Jared Smith 

Jared Smith is partner and co-founder of Incite, the recognized thought leader in marketing that strengthens relationships.  Incite specializes in managing market research, planning, branding, creative design, and long-term marketing strategies for organizations across Canada. 

 

A native Edmontonian, Jared graduated from the University of Alberta in 1997 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.  Jared's background includes entrepreneurial and marketing roles with local and international organizations, including a market research and strategy firm founded by Jared in 1997 to represent Canadian organizations in China.

 

Jared is actively involved in numerous organizations including being the current President Entrepreneurs Organization, member of the Edmonton Eskimos Grid Iron Gang, and Edmonton Executives Association.  In August of 2010 he helped Chair the CBCF Linkpink Lance Armstrong Luncheon and Ride where they raised $1.4 Million for the foundation.  He is a highly sought-after public speaker and regularly speaks for the University of Alberta School of Business, The Alberta Society for Marketing Professional Services, and The Western Canadian Business Link.  Jared was recently recognized as one of Edmonton's Top 40 under 40 by Venture magazine. 

 

Jared is a 3rd degree black belt and instructor at the Edmonton Go Ju Kai Karate club.  He lives for adventure, and the only thing more exciting than watching him mountain bike, water ski, or spar, is listening to him tell a story about it the next day!  Jared and his wife Jessica enjoy traveling with their two young children, Kai and Madeleine.

 

Tuesday (February 21) Afternoon Networking Session:  Edmonton Economic Development Corporation

The Co-operators are pleased to join EEDC for this session.

 

Greg Bainbridge is the Manager of Industry Development with the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) and focuses on growing Edmonton's vibrant business community.  Prior to working with EEDC, Greg was with Telus Communications for 5 years providing financial analysis and risk management expertise to Telus' Business Solutions.  Having moved from Vancouver over 6 years ago, Greg now calls Edmonton home and is active within the sport and volunteer community.  Greg chairs the board of the Edmonton Financial Literacy Society, a not-for-profit society devoted to the financial education of Edmontonians.  He is also a member of the Health and Wellness committee with the Edmonton Community Foundation, which provides grant funding for not-for-profit organizations.  Academically, Greg is pursing a CFA Charter.  He holds a Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree, with a minor in accounting from the University of British Columbia. 

 

HSBC has proudly brought the following speakers together to make up a fantastic speaker panel.  In addition to his Wednesday Seminar, Brian Ford will be introducing the speaker panel.

 

Brent is a Business alumnus of the University of Alberta and is the North American manager of operations for Supply Chain Solutions; a Hong Kong headquartered supply chain management organization.  SCS is a diverse organization with experience in wine and spirits warehousing, brand building and distribution and an array of customized services for satisfying organizational supply chain problems.  SCS holds a number of internationally recognized awards for their management controls, products and services. 

 

Brent has past experience in designing and implementing oil and gas programs for senior management persons within China.  These programs showcased Alberta expertise and innovations as well provided training in everything from Risk Management and pipeline integrity to rig construction. 

 

Since 2008 Brent has specialized in assisting organizations to achieve their goals in purchasing, production, quality control protocols, sourcing management, warehousing, distribution and fulfillment.  Brent's ability to speak Mandarin and 13 year exposure to the Chinese culture allows him to bridge the gap between domestic requirements and foreign markets and providers.

 

Sandra Johnston is a senior research moderator who established her own qualitative research consulting firm, Johnston Research Inc., in 2006.  Qualitative research explore the range of opinions that occur in a target market and investigates why the public perceives what they do and the factors that influence their range of opinions. 

 

Since its inception, Johnston Research has become a well respected firm in the market research field, having completed over 125 projects, working with both public and private enterprises, including local and provincial governments, not for profit agencies, and the top advertising and communications companies in Alberta.  Sandra has had the opportunities to support some of the most interesting and most respected campaigns produced in Alberta. 

 

Since beginning her career in market research in 2004, Sandra has moderated over 600 focus groups and has conducted nearly 400 in-depth interviews.  In addition to her real life experience, Sandra is a RIVA trained moderator and is persuing her CMRP designation. 

 

Sandra credits her success as a moderator to her genuine interest in peoples' opinions, "I really am interested in why people think what they think.  It helps me to connect with them and I believe it encourages people to speak openly and honestly."

Heather Prentice Schmidt

From information systems consulting to teaching overseas, to becoming the principal of an independent, academic, K-12 school, and now a stay-at-home mum with involvement in a family farming operation, Heather's career continues to present new challenges and rewards.  She has worked in a number of cities across Canada, in Chicago, the U.K., and in Parma, Italy, and has also travelled widely for both work and pressure.  Being closer to family drew her back to Edmonton after a decade away.

