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.

Steve Armstrong From the Arctic to the European countryside, from Asia to Africa, Steven Armstrong has seen and done it all as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Red Cross. Now the leader of Paratus Education, he uses the skills he learned while leading complex strategic situations around the world to help others achieve their leadership goals and create long-lasting positive results.

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 episode Al has a conversation with Steve Armstrong talking about the different leadership styles and what leaders can do to build trust and loyalty with their teams.

Show Quote:

"I didn't spend enough time on the sales part... I was actively and aggressively selling, by waiting for the phone to ring."

"Most people know how to lead. We all have families, we all have sports teams, we all have whatever."

"Seventy to eighty percent of people, when they leave a job they are leaving a supervisor... and who's fault is that? It's not the supervisor's fault, it's whomever put them in that position."

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.

April DeJong April is a serial entrepreneur, a trait she received from her parents who owned a furniture store in Edmonton that she worked at growing up. That experience set the tone for her business life - do it all, do it well. After working in international trade and economic development, April left that career to start a family and work alongside her husband in their award-winning residential design firm, DeJong Design Associates. Over the past year, April started a real estate team with another Realtor who comes from a design background as well. For most people that would be enough, but April also owns and operates a vintage clothing pop-up shop with two of her friends, and she has a boutique graphic design studio. April is now helping her kids launch their own businesses.

Lisa Poole Lisa Poole is a family care partner and provides insight from a perspective of lived experience. Her father John has a diagnosis of vascular dementia and resides in LTC. Lisa sits on Dementia Network Calgary’s Strategic Council, Alzheimer Society of Calgary’s Board of Directors, AGE-WELL’s Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee, Alzheimer Society of Canada’s COVID-19 Task Force, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement’s Community Based Dementia Care and Support Advisory Team, is co-chair of Dementia Advocacy Canada, and is the founder and editor of Dementia Connections Magazine.

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 episode, April has a conversation with Lisa Poole talking about Dementia and why she started Dementia Connection magazine. 

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.

David Chavez David Chavez leads the Partnerships team at Platform Calgary. This small and mighty team is responsible for working with partners helping build the new Platform Innovation Centre, the program partners that will activate the space, and the funding partners helping to launch and operate the centre sustainably. David has more than 20 years experience building and leading technology organizations. Previously, he led R&D and product management teams in Canada and China for Nortel and Ericsson, leading global suppliers of telecommunications and networking gear. David is a Professional Engineer with a degree in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia. He is the founder and is a Fellow of the Calgary Innovation Coalition. Outside of work, David is usually skiing, playing pickleball, or cooking something delicious with his lovely wife Pat.

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 interview, David Chavez of Platform Calgary discusses the new Platform facility, scheduled to open in mid-2021. The space will be the central hub of our innovation community. With already 32 organizations signed on as partners, the launch will be a milestone in Calgary's tech community's evolution.

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.

Due to a technical glitch, unfortunately we were unable to have a show this week.  Please subscribe and tune in next week for another episode.

Credits...

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.

Greg Hart is a lifetime entrepreneur who has been studying, applying and innovating in the area of behaviour-based design for thirty years. He has applied these approaches in over 200 different challenging design settings from manufacturing to software and even urban spaces. He is a partner in Thin Air Labs and the co-founder of InceptionU. When he wants to relax, he referees lacrosse. 

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

Greg talks about how he went from a quiet childhood to becoming a young entrepreneur rocking through to leading world-changing organizations. Greg looks at things differently through the eyes of design and critical thinking. He believes that there are better ways of doing things in nearly every aspect of life, and he is not just thinking about it, he is making it happen.

Show Quote:

"It's interesting when you start going into an industrial space and you start bench-testing ideas [...] when it comes time to build a full prototype you don't get to build a fifteen thousand dollar version of it [...] you actually have to build a fifteen million dollar version of it."

"The whole process of creating the Rainforest was creating this very amorphous, messy situation that lives up to the metaphor of an actual rainforest."

"There's a role for people who are wanting to invest in something that's different. "

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.

Jason Ribeiro Jason Ribeiro is Director of Strategy at Calgary Economic Development & head Curator of Global Shapers Calgary. He serves as a corporate leader, community advocate, international consultant, and is currently one of Canada’s most awarded social science graduate students. As Director of Strategy at Calgary Economic Development, Jason is responsible for setting and implementing corporate and community vision through the city's economic strategy, "Calgary in the New Economy."

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

We discuss CED and its role in Calgary, the future of work, attracting product companies to Calgary, attracting and retaining talent in Calgary, the effectiveness of the CED and other public policies, OCIF.

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.

Lori Farley Lori Farley Lori’s business and voluntary commitments curate and facilitate: connections, relationships, and opportunities for social change through entrepreneurship, partnerships, and alliances between various sectors around the globe including Community development, Arts, Disability, Education, and Technology. Lori is involved in numerous ventures related to social innovation and socio-economic development including Intonovus Canada and Impact Calgary. Lori is involved in supporting cross-sector social and economic development with a mission of sharing and mobilizing time, money, resources, energy, talents, and best practices that align to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), B Corp standards (B Corp) and IRIS metrics (IRIS), all designed to measure the social, environmental and financial performance of companies and investments. INTONOVUS Canada is a not for profit designed to partner with those advancing social impact, social enterprise, and impact investing: IMPACT CALGARY is a social business venture launching coworking, ‘impact first’ business development, and access to funding for social entrepreneurs and benefit businesses. These ventures include foci on social impact technologies (such as Virtual & Augmented Reality (VR/AR), Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)), parentpreneurship (child and family-friendly professional work spaces), and crowdfunding. As part of her passion for rural-urban economic corridor development, she is working to replicate economic diversity in Alberta through rural tech hubs. She is also a partner in business that supports producers, processors, and manufacturers of Alberta agri-food s to access markets in China and Southeast Asia.

