Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Jen Morrison Jen is a passionate educator and life long learner with over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher and school leader. With an extensive background in experiential learning, project based learning, and design thinking, she believes that a curiosity mindset and sense of community is an essential component to transformation and deeper learning. As Simon Sinek says in The Infinite Game, “what good is it having a belly if there's no fire in it? Wake up, drink your passion, light a match and get to work.”

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 Summary

Jen is one of those people that is clearly passionate about her career. In this episode I chat with Jen about how her path to her current job came about and what is this Project-based Learning thing is all about. Jen talks about her role at EvolveU and how they are changing the way we look at adult education.

Kaizen Education Services

Concussion.org

Danielle LaPorte - The Desire Map

Show Quote:

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Adam Berkan I grew up in Calgary, went to university in Toronto to learn software engineering, and then worked in the US at companies including Microsoft and Google. I spent almost 20 years in California and Washington as a Senior Software Engineer. In 2017 I got fed up with Silicon Valley, and moved back to Calgary. Today I work remotely for Khan Academy, a non-profit with the goal of providing "A free world class education for everybody everywhere". A huge number of my Silicon Valley co-workers have left to live somewhere cheaper. The Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the effect. These are people who can live anywhere they want, and they want a cheap house, good schools, safe neighborhoods, and access to nature and arts. Calgary has all of those things.

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 Summary

A senior software engineer, Adam left his childhood home in Calgary to move to Silicon Valley. While there, he worked at Microsoft and Google and enjoyed the experience. Now working remotely for Kahn Academy, Adam is back in Calgary and has some advice for those in Calgary trying to bring the big US companies here. Don't bother, bring the devs and the companies will follow.

Show Quote:

"Just after the tech bubble in the early two thousands Microsoft was one of the few places that was hiring. We were all thankful to have a job."

"Imagine that Google opened an office in Calgary tomorrow, and hired a thousand engineers. That would immediately make Calgary a tech spot. "

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Adam Ludgate Adam is a technical leader who is involved in the startup/tech community and is enticed by new and innovative ways of solving problems with technology. He has worked previously with the likes of IBM Canada, AOL UK, tech startups in London's 'Silicon Roundabout' as well as with a variety of oil & gas software firms in various software development and leadership capacities.

Robert Price Founder and CEO of Bode Canada.  Robert's core professional beliefs include:
- The high road is the only road.
- There is always a solution.
- Delivering true customer value will win in the end.
- Leading a multifaceted team towards an established objective is the most challenging and rewarding pursuit.
- It is complicated to make something simple, but simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Alan Kelly Founder and CRO for Bode Canada. Alan is an experienced revenue growth executive and commercial strategy leader.  Accelerating growth through innovative Pricing, Marketing, Sales & Product strategies. 

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 Summary

Adam talks with Bode Canada CEO, Robert Price, and CRO, Alan Kelly. They discuss the Bode product, real estate in Canada, and the landscape of Canadian PropTech.

Show Quote:

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Brad Zumwalt Brad Zumwalt has been growing technology companies for over 20 years. In 1989, he joined and led Image Club Graphics until its acquisition in 1994 by Aldus Corporation, which was later acquired by Adobe. At Adobe, he led the worldwide visual content team and grew revenues to more than $40M. In 1998, he founded EyeWire.com, an online visual content and design company, which was acquired by Getty Images in 1999. In 2001, he founded and was Chairman and President of Veer Incorporated, which was acquired in 2007 by Corbis, a privately held company of Bill Gates. Brad is an active angel investor, and a founding member of A100. He is also a founding partner of Social Venture Partners Calgary, a unique non-profit funding partnership combining a venture capital approach with local philanthropy, and a director of Alberta Enterprise Corporation and Innovate Calgary.

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 Summary

This is episode 100 and Brad Zumwalt joins me to talk about Alberta's innovation ecosystem and our progress through 2020 heading into 2021 with digital transformation and the startup environment. We are approximately 1/3 towards where we should be as a province as statistically compared to our leading tech economies in other provinces of Canada, but Canada as a whole is still behind the rest of the world.

Links:

CED Article

Butterfly Project Sheet

Sophia Fairweather

Startup Genome 

Show Quote:

"We want to make sure that we do everything we can to popularize and make the big corporations in the big economy be aware of who our Alberta firms are, and just how truly world-class their products and their talent is."

"A big part of [promoting entrepreneurship] is making sure we are doing it with a gender balance"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Adam Ludgate Adam is a technical leader who is involved in the startup/tech community and is enticed by new and innovative ways of solving problems with technology. He has worked previously with the likes of IBM Canada, AOL UK, tech startups in London's 'Silicon Roundabout' as well as with a variety of oil & gas software firms in various software development and leadership capacities.

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 Summary

Al connects with the LIBI Podcast Host of the Year (2020), Adam Ludgate. Adam, a born and raised Calgarian, has been involved with Computers and Technology for the majority of his life. In this episode Adam and Al talk about building your personal and business networks, as well as a thoughtful discussion on hiring junior software developers who have pivoted from other long term careers.

Show Quote:

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

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 Summary

Let's countdown the top 10 episodes from 2020.  

