Breakout Sessions
AIMCO: Getting The Most Lemon For Your Squeeze – How To Make The Most Of Your Internship
Friday, March 12, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 AM MST | 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Navigating the experience of internships can be daunting. Steering the new environment, creating a relationship with your new boss and learning the new job; it's all intimidating! This is a guide for the first few years of navigating the workforce (both as an intern and a recent grad). Some of these stories are about the basic realities of the corporate world. Others are about creating the best possible experience and bouncing back when things don't go right.
Ishani Vashist
HR Associate
Alberta Investment Management Corporation
Ishani Vashisht is a Human Resources Associate at Alberta Investment Management Corporation, one of Canada's largest Investment Managers.
Outside of work, she is a project lead for Apricity, a local collective of community change makers who are passionate about the Edmonton community. Her role is to liaise with their partner charity, Big Brothers Big Sisters and create strategic initiatives that raise awareness and funds for the at risk youth community.
Ishani holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree University of Alberta and a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership from the Peter Lougheed Leadership College.
Crescent Point Energy: Navigating Change in Work and Life
Friday, March 12, 2021
10:00 - 11:00 AM MST | 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
The last several months have been a year of rapid change, which has made both work and life difficult to navigate for many. Come join Stephanie and Shelly from Crescent Point Energy as they explore actionable ways to not only manage change in our everyday lives, but also, how to embrace it.
Shelly Whitwer
Vice President Business Development Crescent Point Energy
Shelly Witwer is Crescent Point’s Vice President, Business Development, a role she has held since 2019. Since joining the company in 2007, she has held a number of senior management roles, including Vice President, Land. Ms. Witwer has over 18 years of experience in land and business development roles, having worked with companies such as BP Energy, Burlington Resources and Bear Ridge Resources.
Ms. Witwer is a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen and the Petroleum and Acquisition Divestment Association. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Energy Economics from the University of Calgary.
Stephanie Gawlinski
Director, Supply Chain Management Crescent Point Energy
As the Director of Supply Chain Management, Stephanie Gawlinski oversees Crescent Point Energy’s Procurement, Contract, Materials Management, Cost Control and E-Invoicing Departments and a team of approximately 35 people. Her typical day is never really typical. A regular day may include meetings with vendors, cost analysis and negotiations on pricing, contract reviews or historical audits on work completed.
Known for her strong leadership skills and work ethic, Ms. Gawlinski has progressed her career with this oil and gas company over the course of 15 years from a Senior Financial Accountant to doing all of the financial reporting to the Manager of Capital Accounting Operations Accounting. Prior to joining Crescent Point, she was a Manager in Deloitte’s audit and assurance practice. Ms. Gawlinski’s career path is the result of perseverance and relentless focus.
Ms. Gawlinski holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting and a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Calgary. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant and belongs to the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta.She is a passionate and engaged mother of two young boys and strives to be the best role model
she can for them. She cherishes the moments she can reconnect with her love of soccer and watch her children play and grow.
About Crescent Point Energy
Crescent Point Energy is a leading North American oil producer focused on the sustainable development of high-quality assets, delivering strong returns and maintaining and improving our balance sheet strength. We believe passionately in the power of our purpose statement, “Bringing energy to our world – the right way.” It is our role to satisfy global demand for responsibly developed energy with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards being top of mind. Our relationships with the communities in which we live and operate in have always been a priority for us. Since our inception in 2001, over $30 million and thousands of volunteer hours have been committed to communities across our operating areas.
We proudly support three main pillars within our community investment strategy:
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Education
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Health, Safety & Environment
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Community Infrastructure
CWB: Ways to Advance in Your Career
Friday, March 12, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MST | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
Vanessa Noga, Vice President of Credit Support Operations and Business Transformation at Canada Western Bank, is going to be sharing her experiences and discuss different ways to advance in your career.
Vanessa Noga
Vice President, Credit Support Operations and Business Transformation, Canadian Western Bank
Co-Founder and Chair, CWB Women
Co-Chair, Edmonton Women in Finance
Vanessa joined Canadian Western Bank in 2015, following 25 years with RBC in Toronto and Vancouver. Recently appointed to head up the bank’s Credit Support Operations, Vanessa is responsible for 90% of all loan activity across CWB Financial Group for a portfolio in excess of $17 Billion. She leads three regional centres and two national departments, collectively representing 10% of the bank’s workforce.
