Golden Bull Award

September 2024 - Aber Abulhassn

Nominated by Marco Bijvank

The commitment of Aber in ensuring that research proposals reach excellence and exceed expectation levels is truly remarkable, and it shines through in every aspect of her writing ability. She exemplifies outstanding dedication and sets the highest standards for not only herself but also for the person she is trying to improve the research proposal for.

Her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional ability to synthesize diverse information on subjects that are outside her own expertise set her apart. She approaches each research proposal with an impressive level of insight and creativity, ensuring that the proposals are not only compelling but also deeply aligned with the unique needs and criteria of funding agencies.

She sometimes apologies for her directness in communication. But honestly, her straightforwardness and persistence are refreshing. Especially since faculty can be stubborn and stuck in their own headspace. Her attitude allows for a clear and efficient dialogue that greatly enhances proposal writing. This transparency fosters an atmosphere of trust and respect, enabling myself to better tackle complex ideas with confidence and clarity. I truly appreciate her ability to cut through ambiguity, streamlining the proposal writing process and making it easier to deliver a proposal that is better understandable for reviewers. And when the writing meets Aber's standards, she will also compliment you for it. These compliments are uncanny in academia, but so much needed after spending countless hours of improving a proposal. Finally, someone who can appreciate the proposal before it is even submitted.

Furthermore, Aber is consistently making herself available on weekends and evenings to ensure that the work meets the deadlines. Researchers work outside regular office hours, Aber is always accommodating our last-minute requests to make herself available and go over the proposals one last time.

Her unwavering support paired with her genuine kindness and approachable demeanor, makes her a pleasure to work with. Her impact is felt beyond "just" writing proposals. She inspires and uplifts the researcher she is supporting. In every way, her contributions are invaluable. Her passion for advancing knowledge, combined with her remarkable work ethic and positive spirit, makes her an extraordinary asset for the school.

August 2024 - Marco Bijvank

Nominated by Aaron Nasser

I am honored to nominate Marco for the Haskayne Golden Bull Award. As an associate professor, Marco consistently goes above and beyond in teaching Excel modelling, managerial decision modelling, and business intelligence. His dedication to delivering course material with clarity and enthusiasm is unmatched, making complex subjects accessible to students. Beyond the classroom, Marco serves in a key leadership role as the area chair for OSCM, where his contributions have been invaluable. 

Marco embodies the spirit of inclusivity and excellence that aligns with Haskayne’s 2025 Strategic Vision. He fosters a collaborative and supportive environment, always treating his colleagues with kindness and respect. Marco has the ability to lift the spirits of anyone he speaks to and make those around him feel included and appreciated. Whether in a faculty meeting or casual conversation, Marco ensures that all voices are heard, contributing to a culture of recognition and belonging.

It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Marco for this award, as he truly exemplifies the values we strive for at Haskayne!

July 2024 – Aaron Nasser 

Nominated by Janice Cutforth-Woo

It is an honour to nominate Aaron Nasser for the July Golden Bull Award! The Haskayne EMBA and Student Services Teams are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Aaron in his role as Graduate Programs Coordinator. Aaron is always thoughtful and helpful when it comes to getting things done, and in addition to this - he always goes the extra mile to empower and support others in developing their own knowledge of how to use our systems and processes. 

His unwavering kindness, compassion and genuine care for others has created an environment where everyone around him feels valued and supported. Aaron has the remarkable ability to find creative solutions to complex problems, often thinking outside the box to uncover fresh perspectives. We are incredibly grateful to have Aaron as part of the Haskayne community. His contributions support and encourage a collaborative culture that enriches the lives of our graduate students throughout their academic journey and beyond. Thank you, Aaron, for all you do to support our students, our teams, and the school. You are amazing!!