 

Heather values education and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Dr. Hu Harries medalist) from the University of Alberta, a Masters in Agricultural Economics and Agri-food Business from the University of Guelph, and a Bachelor of Education (secondary school English major, French and Mathematics double minor) from the University of Alberta.  She loves languages and geography, and chairs the board of a global demographics institute at the University of Lethbridge, as well as the board of a local preschool.  The advice she follows when approaching her career is to keep building strong and diverse skills, have a few dreams and ideas in the back of your mind, and then stay open to opportunities where skills and dreams intersect and be ready to jump!

 

In her leisure time, Heather loves all things outdoors, hiking, camping, reading, cooking, travel, yoga, dance, and music.  She values community and feels it's important to create a sense of belonging wherever you are, no matter how temporarily.  Heather lives in Edmonton with her husband, two little boys, and their pet turtle. 

 

Shane Jaffer has been with Alberta Government for just over ten years.  In his current role as Director, International Financial Institutions (IFI's) he works with Alberta firms pursuing international projects funded by international financial institutions like the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian Development Bank and others.  With respect to the work with IFI's, some of the activities undertaken to increase Alberta's success with IFI's include organizing trade missions, identification of business opportunities, outreach programs for Bank staff and company counseling on projects.  Shane is also part of the World Bank's and Inter-American Development Bank's Private Sector Liason Network.  

 

Prior to his role with international financial institutions, Shane was also responsible for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Manager of the Business Immigration Program. 

 

Shane is also on the advisory board of the Canadian Council on Africa (CCAfrica) and an active volunteer for the Calgary Stampede. 

 

Shane has a Masters in International Trade from the University of Saskatchewan and degrees from the University of Alberta including from the Alberta School of Business. 

 

 

 

Denise Bodnaryk has been working in the Human Resources field for the past twenty years and holds her CHRP designation.  She is a member of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta (HRIA) and the Human Resources Associate of Calgary (HRAC) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (H) and Masters of Business Administration with a Finance major from the University of Manitoba.  Recently she has received her certification as a Strategic Workforce Planner.  

 

Denise started her HR career working for the Federal Government and held progressively responsible roles in the Department of National Defense, Public Works and Government Services, Health Canada and Citizenship and Immigration.  After leaving government, Denise worked in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry with the Pepsi Bottling Group and held role of Market Unit Human Resources Manager.  

 

In 2002, Denise made the move into retail by accepting the role of Regional Human Resources Manager with the Home Depot.  After a rewarding experience establishing district level HR expertise for the organization, she joined Wal-Mart Canada Corp. as the first Regional People Operations Manager for Western Canada.  In her current role, Denise continues to provide stategic direction to HR programs for over 25,000 associates in 115 stores across Western Canada. 

 

Denise plays an active role with the Retail Council of Canada and formerly held the role as Chair of the Marketing Sub-Committee on the Alberta Retail Labour Supply Task Force.  She is also a member of the Advisory Board for the HR Program at Bow Valley College in Calgary and has worked with the Advisory Board for the School of Retailing, University of Alberta. 

 

 

Kara Mitchelmore has led CMA Alberta since November 2010 but established her management expertise in other roles, including controller, strategic consultant, post-secondary instructor and program developer.  Before assuming her current position, Kara was vice president of accrediation at CMA Alberta and in June 2012, assumed the role of acting president and CEO. 

 

CMA Alberta is an integral partner of CMA Canada and is responsible for the training, accredication and continuing professional development of a membership of 7,400 CMAs in Alberta.

 

Kara earned her CMA designation in Nova Scotia in 1999 and moved to Alberta to further realize her career aspirations.  In 2003, she was nationally recognized by CMA Canada for successfully leading one of Canada's top eyewear companies. 

 

Kara is passionate about the CMA designation and displays it to all who might pass her on the road - her license plate reads, "CMA 4 Ever".

 

Kara was awared her MBA in 2009 and is currently pursuing a doctorate in business administration. 

 

Sustainability issues have transformed the competitive landscape, forcing organizations to rethink their business models and the kind of people they hire to carry out their strategy.  Thinking about your vision and your future?  You can bet that sustainability and sustainable value have become the buzzwords of the next generation of business leaders and innovators.  This presentation will examine how sustainability became "the next great thing" and how students can learn to turn their sustainable value into career success.