Erin Bird Running a campaign to make Calgary Canada's next Fair Trade Town. Through support of Fairtrade, we show that people and planet deserve respect and to be treated fairly. Fairtrade ensures producers get a fair minimum price, that they are working in conditions free of slavery and child labour, that economic sustainable practices that use less chemicals and no GMO are used, that a long term relationship is developed with the producer, and that all entities along the supply chain are willing to be transparent and audited to meet these minimum requirements.

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

Lori and Erin talk about the importance of Fair Trade from a sustainable business perspective.

Show Quote:

"There's local, and then there are other products that can't be grown or made locally, and you have to have both."

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.

Brigitte Legault Brigitte Legault is the new Co-Manager, Community at Rainforest Alberta. Brigitte's career has spanned several industries in both the private and public sectors. Over the past few years she has been facilitating social entrepreneurship programs and coaching small business owners. She is currently filling up her toolbox through completion of her MBA and Certified Management Consultant designation. Her insatiable desire to learn and connect has led her to the innovation sector where she has been enjoying her time getting to know the community and how to best support the thriving culture behind it.

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

Brigitte tells us about what it was like growing up in a family of entrepreneurs and how it lead her to value professional relationships and communication. Seeing some success in her own entrepreneurial ventures and a thirst for learning has lead her to get more and more involved in Alberta's innovation ecosystem from the Calgary Innovation Coalition to now being a Co-Manager, Community with Rainforest Alberta.

Show Quote:

"[regarding her first business] I don't want to say, a failure [...] it was three or four years of the best learning of my life. "

"Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and there are so many exciting things happening in the ecosystem, it's incredible from a newcomer's perspective."

"I was really blown away by how much is out there for people if they want to pivot their career."

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.

Andrew Browne Andrew Browne is the Director of Corporate Development for Thin Air Labs. He is a serial entrepreneur and community builder who has been directly involved in the development of the tech and innovation sector in Calgary for the past 7 years. He has held various leadership roles in the community including Development Director of Startup Calgary as a grassroot organization, Board Member for Startup Calgary during their acquisition by Calgary Economic Development, Business Development Advisor for Alberta Innovates’ Alberta Entrepreneurship Incubator Program, and advisor to many local startups. He’s a serial entrepreneur having founded and grown many ventures of his own.

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

Peter Beaudoin discusses the Calgary Innovation Coalition with Andrew Browne. They delve into how the Calgary Innovation Coalition, with 38 members, is supporting the local tech scene. The conclusion: Our local tech scene is growing and Calgary is on the right path to a thriving ecosystem of 1000 startups by 2030.

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.

Michael Chui Michael Chui enjoys learning about different perspectives and challenges assumptions through questions. He had a diverse career in finance and operations, technology (software), product management (product owner) and regulatory economics including times training as a locomotive engineer. His diverse experience allows him to look at complex ideas through multiple lenses and pinpoint its simplest core values. He is currently unlearning && re-learning how to build intuitive (web) applications and effective architecture solutions as a full stack developer. He is also volunteering with Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta to help accountants better adapt to the latest in software and technology.

Tim Lipp If a ball drops, it’s this guy's fault. He can be a little sporadic at times, but that’s okay; we are building something that’s never been done before, so we have to test lots of ideas. It’s going to involve dropping a few balls in order to find the right cadence. He is responsible for setting the right big targets that everyone else is aiming for and removing any roadblocks that are keeping them from getting there. Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.beaverlodge&hl=en) Apple App Store (https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/beaverlodge/id1495314307?mt=8)

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

We are talking to different leaders and innovators in the Alberta technology and startup ecosystem with past experiences in traditional finance roles. They'll talk about their experience in finance and startup, ideas, and their thoughts on a diverse career. You will walk away with insights into diverse topics (e.g learning, listening, finance, psychology) after a conversation with Tim Lipp. In this episode, Tim shares how each of his adventures, including linguistic research, not-for-profit startup, consulting for one of the big 4 accounting firms, shaped his approach to career. These adventures led to his finding of Beaverlodge - an innovative solution to simplify the energy efficiency process for introverts. Beaverlodge (https://www.beaverlodge.game/#features) The Beaverlodge game is now available in Apple App Store and Google Play. We make it ten times easier for neighbours to save money on making their homes better. Our team is a grassroots group of students and innovators; we're inviting you to join in on the startup rodeo. Boost our cause, and make it your own by sharing feedback on the prototype (available on the Apple and iOS Store). The $10,000 raised from this campaign will go towards the creation of Beaverlodge 2.0, an app so simple and practical that 5 minutes/week will save you over $50/month and build a roadmap to reduce emissions by 50%.

Show Quote:

"How does an artist do customer discovery vs. a politician? When we do business to consumer business, we have to think more like artists doing customer discovery. We have to lean heavily into empathy as an iterative process."

"The single biggest tool I use is a lot of self-reflection in whatever authentic personal form for you. Most of our brains are intuitive, spending time reflecting enables you to trains your intuition. So, you can make decisions more rapidly without thinking it through."

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