June 2024 - Janice Cutforth-Woo

Nominated by Ari Pandes

I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Jan for a few years, initially as Executive MBA Director and now as the Associate Dean of Graduate programs. I’ve witnessed firsthand Jan’s dedication to Haskayne and our community. Jan became the EMBA student advisor when I began my role as EMBA Director, and she immediately made our transition into new roles a smooth and enjoyable experience. If I looked calm, it’s because Jan kept me calm! 

Jan’s commitment to our students and programs is truly inspiring. She tirelessly supports the well-being of our students and is really the glue that binds our EMBA and Master of Management cohorts together. Jan’s commitment to our team is evident in her willingness to take on responsibilities even beyond her defined role, and she is never one to seek recognition. Jan is humble and modest that way, which is why recognizing her contributions with this award is particularly special for me. 

Above all, what truly sets Jan apart is her extraordinary kindness. She brings a smile to those around her and inspires many of us to approach our interactions with compassion and humility. 

In recognition of Jan’s outstanding contributions to our community and her selfless dedication, I believe she is exceptionally deserving of the Haskayne Golden Bull Award.

February 2024 – Gladys Loo

Nominated by Yana Distryanovych

I am delighted to nominate Gladys Loo for this month's Golden Bull Award! In my short time here at Haskayne, I have witnessed Gladys' dedication to her role and remarkable commitment to excellence that truly exemplifies the spirit of Haskayne. Gladys excels in her role of connecting with donors and fostering meaningful connections within our community. She consistently goes above and beyond to make sure donors, her colleagues, and students feel supported and leave with a positive impression. Through observing her work, I have learned a great deal from her - her approach is incredibly thoughtful and personalized; she remembers small details about those she works with and always recognizes others’ accomplishments and contributions. Despite her busy schedule, juggling work and currently completing her MBA here at Haskayne, Gladys always finds time to go out of her way to extend a helping hand and support her colleagues in any way she can. She uses what she has been learning in her classes and is innovative and creative, always coming up with new ideas and thinking of ways to enhance donor and student experience. Above all, she does all of this with such infectious optimism and kindness. I leave every interaction with Gladys feeling inspired and uplifted, and I know I am not the only one. Thank you, Gladys, for all that you do here at Haskayne!

January 2024 – Yana Distryanovych

Nominated by Elaine Galliott

It has come to be expected. And it is good. Those on the 4th floor of Mathison Hall have witnessed one Yana Distryanovych striding thorough the office with infectious, joyous energy, totally immersed in her work as Graduate Student Experience Advisor within Haskayne’s Student Services team. Yana has been brightening the office since July of 2023 when she stepped into Mel Hodzic’s role covering her mat leave. Yana’s only been here a short time, yet she’s distinguishing herself as a proactive go-getter and a closer. Yana appears to be building a lasting relationship with U of C (we hope). First, she burst out of the gate as a double-degree graduate, then after a couple of years out there in the world, she returned to the university and started working as a Student Recruitment Specialist in the undergraduate admissions office, travelling the world, promoting U of C internationally, and attracting undergraduate students from far and wide. Now, she’s busily arranging and promoting events to help Haskayne graduate students have rich and rewarding experiences, connecting them to Calgary’s business community, and by bringing students together. Thank you, Yana, for all you do, your enthusiastic spirit, your endless energy, and the excellence you demonstrate on a regular basis. You deserve this month’s Golden Bull Award.

November 2023 – Leah Mordo

Nominated by Sam Kachuk 

I am incredibly honoured to nominate Leah for the Golden Bull Award! Leah has been exemplary as the Graduate Admissions Coordinator during her time at Haskayne. She cares for her work and provides professional and friendly help at every possible moment. She is reliable, warm, and courteous. Her approach is continuously the same and she always leads with empathy. Her job has incredible demands and complexities, and she works diligently to always find ways to accomplish what is required of her. She has incredible composure, is approachable and always brings her best self to work. Leah always has a smile on her face and her great sense of humor comes across quick. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful person in our school. Thank you, Leah, you are essential to Haskayne and your contributions are valued.