Throughout her career, Vanessa has sought out interesting and challenging roles to help business clients achieve success. This has included roles in sales leadership, direct relationship management, risk management, operations, portfolio management and corporate finance. She has found ways to add value and engage people through involvement in unique projects, and has established important initiatives both internally and externally to support the development of women in finance.
Vanessa holds an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, is a graduate of Leadership Vancouver, and enjoys teaching her two young daughters the importance of giving back to the community.
EY: Finding Your Purpose
Friday, March 12, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
As an undergraduate student, it’s not uncommon to lose a sense of direction of which learning or career path you wish to pursue. Sometimes all it takes is a small reset to help gain a clear focus of your life goals. Carla Madra from Ernst & Young LLP shares how to find your purpose in life and become the person you want to be.
Carla Madra, CPA, CA
Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Assurance and Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS)
Carla is a Partner with the Edmonton office of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”). Carla is the Edmonton office leader of the Financial Accounting Advisory Services practice within the Assurance practice. In addition, Carla is the EY Edmonton People Leader and Chairs the office’s Professional Women’s Network.
Prior to joining EY in 2013, Carla spent 12 years with another big 4 accounting firm and subsequently led the finance and human resources teams as the Director of Finance at an Edmonton based private company that provided workplace drug and alcohol testing services across Canada.
Carla is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and obtained her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta in 2001.
Carla is passionate about giving back to the community and has volunteer with many local organizations. Carla is currently the Chair of the Board of Governors of NorQuest College and is a member of the Board of Directors of STARS. In addition, Carla has fulfilled two three-year terms, with the Mental Health Foundation as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and she also chaired the Foundation’s Audit & Investment Committee.
Carla resides in Edmonton with her husband Don and their daughter Alex. Together the Madra family enjoys skiing, golf and travel.
Fidelity: How to Rewire the Connection - Making the Most of a Virtual Career
Friday, March 12, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 PM MST | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
In this breakout session, the speakers will go over overcoming challenges in a client facing role, how to keep networking going internally and externally for career advancement, pros and cons to a virtual world and how to prepare and how to maintain and strengthen relationships virtually.
Kate is a steward of service, focused on initiating and maintaining strong working relationships with financial advisors to enhance the end-in- vestor experience and further Fidelity’s market penetration.
Kate’s previous work experience at Tesla Motors fueled her passion for sales, while working at Scotia McLeod honed her financial acumen. Kate’s roles at Fidelity Investments marry the two: sales and finance.
In her spare time, Kate is dedicated to mento- ring youth. Kate volunteers with The Calgary John Howard Society as a mentor to Indigenous youth, with a focus on sourcing cultural liaisons
Kate Bako
Regional Manager
Fidelity Investments
Jill is a Business Development Manager at Fidelity. Her main objective is to drive net sales through the distribution of Fidelity products, such as mutual funds and ETFs, to Investment Advisors in her territory.
Jill is enthusiastic and dedicated to discussing all things investments. She was raised in a financial planning home, learning from an early age the value that the investment industry brings to everyday households. Through various intern- ships and experience in the family business, she realized her passion for partnering with like-mind individuals to create strategies for investing wealth.
Outside of the nine-to-five, she enjoys splitting her time between the Calgary and Edmonton run communities. She’s excited to include her new puppy in upcoming running adventures.
Jill Hacking
Business Development Manager
Fidelity Investments
Crystal is a Business Development Manager with Fidelity investments. In her role, she works closely with top Financial Advisors across British Columbia designing and optimizing portfolios. Crystal brings extensive experience with Fidelity, starting as an intern and working hard through the ranks to be in her role today. She brings previous expertise from roles in e-Health SaaS, education, and banking.
