Checkmate: How Social Distancing Has Changed the Social Media and the Business Support Game

In advance of the David Sobey Centre’s Event Omnichannel Retailing event on October 1, 2021, The Network hosted Checkmate: How Social Distancing Has Changed the Social Media and the Business Support Game an event focusing on social media connections and support. Because social media provides an easy way to stay up-to-date on current events, find entertainment and stay in touch. Social media use has grown over the years, and with recent lockdowns causing limited in-person interactions it has driven consumers and companies to look to use social media to connect. The discussion also looked at if social distancing causes virtual distancing. As social media can also influence and provide support to consumers, allowing for more streamlined experiences the discussion looked at if can helped many organizations weather the COVID-19 storm. The pandemic has forced many consumers and businesses to adopt safer and more convenient shopping experiences and find way to utilize their multiple channels. With slow signs of recovery, the discussion explored if these behaviours and integrations will continue to be entrenched in our shopping experiences. View the video provided to watch the recording.

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Health & Wellbeing Series: Beyond the Pandemic | Exploring the Impact of Physical Health and Performance
Health & Wellbeing Series: Beyond the Pandemic | Exploring the Impact of Physical Health and Performance

The Network was pleased to present its second Health and Wellbeing Webinar on March 10, 2022 from 11:30 am -1:00 pm. The webinar focused on the importance of physical health and staying active during the pandemic. As well as the impact of the pandemic has had on our student athletes’ mental and physical health and the effect on our community and local businesses. The conversation discussed how many athletes and businesses are coping with the many changes and transitions including finding innovative ways to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle or performance.

The webinar was moderated by Dr. Cheryl MacDonald BA’10, the Associate Director of Outreach at the Saint Mary’s University Centre for the Study of Sport & Health and also who teaches in the Health, Wellness & Sport in Society program. Our panelist included community sport and business leaders of: Jad Crnogorac BComm’98 owner and founder Jadfit, Marisa Colize, Saint Mary’s University Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Keisha Turner BA’12 entrepreneur and higher education professional who founded AthleticYogis.

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Micro-Credentials in the Future of Education
Micro-Credentials in the Future of Education

The Network was pleased to present in partnership with the Office of Diversity Excellence a webinar about Micro-Credentials in the Future of Education on February 3, 2022 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm AST. This discussion looked at emerging trends in continuous learning and education. It also provided direction and helped us understand the impact of online courses and certificates for professional development, new trends with organizations talent plans, and new educational institution’s programming offerings, and more. During the discussion some helpful links were provided on programs, such as Ryerson ADaPT which is a work-integrated learning program that addresses the gap between employer needs and graduate skills through intensive training. You can also check out some of the Top Mirco-Credentials course offered at or guest speaker Darian Kovcas’ Jelly Academy.

This panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Wendy Carroll, Saint Mary’s University, Sobey School of Business, Associate Professor Management and Academic Director EMBA and EDBA programs. Our experienced panel includesd Dr. Wendy Cukier, Ryerson University, Academic Director and Founder of the Diversity Institute, Academic Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, and a Research Lead for the Future Skills Centre; Mr. Darian Kovacs, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and Digital Marketing School; and Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, Saint Mary’s University, Associate Vice-President, Diversity Excellence, and Associate Professor of Department of Languages & Cultures.

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Sobey School Co-Alumni-In-Residence Showcase
Sobey School Co-Alumni-In-Residence Showcase

The Network was pleased to present a special webinar presenting our first Co-Alumni-In-Residence, Co-Founders of Purple Cow Internet, Bradley Farquhar BComm ’08 and Joe Power BComm ’11 on January 27, 2022 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm AST. During this showcase we reflected on some of their experiences while being Saint Mary’s University and Sobey School of Business students, and how this education and experience helped chart their path to where they are today. This discussion also dived into conversation to help us learn how they decided to start their own business, and important steps they took in the development of Purple Cow. It provided us insight into the entrepreneurial spirit that they both have and how we can all set big goals for ourselves and our peers as we work together to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

This event was moderated by Sobey School of Business Commerce Societies Vice President, Manav Khera. To see information on our Alumni-In-Residence click here. Please view the recording to see the full showcase.

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Executive-In-Residence

Ian Smith headshot.jpg

Ian D. Smith | Chief Executive Officer

Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership

Ian D. Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Seafoods.  Mr. Smith joined Clearwater in May 2010 and has over 33 years of international experience in the food and consumer products industry.  Prior to joining Clearwater, Mr. Smith held senior leadership positions at the Campbell Soup Company within Canada, the United States and China.  Prior to his time at Campbell’s, Mr. Smith held various marketing, sales and international business development positions with Allergan, Colgate-Palmolive and the Gillette Company.

Mr. Smith currently participates as a director on a number of boards and advisory councils focused on international trade and public policy including; The Business Council of Canada and the Asia Business Leaders Advisory Council of the Asia Pacific Foundation.  He is a graduate of McGill University (BA Economics, MBA), a former Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and currently serves as Honorary Colonel of 36 Canadian Engineer Regiment located in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Alumni-In-Residence

Wendy Luther | President and Chief Executive Officer

Halifax Partnership

Wendy Luther Proud Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. EMBA’08

Wendy Luther is a leader in economic and export development, with vast experience promoting Nova Scotia and its assets globally. Halifax Partnership is Halifax’s public-private economic development

organization. Wendy joined as President & CEO in 2019. In 2023, Halifax

Partnership was honoured with four Excellence in Economic Development

Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

including Gold for Economic Development Organization of the Year. Prior to joining Halifax Partnership, Wendy was President & CEO of EduNova, a co-operative association of public and private-sector education providers committed to promoting Nova Scotia’s knowledge economy internationally. Under her leadership, EduNova was honoured with the prestigious international PIEoneer Association of the Year Award in 2017. Earlier in her career, Wendy worked in export development with the Atlantic Canada World Trade Centre and Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) where she led trade missions to over twenty countries and has mentored and advised hundreds of Nova Scotian exporters on how to be competitive in international markets. At NSBI, through her role as Nova Scotia’s first Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO), she was appointed by the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank to connect entrepreneurs and institutions to opportunities funded by International Financial Institutions. Wendy has served on and led numerous boards and committees including advisory boards for two private sector companies (Canada and U.S. based). Currently, Wendy serves on the Board of Directors and the Management Resources and Compensation Committee of Canadian-owned LED Roadway Lighting; the Board of Directors and as Vice Chair of the Governance Committee of Mitacs, a national not-for-profit organization focused on increasing Canada’s innovation competitiveness; and is Membership Chair on the Executive Committee of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Atlantic Chapter. Born in Vancouver, Wendy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, and an MBA from Saint Mary’s University. She holds a Certified International Trade Professional designation (CITP) and is an alumna of the Caribbean Canada Emerging Leaders Dialogue and Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Leaders at Sea (CLaS) Program. In November 2023, she attained her ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors, Director Education Program and is really geeking out on governance! In March 2023 Wendy was honoured with Atlantic Canada's 25 Most Powerful Women in Business award.