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PM 40023292
Call Today...780-423-2020
ALBERTA’SLARGEST
INDEPENDENTPAGING
COMPANY
T H E P E R S O N A L I T Y O F B U S I N E S S I N T H E C A P I T A L R E G I O N
2 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
with Mark & Martyello to you and hello to spring.
No doubt this is a far-fetchedthought. Bear with me on this… I was at a
jam session with members of local band ‘The Hacks’the other day. They have a great shot of The Beatleson their studio wall. Well, we got to talking and maybea little drinkin’ and it was decided that it is time forRingo and Paul to put out a tune or two together. They
were a killer rhythm section. I would be very sad ifthey didn’t fire it up one more time before it is too late.So there Ringo, Paul—the gauntlet has been throwndown. That should do it….
Now on to other things…I have been quite busy atfundraisers as of late.Considering the shape of theeconomy, I am happy to reportthat the last three events Ihosted have made money fortheir causes.
The 2009 Alzheimer BenefitDinner of Nations was held atthe Crowne Plaza on Friday the13th. This event pits localcelebrities against each other asthey try to raise the most moneyin tips. This year’s event sawCITYTV’s Michele McDougall,Jesse Lipscomb, Global’sDaintre Christensen, Andrew Misle, CISN’s ChrisScheetz and Ched’s MR. Brian Hall go head to head.Some highlights include: MLA Thomas Lukazukleading his table with a $800 dollar bid to mess upHallsy’s hair. No go. “Not enough,” said Hallsy. Out ofthe corner of my eye, just after Michele drove a dinnerroll off my head, I witnessed Chris dressed as a womanin order to raise some cash. The bun off my head wasordered by one of Michele’s tables. The winner of the
waiter contest was Chris. Word was that they raisedover $90,000.
The Edmonton Chapter of the Ireland-CanadaChamber of Commerce held its second annual St.Patrick’s Day Ball at the Sutton Place Hotel on the14th of March. Great news. The entire room wasinvolved with naming a new education endowmentfund. The Edmonton Journal’s Nick Lees put up an18-year old bottle of Jameson Whiskey to the personwho came up with the new name. The winner of thehooch is Tony Flanaghan of Amalgamated Mining.He came up with the name, The Wild GeeseEndowment Fund. He also put his money where hismouth is… won a bidding war against ChamberPresident Colm O’Carroll for a trip across the Atlanticon the Queen Mary 2. Flanaghan wound up paying
$5100 for the trip. Roxanneand Patrick Devaney ofSherlock Holmes/Rose &Crown and my new localwatering hole Devaney’s putthe trip up of auction.
Hats off to the co-chairsof the ‘Sips, Sticks andStilettos’ event. DougGoss and Dr. BobWestbury held a fantastic event atErnest’s Dining Room at NAIT. The nightwas a fundraiser supporting the B2Tenorganization and the Ladies First Hockey
Foundation. Both these organizations help our nation’sathletes and the women’s national hockey team reachtheir Olympic goals.
Those in attendance included big supporters likePremier Ed Stelmach, Angus Watt, Don Metz, BruceSaville, John Day, and Irv and Dianne Kipnes.Guests enjoyed a night of fantastic food and wine aswell as a live auction, and a hot stove hosted by CBC’sCassie Campbell with members of our woman’snational hockey team. A special highlight was when
clothier Sam Abouhassan paid $1000 to have a phototaken with all the members of the hockey team. A verynice contribution even after he donated a custom madesuit for the auction. Watch for our Premier wearing anice suit.
Blast from the past. He left our city as a captainand landed in Vancouver via Regina as a major. I raninto the Salvation Army’s Major Brian Venables at itsWestern Canada Public Relations & DevelopmentRetreat in Kananaskis. He is the divisional secretaryfor PR and development in Vancouver. He did somegreat work for our city and BC is lucky to have him.
Coming up… The Spirit of Spring FashionShow and Luncheon is set to go Sunday, April 19th. Itis a sure sign of spring. There’s also a silent auction.You will see many local guest models strut their stuffin cloths from Blu’s Womens Wear, C’est Sera, Derk’sMenswear, Night Owl and TK Clothing Co., to name afew. Hair by Lorenzo Lawrence Salon. The event issupporting McDougall House, which is a recoveryhome for women. Tickets at participating stores or780.498.6216
The 5th Annual Jeans & JerseyDinner and Auction in
support of theAlberta DiabetesFoundation will rollSaturday, April 25th.A night of comedy,live and silentauctions, great food,and pending playoffsspecial guest andhonorary chair AndrewCogliano, #13 of theOilers. No worries withwhat to wear—just put onyour favourite sportsjersey and a pair of jeans.The event will take place
at the Sawmill Banquet Centre. For info and tickets,get hold of Angela at [email protected] or780.492.8702. I really like the whole concept of ADF:The whole mandate is to raise money and find a cure.Period. √
Mark Scholz, owner of MES Communications Inc.offers a variety of services including production,creative and entertainment. For more information orto suggest a story idea, [email protected]
HHPaul & Ringo
the Queen Mary 2
Brian Hall
Andrew Cogliano
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 3
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
heir faces and voices are familiar to mostEdmontonians. They come into our livingrooms and join us in our vehicles. But, howmuch do we really know about the wonderfuland talented ladies in Edmonton media? I
decided to find out about eight of them in radio andtelevision. I fired off the same questions to each of them,and happily share their candid responses with readers. Inthe interest of fairness, they are presented in alphabeticalorder.
SEANNA COLLINS– EZ Rock Mornings/Global EdmontonHometown: Born in Edmonton, raised in CalgaryYears here: 22 years… since September 1987Hobbies/distractions: I have very limited free time butwhen I do, I enjoy gardening, the theatre, walking with mydog, watching movies, dinner with my husband andfriends… plus running my ladies group Babes WithoutBabes.Best part of being a media celebrity: I admit it... thespecial treatment and perks that often come along with thejob and also being able to lend my name, voice and skills tocharities that need extra help.Worst part of your job: Getting up before the birds, nevergetting enough sleep or having enough time... and havingto deal with people who are overly judgmental, critical andnever really hear what you say, only what they think yousaid. Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters: Growsome thick skin, set your goals high and be confident thatyou can achieve them, and negotiate a great contract. Favourite Restaurant: Is there a bad one? Sorrentino’s,the Lingnan, Tazza, Il Forno, Violino’s, Mayfield DinnerTheatre, the King and I… so many more.Other women you look up: I am blessed to know somany wonderful women in Edmonton who are friends,acquaintances and business associates. I’d hate to leave outany but some who inspire me are Liz O’Neill of BigBrothers Big Sisters, Judy Harcourt of Harcourt &Associates, Susan Reade of SONIC FM, Lynda Steele ofGlobal Edmonton, my personal friend Pat Williams... andthe late Lois Hole and Eleanor Clark.
NICOLA CROSBIE– Global EdmontonWeatherHometown: Duncan,B.C. A lovely littletown in the CowichanValley on VancouverIslandYears here: 3 1/2years Hobbies/distractions: Sewing,baking, workingout… mad about golf,tennis, running,reading, writing forpleasure… my two beautiful childrenBest part of being a media celebrity: It thrills my girlsthat their friends see their mom on TV—but to them I’mjust “Mummy”Worst part of your job: Everyone knowing if I make amistake at my job... and having a bad hair day in front ofthe whole city.Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters: Takeany job you can in media and do it with excellence. Istarted with wheeling a video tape trolley around anewsroom... but I did it really well and was given otheropportunities. Always be pleasant and don’t gossip.
Other women you look up to: Dr. Helen Steed, surgeonand gynecological oncologist. She does amazing work inresearch at the Royal Alex, helping women with ovarianand other female reproductive cancers. She’s young, a busymother of two and a marathon runner as well.
CARRIE DOLL –CTV EdmontonHometown: I’m anorthern Alberta girlYears here: 13 yearsHobbies: I love totravel and my familyand I squeeze in tripswhere we can. We alsolove the outdoors andspend a lot of time inthe mountains hiking,biking and skiing. I’malso returning to mymusical roots. I studiedclassical piano for 10
years but put it on the back burner when I went touniversity. I’ve rediscovered my passion for it and recentlybought both a piano and a guitar.Distractions: My son. It’s hard to get anything done whenhe’s around because we have so much fun together! MyBlackberry—I use it for everything including as an alarmclock, e-mail and now Twitter.Best part of being a media celebrity: My job enables meto meet/interview/chat with a lot of wonderful people…from the amazing kids I meet through my charity work atthe Stollery Children’s Hospital to those in our communitywho show courage and leadership, and confront life’schallenges quietly and with conviction... to interviews I’vedone with celebrities like former U-S President BillClinton. It’s the people that make this job great.Worst part of your job: The news by nature is negativeand sometimes that negativity can wear on me. That’s whymy co-anchor Daryl McIntyre and I seize the lightermoments in our newscast where we can laugh and have alittle funAdvice for up-and-coming female broadcasters:Immerse yourself in the industry. Watch/listen/readeverything you can on a daily basis. Embrace long hours(there will be lots of them) and get involved in yourcommunity by volunteering your time. Finally, if you’re notreally passionate about the work, choose another career.The pressure is intense and the feedback in not alwayskind.Favourite restaurant: Sorry. I honestly can’t pick just one.I tried… can’t do it… too many favourites. Other women you look up to: My Mom. She had 10children—enough said. I will forever admire Lois Hole-even though she’s no longer with us—mother, successfulbusiness woman, Lieutenant-Governor. She seemed tostrike the right balance in everything she did. Also womenwhose husbands and children serve in the line of duty.
GILLIAN FOOTE – The BearHometown: Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia—the smaaaalltown on this season’s The Week the Women Went on CBCYears here: 5 YearsHobbies/distractions: Social butterfly...always out andabout at events in the city. Host the Rush Lacrosse Leagueat Rexall. Concert goer, charity events, traveling, always onthe go.Best part of being a media celebrity: Meeting greatpeople and doing cool/exclusive things are awesome, butbeing able to use my profile as a platform to help othersthrough charity events like Stollery broadcasts… raisingmoney for our community is near and dear to me.Worst part of your job: If I had to name one thing, itwould be my alarm ringing so early in the morning. Itnever gets easy...especially being busy during theworkweek, which is very common.Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters: First ofall, have fun. There’s no other industry like this one. Get toknow your community, be open-minded, flexible, workhard on your profile and get out there. Develop thick skinand don’t burn any bridges. It’s all about ‘touching hands’,networking, and meeting great people.Favourite restaurant: Piccolino’s, The ThanhThanh andMikado
Other women you look up to: I respect many women inmedia in this market; however, the woman I look up tomost and admire isn’t in the media. She’s a nurse at TheStollery and her heart and soul are committed to that place.It blows me away to hear some of her stories and how shetouches peoples lives in the smallest ways, and how thepatients and their families touch her. She learns so muchfrom them and knows not to take things for granted. It’s apowerful feeling when you touch a person’s life. Lovingwhat you do for a living and giving back is the ultimate.
JACKIE RAE GREENING– CFCWHometown: St. Albert—born & raised and still livethere.Years here: When I wasgetting started in thebusiness, worked in RedDeer and Drumheller, beenworking in Edmonton for20 years.Hobbies/distractions:Curling. Curling. And…curling.Best part of being a media celebrity: The different andinteresting people I get to meet from celebrities to non-celebrities.Worst part of your job: When I used to do the morningshow, emceeing a charity event until late at night and thenhaving to get up at 3am.Advice to up-and-coming female broadcasters: Workhard, have fun.Favourite restaurant: Sicilian Pasta Kitchen on JasperAvenue.Other women you look up to: My Mom where I learnedmy love of sports and volunteering. Lois Hole… growingup in St. Albert, we used to go out and pick peas at theHole’s. As I watched her become our L.G., I was soimpressed that she didn’t change from the person I knew.
J’LYN NYE – Joe Morning ShowHometown: I call Sault. Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay,Ontario home—depending on which parent I’m visiting.Years here: 8 plus… since December of 2000Hobbies/distractions: Love to read, love to write (bookcomes out this fall, being published by Key Porter)… Lovemusic, motivational speaking, hanging out with my twodogs Tim and Neil, working out, renovating my house, anda good bottle of red wine.Best part of being a media celebrity: Um, good tables atrestaurants. LOL. No, the best part is the people I get tomeet… the wonderful experiences I have had because ofmy job. I love meeting people, hearing their stories. I lovekeeping the people of Northern Alberta entertained andinformed. I consider myself very lucky to have had 18wonderful years in television and now a great job in radioin the city I love.Worst part of my job: Getting up at 3 am. Actually, it isn’tthat bad. I think the toughest part of the media gig has beensome of the comments over the years about my hair, myclothes, my weight.. It always amazes me some peoplehave no problem being very nasty to a person they’ve nevermet.My advice to other up and coming female broadcasters:I truly believe if you don’t have a passion for your job youwill never succeed. Find that passion and unleash it—whether it’s reporting, producing, writing, anchoring orbehind a radio mic. Give everything you have, every day.And develop a very thick skin. You’ll need it.Favourite restaurant: My new favourite is Bistecca Italiaat 23rd Avenue and 111 Street and Café Deville on 124thStreet.Other women you look up to: Without a doubt LyndaSteele. She is the consummate professional and I considerher one of the best in the business: not only an incrediblejournalist but an incredible friend as well. Also, I look up toany woman who has the confidence in herself to takechances… to take a leap of faith and do whatever it takes tomake her life complete and happy. Strong, confidentwomen are empowering to others.