 

Angus Watt

Angus graduated from York University in 1974 with a degree in Political Science, and immediately entered the investment industry. Currently, he is Managing Director, Individual Investor Services, National Bank Financial. His expertise is in assisting with long term Financial Planning, Group Benefits, and Estate Planning. He is a past recipient of the Investment Dealers Association 'Program of Distinction Award' for the Prairie Region.

 

Angus and his group manage over $500,000,000 in assets, have over 120 years of combined market experience, and are specialists in Investment Management as well as Financial Planning, Individual Insurance, Group Insurance and Benefits planning. As Central Alberta's Business Authority, Angus broadcasts 62 times per week on Global TV and 630 CHED.

 

Angus is Chair, Alberta Order of Excellence Council, and Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Angus is a Member, The Senate of the University of Alberta, and is an Honorary Lietenant Colonel of the South Alberta Light Horse regiment.  Angus is currently a Director (and past Chair), Edmonton Police Foundation and a member of the City of Edmonton Food & Agriculture Advisory Committee.  He serves as an advisor to The Hearing Foundation of Canada, and Little Warriors.  
 

Previously, Angus was Chair of The United Way of Northern Alberta (two terms), Chair of The Minerva Foundation, The Support Network, and The Support Network Foundation.  He is a past board member, TELUS Edmonton Community Board, David Foster & Friends Edmonton Committee, Hockey Canada Foundation 2010 Edmonton Celebrity Classic, and a past advisor to The Canadian Cancer Society.  He is a past recipient of the "Paul Harris Fellow", awared by the Rotary Club of Canada.

 

Thursday (February 23)  Evening Keynote:  Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta presents Franco Lombardo
 

Before becoming the Co-founder and Managing Director of Veritage, Franco Lombardo has gained over 20 years of experience advising and consulting about the psychology of money and families.  He started his career as a financial advisor in Western Canada and evolved into a consultant assisting families dealing with the psychology of money as it relates to their family.  He defined his process to assist families with these issues as Authentic Wealth (TM).  Through personal experience and his extensive work with family businesses, Franco recognized a dynamic; the relationship they have with their money, their business, their community, their philanthropic goals and their family and how money and wealth impacts these relationships. 

 

As a trusted advisor and consultant, Franco has created an investigative process that allows the client to connect the above relationships with their wealth and themselves.  This exercise is called Life After Wealth.  He is the author of two books:  Life Afer Wealth:  When is Enough Enough? and Money Motto:  The Path to Authentic Wealth. Franco has spoken to CICA (the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants) on succession planning, The Family Office Association, Cafe (The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise), YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and Vistage (an organization serving the needs of CEOs around the world).  He has appeared as a guest on national television shows such as "Money Talks" on BNN and "The Morning Show" on Global Television. 

 

Franco is considered to be a leading expert on the issues of psychology of money and its interaction within the family and its legacy for its wealth.  He has been quoted and written articles for various magazines and newspapers.  He is a passionate and engaging speaker and a personal growth facilitator, who is committed to helping people discover their Money Motto, and to facilitate the awareness necessary to achieve "Authentic Wealth(TM)".

 

 

 

Jeff Prentice is a Senior Investment Analyst at ARC Financial Corp., Canada's leading energy-focused private equity manager with $2.7 billion of capital across six ARC Energy Funds.  In his current role, Jeff is responsible for sector analysis in the Canadian and global energy business, deal evaluation, structuring and execution, and the monitoring of portfolio companies.  Jeff joined ARC in 2008, and plays an important part in ARC's investment process, examining and understanding key elements and risks of all investments.  Jeff currently represents ARC as an observer on the boards of Tangle Creek Energy Ltd. and BluEarth Renewables Inc.

 

Prior to joining ARC Financial, Jeff spent seven years working RBC Capital Markets in their energy investment banking and project finance groups.  At RBC, Jeff assisted clients in raising over $7 billion of project finance debt capital and was involved in over $4 billion of M&A and corporate finance transactions.  A former attendee of RMBS, Jeff holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, and was one of the first graduates of the PRIME program. 

 

 

Daniel Haight is the managing director of the Centre for Excellence in Operations (an applied math research centre), a sessional lecturer at the School of Business, and the founding partner of Darkhorse Analytics.  He started his career at Mercer Management Consulting in Toronto advising senior management and jet-setting around the continent.  Subsequently, he nearly made millions of dollars in a small internet startup.  Instead, he enjoyed the magnificent failure of the Internet bust.  Along the way, he started a used car dealership, purchased a second-hand trampoline for fifteen dollars, recorded a rock video, and fathered two children.  His current work focuses on emergency medical services and data visualization.  Daniel graduated from the U of A with a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Studies after six years of intense study. 

