’t.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• 321 Growth Academy  

Show Quotes:

"Sometimes, many times, those early stage founders make a lot of assumptions on what's going to work and what isn't because they haven't had a lot of experience and they haven't been in market for very long."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, cloud solutions expert Phil Crocker discusses the importance of cloud literacy and maximizing the value of cloud-based services. He emphasizes that the public cloud is not just someone else's data center, but a consumption-based model that can provide scalability and cost-efficiency when used properly.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Phil Crocker is an experienced cloud and IT professional who focuses on helping software companies optimize their SaaS operations, with a strong background in cloud technologies, DevOps, and IT management. His career spans various technical and leadership roles, demonstrating a broad understanding of the technology landscape.

Show Links:

• Arcus Cloud Services
• Episode 241: Al Del Degan hosts Phil Crocker
• Amazon Web Services 

Show Quotes:

"with SaaS the number one thing is you need to get your product in front of your customer to see if you're doing it right or wrong, and to listen to that customer feedback loop and get it going as quickly as possible."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, Carlos Almeida, the CEO and founder of Optave, shares his journey from working at a successful CRM in South America to starting his own AI company in Canada to tackle the problem of poor customer service.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Carlos Almeida is the CEO and Founder of Optave, an AI copilot that gives superpowers to enterprise customer support agents. Before launching Optave, Carlos built a successful career in Digital Product Management, holding senior and leadership roles for over a decade in tech startups across various industries. Notably, as Head of Product and Design at Movidesk, a Customer Support company, he played a key role in driving a 20x increase in valuation in less than two years. He also served as Head of Innovation at a major media conglomerate, overseeing a portfolio of websites with over 50 million unique visitors per month.

Carlos holds dual citizenship in Italy and Brazil, speaks three languages fluently, and has an MBA in Investments along with a business degree from South America's top-ranked university, where he won a business competition against 30,000 participants. He also excelled in MIT’s Blockchain specialization course, receiving the highest grades in all exams and assignments.

Starting from humble beginnings in Brazil, Carlos’s journey through the tech industry reflects his resilience and determination. He remains committed to using his skills to deliver meaningful and positive change in the world.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Optave
• Alberta Catalyzer 
   

Show Quotes:

"So now for the first time, artificial intelligence can understand context. This wasn't possible before. And by the way, this was based on a research from the University of Toronto in Canada with partnership with Google that allowed all this revolution to happen."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Tune in as Bidzina Mosiashvili, a beekeeper from Calgary, Canada, shares his journey into the world of beekeeping. From facing challenges like high colony loss rates to finding success in letting bees manage their own processes, Bidzina's story is a testament to the resilience of these incredible insects.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Bidzina Mosiashvili is a marketing analyst by day and a beekeeper by night, bringing a unique, data-driven approach to fueling growth. Just as he analyzes hive data to optimize honey production, he delves into marketing analytics to uncover actionable insights that enhance ROI, one data point at a time. Passionate about sustainable strategies and community building, Bidzina is eager to connect and collaborate on projects that make a difference.

Show Links:

• About Bees, Culture & Curiosity Podcast 

Show Quotes:

"So we just pursued the honey business initially. And then our bees started to die. Our first year, we lost pretty much 14 out of the 24 colonies"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Quantum City, an initiative in Alberta, Canada, is building a global ecosystem for quantum science and technology. Managing Director Megan Lee discusses the potential of quantum tech to revolutionize industries like finance, logistics, and environmental monitoring.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Megan Lee is Managing Director of Calgary’s “Quantum City,” with nearly 20 years experience across the full spectrum of research, innovation and commercialization. She has a significant depth of experience in various organizations from operational leadership at a publicly traded biotech company, to the world’s top university-affiliated incubator to a large oncology research and care funder.
 
She is a recognized expert in conducting technical and business due diligence, start-up creation, strategy and management consulting, investment portfolio management and organization management of a growth stage biotech company, where she led the development of new pharmaceutical products and recorded multiple consecutive years of record turnover and profit. She has a MBA in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization and a PhD in Biochemistry.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Quantum City
• QConnect 2024
• Quantized Technologies Inc. (QTI)
• Zero Point Cryogenics (ZPC)
• Xanadu
• 1Qbit   
• D-Wave Systems
• QAI Ventures 
   

Show Quotes:

"I like to say that we also, don't really need to understand quantum mechanics to start thinking about the impact that quantum science technology would have on our society."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, Jason Tschetter, the CEO and founder of Cybercrime Victim Services Canada, discusses the growing problem of cryptocurrency-related cybercrime in Canada.

He explains that nearly 40% of the Canadian population has been victimized by some form of cybercrime, often involving tactics like romance scams, Forex trading platform scams, and "pig butchering" scams.

Tschetter's organization aims to assist victims by helping them track, trace, and recover stolen cryptocurrency, as well as educating law enforcement on how to handle these complex cases.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Peter Beaudoin Peter manages strategy and partnerships for an innovative alliance of energy companies committed to reducing environmental impacts through collaborative R&D efforts. Peter worked for more than 20 years in Asia building and investing in a variety of businesses. His most recent role outside of Canada was with the World Wildlife Fund, where he was the Chief Executive Officer of WWF China, based in Beijing. Prior to that, Peter lived in Hong Kong for 15 years working in the technology industry.