TT
Continued on page 18
4 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
STATIONany of us are on the quest to find that special someone, but life is busyand it can be difficult to find the time to meet that perfect partner onour own. To compensate, new forms of matchmaking are constantlyemerging and becoming increasingly popular. This month’s Poll Station
focused on the new ways of dating.
With Linda Banister
PollPoll
FOUNDERDICK MacLEAN
APRIL 2009Vol. XX
Published by 399620 Alberta Ltd. on the first day of eachmonth at C-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th StreetEdmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8. ©All rights reserved. Nopart of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced inany form without written permission from the publisher.
Manuscripts: must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Edmontonians is not responsible forunsolicited manuscripts.
All stories Copyright ©Edmontonians
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023292Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:Circulation DepartmentC-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th StreetEdmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8Email: [email protected]
SHARON MacLEANPublisher and Advertising Director
Telephone: 780.482.7000Fax: 780.488.9317
e-mail: [email protected]
INSIDEVOX POPMark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Marty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3POLL STATIONMatch making/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
WOMEN IN BUSINESSSalute/List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Alyssa Haunholter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Katie Soles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Norene Stasiewich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Marcela Manderville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Westcorp Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Leanne Krawchuk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Melissa Dunkley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Miller Thomson LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Quantum Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Gail Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Suit Yourself/Pullishy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
THE BUSINESS OF LOVECounselling/Jespersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
VISIONARIESKerr/Gazin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Armour/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Briefs/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Social Media/Schwabe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
BARB DETERSEditor
COLUMNISTSLinda Banister
John BerryLinda Bodo
Cheryl CroucherMarty Forbes
Muggsy ForbesBruce Hogle
Ryan JespersenDavid Norwood
Erin RaynerMark Scholz
Walter SchwabeNizar J. Somji
FEATURE WRITERSNJ Brown
Barb DetersGreg GazinRick Lauber
Peter Drake McHughMarg. Pullishy
PHOTOGRAPHERSTerry Bourque
Barb DetersCindy GannonMurray Sielski
SPECIAL PROJECTSEdmontonians Transformers
Tom BradshawLes Brost
Steffany HanlenLarry Ohlhauser
GRAPHIC PRODUCTIONRage Studios Inc.
THIS MONTH’S COVER
Kim KerrReal & Virtual
Photo by Terry Bourque
No. 4
2020YEARS
C E L E B R A T I N G
MMWHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC IN A MATE OR PARTNER?
To begin the survey, respondents were asked to identify what theybelieved to be the most important characteristic in a mate or partner.The most frequent answer was honesty (31 percent), followed bycompatibility (14 percent), personality (10 percent), trust/loyalty(nine percent) and compassion (eight percent). Appearance wasonly mentioned by two percent of the respondents, and 11 percentwere unable to provide a response.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MEET SOMEONE?
Next, respondents were asked for the best way or place for someone tomeet a prospective date. Most frequently, respondents thought meetingsomeone through their friends was the best way (20 percent).Respondents also mentioned work (15 percent), through hobbies andclubs (nine percent), at a social event (eight percent), or at church (sixpercent). Interestingly, 30 percent of respondents did not know the bestway or place to meet a prospective mate or partner.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUTDIFFERENT DATING SERVICES?Before respondents were asked about a number of differentdating services, they were asked if they believed there were anynegative perceptions surrounding dating services in general. Sixtypercent believed there were, while 27 percent indicated theybelieved there were not.
Respondents were then asked if they, or someone they knew,had ever used an online dating service. Sixty percent indicatedthey did. Interestingly, the same question was asked back in2006. Since then, there has been approximately a 30 percentincrease in respondents that have tried it, or have known someonewho has (61 percent versus 31 percent in 2006). Of theserespondents, 85 percent ended up dating, or knew someone whohad dated, the person they met through the online dating service(compared to 81 percent in 2006). Furthermore, 48 percentmarried, or knew someone who married, the person they metonline.
Respondents were then asked about speed dating, where menand women rotate to meet each other over a series of short“dates”, usually lasting from three to eight minutes. Not quite aspopular, only 14-percent indicated they, or someone they knew,had participated in speed dating. Of these respondents, 43 percentindicated they had, or known someone who has, dated the personthey met while speed dating; of those, one person married theperson they met.
Finally, respondents were asked if they, or someone they knew,had ever used a professional dating service to meet a prospectivepartner. Eighteen percent indicated they had tried a datingservice. Of these respondents, 94 percent dated, or knewsomeone who had dated, the person they met; and 40 percentmarried, or knew someone who married, the person they metthrough the service. √
Monthly Poll Station Online QuestionVisit www.edmontonians.com to register your opinion
Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?Contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail
Linda Banister is a certified management consultant and the ownerof Banister Research and Consulting Inc., a full service provider ofmarket research and program evaluation services.Visit www.banister.ab.ca.
Perc
ent
Perc
ent
31%
20%
30%
15%9%
8% 6%
14%10% 9% 8%
2%Said honestywas the most
important
Said meetingsomeone through
mutual friends
Said meetingsomeone through
work
Said meetingsomeone through
hobbies/clubs
Said meetingsomeone through
social events
Said meetingsomeone through
church
Said they didn’tknow the best wayto meet someone
Said compatibilitywas the most
important
Said personalitywas the most
important
Said trust/loyaltywere the most
important
Said compassionwas the most
important
Said appearancewas the most
important
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EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 5
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
6 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
MELISSA DUNKLEYCo-President, Master Coach Trainer
Results Now Inc.13 Desjardins TerraceSt. Albert T8N 5T9
www.resultsnowinc.com
Quantum SpeedHigh Performance Skating Systems
STEFFANY HANLENOwner & Founder
Speaker & Performance Coach780.436.4159
VANESSA HETTINGERGeneral Manager & Master Instructor
www.quantumspeed.ca
ALYSSA HAUNHOLTERVice-President of Government Relations
North West Capital780.504.2623
LEANNE C. KRAWCHUKPartner
Parlee McLaws LLPBarristers & Solicitors
Patent & Trademark Agents 1500 Manulife Place, 10180-101 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4K1 780.423.8625 Fax: 780.423.2870
MARCELA MANDEVILLEPrograms & External Relations Manager
Alberta Women Entrepreneurs#100-10237-104 Street
Edmonton, Alberta 780.422.1410
KATIE SOLESPresident
Soles and Company1363 Falconer Road
Edmonton, Alberta T6R 2C5780.433.8936
NORENE STASIEWICHFounder & CEO
Pivit, Inc.780.660.4838780.471.1845
GAIL A. TAYLOR, CIMAVice-President, Investment Advisor
The Gail Taylor Investment Groupof CIBC Wood Gundy
1780 Manulife Place, 10180-101 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S4
780.498.5078 • [email protected]
www.gailtaylor.com
Westcorp Properties Inc.JANE BARRIGAN JESS
General Manager Metterra Hotel on Whyte
10454-82 AvenueEdmonton, Alberta T6E 4Z7
www.metterra.com
JOANN KIRKLAND General Manager
Matrix Hotel10640-100th Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1J1780.429.2861
DONICA WILKIE-MORROW General Manager
Varscona Hotel on Whyte8208-106 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 6R9780.434.6111
Miller Thomson LLPBarristers & Solicitors
Patent & Trade-Mark Agents 2700 Commerce Place
10155 - 102 StreetEdmonton, Alberta T5J 4G8
Fax: 780.424.5866www.millerthomson.com
JESSICA BUCKWOLDAssociate
MARIA CHAUStudent-at-Law780.429.9737
CAROLINE COOPERAssociate
WENDI CROWEPartner
FIONA FJELDHEIMAssociate
DRAGANA SANCHEZ GLOWICKIAssociate
SANDRA HAWESPartner
TANIS JALBERTAssociate
DEBRA CURCIO LISTERPartner
TERESA MEADOWSPartner
ROBYN MEARAStudent-at-Law780.429.9744
MONIQUE PETRIN NICHOLSONAssociate
CHARMA STANGAssociate
CONNIE TAYLORPartner
LAUREN TORESONAssociate
ANALEA WAYNEAssociate
DALE WESTONAssociate
his fourth annual edition ofEdmontonians devoted to womenin business is our largest. Itreflects the growing number ofwomen who are entering the
professions... starting thier own businesses...making a difference in our community andcountry.
Within all industry sectors, women are movinginto areas that require higher education. Ourknowledge based economy not only providesgreater opportunities, but also more diversechallenges for women entrepreneurs. As newtechnologies emerge, so does the need to keepinformed... to improve products and services... toexpand to new markets.
Interestingly, many women entrepreneurseducate themselves as they build their businesses,and many start up with no business-relatedtraining. Some feel they don’t need courses thatteach them traditional approaches; they arelooking for creative new models that are moreflexible and more likely to suit their particularcircumstances.
Two resources are at the forefront of “self-education”: The Internet has opened doors to alimitless wealth of information, managementtools, and networking opportunities. Access toother business women and support groups iseasier than ever before.
Generally, women are more willing to sharetheir successes and failures with other women.
There are a number of local and nationalorganizations that offer networkingopportunities, role-modeling and mentoring, andcareer resources among other services to womenin business. In addition, sector-specific groupsand larger corporations provide programs andleadership forums.
Women are also more likely to embark onjourneys of “self-discovery”... working withconsultants or coaches to improve theirperformance levels and strengthen theirpresentation skills.
Edmontonians proudly profiles this year’sWomen in Business—a diverse and dynamiccollection of executives and entrepreneurs whosecareers and lives are inspiring. √
TTWomen in BusinessWomen in Business
SALUTE TO4th Annual
Featuring
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 7
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
lyssa Haunholter is a motivated 29-year old—with somewhat of a feisty streak. Sheʼs driven by challenges withoutboundaries.
“I donʼt know what my limits are, and I am going to do everything I can to keep pushing them until I get to thatpoint,” she says. “If I have something I can contribute, I am going to contribute until someone tells me I canʼt…
even when they do, that will likely drive me even more.” These are exhilarating times for Alyssa and the companies she works for. She is Vice-President of Government
Relations for North West Capital Inc., North West Upgrading Inc. and Enhance Energy Inc. “North West Capital is aventure capitalist firm with the foresight to pursue business development and investment opportunities in the energysector where technical complexity is often a deterrent for others. Four years ago, that vision led to the beginning plansof designing a world scale upgrading and refining business, North West Upgrading, and an enhanced oil recovery
business, Enhance Energy.“North West Upgrading is building an upgrader in Albertaʼs Industrial Heartland to upgrade bitumen into the clean fuels
that Albertans need, using technology that is able to create pure capture-ready CO2. Enhance Energy is developing one ofthe largest carbon capture and storage projects in the world that would use the CO2 produced from upgrading and other
industrial activity for enhanced oil recovery and secure CO2 storage,” she expains. With todayʼs heavily-debatedenvironmental concerns, these are hot topics, indeed.
As a child, Alyssaʼs life goals were varied: “Although I always contemplated various career paths including law, medicine,business and politics, I feel fortunate because my choices thus far have exposed me to all those disciplines. I always
knew that I needed a challenge… to prove to myself that I could be faced with any obstacle and find a way toovercome it.”
Alyssa pursued studies at the University of Alberta. “I took a degree in Sociology and Political Science.”She was exceptionally busy, piggy-backing her own painting company jobs with her classes. “I keptthinking that I was going into the business side of things, but always had a passion for
politics and policy.”
That passion led her to an impressive career experience with Iris Evans,now minister of Alberta Finance and Enterprise. “I was her executiveassistant, chief of staff and senior policy advisor and we worked togetherin three different portfolios.” Those years were nothing short of “amazing”and remembered fondly.
There are few empty slots in Alyssaʼs daytimer and her Blackberry is seldom idle. The self-confessed workaholic—not her favourite term, by the way—recognizes her priorities, knowswhat is important. “I probably would say that prioritizing my personal life is not as easy to doas prioritizing my professional life. That being said, I will always make time for my familyand friends, no matter what.”
Instead, Alyssa looks at her activity-filled days in a positive light: “When you seeopportunity, the work never ends. I love what I do… and working for two small companiesat the beginning stages of a business, we donʼt have a large team and there are not a lotof people to delegate things to, so we all work off our own strengths, and do everything ittakes to get things done. We believe in our business and that is the driving force.”
Alyssa, an Edmontonians ̓Sizzling Twenty under 30 in 2007, wants “to be part ofsomething big. I want to contribute to making this world a better place in some capacity
and, whether that is working with companies whose vision and mandate are aligned with myown personal philosophies, consulting, working with governments or on policy...
“I think at the end of the day, we just have to have our eyes on what makes us happy.” √
nergy and passion are not the only descriptors that come to mind when Katie Soles describes what she does for a living;they are just the most immediate. Within just a few minutes of talking with her, itʼs readily apparent that she is invested—heart and soul—in the belief that change, when consciously, carefully, and creatively managed, is a powerful tool forachieving positive results in industry, business or government.
It is this very foundation on which Soles and Company has been facilitating results-driven change—whether in thecontext of corporate culture or social programs, mergers and acquisitions, or broad visions for the future—for over 20 years. Asan “expert in the psychology of change,” Katie describes the process as “unlocking the best thinking of all the people we areworking with—whether they are on the ground or at higher levels—and putting those ideas into motion in a constructiveway.” To that end, Soles and Company custom tailors its services to clients ̓needs. Rather than relying on permanentemployees, Katie says, “We deliberately assemble a constellation of the best players in the business and build an all-star team for every project.”
