Health & Wellbeing Series : The Stigma-Free Zone, Opening Up About Our Mental Health

The Network was pleased to present a webinar on November 24, 2021 11:45 am - 1:00 pm ADT. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some major changes and added many challenges to our everyday lives. These issues incorporated with the fear of contracting the virus make it vital that we are not only focusing and looking after our physical health, but our mental health as well. With many employers, employees and recent graduates navigating new onboarding experience and new workplace environments, we need to learn how, and find way to discuss to destigmatize our different environments. To make it safe to talk about the state of our mental health.

As a result of COVID, our inability to nurture ‘real connection’ can create many additional stresses and pressures. We need to be intentional about creating practical and healthy environments that allow opportunity for us to open up about our mental health. This event looked how we can help guide informal conversations surrounding mental health as well as ways to build trust with our students, peers, employees, and employers while mitigating mental health stigma. A competency that each of us must take responsibility for, so that we can create safe space to attract and support the people in our networks .

The event was moderated by Stephanie Howatt (MBA ‘21) and featured Karn Nichols the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia Division (MBA ‘11), Michael DeVenney, President of WorkInsights and Founder of The Mindset Project and Mandi Nicholson, Co-Founder of UR Enough and Life Coach. To watch the full webinar, please view 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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Sobey School Executive-In-Residence Showcase
Sobey School Executive-In-Residence Showcase

The Network was pleased to present a special webinar presenting our first Executive-In-Residence, Ian D. Smith the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership. Our discuss on January 13, 2022 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm AST was moderated and guided by Sobey School of Business MBA Societies 2022 President, Sean Buchanan. During this discussion we explored Ian’s journey to being CEO of North America's largest vertically integrated harvester of wild caught shellfish and crustaceans with more than $600 million dollars in sales in over 55 countries and international harvesting, processing, and distribution operations as well as sales offices in 4 continents. We also dived into his experience leading the organization through a transitional period of ownership and acquisition a year ago, which saw Mi’kmaq coalition together with Premium Brands Holdings Corporation acquired Clearwater in a 50/50 partnership. This transaction was historically significant in many ways and two above all, it was the single largest transaction in the history of Canada’s seafood industry and represents the single largest investment in the seafood industry by any Indigenous group in Canada. In addition, this conversation provided us with an insight on what it’s like to manage and organize a company of this calibre, and what advice Ian would give to our community as we work together to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

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From the Classroom to the Boardroom
From the Classroom to the Boardroom

he Network was pleased to present in partnership with Sobey School of Business Graduate Career Services on January 11, 2022 at 11: 30 am to 1:00 pm AST the webinar From the Classroom to the Boardroom. The pandemic has caused a shift in the overall approach to securing employment in this rapidly evolving job market. Which left us with questions: What are the challenges and opportunities for graduates to obtained employment? What skills and competencies are required in this new world order? Roles that graduates’ take after university can have a significant impact on their career paths and influence what doors open to them later on down the road. With these important decisions in mind, it is important to equip yourself with the right tools and resources, in order to achieve your career goals. In the post pandemic environment how, we connect, and network is different. During this discussion we heard perspectives from Jason Byrne, VP HR, Farm Boy, Jessica Case BComm ‘13, HR Operations, Shopify, Andrea Anderson, Public Service Commissioner for the Government of Nova Scotia, Michelle Clare EMBA ‘21, Regional VP, RBC, Jana Buchanan MBA ‘19, Consultant, Deloitte, and Michelle Meringer, Consultant, Deloitte. This gave us insight into their organizations hiring practices in a post-pandemic period while highlighting strategies that help elevate connections between employers and our students, and many other important valuable points.

Please view the recording to see the full event, which was co-moderated by Dr. Wendy Carroll, Associate Professor and Academic Director EMBA Program at SMU, and Tim Damon with Graduate Career Services at SMU.

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Health & Wellbeing Series : The Stigma-Free Zone, Opening Up About Our Mental Health
Health & Wellbeing Series : The Stigma-Free Zone, Opening Up About Our Mental Health

The Network was pleased to present a webinar on November 24, 2021 11:45 am - 1:00 pm ADT. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some major changes and added many challenges to our everyday lives. These issues incorporated with the fear of contracting the virus make it vital that we are not only focusing and looking after our physical health, but our mental health as well. With many employers, employees and recent graduates navigating new onboarding experience and new workplace environments, we need to learn how, and find way to discuss to destigmatize our different environments. To make it safe to talk about the state of our mental health.

