Making Connections Virtual Panels

In 2020, with the release of Calgary on the Precipice, LearningCITY hosted a series of virtual panel conversations exploring Calgary’s path to a LearningCITY.


Hosts

Dr. David J. Finch

Dr. David J. Finch holds a Ph.D. in management and is an active educator, scholar, and practitioner. He holds numerous academic appointments, including as a Professor and Senior Fellow at Mount Royal University’s Institute for Community Prosperity, 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. He has also taught at the University of Calgary and Ohio University. 

Dr. Finch specializes in labour market dynamics, focusing on the increasing demands for adaptive learning systems. He sits on the Government of Alberta’s Minister's Council for Higher Education and Skills. Before this, he was seconded to Calgary Economic Development, leading studies on labour market issues. 

Dr. Finch is currently the board chair of the LearningCITY Collective. Dr. Finch has authored a study of Calgary’s learning ecosystem, facilitated the development of Calgary’s Skills Development Framework, and co-authored a policy report on Canadian youth migration. Before academia, Dr. Finch held progressively senior roles in corporate strategy with Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, and Harris Corporation.

Host: Dr. Jason Riberio

Jason Ribeiro is a father, community advocate, and Vice-Chairman & President of the Calgary Surge Professional Basketball Club.

Jason holds degrees from McMaster University, York University, Brock University, and recently earned his Ph.D. from the University of Calgary, where he was a SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Scholar.

Jason has held progressively senior roles in global consulting and economic development, and is regularly relied upon for trusted thought leadership and public affairs commentary in local and national media. A passionate corporate director and community volunteer, Jason serves on boards and committees within the Alberta Motor Association, Sport Calgary, and EducationMatters.

Since 2023 Jason has received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Brock University, Culbert Family Award for Philanthropy from the United Way of Calgary and Area, and was named to both the Calgary Herald's Compelling Calgarians List and The Peak's Emerging Leaders List. However, Jason's greatest achievement is the family life he's built with his wife, Dr. Natalie Scime and their young sons Matteo and Lorenzo.

His latest venture, the Calgary Surge, is an extension of his passions for sport and arts and culture. Jason is steadfast in his belief that the sport of basketball can bring people together and help build a Calgary that leaves no one behind.

Making Connections Virtual Panel

Adapt - Calgary’s Path to Open Learning

  • Kate Koplovich, Director, Strategy, Calgary Economic Development

  • Heather Robertson, Director of Service Design & Innovation, Calgary Public Library

  • Jeff Griffiths, Co-Founder Workforce Strategies International

  • Moderator: Dr. David J. Finch, Professor & Senior Fellow, Institute for Community Prosperity, Mount Royal University and Director of the Open Learning Lab.

Calgary on the Precipice - Learning our Way Forward

  • Janet Lane, Director, Human Capital Centre, Canada West Foundation

  • Dr. Chad Saunders, Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

  • Dr. Norm Vaughan, Professor of Education, Mount Royal University

  • Moderator: Dr. David J. Finch, Professor & Senior Fellow, Institute for Community Prosperity, Mount Royal University and Director of the Open Learning Lab.

Calgary on the Precipice - Path to a LearningCITY