 

Brian Ford is Vice President of Payments and Cash Management at HSBC Canada, heading up the Canadian sales team.  He is responsible for sales strategy, training, customer relationship management, and service delivery.  Prior to moving to HSBC in 2005, Brian held senior cash management positions with BMP Nesbitt Burns and Toronto-Dominion Bank.  Brian is an active member of the Treasury Management Association of Canada (TMAC), Association of Financial Professionals (AFP), and has worked closely with both the Canadian Bankers Association, and the Canadian Payments Association.  Brian holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, as well as the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation.  Brian has been living in Toronto for the past 13 years with 2 girls 11 & 14 and 19-year-old stepdaughter. 

 

 

George Coon is the Assistant Vice-President with HSBC Premier, Private Client Group based out of Edmonton.  He joined HSBC in 2006 with the mandate to develop and expand the high net worth business in the Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan regions.  He brings together the many lines of business essential to high net worth clients and develops the services, infrastructure and processes to best meet our clients' needs. 

 

Prior to joining HSBC, George worked for 14 years in corporate and mid-market commercial banking for major financial institutions.  He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Alberta and attained his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designations.  In the fall of 2011, George received the Fellow of The Society of Management Accountants of Canada (FCMA).

 

George believes that the foundation of wealth management is first to understand our clients' unique needs.  The Private Client Group distinctive team approach allows us to develop and implement customized solutions and services to help our clients achieve their personal financial goals. 

 

George works with a team of professionals committed to one things:  their clients.  They pride themselves on lasting, meaningful relationships they develop and becoming their clients' trusted advisor.  At HSBC, building long-term trusted relationships is our client service philosophy.

 

HSBC Premier services are offered through HSBC Bank Canada.  With around 8,000 offices in 87 countries and territories and assets of US $2,715.7 billion at 30 September 2011, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations. 

 

George is married to Heather and they have two daughters, Brianna and Morgan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don Matthew has been a member of KPMG since 1982.  From 1985 until 2000, he worked in the Greater Vancouver Area's (GVA) Richmond office during which time the office grew tenfold.  In 2000, Don returned to the Vancouver office and led an industry-focused group.  Effective February 1, 2006, Don was appointed Regional Managing Partner for KPMG in Alberta and Office Managing Partner of KPMG's Edmonton office. 

 

As Edmonton's Office Managing Partner, Don directs the resources necessary to help ensure we are doing everything possible to meet and exceed the needs of KPMG LLP's clients and staff.  The Edmonton office is one of the larger KPMG LLP offices in Canada and Don sets the direction for the office from financial, quality, market and people perspectives.  He currently serves as client relationship partner for the Edmonton office's more significant clients where he helps ensure they receive client service that exceeds expectations.  As a course instructor at KPMG, Don has contributed to the development of tomorrow's leaders by sharing his knowledge and expertise in the business critical areas of succession planning, due diligence, and marketing.  Don takes an active role in recruiting, educating and career development of recent graduates.  Don demonstrates his dedication to local business and community having served on a variety of Boards. 

 

 

 

Taylor Rolheiser is a Senior Manager with KPMG's Enterprise practice in Edmonton. Since joining the team in September 2005, she has provided assurance, tax and advisory services to a wide variety of clients, including private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and many public sector clients.  Taylorís experience at KPMG has enabled her to become a valued advisor and source expert for her clients; helping them to overcome the unique challenges they face.  

 

A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from the University of Alberta, Taylor went through the CASB program, wrote the UFE in 2007, and became a Chartered Accountant shortly thereafter.  Taylor has been involved in recruiting since joining the firm, and is also the lead coordinator for the UFE program in the Edmonton office. 

 

 

 

Paul McElhone is the Executive Director of the School of Retailing at the University of Alberta School of Business.  With more than 25 years of direct experience in retailing, and 14 years experience in retail education, Paul has a passion for the retail industry and has worked with regional, national, and international companies and educational institutions.  His main areas of interests include the use of technology in specialty retail markets, retailing and channel management, merchandising strategies, and branding.  Having held a variety of retailing positions for sales associate to store manager, to buyer, to head of corporate sales, Paul's award-winning lectures are rich with anecdotal content.  In 2008 Paul completed his PhD with the European School of Management in Paris.

 

Bio of Marv to come.

 

20 Vic Management Inc. manages a national portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties.  Their seasoned team of specialists have the detailed expertise and are committed to creating value for their stakeholders.