October 2023 – Sam Kachuk

Nominated by Stacey McGregor

I don’t recall when Sam joined Haskayne, but he’s one of those people where once you have him in your life, you wonder how you ever got by without him! From the very first call when he came to help with something in our area, through every call, email, and stop in the hallway since, he’s shown an amazing amount of empathy, care, and dedication to helping fix whatever problem you’ve brought his way. (And we are constantly bringing him problems it seems!) He regularly goes out of his way to help others, and when things are beyond his control (as they often are in his world!), he does everything he can to mitigate the problem in the meantime. Outside of the work stuff, he’s genuinely a great guy, a pleasure to talk to, and just plain fun to be around - if you ever need some music recommendations or a place to get a good pint, he’s your guy! He has a smile and a wave for you every time you see him in the hallway, and I know how lucky we are to have someone like Sam on the team here in Haskayne. Thank you for all you do Sam, and for going above and beyond every day!

September 2023 – Stacey McGregor

Nominated by Thomas Kitcher

Before joining the Graduate Student Services team in 2021, I worked in the Undergraduate Admissions department and had the privilege of having Stacey as my Haskayne contact. We regularly engaged in email exchanges regarding admission requirements for BComm students, and I recall always admiring Stacey's work ethic, effective communication, and attention to detail. For the past 6 months, I've had the pleasure to work (more closely this time) with Stacey again, as she has become my go-to person for collaboration on our exchange programs. Having taken charge of the MBA exchange earlier this year, Stacey was the fortunate individual chosen to assist me in navigating the intricacies of the MBA exchange program. Given her wealth of knowledge in the BComm exchange program, Stacey didn’t hesitate to make herself readily available. She consistently went above and beyond to provide guidance and support, patiently answering my many questions, and sharing her extensive knowledge of the exchange process. Stacey consistently prioritized making time not just to address my inquiries but also to think of ways we could enhance the student experience, while ensuring our team's adherence to the diverse set of required criteria. Stacey's willingness to collaborate on various ideas has been invaluable, and I very much appreciate her openness to share. I can honestly say, Stacey’s team and students are extremely lucky to have her. Stacey's dedication and her invaluable contributions to our exchange programs make her an indispensable asset to our Haskayne community. I eagerly look forward to continuing our work together!

August 2023 – Thomas Kitcher

Nominated by Jessica Bergen

It is an honour to nominate Thomas Kitcher for the August Golden Bull Award! In our university environment, it is at times challenging to figure out how to get things done. The Haskayne Centres team has had several opportunities to work with Thomas in his role as Graduate Student Services Specialist and each time, he has not only been thoughtful and helpful when it comes to getting things done, he goes the extra mile to empower and support others in developing their own knowledge of how to use our systems and processes. The Student Services team echoes these sentiments: ‘Since Thomas started with Haskayne in 2021 the impact he’s made on staff, students and faculty is truly remarkable. His unwavering kindness, compassion and genuine care for others has created an environment where everyone around him feels valued and supported. He always lends a listening ear, provides sound advice to both team members and students and has an innate ability to find creative solutions to complex problems, often thinking outside the box to uncover fresh perspectives.’ We are incredibly fortunate to have Thomas as part of the Haskayne community – his contributions contribute to our collaborative culture and enrich the lives of our graduate students throughout their academic journey and beyond. Thank you, Thomas, for all you do to support our students, our teams and the school – well deserved!

July 2023 – Jessica Bergen

Nominated by Heather Marshall

It is my honour to nominate Jessica Bergen for the August 2023 Haskayne Golden Bull Award. As the Senior Director of the Haskayne Centres, Jessica is an integral member of the Haskayne team. She embodies the culture and values of Haskayne on a daily basis, seeking opportunities to improve student experience and engage meaningfully with the broader business community. In addition, as a colleague she is quick to offer ideas and support and is always looking for ways for us to be more effective together. She regularly helps out colleagues from Haskayne and across the University and is open to new ideas or opportunities to collaborate. Jessica is a fantastic Haskayne ambassador within the greater University and the business community, easily sharing her knowledge of Haskayne programs and differentiators and quickly building lasting relationships. If I had to sum it up, Jessica is precisely the kind of leader we need to achieve our bold pursuit of being recognized as a top-tier business school. Thank you, Jessica, for your hard work, willingness to collaborate, openness to new ideas and commitment to high performance.