Crystal Huang
Business Development Manager
Fidelity Investments
Tarah Domingo is a Senior Business Development Manager with Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest asset managers and leading provider of financial services in Canada. In her role, Tarah works with a broad range of financial advisors in Victoria and various parts of the Lower Mainland, providing timely advice on capital markets and in-depth perspectives on what success advisors are doing to enhance their business. Tarah started at Fidelity in 2018 and is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where she obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration.
Tarah Domingo
Senior Business Development Manager
Fidelity Investments
Taylor Lee is a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Senior Business Development Manager for Fidelity Investments. She first joined Fidelity as a Sales Coordinator in 2015. Prior to Fidelity, Taylor was working as a professional actress and as a casting assistant for one of Toronto’s premiere casting agencies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree from the University of Toronto, where she studied Theatre and English. She returned to her hometown of Vancouver and currently covers the Okanagan Valley region for Fidelity.
Taylor Lee
Senior Business Development Manager
Fidelity Investments
Kathryn recruits, coaches and leads a dynamic sales team that aims to prospect and partner with financial advisors throughout Western Canada. It is through these strong working relationships that her team can provide Fidelity products and solutions to the end investor.
Kathryn has been fortunate to take on various roles during her tenure at Fidelity. She began on the sales team where she uncovered the needs and challenges facing advisors and investors in order to find the best solution. Kathryn is the former Chair of Fidelity’s Wholesaler in Training Program where sales team members are mea- sured on their ability to prospect new clients. She also travels across Western Canada to edu- cate investors and advisors about the Women in Wealth initiative.
In her spare time, Kathryn loves to stay active by going for long walks and to the park with her husband and daughter. She is fitness instructor as well as a passionate cook and puzzler.
Kathryn Black
Manager Regional Sales, Fidelity Investments
CFO, Fidelity Capital Structure Corp.
SME, Women in Wealth, Fidelity Investments
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments Canada ULC is one of Canada’s top investment management firms, managing over $170 billion in assets for individuals, financial advisors, pension plans, endowments, foundations, and more. They offer investors and institutions a full range of innovative and trusted investment portfolios including domestic, international and global equity and income-oriented mutual funds, ETFs, asset allocation strategies, managed portfolios, and sustainable investing products.
As a student at Fidelity Canada, you have opportunities to succeed and grow. There are placements across all of our divisions and we don’t look at it as a one-time placement. We ask the best to come back in future terms and we envision it as a full development program. We truly invest in our students and ensure that they get the most out of their term with Fidelity.
University Hospital Foundation: Being a Woman in a Male Dominant Field
Friday, March 12, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 PM MST | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Lisa Munro, Chief Development Officer at the University Hospital Foundation, will be sharing her experiences as a woman in a male dominated field.
Lisa Munro
Chief Development Officer University Hospital Foundation (UHF)
As Chief Development Officer of the University Hospital Foundation (UHF), a recognized leader in healthcare philanthropy across North America, Lisa leads a team that is responsible for raising millions of dollars annually to support and ignite advancements in patient care, innovation and research at the University of Alberta Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and Kaye Edmonton Clinic.
A seasoned marketing and development professional who combines national experience with a local focus, Lisa spent 14 years with Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) as Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships which gave her a unique window on how regional and national brands connect with communities across Canada. She designed and delivered integrated partnerships for clients that were customized to their needs, and that allowed them to showcase their engagement at the community level.
Before joining OEG, Lisa worked for 15 years in various leadership roles at CIBC—again delivering a national brand’s promise at a local level. In her work as Alberta regional business development manager for CIBC’s Marketing and Segment Sales, Lisa won three National Sales awards for top performance and one Annual Achievers award for Sales Leadership.
Her reputation as a sponsorship specialist led to her being asked to serve as Co-Chair for the Marketing Innovation Awards (MIA) in 2015 and as a judge for the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC) Sponsorship Marketing Awards in 2014 and 2020. She also acts as a career leader in the SMCC’s mentorship program and sits as an Advisor to the Board for The Network of Empowered Women Annual Business Conference. In addition, she recently joined the board of AIESEC Canada who focuses on developing future leaders through international exchange.
Lisa was born and raised in Edmonton, where she currently lives with her husband Garnet of 29 years. They have two adult sons, Tyson and Bryce.