This approach has clearly paid off for both the company and its clients: Counted among the companyʼs manysuccesses is the delivery of a Leadership Summit for Indiaʼs Fortune 100 companies. On the social front, it has lentits expertise to such issues as homelessness and safe communities. The company has gained recognition bothlocally and internationally for its groundbreaking work, and Katie herself has won several awards that recognizeentrepreneurial excellence.
Being the “captain of her own ship” is something that, in many ways, comes naturally. “I first learned businessat my fatherʼs knee,” Katie recalls. “I grew up in Calgary during the first boom, and I watched my dad go frombeing a coal miner to vice-president of an oil company. Because of him, I am equally comfortable in theboardroom or on the shop floor.” Add to this a Masters of Organizational Behaviour, a Bachelor of PhysicalEducation and Leisure Studies, and various jobs in government, and the net result is a strong base of boththeoretical and practical knowledge. And it is this combination of theory and pragmatism that characterizes the“grace and elegance in simple processes, current procedures, and timeless principles” that Soles andCompany has become known for. “The magic is in knowing what is needed when and being able to build ateam to deliver that.”
But Katieʼs energy and passion donʼt just begin and end with business. In digging deeper, it becomes evidentthat she is equally passionate about life. And, as with most successful entrepreneurs, balance is important toher. In describing her approach to life, Katie admits, “I have learned lately that itʼs not so much about timemanagement as it is about energy management—managing energy so that it encompasses the spiritual,emotional, physical, and mental.” Part of this energy management is the conscious development of social relationships.Hence her unofficial membership in an unofficial group unofficially coined “FINE”—Friends in Need of Excitement—which exists for the sole purpose of gathering its members together once a month to “do something out of the norm.”And, let there be no mistake, when Katie says “out of the norm” sheʼs not talking Karaoke—sheʼs talking more alongthe lines of bungee jumping and sky diving. Howʼs that for energy?
If change is an indication of anything, it is an indication of movement and growth. It is Katie Soles ̓job to ensurethat the movement is forward and the growth is positive. And itʼs a job she does extremely well, not only because ofher knowledge, education, and experience, but also because of her passion for life, her rapport with people, and hertalent for not only managing, but embracing, change. √
Unlocking
By Rick Lauber
By NJ Brown
AA
Photo by Terry Bourque
EEthe best thinkingthe best thinking
Photo by Cindy Gannon
Alyssa Haunholter
Katie Soles
8 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
hey have high symbolic significance and hang above many beds.According to legend, Aboriginal dreamcatchers bestow pleasant dreams,good luck and lifetime harmony. Good spirit dreams pass through thecentre of the hanging web and flow down the dangling feathers to theperson sleeping under the dreamcatcher. Nightmares are caught in the
web and disappear with the morning light.Business dreams, specifically, can go unfulfilled—lack of financing, self-confidence
and/or training can be a nightmare. Now, Alberta Women for Entrepreneurs (AWE), anon-profit association, is here to mentor, support and guide women in the pursuit oftheir aspirations.
Further to this mandate, AWE is now offering NextStep to Success, createdspecifically to assist Albertaʼs Aboriginal women. Marcela Mandeville, Programs andExternal Relations Manager, handles much of the administration and marketing forthe program. “This program is an ideal way to celebrate success, to share experienceand to encourage Aboriginal women to develop businesses that will positively impactcommunities and, ultimately, Albertaʼs economy.
“In addition to providing learning and financial resources, the program will connectwomen with or without entrepreneurial experience and create a supportiveenvironment to pursue viable business ventures,” she adds.
AWEʼs NextStep to Success is an off-shoot of its Business Startup program. Duringthe pilot project last year, “AWE connected with 50 Aboriginal women from across theprovince to share information on entrepreneurship and offer support to women whowanted to create a business. The relationships, comments, and businessdevelopment activities generated during the pilot were very positive.” Marcela sayssession participants explored many avenues including custom-designed embroideryand promotional products, Aboriginal art and supplies, eco-friendly products, pet careas well as public speaking and/or facilitating.
The NextStep to Success program is open to Aboriginal women 18 years of age orolder who live in Alberta and are, or plan to be, the majority owners in a business.Ideas must be sound and the entrepreneur must show a personal commitment tosuccess. Those fulfilling criteria will benefit from valuable services, specifically throughmentoring and coaching. For example, AWE will work with Aboriginal clients todevelop and help implement strong business plans, and to build a network ofresources.
With funding through Western Economic Diversification Canada, AWE can alsooffer non-traditional financing. As well, Alberta Employment and Immigration provided$250,000 toward the program for Aboriginal women entrepreneurs. “NextStep toSuccess offers a specific micro-loan program (up to $10,000) for Aboriginal woman-owned businesses with specialized pre-and post-loan support. We also shareinformation on other development opportunities inthe Aboriginal community that would bebeneficial for clients. NextStep to Successwill include a business planningworkshop series and mentoring circlesto share knowledge and create asupport network for businessdevelopment among women in thecommunity,” explains Marcela.
“Even the best business idea is atrisk of failing without activemarketing. Therefore, visits will beplanned with communities andorganizations that are interested inlearning more about the NextStep toSuccess program.”
Marcela has an impressiveeducational background, havinggraduated with a Bachelor ofCommerce in International Businessfrom the University of Alberta. Shehas worked in research, programmanagement, oil and gas financialanalysis, and as an entrepreneur.She is fluent in English, Frenchand Spanish.
As a “proud member of theSalt River First Nation in FortSmith, Northwest Territories,”Marcela has realized manyof her dreams… and sherelishes the opportunity tohelp her clients follow theirdreams and secure theirfutures. √
For more details onAWEʼs programs, visitwww.awebusiness.com,[email protected],or call 1.800.713.3558.
TT
By Rick Lauber
or Leanne Krawchuk, BComm, LLB, itʼs all about building. But, youʼllbe hard-pressed to find her with a hammer, cordless drill or powersaw in hand.
This smooth, sharp and sophisticated career woman is a legalbeagle and partner with Edmontonʼs office of Parlee McLaws LLP. “I
have specialized in working with clients who are involved in the constructionindustry and assisting in negotiating construction agreements,” Leanneexplains. If there is a new property being constructed, thereʼs a good chancethat sheʼll be involved. Additionally, she is involved with “mergers andacquisitions … the purchase and sale of the business. The other part of mypractice would be involved in securities, public company and privatecompany financings. Then there are takeovers and private placements.”
In the fast-paced world of business, transactions are what appeal toLeanne. “You have a client that you may never have acted for and, within avery short period of time, you do a transaction that typically has a very quickclosing date. You give your core attention to getting the deal done for theclient.” When it comes to the legal field, many will immediately think oflitigation practice. Whereas “litigation goes on for many years typically,”Leanne points out that “four months is a long-time horizon on thecommercial transaction… clients are trying to get deals done in two or threemonths. Often, those transactions are strategic and you help a client growtheir business.”
There is also relationship-building with her clients. “Itʼs not just about thelegal work,” notes Leanne. “You need to take time to invest in getting toknow your clients … I am still a firm believer in talking to your clients on thephone, getting to know them.” Leanne takes the firmʼs “relationship-focused”slogan seriously and strives to develop more of a working friendship with aclient “…so that you can talk about things other than legal matters all thetime.”
Then, there is the family-building. With the long hours involved in herbusiness, Leanne admits this can be difficult: “You have to sacrifice a lot toput in the hours; youʼre sacrificing time away from your family.” Still, shelooks for balance in her life and always manages to find time for husbandGregg Shavchook and their two young boys—a one-and-a-half-year-old andan “almost” six-year old. Being involved with her children, at some level, isvital to Leanne, who has served as “the vice-president of my sonʼsplayschool for a year.” She also tries to instill good values into her children.“I just was at my sonʼs kindergarten class and they had a day in the life ofvarious professions. I think itʼs important to pass along to children that theyfind [a career] that inspires them and, that whatever they do, to work hard atit. You have to have a very strong work ethic… negotiate in good faith… andcertainly be honest.”
Leanne is undoubtedly building her own future with Parlee McLaws LLP. “Iplan to stay where Iʼm at… I love Edmonton and certainly love the firm Iʼmwith and the people that I work with… Iʼm not sure you can find thateverywhere.”
Parlee McLaws LLP is a full-service law firm built on trust and tradition.The first office opened in Calgary in 1883; the Edmonton office opened in1889. Among its many areas of practice, Parlee McLaws specializes incorporate and securities law, commercial real estate, commercial litigation,financial services, and intellectual property and innovation. √
FF
Building
FUTURESBy Rick Lauber
BuildingRelationships…
Photo by Terry Bourque
Photo by Terry BourqueMarcela Mandeville
Leanne Krawchuk
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 9
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
isters are like snowflakes. Each shares similar characteristics, yet eachis uniquely different. So it is with three of Edmontonʼs boutique hotelsand the women who manage them.
The general managers overseeing operations are JoAnn Kirkland atthe Matrix Hotel downtown, Jane Barrigan Jess at the Metterra Hotel andDonica Wilkie-Morrow at the Varscona Hotel, both on Whyte Avenue. The sisterhotels are owned by Westcorp Properties Inc., a locally-based company thatbuilds and manages revenue-generating properties including residential, retail,office, hospitality and mixed-use projects.
This trio agrees that the road to the top in the hotel business can haveinteresting twists and turns. Donica began her formal hospitality career in 1987,and has worked throughout Europe including the French Alps and theMediterranean, and across Canada. In 2004, she took on the position ofDirector of Catering for the Varscona and Metterra. A promotion to OperationsManager for the Varscona in 2007 led to the position of General Manager lastyear.
JoAnn admits she has had “kind of a strange background… I worked inthe education field in the Dominican Republic
and always had a desire to get into thehotel business.” While sharing office spacewith a school counselor, she startedleafing through binders of worldwidecolleges and universities. A hotel schoolin Switzerland caught her eye and “therest is history”.
Jane wanted “to get out in the world”after a career in the printing andpublishing industry. She “pursued thesales side of hotels and was bitten by
the bug.” Dynamic, ambitious and proud areamong the words that describe their
shared personality traits. “Iʼm a very driven hotelier. I expect a lot of my team but I also put a lot of
effort into ensuring the guest experience is fantastic,” explains JoAnn. Likeher colleagues, she is a firm believer in the ʻmanagement-by-walking-around principle.ʼ
“Because youʼre open 24/7,” adds Jane, “your work is never done. Youalways have your guests to think about and to ensure that theyʼre safe andhappy.” And, there is always something to be done—“You never go, ohgood, my in-basket is empty.”
Donica stresses that “one of the key components to our success is ourpeople. We have been very fortunate as GMs to employ some of the mostpassionate individuals in this industry… amazing, high caliber talent.”
Despite a certain level of friendly competition, JoAnn points out that theyeven share resources. “If I have a banquet and I donʼt have enough staff, Iwouldnʼt hesitate to call one of my colleagues and say, ʻCan you help meout?ʼ And they wouldnʼt hesitate to help… thereʼs a really fantasticcamaraderie between our hotels.”
As boutique hotels, each focuses on creating and marketing its ownspecial individuality. According to JoAnn, “More independent companieshave boutique hotels. Theyʼre not mass-produced. They have veryinteresting characteristics that are unlike chain hotels. Thereʼs auniqueness in décor, design and location that differentiates boutique hotelsfrom ʻbig boxʼ hotels.” With management decisions, Jane says, “You canmake a change and turn on a dime. Youʼre not dealing with all the red tapeand having to go through different procedures all the time.”
Long-time Edmonton residents will remember the Matrix Hotel as theformer Inn on Seventh, located on 100th Avenue at 107th Street. It wastreated to an extreme make-over and reopened with 184 guest rooms andall the amenities, including a sprawling 8,500 square feet of meetingspace, and a fitness centre. The Varscona, at Whyte Avenue and 106thStreet, has 89 guest rooms. For conferences, it boasts 3,700 square feetof space with full catering services. The Metterra, just two blocks east on
Whyte, has 98 rooms, unique meeting rooms, abusiness centre and fitness facilities.
At all three Westcorp properties, guests arewelcome to enjoy complimentary deluxecontinental breakfast and evening wine-tasting. Additional perks include free valetparking, high-speed Internet access, satelliteTV, and cozy bathrobes. “A comment weoften hear from our guests at the Varscona isthat the hotel instills a feeling of comfort thatis like being home,” says Donica. “Weʼre all
proud of the welcoming atmosphere thatis provided by our dedicated team of
employees.”So, much like each
unique snowflake whichswirls and dances to theground, these three hotelGMs, along with theirindividual hotel properties,are distinctive. Together,JoAnn Kirkland, JaneBarrigan Jess and DonicaWilkie-Morrow form astrong alliance while theirhotels exist as aconspicuous andcomfortable corporatepresence for businesstravelers and vacationers. √
SS
Checking in…By Rick Lauber
Photo by Terry Bourque
Jane Barrigan Jess
JoAnn Kirkland
Donica Wilkie-Morrow
10 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
friendly smile… a freshly-pressed outfit… a confidanthandshake. All speak volumes when creating apositive first impression. People judge you by yourappearance and conduct, whether in personal or
professional circles. But, these days, others can evaluate you even when you
do not meet face-to-face. With the Internet, individuals andbusinesses are instantly available. Anybody can simplyGoogle your name and be directed to your website. Throughthis incredible tool, others can learn about you and yourproducts or services even from a distance.
