The First Sobey Impact Speaker Series Event: Elevating Indigenous Businesses

The event held on campus recently regarding Elevating Indigenous Businesses was a celebration and exposition of Indigenous culture and business teachings. This was the launch of the new Sobey School of Business Impact Speaker Series, which faculty, staff, students and community members turned out to hear from the panelists led by moderator and alumni Cassandra Dorrington (BComm '81
 & EMBA '00). 

A guest speaker was the Premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston (BComm’92) who noted that he intends to come to campus more often. President Rob Summerby-Murray spoke about the importance of this and other ongoing initiatives that allow the university to engage with Indigenous communities, strengthen intercultural research and curriculum, and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

The event was emceed by Kyle Cook, VP Advocacy, SMUSA, and featured special guests such as the Sobey School of Business’s Prosperity Network Executive-In-Resident Ian Smith, CEO of Clearwater Seafoods LP, and Heather DeBlois (BComm '96), Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Sobeys Inc. In addition, this event featured special cultural elements which were presented by Indigenous Elder, Cathy Martin, and drumming and dancing from Garett Gloade, Patience Sylliboy from Millbrook First Nation, Jingle Dress and our expert Indigenous Business owner and panelist of Jesse Benjamin of Eskasoni Mi"kmaw Nation, Fancy Shawl. In addition to Jess Benjamin, the panelists also included alumni Michael Maracle-Polak (BComm '14), entrepreneur and Chef Stephane Levac. 

The Sobey School of Business Impact Speaker Series is made possible by the $18 million transformational gift from the Sobey family, The Sobey Foundation, Sobeys Inc. and Empire Group Ltd.

You can view a recording of the whole event in video above and a select of photos of the event below.

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.