About the University Hospital Foundation
The University Hospital Foundation brings together the best people, ideas and resources to drive world-changing innovation, solutions and transformation in health and health care. We raise and manage funds from generous donors and partners to advance all areas of patient care and research. The University Hospital Foundation is a community-led organization that supports the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, as well as medical research at the University of Alberta. We are the catalyst between academia and the health system, leveraging charitable and sponsorship dollars as our fuel. Through these investments, research and health technology innovations are realized, products commercialized and jobs created.
BAA: Leverage Your Alumni Network and Leave a Legacy
Friday, March 12, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 PM MST | 2:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Kristel Owens will be covering how-to network and connect with your alumni family, how to get your dream job, embracing change, the importance of building a network and building up women around you.
Serena Myles began her career in sales within the automotive industry at the Network of Empowered Women Conference in 2015. After attending NEW for the second year in a row, Serena had the opportunity to meet a key sponsor, Ford Motor Company of Canada. Five years later, Serena not only landed a summer internship, but has earned her fourth role within Ford of Canada as a Dealer Sales Manager, paving the foundation for her career. As a Dealer Sales Manager, Serena acts as a consultant to 13 Ford dealerships in the Interior of British Columbia assisting them with improving their sales, market share and consumer experience.Upon graduating with her BCom from UAlberta, Serena wanted to broaden her skillset and reconnect with her UAlberta family, which is what led her to volunteer with the BAA in 2019 as a member of the Communications committee. Passionate about her experience, this volunteer role turned into a Board of Director position. Committed to lifelong learning, Serena is currently a part time UAlberta MBA student, with an anticipated convocation of summer 2022. In addition to her school and volunteering efforts, Serena is dedicated to creating safe spaces and fostering community at work. Her most recent effort includes co-founding Ford's first Western Canadian women's group, where she will be facilitating discussion regarding women working in a male dominant industry, challenges, lessons and helping build a supportive community. Lastly, Serena has been chosen to be a member of Ford’s 30 under 30 program within North America, where she will be working with a not for profit organization for the next year to help with their organizational goals.
Serena Myles
Communications Committee Member
Business Alumni Association
BP: Navigating the Pandemic as a Woman
Friday, March 12, 2021
3:00 - 4:00 PM MST | 5:00 - 6:00 PM EST
Come join BP Energy’s trio of empowered women, as they explore how to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and leave a legacy along the way.
Mrs. DeFrancesco has a Master of Science in Financial Engineering and undergraduate business degrees in Finance, Supply Chain, and Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her 5 years at BP, she has had the pleasure of serving in a rotation program gaining experience as a Charterer, Gasoline Analyst, and Carbon Analyst. Last year, she was recognized for automating a third-party platform by writing an app in PowerApps saving $250k/yr.
Ariel DeFrancesco
Foreign Exchange Trader
BP
Mary-Margaret Bost
Strategy Manager
BP
Mary-Margaret Bost is the Strategy Manager for Gas & Power Trading Americas, the group within BP that is responsible for the marketing and trading of natural gas, power, and natural gas liquids across the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Within this capacity, Ms. Bost develops and implements business unit level strategy. Ms. Bost has been with BP for 14 years and has held a variety of roles, serving as the Business Manager for the SVP of Gas & Power Trading Americas and working in Commercial Development and Business Change. Prior to BP, she worked at Accenture in Management Consulting, focused on Supply and Trading within major integrated oil companies.
Ms. Bost holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, both from Rice University. She is married with two children, ages seven and four. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, Peloton, and traveling (when there is not a raging global pandemic). She is passionate about the advancement of women in business and has spent a considerable amount of her time at BP working on diversity and inclusion initiatives to ensure everyone has the same chance to succeed and bring their whole selves to work.
Katie has been with BP for two years and is currently completing the Graduate Development Program (GDP) within Trading and Shipping, with a focus on Marketing and Origination. Katie graduated with BBA in Energy Commerce from Texas Tech University, and an MBA from Eastern New Mexico University. Prior to joining the GDP program, Katie worked as a Landman for a mid-sized energy company.