That website presence must be easy-to-use, engagingand professional stresses Norene Stasiewich, founder andCEO of Edmontonʼs Pivit, Inc. No spelling mistake here:“Pivit”, a play on words, promises quick turnaround time… the“i-t” refers to the Internet. “You have to adapt to changequickly, especially in our industry and our economy.” Noreneand a virtual team of experts create websites. “We design,build and develop the applications, and then maintain themafterwards.”
In a highly competitive field, good old-fashioned clientservice makes the difference, says Norene. “I think you haveto listen to your clients… and you have to be there to guideand support them.” What is impressive is that she restrictsherself—currently, she is working with about 12 to 15 clients– not too many to be overwhelming nor too many to providesufficient support. Her impressive client list includes The Cityof Edmonton, Edmonton Tourism, Edmonton Airports, theShaw Conference Centre and Edmonton EconomicDevelopment Corporation.
Norene demonstrates a strong work ethic, honedleadership skills, enthusiastic commitment to quality work andconsideration for her clientsʼ overall vision and return oninvestment. These are qualities the independent motherimparts to her 16-year old son, Silvan,whom she proudly describes as “smart,disciplined, and well-rounded in sportsand academics.”
Like many entrepreneurs, Norene alwayswanted to run her own business. “There camea point when I wanted to make my owndecisions and when I wanted to choose how Iwould work with clients. I was looking for somethingnew… and I thought, if I am not going back to thecorporate world to work for someone else, then what?”Pivit didnʼt just come about overnight. “I began contractingmy services in 2000; however, I didnʼt choose to incorporateuntil 2005.” For a first-time business venture, Pivit is purringalong nicely.
Norene truly demonstrates a “you-can” attitude: Nothingis impossible. She doesnʼt consider hers a solo journey. Shethanks her current team of highly skilled individuals, whoexceed project expectations time and time again. She also
credits her business mentors and partners for theirinspiration, as well as her four sisters and extendedStasiewich family for their ongoing support.
First impressions dwindle, so Norene has her 2009plans mapped out. “Pivit will be focusing on existingwork for both our primary and newly-referred clients. Iam also looking to invest additional time on the nextphase of development for the Connect2Edmontonwebsite initiative.” C2E provides a platform for peoplewho are passionate about Edmonton.
With shared opinions, thoughts and concerns aboutour city, the C2E forum can be a vocal and interactiveplace. This ongoing “conversation” often leads toinspired ideas. The newly-created “Ask” forum hasfeatured Reg Milley, president and CEO of EdmontonAirports, as well as Mayor Stephen Mandel—both havebeen available to answer C2E membersʼ questions.“The C2E site currently has just over 5,200 members,nearly 175,000 posts and is visited by over 30countries. We would like to see our membershipdouble by 2010. And, with the upcoming plannedwebsite enhancements, we think this ispossible.”
Noreneʼs drive, persistence, passion andsuperb client-service skills, provide anexcellent package. Step forward boldly…create and maintain that admirable firstand lasting impression. √
AA
By Rick Lauber
Photo by Terry BourqueNorene Stasiewich
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 11
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
elissa Dunkley has no problems withbeing “tough”—itʼs how she brings outthe best in others.
Melissa was only 23 when shestarted her first company with her
husband Blair. They are also the inspiration behindResults Now Inc. which provides professional corporatecoaching and training services. “Weʼre a company that
goes in and
presents corporate alternatives to people issues…identifying their points of pain in their management skills,corporate culture, evolution or deployment,” sheexplains. “Results Now deals with the peopleperformance issues at the behavioral level which dealswith root causes. Weʼre behavior scientists—we knowwhat people need in place for them to want change intheir behaviors.”
Melissaʼs professional training focuses on “leadershipand sales, primarily.” Training programs are available forsmall, medium and large enterprises and “can bedelivered through an individual̓ s request or an initiativewith human resources where they are trying to doleadership competency development, successionplanning or increased performance from employeeperformance reviews,” Melissa continues. Results Nowcan also assist with “re-engineering the corporateculture.”
Over the course of the past 11 years, Melissaʼscompany has performed much good for manyimpressive clients: including J. Angus Watt of NationalBank Financial, Bruce Clark of CCI Industries, DonKasian of Kasian Architecture Interior Design andPlanning and Dr. Larry Ohlhauser, former head of theAlberta College of Physicians and Surgeons, nowauthor of The Healthy CEO and a memberEdmontonians ̓Transformers.
Ironically, it hasnʼt been all good for Melissa herself.“I wasnʼt born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Iactually had a rough childhood… up until 16, I was inseven foster homes and, after that, I finally found awonderful family who adopted me. I went on to getmarried just out of college. Two years later, I waswidowed.
“Right now, Iʼm battling cancer. Iʼm planning onsurviving this… and not being defined by thisillness.” Instead, Melissa puts a positive spin onher diagnosis to inspire and encourage others.In fact, sheʼs an aspiring competitor indressage who works withi Olympic leveltrainers. “As a mother, partner and coachtrainer, Iʼm always looking for ways in whichto role model to people. We have all hadchallenges in our lives, but it is how we riseabove them and are enriched by those
experiences that truly make us leaders.” Melissa is described by her colleagues as a leader
who believes in the fundamental core of people andtheir ability to change behaviors when given support,skills and the opportunity to grow and rise to be at theirbest. “After spending any time with Melissa, whether it isfor a brief moment or whether you are one whoconsiders her a mentor and a friend, your life is neverthe same—forever changed by her passion andpurpose, which leaves you prepared to move touncharted territory with self-confidence and clarity,” sayscolleague and friend Sandra Hojjati.
Melissa achieved her Master Level of Coachingthrough Edmontonʼs Life Skills College, after 1500 hoursin class, two years internship and 30,000 hoursfacilitating training programs across Canada. “Changecan happen in a single moment. A lot of people actuallythink you can change tomorrow; however, this is notpossible. Tomorrow is actually created by the decisionsyou make today.”
And change still lies ahead for Melissa and ResultsNow. “Iʼm growing my business to be the place whereprofessional coaches and corporations can come to…to tap into manuals, books, training programs andfacilities where they can refresh themselves, review skillsets and update themselves on the leading edge withinthe marketplace.
According to Melissa, co-president, we are“developing the product line of our company… weʼreredoing our website to accommodate the books weʼrewriting and video products, allowing people to tap intoour researched technologies. I want Results Now, in thefuture, to be more accessible.”
Melissa is a master of change, both on the personaland professional level. So often, society views change—whether through job loss, family moves or deaths—asnegative. “Itʼs easy enough to allow ourselves to hit abrick wall. The challenge is to take this “bad news” anduse it for future “good”. While uncomfortable, achievingthis mindset is possible; it just sometimes needs a“tough coach” like Melissa to build on the shoulders ofclientʼs positive intentions and realize them throughconcrete skills for effective change. √
For further information, please visit www.resultsnowinc.com. To book acomplimentary assessment session, call us at 780.459.2770.
MM
By Rick Lauber
Changing Behaviours...One client at a timeOne client at a time
Photo by Murray SieleskiMelissa Dunkley
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rnet
aids
in th
e flo
w of
info
rmat
ion, it
also
pre
sent
s ne
w ch
allen
ges
to th
epr
ofes
sion.
Ch
arm
a St
ang
point
s ou
t tha
t“as
bus
iness
es h
ave
beco
me
mor
e te
chno
-sav
vy,
acce
ss to
info
rmat
ion a
nd d
ata
has
explo
ded.
Eve
r inc
reas
ingly,
I am
findin
g th
at o
urcli
ents
requ
ire a
dvice
as
they
man
age
their
IT s
olutio
ns a
nd d
eal w
ith a
ccom
pany
ingpr
ivacy
and
con
fiden
tiality
issu
es. O
ur u
se o
f the
mos
t cur
rent
IT a
vaila
ble h
as a
llowe
dus
to p
rovid
e re
spon
sive
advic
e in
thes
e fa
st m
oving
and
eve
r cha
nging
times
.” As
socia
te J
essic
a Bu
ckwo
ld co
ncur
s, “It
allo
ws m
e to
com
mun
icate
mor
e ef
fecti
vely
with
my
clien
ts; w
e ar
e no
t tied
to o
ur o
ffice
phon
e or
fax
lines
any
mor
e. In
my
labou
ran
d em
ploym
ent p
racti
ce, I
ʼm n
otici
ng th
at c
ompa
nies
are
trying
to n
aviga
te w
orkp
lace
chall
enge
s ra
ised
by th
e W
eb 2
.0ph
enom
ena,
like
blogg
ing a
nd s
ocial
net
work
ing s
ites.
Itʼs a
n ev
olving
are
a of
the
law, w
hich
mak
es fo
r an
inter
estin
g pr
actic
e.”
Mar
ia Ch
au, a
n ar
ticlin
g stu
dent
, add
s, “T
he In
tern
et a
nd e
lectro
nic re
sour
ces
have
incre
ased
the
spee
d at
whic
h ad
mini
strat
ive ta
sks,
corre
spon
denc
e an
d ba
sic re
sear
chca
n be
per
form
ed. H
owev
er, w
hile
this
has
crea
ted,
in s
ome
mem
bers
of t
he p
rofe
ssion
and
the
publi
c, an
exp
ecta
tion
that
ever
ythi
ngsh
ould
be d
one
faste
r, I u
ltimat
ely d
onʼt
think
the
ʻe-ag
e ̓ha
s ch
ange
d th
e ste
ps a
nd th
e tim
e re
quire
d fo
r tho
ught
ful le
gal
analy
sis.”
Inde
ed, t
aking
time
for l
egal
analy
sis is
par
ticula
rly im
porta
nt g
iven
that
lawy
ers
mus
tke
ep c
urre
nt w
ith la
ws a
nd re
gulat
ions
that
cha
nge
to a
ddre
ss e
mer
ging
local
and
globa
lpr
ioritie
s an
d co
ncer
ns.
“As
an e
nviro
nmen
tal la
wyer
, this
is a
big
issue
,” sa
ys T
eres
a M
eado
ws. “
I tea
chco
urse
s, wr
ite a
rticle
s, co
ntrib
ute
to te
xts, a
nd a
ttend
sem
inars
on
emer
ging
topic
s.Ho
weve
r, cli
ents
are
not s
imply
look
ing fo
r a g
ener
al ov
ervie
w of
wha
t new
fram
ewor
kssa
y: Th
ey a
re lo
oking
for s
ynth
esis
and
analy
sis re
gard
ing w
hat it
all m
eans
. Bus
iness
asso
ciatio
ns, s
ecto
r/ind
ustry
new
slette
rs a
nd d
iscus
sions
with
my
clien
ts he
lp m
eco
mple
te th
e pic
ture
by
stayin
g up
-to-d
ate
on c
hang
es in
indu
stry
and
busin
ess
drive
rsth
at in
fluen
ce th
e cli
ent-s
pecif
ic ris
ks a
nd o
ppor
tunit
ies c
reat
ed b
y ne
w leg
islat
ion.”
Acco
rding
to p
artn
er W
endi
Crow
e, “S
tayin
g on
top
of ta
x law
can
be
a ch
allen
ge. N
ewca
selaw
, adm
inistr
ative
poli
cies
and
budg
ets
mea
n lot
s of
read
ing. T
ax le
gislat
ion is
ofte
nre
troac
tive…
so
itʼs im
porta
nt to
read
gov
ernm
ent p
ress
relea
ses
and
com
men
tary
tohe
lp cli
ents
plan
for u
pcom
ing a
men
dmen
ts. O
ur n
ation
al ta
x gr
oup
divide
s ne
w m
ater
ialfo
r rev
iew. I
also
atte
nd ta
x dis
cuss
ion g
roup
s to
sha
re id
eas
and
stay
curre
nt.”
Asso
ciate
Dra
gana
San
chez
Glow
icki, w
hose
pra
ctice
cen
tres
on w
ills, e
state
s an
dde
pend
ent a
dults
, say
s th
at “t
hese
are
as h
ave
unde
rgon
e ex
tens
ive le
gislat
ive c
hang
esin
the
past
seve
n ye
ars.
I find
the
best
way
for m
e to
kee
p cu
rrent
is b
y be
ingco
ntinu
ously
invo
lved
with
the
vario
us o
rgan
izatio
ns re
spon
sible
for m
aking
the
chan
ges.
I also
read
exte
nsive
ly, w
rite
and
pres
ent a
t con
fere
nces
for t
he L
egal
Educ
ation
Soc
iety
of A
lberta
, the
Can
adian
Bar
Ass
ociat
ion, t
he S
ociet
y fo
r Esta
tes
and
Trus
t Pra
ctitio
ners
,as
well
as
local
orga
nizat
ions
such
as
the
Edm
onto
n Es
tate
Plan
ning
Coun
cil.”
The
world
finan
cial c
risis
also
affe
cts th
e leg
al pr
ofes
sion
and
the
kind
of a
dvice
that
isof
fere
d to
clie
nts.
Asso
ciate
Lau
ren
Tore
son
spec
ialize
s in
solic
itor c
ontra
cts a
ndco
rpor
ate
work
. She
indic
ates
that
“as
my
clien
ts ad
apt t
heir
busin
esse
s to
nav
igate
the
econ
omic
down
turn
, my
prac
tice
has
beco
me
mor
e fo
cuse
d on
ass
isting
them
inac
hievin
g th
e sa
me
in a
cost-
effe
ctive
man
ner,
whet
her i
t be
by p
rovid
ing a
dvice
on
finan
cial r
e-or
ganiz
ation
or d
raftin
g co
ntra
cts th
at in
corp
orat
e th
e ne
cess
ary
flexib
ility
tode
al wi
th th
ese
unsta
ble e
cono
mic
times
.”Lit
igato
r Mon
ique
Petri
n Ni
chols
on, a
noth
er a
ssoc
iate,
add
s, “N
ew d
ynam
ics h
ave
arise
n in
relat
ion to
the
shar
ehold
er d
isput
e as
pect
of m
y co
mm
ercia
l litig
ation
pra
ctice
.