As a result of COVID, our inability to nurture ‘real connection’ can create many additional stresses and pressures. We need to be intentional about creating practical and healthy environments that allow opportunity for us to open up about our mental health. This event looked how we can help guide informal conversations surrounding mental health as well as ways to build trust with our students, peers, employees, and employers while mitigating mental health stigma. A competency that each of us must take responsibility for, so that we can create safe space to attract and support the people in our networks .

The event was moderated by Stephanie Howatt (MBA ‘21) and featured Karn Nichols the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia Division (MBA ‘11), Michael DeVenney, President of WorkInsights and Founder of The Mindset Project and Mandi Nicholson, Co-Founder of UR Enough and Life Coach. To watch the full webinar, please view the recording.

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Don't Worry Be Hoppy | Managing Business Risk: Crisis Management and Planning for a Better Tomorrow
Don't Worry Be Hoppy | Managing Business Risk: Crisis Management and Planning for a Better Tomorrow

The Network was pleased to present a webinar on November 3, 2021 11:45 am - 1:00 pm ADT that focused on business risks, with a special emphasis on the alcohol beverage industry in Nova Scotia. Many businesses were inadequacy prepared to weather the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially SME’s. SMEs generally do not consider managing for risks outside the general scope of their day-to-day activities that could negatively affect their businesses such as IT and infrastructural problems and prolong closures. As well many organizations do not have plans to mitigate issues with unexpected or disruptive events that can significantly impact their organizations, until after the event occurs. The shock of the pandemic has presented a need for support for risk and crisis management for all organizations moving forward and has and will continue to reshape our working environments, health and safety requirements of our workplaces and need for contingency planning.

The webinar included some of Nova Scotia’s Wine and Beverage industry best and brightest, which gave an inside look at some of their lessons learned, emerging industry trends from the pandemic, and best path forward to be better prepared and manage for risks in the future

The panel was moderated by Stephanie Howatt (MBA ’21), and will showcased industry leaders including Matt Rogers, President of Bishop’s Cellar, Steve Haysom (BSc’94) , owner, founder and CEO of The Church Brewing Co. and SMU CN professor of Safety Culture, Mark Fleming.

Please view the recording to see the full webinar.

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Sobey Women In Business | Building Leaders for the Future: Creating a Positive Impact Through Mentorship
Sobey Women In Business | Building Leaders for the Future: Creating a Positive Impact Through Mentorship

To help the discussion on Women in Business and lead up to the Sobey Women in Business Symposium: Women in Entrepreneurship: Leading Change on October 15, 2021, The Network hosted a pre-event on October 7, 2021 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm focusing on creating an impact through mentorship. The Mentor-Mentee relationship is a vital connection that can provide support and resources for new and emerging women leaders, both personally and professionally. Developing and building this relationship can help achieve goals, develop expectations, build skills and obtain opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed and affected people in many ways. It has also changed the networking game, often making it harder to meet face-to-face. Emerging from the pandemic will require us to re-evaluate how we can prioritize goals and remain productive in difficult times. With these added challenges and stresses, the event discussed how we can we leverage mentoring to help the next generation of women business leaders successfully navigate the future. Please view the recording of event to see full discussion.

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Checkmate: How Social Distancing Has Changed the Social Media and the Business Support Game
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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Black Business Initiatives: Access to Capital Markets | Overcoming Barriers for Black Businesses
Black Business Initiatives: Access to Capital Markets | Overcoming Barriers for Black Businesses

The Network was pleased to present in continuation from our April 20, 2020, webinar on 25 Years and Beyond our second Black Business Initiative series webinar, Access to Capital Markets: Overcoming Barriers for Black Businesses on September 21, 2021, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ADT. This event was be moderator by Alfred Burgesson, (BA’19) founder and CEO of Tribe Network, and also featured speakers of Craig Wellington, Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund, Matthew Martel (MTEI ‘18), Chief Operating Officer of Black Business Initiative and Dr. Mohammad Rahaman Associate Dean, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement, Canada Research Chair (CRC) in International Finance & Competitiveness.

The discussion focused on financing, as this is an essential part of operating any business. Without adequate access to financing, the staying power of the business and its potential for growth is jeopardized. Despite this conventional wisdom, studies show that, all else equal, Black Businesses are facing systematic barriers in accessing capital compared to other ethnic groups. More information can be viewed in the recording.

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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.