June 2023 – Heather Marshall

Nominated by Houston Peschel

As the CDL Rockies Site Lead, Heather supports the CDL team to deliver a world class program to support accelerating the commercial potential of early-stage science and technology-based companies in the Agriculture, Energy, and Prime streams. Having worked with Heather for the past 4 years, I have seen her manage challenging situations, like Covid, with a sense of calm and respect for the Big Bold vision of CDL. She always ensures her team can share their thoughts and ideas on how to make the CDL experience more powerful for the MBA students, ventures, and the world class mentors that are part of the CDL journey. Through Heather’s graceful leadership, CDL Rockies has created some of the most remarkable impact including $3.4B of equity value creation for CDL Rockies ventures, and 1400+ jobs created through CDL Rockies ventures. Creating this level of impact is a staggering achievement, and I am always excited to be part of any CDL experience and work along side of her team. Heather truly represents Haskayne’s vision of big bold leadership and entrepreneurial thinking!

May 2023 – Houston Peschel

Nominated by Sherry Weaver

Houston has been a pleasure to work with and he has supported numerous “innovative” teaching initiatives during my time as associate dean.  Whenever he is asked to help me solve problems, he always come through.  During the BComm Review process he was an active contributor of unique approaches and design thinking that we are incorporating into our program design.  ENTI317 is a course that makes us stand out from other institutions and Houston and his team are always adapting the course to our ever-changing environment.  It was truly a course that thrived during the pandemic.  Seeking help from his stellar group of TA’s, he was able to create an online experience for both students and TA’s with each iteration a metamorphosis that embodied constant measurement, feedback and improvement.  Everyone involved with the course participated in making it even better each year.  He is an early adopter of technology and he encourages all of us to ask ourselves if there is a better way to teach.  I am looking forward to his next unique course, ENTI217 as it will push students to evaluate why they are at Haskayne and how they can get the most out of their time here.  This is just what we need to create BOLD graduates that CHOOSE CHANGE!  I am so proud to be at Haskayne, working alongside great teachers and visionaries like Houston.

April 2023 – Sherry Weaver

Nominated by Thomas Holloway

Sherry has made a significant impact on our community over the past decade and this award helps celebrate the end of her term as Associate Dean. Working at both ends of the academic success spectrum, Dr Weaver led the creation of the Academic Turnaround Program and the BComm Honours program. Under her leadership, our BComm program has become more popular and diverse, with a higher proportion of international and Indigenous students and increased admission standards. Sherry simplified elective requirements, which sounds like a minor administrative tweak, however, it has enabled an explosion of dual degrees and minor combinations and facilitated the launch of the dual degree with engineering. When I started 8 years ago, one troubling statistic was that too many undergrads were in the business school because their parents suggested it. I don’t hear that anymore and I think part of the reason is students have more choice to pursue more passions in combination, not to mention the program itself has become more dynamic and welcoming. Through all of this, she has nurtured a culture of care and concern for our students, faculty, and staff while upholding the highest academic and academic integrity standards. Sherry's dedication and commitment have inspired me personally and her wisdom has guided me when I wasn’t sure what to do. In short, she understood the assignment. The difference between a cult and a religion is that a religion outlives its founders. In the coming decade, you’ll earn the additional recognition of seeing your initiatives continue to prosper. Thank you, Sherry, and congratulations, on winning the Golden Bull!