Diffe
rent
con
sider
ation
s ap
plied
in a
risin
g m
arke
t, wh
en th
e va
lue o
f bus
iness
es w
asof
ten
incre
asing
. Now
that
valu
es a
re fa
lling
in m
any
secto
rs, w
eʼre
seein
g dif
fere
ntdy
nam
ics a
t play
in lit
igatio
n be
twee
n sh
areh
older
s an
d, th
eref
ore,
diffe
rent
app
roac
hes
to p
rote
cting
our
clie
nts ̓
inter
ests.
”Es
tabl
ished
in 1
957,
Mille
r Tho
mso
n LL
P is
a fu
ll ser
vice
natio
nal la
w fir
m—
the
nint
h la
rges
t in
Cana
da—
with
offic
es in
four
pro
vince
s, e
mpl
oyin
g m
ore
than
430
lawy
ers.
As
such
, it o
ffers
trem
endo
us o
ppor
tuni
ties
to it
s la
wyer
s in
all a
spec
ts o
f the
prac
tice
of la
w. T
he la
wyer
s at
Mille
r Tho
mso
n pr
actic
e in
a v
arie
ty o
f are
as o
f law
and
hand
le s
ituat
ions
for a
var
iety
of c
lient
s.St
uden
t-at-l
aw R
obyn
Mea
ra s
ays,
“The
re a
re a
lway
s ne
w ch
alle
nges
and
eve
ry d
ay is
diffe
rent
. Ano
ther
thin
g I r
eally
like
abou
t bei
ng a
lawy
er a
t Mille
r Tho
mso
n is
the
cam
arad
erie
with
in th
e pr
ofes
sion
and
the
firm
. Peo
ple
are
alwa
ys w
illing
to a
nswe
r que
stio
ns a
nd p
oint
you
in th
e rig
htdi
rect
ion.
”Car
olin
e Co
oper
agr
ees
that
she
enj
oys
bein
g a
lawy
er “b
ecau
se it
prov
ides
a fo
rum
whe
re I
can
use
prob
lem
sol
ving
and
anal
ytica
l skil
ls.Th
ese
skills
have
bee
n es
pecia
lly u
sefu
l in d
evel
opin
g a
succ
essf
ul c
orpo
rate
com
mer
cial a
ndbu
sines
s la
w pr
actic
e.”
Conn
ie T
aylo
r is
a pa
rtner
who
has
a lo
ng h
istor
y wi
th th
e fir
m, h
avin
g ar
ticle
d th
ere
in 1
985.
She
exp
lain
s, “I
han
dle
claim
s fo
r peo
ple
who
are
inju
red
and
that
give
s m
ean
opp
ortu
nity
to le
arn
abou
t and
und
erst
and
the
clien
tʼs s
ituat
ion…
to h
elp
them
toge
t fai
r com
pens
atio
n fo
r wha
t has
hap
pene
d; h
owev
er, i
t is
the
rela
tions
hip
with
the
clien
t tha
t I tr
easu
re m
ost a
bout
my
job
and
that
give
s m
e th
e gr
eate
st jo
y an
dsa
tisfa
ctio
n.”
“Peo
ple
ofte
n on
ly co
me
to la
wyer
s du
ring
diffic
ult t
imes
in th
eir l
ives
or w
ith th
eir
busin
esse
s,” s
ugge
sts
Fion
a Fj
eldh
eim
, an
asso
ciate
. “As
a la
wyer
pra
ctici
ng in
com
mer
cial li
tigat
ion,
I un
ders
tand
the
impo
rtanc
e of
wor
king
with
my
clien
ts to
reso
lve th
eir l
egal
issu
es a
nd h
elp
them
with
thei
r bus
ines
s or
per
sona
l cha
lleng
es.”
Partn
er S
andr
a Ha
wes
says
, “As
a lit
igat
ion
lawy
er, e
ach
of m
y file
s pr
esen
ts a
nar
ray
of in
tere
stin
g fa
cts,
mak
ing
my
job
chal
leng
ing
and
varie
d. D
epen
ding
on
the
file, I
can
lear
n, fo
r exa
mpl
e, w
hat i
t is
to b
e an
ele
ctric
al e
ngin
eer,
a co
ntra
ctor
, afir
efig
hter
or a
med
ical e
xam
iner
with
out h
avin
g to
bec
ome
one.
”As
socia
te A
nale
a W
ayne
, the
inco
min
g pr
esid
ent o
f the
Can
adia
n Ba
r Ass
ocia
tion-
Albe
rta B
ranc
h, c
onclu
des:
“The
reʼs
obvio
usly
the
grat
ificat
ion
of d
oing
som
ethi
ngal
truist
ic on
a d
aily
basis
, whe
ther
itʼs
help
ing
som
eone
with
a h
ouse
dea
l or m
akin
gsu
re s
omeo
ne g
ets
cost
s fo
r fut
ure
med
ical c
are
if th
eyʼve
bee
n se
vere
ly in
jure
d. F
orm
e, th
e bi
gger
pict
ure
lies
with
my
prid
e in
bel
ongi
ng to
a g
reat
pro
fess
ion,
bei
ng a
part
of p
rom
otin
g ac
cess
to ju
stice
, and
wor
king
alon
gsid
e lik
e-m
inde
d pe
ople
. √
By B
arb
Dete
rs
AAM
iller
Tho
mso
n LL
PM
iller
Tho
mso
n LL
PT
he
Wom
en o
f T
he
Wom
en o
f
14 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
or two Edmonton women, life is not only like hockey, life is hockey. Steffany Hanlen and Vanessa Hettinger operate Quantum
Speed High Performance Skating Systems, a division ofHanlen Consulting, established in 1980.
“Quantum Speed is an on-ice developmental process forhigh-end athletes that allows them to take their personalskills at skating and their mental performance to awhole other level,” explains Steffany, owner andfounder. With expert coaching and practice, theybecome stronger, faster and better players.
Steffany and Vanessa, the general manager andmaster instructor, work with both amateur andprofessional players, aged six to 24. Theimprovement process starts with an assessment andcontinues to a complete skating evaluation…keeping emotional, intellectual and physicalconsiderations in-mind. At the end of each session, playersshow incredible improvement, much to the immensesatisfaction of Steffany and Vanessa—and, often, to theamazement of the players, parents and coaches.
They even work with pro players in the National Hockey League, manyat the top of their game. There is an expectation that “high-end athletes ofall ages are already confident and may have gotten to a certain level or skillset, but it gets normalized,” says Steffany. Injuries, being traded or a losingseason “can just kick the guyʼs confidence.”
Vanessa adds, “Every so often, every player is a rookie again and thatʼsvery hard on a personʼs self-esteem. When we see them in the off-season,we recognize that. We have players come back in their fifth or sixth yearand say ʻI had a terrible season… Iʼm so glad to be back working on myskills again.ʼ
They realize they are dealing with human beings. “We treat athletes withthe highest level of respect and awareness as people first and athletessecond,” notes Steffany. There is no “cookie-cutter” approach to thetraining, continues Vanessa, “We look at each player as an individual.”Strengths and weaknesses are assessed and a plan for improvement isdrawn up.
In hockey, a team has to work together to win the game. Quantum Speed isdefinitely on the same page. “Hockey is highly competitive, but weʼre verysupportive in what we can do for each other,” says Steffany.
Vanessa agrees. “We work very well as a team and focus on differentaspects of our expertise and the playersʼ needs.” It is this approach that hasbecome their working mandate: “Our business is based on the teamphilosophy that individuals will get better when they are trained by a team.”
Each works in her respective role while respecting and supporting theother. They believe in each other and each otherʼs dreams… allowingenough freedom to pursue personal and professional goals. Steffanywants to continue her work in the public eye as an author, inspirationalspeaker and a member of Edmontonians Transformers. Vanessa is eyeinga future as a skating coach in the NHL.
Since Quantum Speed started in 2002, things have gotten easier—but ithasnʼt always been smooth skating, so to speak. Part of the problem wasthat there is no educational degree to help open the door. While Steffanyworked as an Olympic and world-class performance coach as well as askating coach for the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues, she relied moreon street smarts—or what she jokingly refers to as “the Bachelor of S-H” (S-H, in this respect, stands for Steffany Hanlen).
Vanessa, the younger of the two, is busily building her credibility throughresults-based performance. Her career path isnʼt in sync with hereducation—she boasts a BA in political science and economics with acertificate in globalization and governance. No doubt, her participation onthe Pandas womenʼs hockey team, while studying at the University ofAlberta, influenced her change in direction.
Despite occasional bumps, bruises and body checks Steffany andVanessa are enjoying life on the ice. And, Quantum Speed is stick-handling its way to success. √
FFBy Rick Lauber
Photos by Terry Bourque
Vanessa Hettingerand Steffany Hanlen
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 15
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
etʼs continue with running the ball…”Should the score be lopsided at halftime, many
football coaches will steadfastly swear by theoriginal game plan. Our worldʼs current economic
recession can be likened to such a gridiron battle. Although bleak financial forecasts exist, Gail A. Taylor,
CIMA, Vice-President and Investment Advisor, with The GailTaylor Investment Group at CIBC Wood Gundy, points outthat recessions have occurred regularly, and “we were
due.” Gail reminds us that, historically,recessions last between 12 and 18months and there will be a recovery.
Parting with money now, ratherthan hoarding it under yourmattress, may seem frightening;however, Gail urges her clients tostay the course with theirinvestments. “Stick to yourfinancial plan,” she advises.
Gail has a game plan inmind. Although this is one ofher “best years” ever, shestrives for more. “I want togrow the practice. Iʼd like tomanage more assets than I doright now.” Currently, sheworks with 150 individual and
corporate
clients, a discerning group with many holding “between$500,000 and $5 million” in assets. A rarity in the male-dominated field of investments, Gail has the smarts andgumption to excel.
Her work days fly by and husband Harold, who “oftenmakes a wonderful supper for us,” sometimes has to providea loving prod. “Many nights, he has to call me to tell me itʼstime to come home because I lose track of time!” Heʼs one ofthe lucky few that can get away with telling Gail what to do.
A self-admitted “very entrepreneurial ʻType A̓ personality,”Gail knows what she wants and tackles new challenges withfervor. As she approached her 50th birthday in 2005, shedecided to run the grueling 26-mile New York City Marathon.Despite having “never been a long-distance runner,” shedoggedly stuck to her guns, crossed the finish line, andraised $20,000 for the Mexican group, Children of the Dump.“It was just about doing it… it was the most excitingexperience.” Will she repeat? “Never!” she laughs. She hassince replaced her running shoes with a remote control forthe Wii Fit program.
Another less physically-exerting marathon lies ahead. “Ijust recently got accepted at Queenʼs University in Kingston,Ontario,” she smiles. “Iʼm going to start in the fall and workfull-time and do my Executive MBA at the same time.” Gailexpects the 15-month program will mean about “20 hours perweek for studying.”
As she dons her reading glasses to hit the books, onewonders if she views the world through rose-coloured
glasses. “I really think that I can make the world abetter place. My passion is eradicating extremepoverty. I donʼt understand how we could have aworld with as much abundance as we have andhave 800 million people in starvation.” Is thisnaïve? Gail doesnʼt think so.
Thanks to her office team—Doreen Breitkreuz,Alicja Krzymien, and Laurie Booth— whosignificantly ease her office workload, Gail canbetter pursue her passion through communityinvolvement. To date, she has served onnumerous boards including HealthBridgeInternational, the University Hospital Foundation,Mental Health Foundation – Capital Region, andthe Riverview Rotary Club. “I believe in helping thelocal community and not just the global one,” sheexplains.
So, what the scoreboard reads at halftime isirrelevant. Return to the locker room to determinehow much more you have to give to win. Gail̓ sgame plan covers all the plays whether your goalsare socially responsible investments, charitablegiving and/or succession planning: Create yourfinancial plan and follow it. √
Gail Taylor is an Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy inEdmonton. The views of Gail Taylor do not necessarily reflect thoseof CIBC World Markets Inc. CIBC Wood Gundy is a division ofCIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC and Member CIPF.
“L“L
Gail TaylorPhoto by Terry Bourque
Invest with purposeFollow the game plan:Follow the game plan:
By Rick Lauber
Marathoner Gailwith trainer
Jessica Zapataof Infinite Fitness
16 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
t’s a hand up, not a hand out. Just ask 38 year oldCherie, a single mother of three whose world hitthe skids when the word ‘recession’ was still the‘R’ word nobody was quite prepared to utter aloud.
“I got laid off in January,” Cherie explains. “I mostlyworked in labour jobs up until then, and then I thoughtmaybe I should try something else.” Rather thanallowing the job lay-off to bring her life to a standstill,she saw it as an opportunity to move forward, perhapsundertake some retraining and follow her dream ofworking with troubled youth.
After exploring some of the available alternativesthrough Employment Insurance and the Boyle StreetCoop employment programs, and whipping her resumeinto shape, Cherie quickly realized that she had toreinvent herself to a certain extent.
New clothes. A new look. A new attitude. All prettychallenging to achieve when your major focus issurvival and finding work. It is overwhelming anddisheartening.
