Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas - the Rainforest podcast

As we slide right on into January, it is a new year and a great time to take a fresh look at how to make it a significant year of success for you, your company, and all those new technical resources available.

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.

Show Links:

• LIBI Podcast 

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

As I record this show, it is the evening of January 1st 2024. If you enjoyed the last episode of 2023, then you might enjoy this one as well. It contains more of my ramblings and thoughts on where technology is going as we head into this New Year with a focus on Blockchain.

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.

Show Links:

• LIBI Podcast 

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

For the last episode of 2023 I thought it might be fun to speculate on the technology trends that we will all be talking about in 2024.

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.

Show Links:

• LIBI Podcast 

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Without a new episode in the queue, I came up with an idea to showcase the top 5 episodes that I have hosted in 2023. Hope you enjoy this short trip down memory lane.

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.

Show Links:

• E204 Al Del Degan Hosts Katia Milrad Segal (KMS Coaching)
• E210 Al Del Degan Hosts Debbie Butt (In The Know YYC)
• E220 Al Del Degan Hosts Brown Eagle Belanger (Decolonized Capital)
• E227 Al Del Degan Hosts Brent Zuber (Virtual Reality)
• E237 Al Del Degan Hosts Michael Dargie (Make More Creative)

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Join us as we dive into the dynamic world of Corporate Innovation with our esteemed guest, Francisco Peschiera, expert associate partner at Bain & Company and member of Bain’s Innovation & Design practice. In a thought-provoking conversation, we explore the crucial role of innovation within large organizations and its global impact as a fundamental skill for all businesses.

Francisco Peschiera brings his wealth of experience to the forefront, shedding light on why innovation is not merely a buzzword but a strategic imperative for corporate success. Throughout the episode, we uncover the challenges that organizations face in fostering a culture of innovation and how it extends beyond just ideation but execution as well, to become a global competency.

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: Francisco (Sco) Peschiera is an expert associate partner at Bain & Company and member of Bain’s Innovation & Design practice. Sco helps clients accelerate growth within and beyond their core businesses by re-imagining what they do today and developing new business models for the future. He is an experienced leader in innovation, strategy, and digital, focusing on human-centered design and design thinking approaches to help organizations elevate customer and employee experiences.

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:

• Bain & Company 

Show Quotes:

"You're going to hear about new technologies that are going to transform the way that we work, the way that we live"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

When it come to inspirational young adults, you may find that Aryan Panchal is near the top of the list. Incredibly ambitions, hard-working and dedicated, Aryan has made himself comfortable with being uncomfortable and isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to become a better and more successful person.

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: Aryan Panchal is an international student enrolled in the University of Calgary, majoring in Finance. Having completed two years of university, he took a break for 16 months last May, during which he engaged in four 4-month internships. Aryan is set to return to university in the fall.

Upon arriving in Canada two years ago, Aryan lacked work experience, communication skills, and battled self-doubt. However, over time, he built a network in Calgary, worked with various startups, and volunteered to support small businesses. Aryan believes in the value of hard work to achieve ambitious goals and wishes to share his personal journey of overcoming mental barriers. His story includes engaging in unconventional experiments, such as sleeping 30 minutes to 1 hour a day for an entire month, working 22 to 23 hours a day, and maintaining a seven-day workweek without breaks since July of the previous year. Aryan also took on five jobs simultaneously while attempting to build a startup. Through sharing his experiences, he aims to convey how these challenges led him on a journey toward becoming the best version of himself.

Show Links:

• University of Calgary 
• AltaML 
• University of Alberta 
• University of Lethbridge 
• GoodLawyer 

Show Quotes:

"You need 100 users that love you, not 1000 users that don't care."
"I feel like the mountains were calling me"
"been alone since I was 16 when I moved to India by myself"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Key Takeaways: 👨‍🎓

• Many people think that hackathons require cybersecurity knowledge but they don't, they are focused on problem solving like making public transit more accessible in downtown
• There is beauty in the way that feedback is structured, in the school system we don't get a lot of experience on the iterative process and developing an MVP or using an Agile approach
• Hacking gives you a chance to develop an idea before you try to build it, it is important to look back retrospectively, what worked and didn't work,
• Always give feedback that is actionable so there is better user experience

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: Paignton Wild is a recent graduate from the Software Development program at SAIT. He has a strong passion for software development, web design, and all things tech. Throughout the years, Paignton has extensively studied C++, Java, HTML, CSS, React, JavaScript, MERN, and SQL. In addition to his technical skills, he has also ventured into content creation and is currently learning Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve to produce captivating images and videos for his social media platforms.

With his diploma in hand, Paignton is now actively seeking a software development team to join. His favorite aspect of programming is collaborating with others to solve problems and create applications that have a positive impact on people's lives. When he's not engrossed in coding, Paignton enjoys spending time rock climbing, biking, and cooking. Engaging in conversations about science and philosophy is something he finds particularly enjoyable.