Katie Lingafelter
Marketing and Origination Graduate
BP
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton: How to Find the Right Career Path
Saturday, March 13, 2021
1:00 - 2:00 PM MST | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST
Learn about how to find the right career path with Dr. Ann-Marie Reddy, with her many years of experience and variety of career paths.
Dr. Ann-Marie Reddy is proud and honoured to be the President and CEO of Habitat for Human- ity Edmonton. With over 25 years of experience in the financial, entertainment and conference, and marketing sectors, Ann-Marie is now using her knowledge and expertise to help families transition from subsidies and market rent to affordable home ownership. Ann-Marie considers herself and life-long learner. She completed her BA from the University of Winnipeg in 2001, MBA in 2009 and in 2014 defended her dissertation graduating with Distinction in Doctorate of Business, specializing in strategy and innovation. As a community minded member Ann-Marie has volunteered with numerous organizations such as Critical Incident Stress Team, Teen Moms and Dads, Volunteer Fire Fighter, Family Resource Centre, ViCLAS at the RCMP Winnipeg D Division, Alberta Symphony, Greenwood Player Theatre Troup, and also worked part time reserve
in the Canadian Military as a 2nd Lieutenant. Ann-Marie currently resides in Sherwood Park, Alberta with her husband, Mom and Dad and three West Highland Terriers
Dr. Ann-Marie Reddy
President and CEO
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
About Habitat for Humanity Edmonton
Habitat for Humanity Edmonton brings communities together to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable home ownership.
Cenovus: Social media - How to Amplify Your Voice, Influence and Avoid Negativity
Saturday, March 13, 2021
2:00 - 3:00 PM MST | 4:00 - 5:00 PM EST
Colleen Houston and Tony Rino will be speaking on how to amplify your voice, influence and avoiding negativity on social media, drawing from their personal experiences in Communications and Public Relations with Cenovus.
As Group Lead, Digital, Brand and Content with Cenovus Energy, Colleen is a well-rounded communications professional, specializing in brand development, digital marketing and social media. With over a decade in the oil and natural gas industry, Colleen spent nine years overseeing content, creative and digital at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and used her strong strategic communications to improve public opinion and positively influence the brand and reputation of the industry. She has received several awards for her work including the 2013 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Award for CAPP’s national advertising campaign and the 2019 IABC Gold Quill Award for CAPP's online publication, Context: Energy Examined. She was also nominated for an Alberta Film and Television Award for her work on oil sands and natural gas virtual reality experiences.
Colleen Houston
Group Lead, Digital, Brand and Content
Cenovus Energy
Tony is a communications and public relations professional, specializing in social media and digital communications. In his 30+ years in communications, Tony has worked in television production, corporate web development and has spent the past 12 years specializing in corporate digital and social media. He has developed strategy and launched social media channels for government, utility and energy companies. In 2018, Tony received an International Association of Business Communicators Gold Quill Award for his corporate digital marketing work and in 2020 he received a Platinum Hermes Award for developing a major oil and gas company’s social media strategy. Tony holds a Bachelor of Communications Studies from the University of Calgary and is a Master of Arts degree candidate in Communications and Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax. His academic research paper on dealing with negative comments on social media was published in the McMaster Journal of Communication in 2020. Tony is also a trained opera singer who has performed in professional stage productions and whose music is available on streaming services. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, Tony is a positive collaborator who loves working in teams that want to make a difference. And, he’s a proud grandpa! You can connect with Tony on LinkedIn or follow him on twitter at @pastayoyo
Tony Rino
Social Media and Digital Communications Specialist
Cenovus Energy
About Cenovus
We’re a Canadian-based integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary. We’re committed to maximizing value by sustainably developing our assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into our business plans.
We operate in Canada, the United States and the Asia Pacific region. Our operations include oil sands projects in northern Alberta, thermal and conventional crude oil and natural gas projects across Western Canada, crude oil production offshore Newfoundland and Labrador and natural gas and liquids production offshore China and Indonesia. Cenovus’s downstream operations include upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States.
Our shares trade under the symbol CVE, and are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
On January 1, 2021 Cenovus Energy acquired Husky Energy. The combined company is the third largest Canadian oil and natural gas producer and the second largest Canadian-based refiner and upgrader.