Enter Suit Yourself, a not-for-profit organizationwhose sole function is to reach out to women likeCherie, to give them a little retail therapy without thefinancial consequences, when they need and want tomake fresh starts in their lives. The organization,established in 2001, was the brain child of KarmenMasson, a legal professional who says, “I was lookingfor an opportunity to give back to the community,looking for positives, for ways to create good karma forothers.”
Her concept was simple: Get working Edmontonwomen to donate their still fashionable office/work-appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry andeven toiletries to Suit Yourself. The goods would then beprovided free to women who needed just a little extraboost entering or re-entering the workplace. With thehelp of her mother, sister and brother-in-law, Massongot the word out. The clothing and a roster of volunteerswilling to consult and help the clients with theirselections came pouring in.
Today, more than 800 clients later, Suit Yourself ishoused in the heart of St. Basil’s School. The formerclassroom closely resembles a 700 square-foot walk-incloset, with racks of clothing, sorted by size (from twoto the high 20s), a couple of change rooms carved out ofa small corner, mirrors, and all the other paraphernaliarequired to make the experience fun for both client andvolunteer consultant. The volunteers have absolutely noprofessional training in the field of fashion, but commonsense, combined with good taste and an impressiveselection of clothing, makes the job fun for everyone.
“To tell you the truth, I never needed to dress up forthe kind of work I did, so I really didn’t know verymuch about clothes, like what’s in style, what suited me,what colours look good with my skin tones, and thatkind of stuff,” Cherie admits. “I really didn’t know whatto expect when I went there, but the woman who helpedme find my clothes sure knew a lot more about fashionthan I do. She was a big help, and I felt so good whenwe were finished. I still do.”
Cherie left with three complete outfits,and virtually everything she needed to
get herself started. Though she hasnot yet found new employment,
she’s optimistic and moreconfident—intangible
benefits that came withthe garments she selectedat Suit Yourself. “I thinknow, I look at myself in adifferent way. I’m morepositive about myself, myoutlook is better and I feelmore confident when I gofor interviews.”
Women are referred tothe program through avariety of pre-employmenttraining and employmentplacement programs in thecommunity.
For Masson, who has twosmall children, a full timejob and teaches businesslaw part time at a technicalschool, her night job isvolunteering. “If I everneed reminding of thepurpose of this very
necessary service, I thinkabout the many times I’ve been
involved in matching an outfit to arecipient and, at the end of the fitting, theclient invariably gives you a big hug andsays, ‘This feels just like Christmas.’ SuitYourself gives them one less thing toworry about.’”
Remember the pants that would be perfect if you justdropped another five pounds? The shoes that hurt yourbunions? The silk shirt your spiteful sister-in-law gaveyou because she knows the color washes you out? Timeto put them to good use.
Masson will do the April 2nd luncheon presentation atthe Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Conference atthe River Cree Casino from April 1st to 3rd. Registrantsare asked to bring clothing for donation to SuitYourself. All clothing should be clean, on hangers and
in ready-to-wear condition.If you are not attending the conference but have
garments you would like to recycle, contact SuitYourself at 780.488.9930, or check out the website (www.suityourselfclothes.org) for more
information. √
IIBy Marg. Pullishy
Sometimes…Differencemake the
clothes do
Photos by Terry BourqueKarmen Masson
Have your say online atedmontoniansvisionaries.wordpress.com
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 17
Proof__1_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
Cindy Benson [Miss Edmonton 1981-82and partner in Leonard and Associatesphotography] says women “by and largehave a terrible time in business withcredibility with men.” Cindy’s advice for young women going intobusiness today: “Not to expect too muchtoo fast and be prepared to work like adog.”
~ Dick MacLean Dossier/Time Out 1990
“It doesn’t seem that long ago that sportseditors would fight to keep figure skating(fancy skating) off the sports pages… Any self-respecting sports ed would banish such storiesto women’s pages along with the recipes,patterns, gossip-mongers, et al…”
~ Don Fleming Mink & Manure Set 1991
Body Shop founder Anita Roddick states:“The world of retailing taught me nothing.Huge corporations (are) dying of boredomcaused by the inertia of giantism…“All the big companies seem to be led byaccountants and lawyers and becomemoribund carbon-copy versions of eachother.”
~ Tom Peters On Excellence 1992
“Prima donnas on the podium… WillEdmonton’s next symphony conductor be awoman???“The combined credentials of the nine[candidates] are pretty dazzling, and the twowomen, Maria Alsop and JoAnn Falletto, areamong the most interesting.”
~ John Charles Arts Beat 1993
Dancer/choreographer IndreaRabmovich says, “…hybrids springfrom the urgency with which artistsneed to make their statements to theworld. If that means mixing art formstogether—so be it.”
~ Fred Keating Arts & Entertainment1994
“If I see or utter the word ‘empowered’one more time, I’m going to throw up.”
~ Tom Peters’ farewell column 1995
“Best printable joke heard at the WorldFigure Skating Championships: Whatdo you call a woman who works as hardas a man? Lazy.”
~ Barb Deters Hot Flashes 1996
“…the job demands such a large part ofyour life… I would love to be marriedand have a little of the security thatcomes along with that lifestyle. But, thisis not an advertisement calling on alleligible single men,” says Kate Ashton,general manager of The Westin.
~ Robert Simpson Faces 1997
“One of the funniest exchanges [at theAnnual Premier’s Dinner] was betweenlawyer Gary Scuir and Shirley Schlotteras they tried to figure out where theyhad previously met. Having explorednumerous possibilities to no avail, Garyfinally asked, ‘Did I ever sue you?’”
~ Barb Deters Hot Flashes 1998
“April 27: Reach for the stars at theUnique Lives & Experiences lecture seriestonight at the Winspear. Dr. RobertaBondar, Canada’s first woman in space,will prove what women already know: theso-called ‘fair sex’ aren’t the space cadetssome men would like us to be.”
~ Eva Marie ClarkCalendar Cogitations 1999
“Picking a winner for this year’s WinterWhiner contest has been difficult… Theaward goes to [CFRN’s news group] fortheir consistently shrill, simpering weatherwhine, and for the oh, so pixy shudderShawna Randolph gives whenever thetemperatures threaten to drop. You cancount on CFRN to terrorize the public intowinter hibernation. Not only is theirweather information negative, it’s hurtfulto our city.”
~ Ken Karpoff Business of Sport 2000
“Sandra Woitas, principal of NorwoodElementary School and a formidable advocateof inner city children, took steadyaim at a collection ofbusiness and governmentexecutives gathered at theMayfair Golf & CountryClub last month… Woitasfired a volley at the assembledcrowd. ‘If you can take anhour-and-a-half out of yourday to attend this luncheon,you’ve got the time to be amentor.’ Touché.”
~ Muggsy ForbesFunny, Pompous & Unfair
2001
“…Edmonton Variety Shows,started by Marie Wilce… gaveguys like Bob Goulet his start.Senator Tommy Banks startedplaying in the pit at the tenderage of 15. He couldn’t evenread music, says he still can’t.”
~ Muggsy ForbesFunny, Pompous & Unfair 2002
“You have to wonder ‘does the hip mom begetchic children?’ How much does she sway herkids from trendy to develop their own classicstyle?”
~ DK Parker Styling in the City 2003
Lieutenant-Governor Lois Hole onWomen of Vision recipient HarrietWinspear: “She’s one of a kind… thecrown jewel,” she says of the centurion,“…who likes to make things happen.”Mrs. Winspear, in her usual sharp-witted and self-deprecating style ofhumour, commented on the arts: “Idon’t play a thing. I donate money.”
~ Social Studies Women of Vision 2004
Karen MacKenzie, the new director of thefaculty of management, University ofLethbridge Edmonton campus “…wants toextend the Bachelor of Management in
First NationsGovernance program.‘We have may qualifiedAboriginal students.This program isattracting students whowant to make adifference in theircommunities.’”
~ Cheryl CroucherBizIntel 2005
THAT WAS THE APRIL THAT WAS
2008
2006
2007
egendary playwright Oscar Wildesaid it best: “I have the simplesttastes. I am always satisfied withthe best.”
Within modern-day wedding circles, that’sthe bridal mantra. Smart men learn in ahurry—It’s her day, she only gets to celebrateit once, and it better not fall short of theperfect plan she’s devised in her mind sinceshe was old enough to dream.
The Royal Glenora Club’s Faouzi Ibrahimknows that mindset well.
“We understand (the bride’s) philosophy,” theveteran food and beverage manager tells me. “Sinceshe was a girl, she’s been watching the Cinderellamovie with the man on the white horse. She onlygets married once.”
I first met Faouzi when my fiancée, Capital FM’s
Kari Skelton, and I attended our first“Alpha” marriage preparation course at theRoyal Glenora. Friday nights there mimica high school hallway when classes getout: Hundreds of people on site for manydifferent events, mingling and morphinginto an obstacle course for the dozens ofservers bustling between rooms.
As our Alpha group sat and discussedthe components of a strong marriage, Icouldn’t help but find a metaphor as Iwatched entrée after entrée leave the busykitchen. Everything Kari and I learned inthe months leading up to our March 22nd
wedding suggested a successful long-termrelationship will be built on priorities, passion andcommunication. Without the same approach tohospitality, venues like the Royal Glenora would besunk. I can only imagine the impact of a majorgaffe with reputation and return business at stake.
“Most importantly, we know our clients willevaluate us on [whether] they got what we promisedthem,” says Faouzi.
Though weddings account for just 15 percent oftotal food and beverage business at the RoyalGlenora, promises made to brides matter most.
“We want every bride to feel like an absolutewinner,” Faouzi tells me.
That winning feeling takes extra effort, sayscatering manager Christina Parks.
“There’s a lot more hand holding with weddings.As compared to Rotary clubs or corporate clients,brides and grooms are way, way, way more highmaintenance.”
I didn’t need our afore-mentioned marriage prepclass to know the phrase “refined tastes” worksbetter than “high maintenance” in a weddingcontext, but I keep my thoughts to myself. Havingjust emerged from close to a year’s worth ofwedding planning myself, I understand exactlywhat Christina is getting at.
She tells me it’s not unusual to take five,sometimes 10 phone calls a day from anxiousbrides. Many couples swing by the club multipletimes as other weddings are being set up, to takenotes on what works and what doesn’t. Thedowntown Edmonton club can mirror a Moroccancarpet bazaar as couples barter for the lowestpossible price at every turn.
“Brides and grooms want the best for thecheapest,” smiles Faouzi. “I’ve seen it a milliontimes.”
There it is again—a simple, uncompromisingpursuit of the perfect experience. Sounds like thetype of life Kari and I are shooting for... call it ourversion of doing the Wilde thing. √
Next month: The Costa RicanWedding Album
Ryan Jespersen hosts BreakfastTelevision weekday mornings from6-10 am on Citytv. E-mail Ryan [email protected]
18 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
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LYNDA STEELE– Global EdmontonHometown: Proud tosay, I was born inEdmonton at the RoyalAlexandra Hospital…but grew up in Hinton,inhaling the daily smellof money.Years here: about 30altogetherHobbies/distractions:Eating out, working out,reading, traveling,shopping, soaking upthe splendor ofCanmore, cheering forthe Oilers.Best part of being a media celebrity: People feel likethey know you, so they often skip the small talk, and leapto really important and deep personal conversations in thecheckout line. It’s a privilege to be thought of as a “friend”to strangers.Worst part of your job: Constant scrutiny. If I had aloonie for every bit of unsolicited hair and makeupadvice…Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters: Bepro-active. Do your own homework, and seek out advicefrom media people you admire. Make yourself standout… do the extra things that make you get noticed. Don’tbe afraid to make a mistake. And, there’s no such thing asa stupid question—don’t be afraid to ask.Favourite restaurant: I have many—too many tomention—like Piccolinos, Pazzo Pazzo, Il Forno, CaféDeVille, Allegro West, Sofra, Sabor Divino… and the listgoes on. Edmonton has a million great restaurants.Other women you look up to: Lorraine Mansbridge,Jan Reimer, Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, Marjorie Bencz,Iris Evans, Linda Duncan, all the women’s shelterdirectors, Lori-Anne Munzer… again the list could goon and on. There are a lot of impressive women inEdmonton who I admire.
SHANNON TYLER –Magic 99 MorningsHometown: I grew up inFort SaskatchewanYears here: 17 years. Hobbies/distractions: Ising with the funk bandThe Retrofitz and oftenfront smaller jazzensembles. Plus myhusband, JesseLipscombe, and I own apersonal trainingcompany calledP.H.A.T. Training(www.getphatnow.com)...and most importantlyI’m mother to a one-yearold boy named Chile... and I must say, he is the finestwee man around. Best part of being a media celebrity: Having talentedfriends who insist on taking good care of me. JudyNormandeau at The Urban Body Clinic and Alex Russoof Russo Innovative Hair. That is without a doubt the bestpart—thank goodness for them.Worst part of your job: The worst part of my job ishearing the alarm go off before 4am... and missing thosehappy morning hours with my son and husband. Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters:Cultivate thicker skin, and resiliency. Do as much as youcan and learn as much as they’ll teach you. It’s afascinating business... but most importantly, it’s a funbusiness. Favourite restaurant: Oooh, I have a couple: that newplace on the Boardwalk downtown called Sabor Divino.It’s divine. Also a place called Lan’s Asian Grill nearNAIT... it has the best Pad Thai and salad rolls in town. Other woman you look up to: I really look up to mymother-in-law actually. Her name is Monica Lipscombeand she is a Doula (birth coach). She runs a companycalled Doula Connections (www.doulaconnections.com).She is a fearless, generous and kind soul. In fact, all the
woman in that family are remarkable. My grandmother-in-law, Marianne Miles is 80 years old and is still apracticing psychologist. I am honoured to be a part of afamily of such strong women.