10.) Episode #82: Mike Chui hosts Aymie Rondeau (The Curvy Shop)

9.) Episode #64: Christopher Drobot hosts Mack Male (Taproot Publishing)

8.) Episode #80: Mike Chui hosts Dr. Byron Chu (Callysto)

7.) Episode #83: Mark Shields hosts Sophia Tang (coRISE)

6.) Episode #88: Adam Ludgate hosts Jason Ribeiro (Calgary Economic Development)

5.) Episode #56: Christopher Drobot hosts Anthony Nagendraraj (Spontivly)

4.) Episode #89: Al Del Degan hosts Greg Hart (Thin Air Labs)

3.) Episode #95: Adam Ludgate hosts Kris Read and Jeff Adamson (Neo Financial)

2.) Episode #53: Adam Ludgate hosts Randy Thompson (Valhalla Private Capital)

1.) Episode #79: Adam Ludgate hosts Nicolas Beique (Helcim)

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Alana Snow Alana Snow started out as announcer for rural Alberta Top 40 / Country radio stations. Recently she obtained her Certified Associate in Project Management designation through PMI, as she realized she has a passion for efficiency, processes and executing projects. Her current focus is on contracting out her services to small businesses and startups to support them in building a solid foundation as they scale up.

Kelly McBroom Kelly McBroom is on the Partnerships team at Neo Financial, which is a new challenger bank being built by the same team as Skip the Dishes, based in Alberta. Kelly has a unique background ranging from athletics, to academics, to entrepreneurship, to coaching and education. On paper Kelly has taken many turns in her career, but in every day experience, she believes that each change in direction has ultimately made her a stronger character and led her to pursue a career in tech.

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 Summary

Alana Snow talks with Kelly McBroom about her journey from being on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, to owning her own company Big Dump Plungers, to now working in Partnerships at Neo Financial one of Calgary’s up and coming tech startups. Kelly shares her advice about what she learned along the way.

Show Quote:

"Sometimes i'd be so bold and ask someone... do you poop?... and they would just stop in their tracks."

"Every aspect that your doing when you run a small business is the same thing that you can do at scale."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Al Del Degan I am a proven leader with over twenty-three years of diverse experience designing, delivering, and supporting software and technology projects. I believe in giving back to my community and I enjoy networking and helping to grow Alberta’s innovation ecosystem. Creatively you will find me pursuing my passions of podcasting, photography and wood working along with the occasional round of golf.

Michael Robinson Michael Robinson is an experienced Professor and Chen Fong Fellow in Entrepreneurial Finance with the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Michael has a demonstrated history of research and teaching excellence and is a strong education professional with academic knowledge and practical work experience in the areas of private equity, venture capital, firm valuation, and corporate governance. He has been the Academic Director of the Calgary DEP program for the past 15 years, and was the first site lead for the CDL-Rockies program, which he continues as the Academic Director.

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 Summary

Al Del Degan has a chat with Michael Robinson to chat about the Haskayne School of Business, the CDL Rockies Program, a whole bunch of other entrepreneurial stuff at the University of Calgary and governance in the ecosystem. This episode is full of excellent information for everyone from entrepreneurs to investors.

Links

Governance Article

Haskayne School of Business 

Creative Destruction Lab Rockies

Hunter Hub

Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Platform Calgary

Sensorup (CDL Rockies success story)

Show Quote:

"This CDL Rockies program is drawing both companies, mentors, investors, as well as students from across our province."

"To-date the CDL Rockies program has helped raise about $45 million dollars of equity capital for these early stage companies in Alberta and across the world."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

Adam Ludgate Adam is a technical leader who is involved in the startup/tech community and is enticed by new and innovative ways of solving problems with technology. He has worked previously with the likes of IBM Canada, AOL UK, tech startups in London's 'Silicon Roundabout' as well as with a variety of oil & gas software firms in various software development and leadership capacities.

Jeff Adamson is the Co-Founder of Neo Financial, Co-Founder of Skip the Dishes, a former Canadian olympic wrestler and Pan American Games Medalist.

Kris Read is the Co-Founder of Neo Financial, Calgary tech community advocate and speaker, and has been the CTO or Head of Engineering at a variety of tech startups in Canada & across North America.

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 Summary

Adam speaks with Kris and Jeff about Neo Financial, the Canadian banking industry, tech startups on the prairies, Alberta tech innovation, the landscape of rewards programs, the state of employment and work in Alberta, and the technical challenges involved in creating a new credit card company.

Show Quote:

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020

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.

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.

Chris Doble Chris Doble is the Program Manager of the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA); an entrepreneur mentorship program focussed on developing entrepreneurial leaders through team mentorship and coaching. Chris joined the Calgary VMSA program in January 2020 after spending three years supporting Edmonton-based entrepreneurs in the VMS program at the University of Alberta. Chris is a born-and-raised Calgarian. Prior to jumping into the innovation space, he spent a number of years working in the music industry in New York, Toronto, and Calgary, in a variety of roles including artist marketing and publicity, studio management, and audio post-production. He has a Honors degree in Communications and Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. Chris is a hobbyist musician, enjoys being active in the mountains, and loves talking baseball.

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 Summary

In this show, Peter Beaudoin discusses with Chris Doble about the Venture Mentoring Service of Alberta (VMSA). The VMSA program. based on a program developed at MIT, provides mentorship and coaching to entrepreneurs who are just beginning to scale their venture.

Show Quote:

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: Community Now! Magazine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

System Engineering Sponsor: Kris Chase - PODMaster 2020