March 2023 – Tom Holloway

Nominated by Steven Paget

Tom was assigned to me as my mentor when I received my first full-time contract with the University of Calgary in July 2021 and he has been an outstanding colleague ever since. His passion for teaching and for finance set great examples for students. He’s up to date on anything to do with finance and technology as well as anything affecting Haskayne. His outstanding work with FNCE 317 students and with CPMT set the tone for our undergraduate educational efforts in the Finance department. During our February reading week, he led 20 CPMT students on an NYC trip to meet with potential future employers and to learn more about the finance industry. He’s got connections to the broader finance community in Calgary and beyond via his work with the Pembina Institute, Swim Alberta and Pacifica Partners. Tom’s also got plenty of UCalgary school spirit and can be found cheering on the Dinos on the weekends. Most of all, Tom makes his students (and me!) believe that we can do anything! Congratulations Tom on being the Golden Bull winner for March 2023!

February 2023 – Steven Paget

Nominated by Sarah Gillis

Steven Paget joined Haskayne in 2016 as an Instructor in the Finance Department, and I am pleased to nominate him to be this month's recipient of the Golden Bull Award. His hard work, kindness, and dedication to his students is not only admirable, but deserves to be recognized. Steven is approachable, encouraging, and supportive of his students, not only in the class setting, but he makes help easily accessible for students outside of class as well. He tirelessly works to support his students in their education and strives to ensure students have all of the resources they need to succeed. He is enthusiastic about teaching, and his mentorship of students does not go unnoticed, as he was nominated by students for the Student's Union 2021 Teaching Excellence Award. Steven is knowledgeable, insightful, whimsical, and a pleasure to work with. Thank you, Steven, for all that you do to help make Haskayne a wonderful place for students and staff alike.

January 2023 – Sarah Gillis

Nominated by Patrick Nay

Sarah is the teammate we all wish we had. Sarah’s sense of humour and easygoing nature make her seem like she never gets flustered, even during crunch time. She is a master of everything from course outlines to final grades and all things between (and some after those deadlines). Sarah is quick to reply to requests and if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find it (even when it’s not in her area). Sarah is hardworking, knowledgeable, efficient, and a pleasure to work with. Her work in Teaching and Learning ensures that the machinery behind the courses and programs runs smoothly, that faculty have the resources and support that they need, that other team members and teams have the proper information, and that everything is done on time. This is often unsung work that can go unnoticed, except if something goes wrong, but it’s such an important part of what Haskayne does as an educational institution. I believe Edgar Allan Poe put it best when he wrote:

She handles CoP’s, DFT’s, and DFE’s with ease,
Dealing with the RO, PS, and D2L, is a breeze.
At semester’s end, when grades are due, 
Get them in on time, else she’ll be looking for you.

Her contribution is essential, and Haskayne is a better place because of Sarah. Thank you for all that you do!

December 2022 – Patrick Nay

Nominated by Gillian Robertson

Patrick brings positivity, resourcefulness, and impressive balance in managing the many important roles he plays at Haskayne.  He’s someone who wears so many hats and whose work goes unseen by most of us. Let’s call him a Swiss Army Knife who helps ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes for the school. From scheduling all our graduate courses to creating proposals for the next exciting graduate program for the school, Patrick is resourceful, collaborative, analytical, and always brings solutions to the table. He can be counted on for a good Dad-joke too. In addition to his many talents and roles in the school, Patrick won a student-voted teaching award in the Master of Management program last year. Recognizing his thoughtful, experiential-focused, business communication class. His course has a profound impact on students and sets students up for success in the program (and life!) with fundamentals on writing, presenting, and networking. It has been fun to collaborate with him on the class and see how he has evolved the curriculum. I know students love his class and he helps many individuals overcome a fear of public speaking. We are so lucky to have Patrick at the school. I know he is an essential component to making everything “tick” and he is the colleague we all want to have!