MELISSA WRIGHT– K-97Hometown: Born andraised in Edmonton…lived down east, downsouth and downtown, butam a prairie girl at heart.Hobbies/distractions:Love to see live music,read great books andwalk my fat PugNubbin. I just learnedhow to cook(?) as I amrecently engaged andrealize that guys reallydo dig that.Best part of your job?I honestly love the music we play, and honestly love totorture the listeners who call in. I guess guys dig lippy,sarcastic women… Advice for up-and-coming female broadcasters: Thiswould be good advice really for many branches of life:Get it in writing.Favourite restaurant: A tough one...so many good onesto pick. Will it get me a free meal? But, really, nothingbeats my Grandma’s kitchen...Other women you look up to: In all honesty… all of thewomen included in this article. It’s no joke that it is stilltougher (for us) than our male counterparts in thisindustry. To have such a rich talented bunch of females inEdmonton is another of example of why we are stillconsidered the City of Champions. I am in incrediblecompany indeed. √
Marty Forbes is the recently retired VP and generalmanager of The Bear, EZRock and The TEAM 1260Sports Radio. Contact [email protected]
The Businessof Love
LL
With Ryan Jespersen
Continued from page 3
Royal Glenora Club
Alpha Course
EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009 19
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
ust look at KimKerr’s LinkedInprofile—a socialmedia networkingsite for businessprofessionals—to see
her accomplishments, payingattention to the dates. Itappears she’s been able to bein many places all at thesame time. And while Ididn’t notice any connectionsto Captain Kirk, Scotty or theStarship Enterprise, a closerlook at her CV does revealreferences to transporters,avatars and virtual realitybusiness.
For Kerr, as co-founderand director of marketing andsales for VR TechnologiesInc., being omnipresent iscloser to the truth than youthink.
VRtech’s goal is tocommercialize advancedvisualization and networkingtechnology. It was created in2008 by Kerr and PerryKinkaide, president ofKinkaide Enterprises Inc., asa spin-off of TRLabs,Canada’s largest informationand communicationstechnology R&D consortium.
To explain:Teleconferencing allows us to interact with others who areelsewhere. Tele-presence allows us to create anenvironment where your brain tells you that you are reallysomewhere else and part of it… like the sudden sense ofvertigo while watching an Imax movie or going “Back tothe Future” in the DeLorean at Universal Studios.
What’s lacking in tele-presence is having the fullexperience of being separated from your existingbackground in real-time, and being inserted into a 3-Denvironment with all your senses (except for touch andsmell) believing you are there.
This is what VRtech is all about—tele-immersion, the“transporter” equivalent of networking. By combiningaugmented reality—real real world and computer-generateddata—with tele-presence, VRtech has created a technologythat allows users to be immersed or “teleported” into anyvirtual environment.
“It’s like blending video conference and virtual reality,”explains Kerr. Or, as Kinkaide, who is also president of theAlberta Council of Technologies and a director of severalprivate/public companies, calls it, “Real faces in virtualplaces.”
Kerr says, “I can put 20 people in my living room or onthe beach. We can turn our heads and look at each other in
full 3D, not just a flat image… or have the camera on thebeach and make it look like I’m in the office or on themoon.”
She intimates the real opportunities to commercializeadvanced visualization and networking technology can beas diverse as our imaginations in areas like performingremote surgery, repairing underground cable, saving travelcosts, and reducing our carbon footprint.
Kerr is excited about the prospects of their technology—traditionally the domain of big business—being affordablefor medium-sized enterprise and eventually smallbusinesses. But even more so, “Our goal at VRtech is to putour fair city at the top of the global map when it comes tothis technology.”
She’s got a soft spot for Edmonton and wants to giveback… to help get the city to the next level when it comesto science and technology… to help create globalawareness of other organizations and individuals. She’s alsoinvolved as the volunteer marketer for ABCTech.
That’s also why she’s teamed up with publisher SharonMacLean and will be in charge of business development forEdmontonians, now in its 20th year of publication.MacLean sees Kerr as a visionary. “Kim is applying herexperience as a tech entrepreneur and skills as a
communications marketer forEdmontonians signatureeditions—especiallyVisionaries in Science,Technology and Medicine,Women in Business,Transformers, Doors Open—Spaces, Places andArchitecture of Edmonton,Sizzling Twenty under 30,Social Calendar and othersreflecting the personality ofbusiness of GreaterEdmonton.
“We became involved withKim because social mediastrategies and applicationsrepresent the future ofpublishing. Media in Canadaare changing before our eyesand Edmontonians plans toemerge from thattransformation strong andvital. We intend to be adynamic media player basedin Alberta’s capital city.”
Among Kerr’s initiativesare creating communities incyber space for themagazine’s signatureinitiatives. Her world revolvesaround establishing brandpresence on-line anddeveloping relationshipsaround the world throughmethods that include
Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, and Twitter for now and thencreating cross links with fans and followers. “It’sastonishing how quickly these communities have attractedconversations,” says Maclean. “It’s possible to reach manymore readers online than we ever could in print.”
PERHAPS, IT WAS KARMAKerr was born and raised in Edmonton. As a pre-teen, she’dwatch her Dad, an engineer, working at a drafting table.Fascinated, she thought she was destined to follow in hisfootsteps, and pursue a career in public service.
So how did this woman take herself on a differenttrajectory and end up in the realm of virtual worlds?
“Initially, technology was not even in the cards,” saysKerr. “It was a matter of necessity. Being a single mother ofthree, I couldn’t make ends meet with the job I had.” Afterleaving her government position, she took a series of jobs,each time for more money, because “I had three mouths tofeed.”
Perhaps it was karma… or the planets were aligned… orthe sci-fi movies she loved to watch with her dad. Little didshe know that necessity would lead to a passion and a neworbit.
Continued on page 22
The real Kim Kerr
Phot
o by
Ter
ry B
ourq
ueJJBy Greg Gazin Prospering in a virtual world
f you can’t find Margaret-AnnArmour in her office at theUniversity of Alberta, you mightvery well find her in a school
classroom surrounded by kids.Take March 13th as an example. That’s when shespent the day at Windsor Park School showinggrade three and grade five students how to make
nylon. “One of the great joys of my life has been going
out to schools and having fun with chemistry.That means I can take all sorts of colourful
demonstrations that I can get the childreninvolved in as well. They get quite excited
when, out of a beaker, you can pull athread of nylon.”
Even I learned a thing or twolistening to this amazing professor
explain the chemical reaction thatproduces polymerization.
“We talk about the fact thatnylon is made from two small
molecules. And these twosmall molecules are in
some way like people.They’ve got two arms.
That means they can
all join up together in a long line. And, of course, Ialways have the children join up. Nylon in chemicalterms is called a polymer. And that just means that it is‘many molecules’. We have such fun. I tell the childrenwhen they are all joined up with their hands that nowthey are ‘poly-people’. They remember that and sothey’ve got the idea of the many molecules and thislong chain which is why you get a thread of nylon.”
Aside from her love of chemistry and of teaching,Dr. Armour understands completely that if we want toencourage more young people to go into the sciences,then we have to get them excited about it first andforemost. It’s vital to help students see the applicationsof science, the relevance to their lives, rather thanboring them first with theory.
It’s a principle that underlies Margaret-Ann Armour’ssecond passion in life: encouraging young women tobecome scientists.
Aside from her academic career where she becamean expert in the chemistry of hazardous waste disposal,Dr. Armour is probably best known for her work overthe last 25 years with WISEST—Women inScholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology. Itwas actually the brainchild of Dr. Gordon Caplan, aformer VP Research at the University of Alberta. Heenlisted Dr. Armour, then a professor of chemistry, asone of the founding members of this group. He tasked
By Cheryl Croucher
II
ho needs oil from Saudi Arabia or Fort McMurray when you cangrow triticale in the back forty?
Triticale is a cereal grain hybridized from wheat and rye half acentury ago. It never took off as a substitute for wheat flour. But
in the 21st Century, the Alberta Research Council is betting triticale will make adandy substitute for petroleum.
The Council has just received $15 million dollars from the federal AgriculturalBioproducts Innovation Program to show us how.
Richard Gibson is the business development manager for Industrial Bioproductsat ARC, and marketing manager with the Canadian Triticale BiorefineryInitiative. He says the main interest in triticale is its potential for chemical andmaterial applications. “If you had crude oil coming out of the ground and you put itinto a refinery, you’ve got crude oil turned into a whole range of products. And ifwe think about triticale as the crude oil for a biorefinery and put triticale in one endof the refinery, we’d get a whole range of products coming out the other side—anything from materials to chemicals and energy as well.
Gibson points out that triticale is a crop well suited for growing in marginalareas, and it is a good addition to a suite of industrial crops for biorefining,including hemp. √ ~ Cheryl Croucher
www.arc.ab.ca
ulp made fromwheat straw iscommonly used incountries like
China and Turkey wheretrees are in short supply.With the growing push forenvironmentally sustainableproducts, pulp and papermanufacturers in NorthAmerica are also interestedin wheat straw.
Over the last decade,Wade Chute and hiscolleagues at the AlbertaResearch Council havebeen looking at how wheatstraw pulp could meet ourmarket demands forbrightness and strength. Heis the team leader for pulpand paper in the ForestProducts Business Unit at theARCl.
As Chute explains, “InChina they will cook wheatstraw to a higher yield, sothey will remove less of thelignan. As a result they willbleach to a lower brightness.The lower brightness and the higher yield basically saves them money, but it is morethan enough to achieve the paper objectives that they have there. In North America, weseem to have this fascination with ultra high bright, ultra white, ultra pure printing andwriting papers and that necessitates that you cook to a much, much lower yield. It alsoimplies that you use a lot more bleach. So the straw pulp that’s produced in China rightnow, they just cook it and bleach it a little bit differently.”
Chute says ARC’s pilot plant is now processing a wheat straw pulp that could meetthe high standards of North American pulp and paper makers. What’s needed, however,is access to a full size pulping line to demonstrate that wheat straw pulp can beproduced in commercial quantities. √ ~Cheryl Croucher
www.arc.ab.ca
PP
WW
BRIEFS
20 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________
Fun & flexibilityfor women in science
PerfectingPULPWheat
Straw
TRITICALE... a new source ofbioproducts
Wade Chute
Margaret-AnnArmour
Richard Gibson
them with figuring out what the barriers were toyoung women going into science and engineering,and then more importantly, taking action .
A quarter of a century later, Dr. Armour has severalawards recognizing her achievements in thisendeavour, including the Order of Canada.
When asked what stands out about WISEST, shereplies, “More and more, I’m beginning to discoverwhat influence the programs that we’ve put in placehave. And, if anyone had asked me when we startedsome of them, I would have been surprised.”
She points to the WISEST Summer ResearchProgram for girls in Grade 11. They spend six weeksworking on serious research projects.
When Dr. Armour and her colleagues wanted todetermine what effect this six week program mighthave, they designed an experiment of their own. Ofthe group of students who applied for the program in1994, out of the top 150 applicants, 50 were assignedto the full six week program, 50 had one day oncampus, and 50 had nothing. Then the WISESTcommittee followed the progress of the careers of thethree cohorts.
“We discovered, after following them as long as wecould for 10 years, that the commitment of thewomen who had spent the six weeks at the Universityof Alberta was considerably stronger to the sciencesand engineering than it was in the other groups. Oneof the things we had to recognize was that all theyoung women who apply for the WISEST SummerResearch Program do so because they are interestedin science in the first place. But particularly thenumbers who went on and did a PhD or a post doc…what really came through was this commitment.”
Dr. Armour is excited about the new national rolethat WISEST is taking on. The group has been amember of the Canadian Coalition of Women inScience, Engineering, Trades and Technology for 20years. Now, with some financial help from theAlberta government, Edmonton will become the
headquarters for a new national centre dedicated toimproving the access of women to these non-traditional fields.
“That means we have a national group that can pulltogether data which can help support the groups atthe local level which can add value to what they aredoing. It will really be a virtual centre. So, when aworkshop needs to be done, we’ll be looking for agroup in the area of the workshop that might beprepared to take it on… It will be a small, ongoingstaff and eventually small, satellite offices across thecountry.”
CAREERS IN SCIENCEHow do numbers of women stack up against men inthe sciences and engineering faculties?
Dr. Armour is quick to cite the statistics. In her roleas Associate Dean, Diversity in the Faculty ofScience, she is concentrating on increasing thenumber of women in the faculty. “Across the Facultyof Science at the moment,” she says, “we havesomething between 15 and 16 percent women, whichis quite low.”
That gives Dr. Armour lots of room forimprovement at the higher levels.
“When we first started our Women in Scienceprogram 25 years ago, there was probably about 25percent enrolment in the first year of science. Nowthere’s 52 percent. So there’s a huge change in thatarea. And even in the graduate students, in themasters program it’s about 45 percent, PhD is about38 percent. At post-doc, they drop off to 17 to 18percent. And then faculty is down to 15 percent. So ateach transition in the educational system, there arefewer women choosing to go on to the next step.”
What that means, according to Dr. Armour, is thatthe pool of women who have the requirements for afaculty position is very small indeed.