Guest: Originally, Jason Tschetter served as an EMT for the City of Edmonton for several years. To slow down from the front-line life, he began teaching Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers and eventually opened his own CPR Training School. Unfortunately, in 2021, Jason became a victim of cybercrime. This experience fueled his mission to aid victims of cybercrime and cryptocurrency fraud. 

Now, with a background in law enforcement and outside source intelligence, Jason continues to work on the front lines—this time helping people recover and find peace of mind by ensuring that real efforts are made to achieve recovery after a cybercrime.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Cybercrimes Victims Services Canada 

Show Quotes:

"Cryptocurrency is not the devil. It's not something horrendous that's going to ruin the world. It's just the next form of currency. That's all."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this week's podcast, June Barrage, an associate partner at Disruptive Edge, shares insights on how large global companies can tackle their biggest challenges through innovation. Disruptive Edge's focus is on driving tangible results through adjacent innovations, rather than long-term disruptive ideas. June emphasizes the urgency for organizations to innovate and adapt, as 90% of Fortune 500 companies from 1955 have disappeared due to failure to innovate.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host:  Mike Procee is an entrepreneur, facilitator, innovator and problem solver. Working in the Calgary Energy Sector, Mike strives to build the innovation ecosystem and community. From his volunteer position on the Strategic Capability Network, where he founded the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum, to pursuing his DBA in Winter 2024, focused on innovation, Mike is pushing the thinking on what it means to be a corporate innovation practitioner. 

Guest: June Barrage has a rich background in spearheading innovation across multiple sectors, including Healthcare, FMCG, and Retail. Her unique experience encompasses roles on both sides of the innovation spectrum – from operationalizing a major corporate innovation team to setting up start-up-centric innovation capabilities.

Known for her ability to build sustainable, ROI-driven innovation functions, June has effectively integrated new practices into established business models, driving market expansion and technological advancement. Her expertise in navigating the complexities of innovation in diverse organizational contexts makes her a respected figure in the industry.

Please be sure to share this episode with everyone you know. If you are interested in being either a host, a guest, or a sponsor of the show, please reach out. We are published in Google Podcasts and the iTunes store for Apple Podcasts We would be grateful if you could give us a rating as it helps spread the word about the show.

Show Links:

• Disruptive Edge 

Show Quotes:

"I think there's life before AI and there's life after AI. What we've really been doing at Disruptive Edge is figuring out how to leverage AI to really work within our processes and our methods. It’s a total game changer."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode, Al Del Degan sits down with Bill Hunt, the co-founder of Evans Hunt, a successful digital agency. Bill shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey - from studying philosophy and law to finding his way into the tech industry during the dot-com boom. He talks about the challenges of starting his own agency, navigating cash flow issues, and building a strong team and client relationships.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Bill Hunt Meet Bill, a seasoned expert in interactive advertising and technology with over 25 years of experience. Before co-founding Evans Hunt in 2008, Bill served as Senior Vice President at Critical Mass, one of North America's leading interactive firms. His career has spanned from the bustling streets of Madison Avenue in New York to establishing a major marketing production company in San Jose, Costa Rica. 
Bill has consulted for and collaborated with global brands such as Cisco, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Clorox, Glassdoor, and Alterra. Under his leadership, Evans Hunt has grown from a two-person startup to a dynamic team of over 115 professionals across Canada. In June 2024, Evans Hunt joined the Miami-based Mod Op network, further expanding its reach across North America.
In addition to his professional achievements, Bill was a competitive cyclist and had the opportunity to race alongside Lance Armstrong. “Lance won,” says Bill.

Show Links:

• Evans Hunt
• Mod Op

Show Quotes:

"We incorporated Evans Hunt in November 2008. As you recall, that was the financial crisis. So the world's collapsing around us. And Dan and I are telling ourselves like this. We're OK. We're OK"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Roxanne Molnar, an entrepreneur originally from Ontario, shares her inspiring journey of moving to Alberta and starting her own company, Growth Venture. Drawn by the warm community and beautiful mountains, Roxanne transitioned from waste management to energy management and executive assistance roles, fueling her passion for people and relationships. Encouraged by her network Roxanne launched Growth Venture, providing flexible support to organizations in need of additional resources.

Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta. The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta.

Host: Al Del Degan is a software developer and tech leader in Alberta's innovation ecosystem. He is also a Web3 enthusiast and podcaster, sharing his knowledge and passion for emerging technologies with his audience. Al is the founder and CTO of New Idea Machine, a software company dedicated to helping new developers gain hands-on experience building real-world applications. With his commitment to giving back to the community, Al is always available to offer advice on technology and business. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in everything he does, making him a respected leader in the tech industry.

Guest: Roxanne Molnar thrives on building relationships and finding innovative solutions for clients. She excels at diving into industries where she has minimal knowledge, approaching tasks with a fresh perspective, and offering unique insights. Her passion and determination have taught her the importance of collaboration with a strong and positive team to achieve desired success.

Roxanne is known for her key qualities, including being passionate, perseverant, with a strategic mindset to focus on problem solving.  She is always eager to learn and grow, a big-picture thinker and loyal beyond expectations.

Show Links:

• Growth Venture 
• 321 Growth Academy 
• InceptionU 

Show Quotes:

"I think business development in itself is talking a lot about the strategy and the collaboration, what we can do to drive business or increase business. But oftentimes I'll have conversations and people think that it's sales and marketing they need, but it's often a kick in the pants that they might need instead."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan