learningCITY 2022 Speakers
LearningCITY 2022 Speakers
Jennifer Aubin is the Chief People & Culture Officer at Attabotics. Jennifer brings over 20 years of diverse experience with building high performing teams, inspiring employee engagement and creating positive, realistic people processes within fast-paced, energetic environments.
Currently, Jennifer is the Chief People & Culture Officer at Attabotics, a 3D robotic Automated Storage and Retrieval System company in Calgary. As employee #19, Jennifer has grown the company to over 300 employees in North America, while implementing numerous processes and strategies to ensure a high performing team.
Jennifer has founded two start-ups and has consulted with over 60 companies in the Calgary and area tech space, always with a strong focus on value creation in relation to people and business. She strongly believes that the best approach to success is a combination of passion, knowledge and attitude.
Usman Tahir Jutt is a father, philanthropist and entrepreneur who is passionate about building better communities and helping Albertans succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Usman bought his first business while attending university in Camrose. After turning the gas station into a successful business, he founded a consultancy to help increase profitability in gas stations across Canada. In 2013, Usman became the youngest owner operator with McDonalds Canada. Today, Usman owns and operates over a dozen restaurants in Calgary and surrounding communities and is one of the largest employers of young people in Southern Alberta.
Usman operates his McDonald’s franchisees through Chirp, a Calgary-based company that pushes boundaries and thinks differently. From French fries, to philanthropy, Chirp is focused on building a better Calgary, Alberta, and Canada. Usman is passionate about community building and removing barriers for non-profits, charities, organizations and people across Canada.
Nicholas Newnes serves as the Talent Strategy Specialist at Calgary Economic Development. Joining CED in 2020, Nicholas worked in the Business Development team where he supported companies with their talent attraction and retention needs. He then shifted into the Research & Strategy team where he now focuses on community engagement and strategic projects related to the key economic driver of Talent. Prior to his time at CED, Nicholas worked in marketing and social enterprise consulting. During university, he served on student council and advocated for mental health priorities for Alberta’s post-secondary students. Nicholas is originally from Singapore but has since been sold on the opportunities to enjoy an unparalleled quality of life in North America’s most liveable city. You can often find him getting bubble tea in Chinatown, running along the RiverWalk, or perusing the bookstores in Inglewood.
Ken Lima-Coelho is a passionate storyteller and connector with over 25 years of experience in broadcasting, brand and fund development, the arts and community-building. A graduate of the University of Calgary in communications and the University of King's College (Halifax) in journalism, Ken has recently began an exciting new role as President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area, a charity devoted to helping kids succeed through mentorship.
As a journalist, Ken held increasingly senior positions at CBC Calgary in television, radio and communications, marketing and brand over 15 years. He also served as Vice President of Development at Glenbow Museum and also lead both the educational and visitor experience portfolios for the museum. In June 2020, Ken received The Calgary Award for Community Advocate - Individual from The City of Calgary. In his spare time, Ken is a husband and the father of two cool kids, one who loves hockey and the other who loves singing and dancing.
Stephen Murgatroyd is the President and CEO at futureThink Press. He has worked with major corporations (Oracle, EMC, Citibank, Heinz, ASDA (Wal-Mart's UK division), Barclays Visa and many others) on major change and development programs. He has designed learning systems, such as Athabasca University's online MBA program and a creative work-based learning Masters degree as a partnership between Lifeskills International and Middlesex University.
In addition, Dr. Murgatroyd has written over 40 books, numerous articles and written, presented and directed television and radio.
Margo Purcell is the President & CEO at InceptionU. Margo is a leader, entrepreneur, educator, facilitator and community builder in Calgary, AB. Margo is a compassionate and thoughtful leader who helps people put their egos aside and embrace what they don’t know…yet. As the daughter of a principal, Margo witnessed early in life the importance of learning and mentorship. Seeing her father’s role in the education of her high school peers, she wanted to follow in his footsteps but knew she wouldn’t take a straight path to get there. Ironically, a program called LifePath™ set her on a journey of self-discovery and career transition. Today, as CEO of InceptionU. Margo works with learners, industry and government partners to develop accessible programs to help Calgarians transition into tech careers. She also coaches leaders, founders and senior managers to think differently about how they approach innovation through problem setting, problem-solving and designing meaningful solutions.
David J. Finch holds a PhD in management and is an active educator, scholar, and practitioner. He currently holds several academic appointments including as a Professor at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business, a Visiting Fellow at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading (UK), and the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. As a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Community Prosperity, Dr. Finch leads the Institute’s CityXLab. This lab explores the role of place in developing, attracting, and retaining human capital. In 2022, he was appointed the the Minister’s Council on Higher Education and Skills. Since 2020, Dr. Finch has been seconded part-time to Calgary Economic Development, supporting the development of a talent strategy to deliver on the city's economic priorities.
Anila Lee Yuen is the President and CEO of the Centre for Newcomers in Calgary. She has 25+ years of experience in the settlement sector, and 15 years in executive leadership roles. Her work consists of supporting newcomers with the mission to make Calgary a diverse, united community, through services and initiatives that create conditions of success for newcomers and that foster a welcoming environment.
Maureen Neufeldt is Chief People and Technology Officer, Trans Mountain Corporation. Maureen is responsible for Trans Mountain’s Human Resources programs, including building and executing strategies for talent development and succession, total rewards, and employee relations. She leads Information Technology strategies, systems management, and development, including cyber security. In addition, she is responsible for Real Estate and Facilities functions. Maureen works across Trans Mountain’s base operations business and the expansion project to enable transition and integration. Maureen brings over 25 years of professional experience including over a decade in executive leadership with Trans Mountain and its predecessor companies. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Psychology) from the University of Waterloo and is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). She is a member of the Conference Board of Canada’s Compensation Research Council.
Janet Lane, M.A. is Director of the Human Capital Centre Canada West Foundation. Janet champions the development of a skilled and productive workforce able to fulfill the potential of the West’s — and by extension, Canada’s — economy. As the demands on the workforce evolve, her work focuses on the need to understand and build the competencies required for new jobs and changing work environments. Janet is a subject matter expert in literacy and essential skills development.
Previously, she built a successful career in financial services. Her education, experience and proven track record for growing organizations contributes to her ability to connect human development with the skills and competencies that western Canadian industries need.
Kathy McCrum is known for her energy, drive, and empathy. Frequently referred to as a ‘firecracker’, most recently as the Vice President, People & Employee Relations for the WestJet Group.
Kathy is proud of her career beginnings, as her career foundation was critical in shaping the leader she has become. Kathy started out at Canadian Pacific Railway where she led teams in both the operations and HR functions. With senior leadership experience in the private and public sectors in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Kathy has held a variety of roles within large organizations across multiple industries. Kathy is recognized for her collaboration with stakeholders and industry peers, for her ability to drive talent and labour strategies, and for her success in re-shaping how HR effectively partners with the business. Kathy held the position of Chief Human Resources Officer and VP Safety with SaskPower where she was recognized for re-shaping the people strategy and bringing renewed focus to the executive table.
Rahim Sajan is a public school teacher, Co- Founder of TEDxCalgary, and the Founder of the Resourceful Human Project. Rahim has worked with a variety of student populations, including justice involved youth and also engaged students all over the world, through his involvement with the Global Encounters Camps. He also served as the Honorary Degree Chair, in the University of Calgary Senate and was the founding advisor for the Dean’s Talks at the Cumming School of Medicine. He is an active speaker coach who has worked with over 100 speakers in multiple disciplines to communicate powerfully. Rahim has been recognized as a Calgary Top 40 under 40 and is the recipient of the Arch Award from the University of Calgary.