What accounts for that drop-off if just as manywomen as men are completing their Bachelor of
Science degrees? Well, you don’t have to be a rocketscientist to figure that one out. It’s all about biologyand a little common sense.
“Women recognize that at some stage they maywant to get married and have families. Asundergraduates, they often hear from their teachingassistants in the lab what it is like being a graduatestudent. It’s a busy life and it’s fairly committed. Andthey see their faculty teachers and the lifestyle theyhave, and I think women are saying maybe that’s notwhat they want.”
The big task for Dr. Armour is figuring out whatthe university can do to turn that situation around, sothe potential of talented young women scientists isn’tlost to other professions.
As it is, the competition among universities toattract the limited number of post-doctoral women isfierce.
While speaking to a different issue, a comment byDr. Armour could easily apply to this issue as well.“It’s been shown over and over again, when theworkplace is friendly to women, it’s friendly toeverybody.”
Perhaps it’s time for a bit more flexibility in the laband the classroom environment. How’s that forimproving hiring perks to boost the numbers offemale professors and researchers in the Faculty ofScience? √
www.wisest.ualberta.ca
To hear Cheryl’s conversation withDr. Margaret-Ann Armour, visitwww.innovationanthology.com
Cheryl Croucher hosts InnovationAnthology which is broadcast on CKUA Radio at7:58 am and 4:58 pm Tuesdays and Thursday. Ordownload the podcasts atwww.innovationanthologyy.com
he current global economic meltdown could easily crushinventors looking for investment capital.
But according to Juan Enriquez, out of crisis comesopportunity. And Alberta companies focused on life sciences can
profit from the emerging knowledge economy.He is one of the world’s foremost authorities on the business of life
sciences, a founding director of the Harvard Business School’s LifeSciences Project, and author of As the Future Catches You.
While in Edmonton recently for the Ingenuity in Our Communitysymposium, Enriquez offered his perspective. “The economic meltdown isin the financial and credit institutions, in the old economy. If you look atthe top 10 performing stocks of last year, the ones that are doing very well,five or six of them are life science companies because people still get sick.People still need to be treated. People, if they have an additional dollar,probably want to spend it on a quality of life. So these are companies thathave continued doing well, and that I expect will continue doing welldespite the economic meltdown.
Enriquez says Alberta can build a life sciences industry based on itsstrong capacity in research, resources and entrepreneurship. √
~ Cheryl Croucher
Learn more about Juan Enriquez at www.biotechonomy.com
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April 1BioAlberta Breakfast MeetingSpeaker Dr. Billen, VP & General Managerof Amgen Canada.7:30 to 9amRoyal Glenora ClubRSVP 780-425-3802
April 1-3Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Conference: Innovative Approaches to SuccessSpeakers Debbie Travis, Eveline Charles, Ben Barry and Dr. Valerie YoungMarriott River Cree Resortwww.awebusiness.com
April 1-19Telus World of ScienceLego Building CompetitionPrize: 5-day trip for 4 to Legoland, CaliforniaFull details atwww.telusworldofscience.com/edmonton
April 16Cybera LuncheonSpeaker Duncan Stewartof Deloitte Canada ResearchVisiting the Future and Reporting BackRoom 333, UofA Computing Science Centre11:45 to 1pmRSVPwww.hypermail.cybera.ca/registration/index.php
April 17 – 19Witec Connections 2009Connecting Wireless to Business SolutionsFairmont Banff Springs Hotelwww.witecconnections.ca
April 23 Business Link: Small Business SeminarPromotional Strategies: Create Buzzfor Your BusinessPresenter: Greg Gazin,Parallel 2000/The Gadget Guy6:00 pm- 9:00 pm100, 10237- 104 Street, Edmonton 1-800-272-9675 (toll-free)6:00 pm- 9:00 pm (via Videoconference)250-639 5 Ave. SW, Calgary 403-221-7800www.canadabusiness.ca/alberta/events
On the HORIZONAPRIL
Alberta’sBioeconomy
Potential
Juan Enriquez
22 EDMONTONIANS APRIL 2009
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witter and other forms of socialmedia continue to penetrate thepsyche of Edmontonians. Oneindication is the kind thank you I
received from Jason Darrah,communications business advisor for City ofEdmonton within the deputy city manager’soffice. He’s responsible for managing the@CityofEdmonton Twitter account(mentioned here last month). and as I foundout there’s change in the wind.
I asked Darrah what the City hoped toachieve through its early use of social media:Twitter, Youtube and Facebook. He gaveseveral answers around the common theme of“listening to Edmontonians” and indicatedthat there is strong support to “connect better,be more open and responsive toEdmontonians.” With increased nimbleness,Darrah feels that the City will be in a betterposition to “engage citizens.”
I must admit this was music to my social media ears but,before I get all misty, let’s back it up and talk about how the@CityofEdmonton Twitter account came to be. Of course,it’s not as simple as registering—ideally, it includes debate,planning and discussion. Darrah briefly explained that thisentire social media effort is a collaborative multi-department exercise… to be sure, this hasn’t happenedovernight. “The number one place we started was with asound strategy… The project team began its work based onthe assumption that using social media wasn’t an optionbut, rather, an inevitability.”
There I go getting all misty again. Darrah credits thesuccess of the City’s efforts to date to support from theDeputy City Manager Joyce Tustian. (Having the supportof leadership is a critical first step; you’d be amazed at howmany don’t get past that point.)
The communications team at the City started thediscussion with the same question almost every other largeorganization and certainly those in the public sector do
when considering entry into the social web: “What aboutprivacy, security and risk?” Beyond that Darrah said,“Everyone came to the realization that it’s not aboutcontrolling every citizen.” Thank goodness and good luckto those who think they can actually do that—they’re livingin a Technicolor dream world. “What we’re starting to seeis a shift in thinking”—absolutely critical for social mediaefforts to be successful and not an easy thing to accomplishin a public sector environment.
For example, many have witnessed in recent weeks,Speaker Ken Kowalski’s efforts at trying to rein in socialmedia activity within caucuses. And, many within the localsocial media scene believe that Troy Wason’s departurefrom PC caucus communications was a direct result of thecontrolling, anti-social media comments made by theSpeaker in a government focused newsletter. More of theSpeaker’s tongue-lashings regarding control over MLA’sonline activities during Question Period are well-documented in Hansard.
Back to the good work happening at theCity, operating in near real-time for a largeorganization not used to doing so hasimplications. So I asked Darrah how this wasimpacting internal processes in hisdepartment and others. His response, “It’simpacting our internal informational bestpractices.” In other words, city departmentsare changing how they communicate. “The ITdepartment has been very forward lookingand there is fresh discussion around theprocess gap and practice changes, along witha cultural shift.”
Ladies and gentlemen, these guys are onthe right track. I’m often asked why, if it’s soeasy to start up a profile on Facebook, Twitter,and LinkedIn, am I such a steadfast proponentof strategy development. Simple, fororganizations that have something to lose,they typically have cultures that are not builtfor wide-open transparency happening in a
real-time environment with people who have opinions. Insome cases, miscalculated efforts end up being a barrage onthe heart of the corporate soul, challenging establishedprocesses, assumptions, internal belief systems andcorporate capacities in unexpected ways. Not everyone isdesigned to “connect better, be more open andresponsive”—nor do they have the appetite to be so.
Folks—like Darrah, who is clearly an evangelist for thisteam—who work for Robert Moyles, director of strategiccommunications, are tackling challenging philosophicissues and succeeding. The fact that it’s happening onMayor Mandel’s watch shows savvy and guts. Politicalleaders in surrounding communities should roll-up theirsleeves and immediately start planning. Remember: It’sinevitable. √
Walter Schwabe is the Chief Evolution Officer of fusedlogicinc., a social media strategy firm and Alberta companysince 2000. You can learn more at www.fusedlogic.com
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101with Walter SchwabemediamediaSocial
A friend suggested a job with SpeedyCellular (a Cantel dealer, now Rogers).That gave her the bug for technology andmade her realize that she could make moremoney in sales than a salaried position.
“Our sales manager literally locked us ina room for eight hours a day and made uscold-call. I developed tough skin. I learnedhow to take rejection… and now I’m notafraid to pick up the phone and callanyone.”
These new life skills and confidence andher passion for technology would prove tobe invaluable. Moving from cell phones toIT Sales, she excelled in hardware andsoftware solutions including Novellnetworks and eventually service support.
“The sky’s the limit in sales and I lovedtechnology.” Kerr fondly remembers the$14,000 commission cheque she receivedfor one month’s work—big money in the1980s.
Technology also caught on in the Kerrhousehold. “This is not your typical singlemother latch-key story. In 1989, I sold mycondo, so my kids could be closer to TDBaker School.” Located in South-EastEdmonton, it was considered the high-techjunior high school in Canada.
Two of her three attended. Kerr jokesabout not being a “Soccer Mom,” but rathera “Gamer Mom.” Although she confessesTiger Woods Golf was the extent of herpersonal gaming. While many parentsabhorred the thought of kids wasting theirtime playing games, Kerr encouraged it.
“Bryan, my eldest son, was 12 yearsold… Dave was nine when Doom/Wolfenstein 3D released in ’92, and theboys started playing it at the office while Iworked overtime on proposals.” At first, itwas more to occupy their time, keep themoff the streets and out of trouble… but itwent beyond that, teaching them strategy,
agility and an appreciation for technology.“By the time Dave got serious aboutgaming in his early teens, he was one of theworld’s top players.”
All her children have embracedtechnology: Brandy, her 30-year olddaughter, is in human resources and has apenchant for desktop publishing; David, 25,is the hardware guy, building computers;and Bryan, 29, is the programmer, justgetting his portfolio, KerrDataSystems.com,up and running.
LIFE HAPPENS: REAL & SURREALKerr eventually moved into high-techconsulting, sales and marketing. However,during those gaming years, all was not funand play. In 1994, Kerr was seriouslyinjured in a car accident. “I’m lucky to behere… happy to be alive.”
It was a slow recovery from a life-altering event. She eventually got back ontrack and tried a couple of things, butadmits there were times where deals wentsour and a few projects just didn’t turn outas expected.
However, Kerr could not curtail herbelief that technology could break thedistance barrier for business. So she startedher own company and focused on virtualcommunications. While toying with anumber of marketing ideas and how theInternet could play a significant role, shestumbled upon avatars—computerrepresentations of the user.
“Out-of-the-blue I cold-called their VP inthe U.S., who suggested I contact thecompany itself in Asia.” The Taiwanesecompany, Reallusion was receptive. Notknowing exactly where to take this, anassociate invested $5,000 in a trial run. Kerrherself would be the guinea pig—anaccidental avatar. Not just any avatar, thefirst photo-real, full-body avatar.
“The guys made me in Taiwan,” sheexclaimed. “It seemed funny. They keptsending the body and face back and forth—they made me.” She was presented in abrown suede suit and a necklace fromTiffany’s on-line store.
“It was me, about as real as you can get. Icould even see the bump on my nose.”
While e-business was becoming moreacceptable, a personal element was stillmissing. “I felt people wanted to see whothey were dealing with and photo-realtechnology could help get us there.”
But it was a November 2006 magazinearticle about IBM’s $100-millioninvestment in virtual worlds that seemed tobe Kerr’s tipping point. CEO SamPalmisano was scheduling anannouncement… a town hall-style meetingboth in Beijing—physical—and SecondLife—virtual—simultaneously.
SL, created in 2003 by Linden Lab, is anInternet based 3D Virtual World designedas an alternate reality. Participants caninteract through avatars. It even had its owncurrency, with real dollar exchange rates.
“It drew me in. IBM invested… If it wasgood enough for them, we could makesome money at it, too.” Moving full-steamahead, Kerr registered, created avatars andstarted building customer relationships todo business in SL.
“We created a virtual shopping mall,CanadaInSL. Telus had kiosks where theydemonstrated cell phones. You could textmessage your avatar and real cell phones,too.”
Kerr set up an avatar company to market30-second voice-over photo-real avatars,both in the real and virtual world. But, therewas small hitch: the cost.
“We had a better product, but productioncosts were way too big; $7500 was a toughsell when you could buy SL avatars for $5.”
It was just too soon—Kerr’s product wasway ahead of its time.
SL still proved to be fruitful. That’swhere she met and put together a virtualteam of people around the world who arestill together today… including Eric Hall,from San Francisco, part of the original SLplatform creation.
Kerr’s SL exposure resulted in creatingtraining programs, which took her to thereal California to deliver educationalseminars and learning programs aroundvirtual worlds.
Returning to Edmonton, Kerr wasdetermined to create her own virtualplatforms as a business/communicationstool—a Global Virtual World TrainingCentre here in Edmonton, based on a paperdeveloped with Professor Dan O’Shea fromFlorida.
After numerous discussions, meetings,research with a number of organizations,investors and individuals—and withKinkaide’s assistance to create a businesscase—it was evident that there was asynergy between Kerr’s vision and TRLabsand what they could both bring to the table.
“As VRtech emerged, it began to shiftaway from simply building virtual realityspaces to actually teleporting people intothose spaces,” says Kinkaide. Think moreof Al (Dean Stockwell)… Quantum Leaprather than the Princess Leia’s hologramfrom Star Wars.
The rest, shall we say, is history—hmm,the future. √
Greg Gazin, “The Gadget Guy”, is a serialentrepreneur, freelance technologycolumnist, small business speaker, an avidPodcaster and producer ofToastcaster.com. Greg can be reached at780.424.1881, gadgetgreg.com [email protected]
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