Guest: Gurmol Sohi is a data Analyst, innovator, researcher who is part of the tech and startup ecosystem and can be found at Platform Calgary and Pixels and Pints events! He is passionate about fintech, cleantech, and the just transition that is happening in Alberta! He can be found writing on his blog in medium and representing CITI as a brand ambassador at tech events!

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:

• Kumon 
• SAIT Podcast: The best careers you never knew existed 
• Major League Hacking (MLH) 
• Calgary Hacks 
• Code The Change YYC 
• Tech Start UCalgary 
• Data Science & Machine Learning Club 
• nPower Canada 
• Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (amii) 
• BrainToy 
• New Idea Machine 
• Neo Financial 

Show Quotes:

"Hackathon does not pertain to hacking in the digital sense, it speaks more to life hacking because it creates an environment of rapid ideation and creativity."
"If the leaders are not looking into industry, they are not seeing how tech is growing. There's a gap there, and students are left to fill that gap."
"The C-Suite execs are always kinda looking towards the future and they are being visionaries. But if we can somehow do that at a student level, wouldn't that be cool."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

In this episode we talk with Julie Hawco the founder of the STEM Moms Project, join us as we explore how to increase the retention of mid-career STEM women.

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: Julie Hawco, P.Eng - Founder, STEM Moms Project, has spent the past 15 years working in Canada’s Energy sector as an engineer focused on Oil Sands technology and innovation.  Through this experience she noted the contrast in the challenges faced by her female vs male peers once they became parents.  Julie founded the STEM Moms Project to understand the unique challenges and nuances of being a Mother and STEM professional utilizing a focus group approach; and identifying recommendations towards improving the retention of mid-career STEM women.  Julie is a mom of two and dedicated volunteer within Alberta’s energy ecosystem.

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:

• The STEM Moms Project

Show Quotes:

"For some people, they might be feeling really ill, and maybe they are struggling to show up every day, and they're worried about what the repercussion of that."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

A video platform that puts you and your videos first.

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: Val McCarty is in the business of helping organizations visualize, communicate, and execute strategy in real time. Her studies were acquired at both University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan University, and encompassed Management, Education, and Human Services, with an aim to continue learning. Her previous experience includes the Financial Sector, Fitness Sector, and Early Childhood Education.  When Val is not at work you can find her outside with her grandkids, or looking forward to the next live jam.

Guest: Daniela Bozinovski is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in digital marketing, e-commerce consulting, and account management. Currently serving as an Account Manager at The Public Place Network, Daniela focuses on helping small to medium-sized businesses thrive in the digital realm by effectively monetizing their video content.

Before joining The Public Place Network in 2023, Daniela held the role of Account Manager at ext. marketing, where she assisted clients in the banking and financial services sector in realizing their marketing goals. Her responsibilities included managing projects from start to finish and ensuring seamless communication between all parties involved.

Daniela's career journey includes a notable period at Zone·tv™ as a Sales Coordinator, where she implemented innovative marketing strategies to drive business growth and increase brand awareness. This role allowed her to gain hands-on experience in CRM management, sales strategy formulation, and content creation.

Prior to that, Daniela spent eight years at JPMorgan Chase & Co., developing skills in business development and risk analysis. As a Business Development Specialist, she played a key role in driving revenue and nurturing business relationships. Her earlier role as a Risk Analyst taught her the intricacies of managing financial risk and fraud, honing her analytical skills.

Her professional path began with foundational roles in merchant onboarding and administration, where Daniela cultivated organizational and problem-solving skills.

Throughout her career, Daniela's greatest satisfaction has come from assisting businesses and entrepreneurs in achieving their goals. At the core of her work, whether in digital marketing, e-commerce, or account management, is a deep-seated passion for guiding clients through the complexities of the digital landscape. She finds immense fulfillment in seeing the businesses she partners with grow and succeed. This focus on client success is what drives Daniela and fuels her continued pursuit of excellence in her field.

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:

• PPN 
• The Public Place Network 

Show Quotes:

"You deserve a video platform that puts you and your videos first. A platform that helps real people make real money with video."

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan

Join Peter Beaudoin as he talks with David Howard, the founder of the Homes for Heroes Foundation and their work to address veteran homelessness. 

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: David Howard is a founder and former CEO and President of Homes Heroes Foundation. In David’s new role he is spearheading the charities growth. David works with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal stakeholders to secure new sites for Veterans Villages across Canada. Homes For Heroes aims to help those who were willing to give their all to protect us and maintain our freedoms and get them back to a place where they feel supported & engaged. With the goal to end the issue of Veteran Homelessness, it is important that Homes For Heroes has Veterans Villages across Canada. David has been working within the Canadian Veteran community for the last 20 years and is committed to helping those that have served Canada. David has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service to our Veterans and Canada.

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:

• Homes for Heroes Foundation 
• Veterans Affairs Canada

Show Quotes:

"How do you put that on paper and apply to a job? I drove a tank in the military, what does that give me within civilian life?"
"My experience throughout working across Canada is that Canadians care deeply"

Credits...

This Episode Sponsored By: New Idea Machine

Episode Music: Tony Del Degan

Creator & Producer: Al Del Degan