November 2022 – Gillian Robertson

Nominated by Kelsey Thompson

Whenever I ask Master of Management students about their favorite aspects of the program, one name inevitably comes up: Gillian Robertson. (In fact, I can’t think of a time that a student didn’t mention Gillian when speaking about the program!) It’s obvious to me that Gillian has a meaningful impact on her students that continues long after they leave the program. Gillian cares deeply about her students and takes the time to get to know them and their unique backgrounds, goals, and aspirations. Whenever the marketing and communications team needs a recommendation for a specific type of Master of Management alumni, Gillian always immediately comes back with a list of options off the top of her head. It’s clear to me that the level of care and expertise Gillian provides helps transform our students and alumni into our brand ambassadors, helping us grow the program in both numbers and reputation. Outside the classroom, Gillian is always coming up with new and unique ways to promote the program. Her passion is infectious and inspires others to come up with new ideas and initiatives. Further, Gillian is a joy to work with. Whenever we meet, I know our meeting will be positive and cheerful. For all the passion and enthusiasm, she brings to the Master of Management program and the kindness she demonstrates to her colleagues, Gillian is incredibly deserving of the Golden Bull Award.

October 2022 – Kelsey Thompson

Nominated by Tanya Verhulp

I am honoured to nominate Kelsey Thompson for October’s Golden Bull award. In her role on the Marketing and Communications team, she has been a relentless supporter of many of the school’s initiatives. She works to bring awareness to the school’s brand and programs through countless advertising and communications initiatives. We have many programs to promote across the school, yet she cares about them all and still takes the time to recommend different avenues for promotion and new marketing channels to try. While it is a never-ending cycle and sometimes thankless, she is always eager to meet and discuss options and to try new things. I also appreciate that she is always thinking of us and brings new ideas and suggestions to the table as they come up. Kelsey was recently promoted to Senior Marcom Strategist, which was a well-deserved recognition of her efforts in the years she has been with the school. She takes the time to understand our programs and write content for ads, social media posts, advertising and more, guides website structures, suggests ad designs, all while ensuring everything in on brand. All this and yet she still maintains a pleasant, reassuring voice and does her best to move mountains and make things happen in a timely fashion. She also takes the time to ask how you are doing personally and to get to know you. We appreciate all her support in the pursuit of new students, participants, and brand awareness for the school. Thank you, Kelsey, for all you do to support us and our programs every day.

September 2022 - Tanya Verhulp

Nominated by Karen Perl-Pollard

Tanya Verhulp is extremely hard working and committed to the success of Haskayne Executive Education which is why I am nominating her for the Golden Bull Award. I remember meeting Tanya at an All that Jazz and becoming both engaged and connected – she is a true ambassador for the programs and her team. She has a warm smile and a way that makes people feel welcome and at ease. She is equally comfortable getting down to business and helping to get to the bottom of difficult issues. I am particularly thankful for her help when I was helping with the pilot for the Financial Feminism Investing Lab. She was generous with her time, knowledge, expertise, and team. When she was on campus completing her Executive MBA, she made a point to connect on the exciting new programs that they were developing to ensure we were able to communicate this good news to the broader community. Tanya’s dedication to Haskayne Executive education is admirable and it is my honour to nominate her for the Golden Bull Award.

August 2022 - Karen Perl-Pollard

Nominated by Livia Fiorini

I am honoured to nominate Karen for the August 2022 Golden Bull Award. Karen joined Haskayne as the Coordinator with the Development team almost 9 years ago and then moved to the Communications team as Senior Communications Strategist where she has truly shone. Despite COVID and the many personal challenges over the past few years, Karen has maintained a great disposition and met her deadlines. As a communication professional, she works on event communications, marketing and programs with Haskayne and University partners effectively. Karen has received two Dean Awards —one for being part of a Research team and the other for her work with the CDL team. Her strength and resilience are inspirational. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she stepped outside her comfort zone to perform in the March 2019 rendition of “The Vagina Monologues” at the University theatre. Break a leg, Karen! As a compassionate, dedicated, hardworking, meticulous person, Karen is more than deserving of this recognition. Congratulations!"

May 2022 - Livia Fiorini

Nominated by Kathy Weninger

Livia Fiorini is our stellar Events Specialist. Livia joined our Haskayne events team in 2011.She is an extremely organized person who is capable of planning large events for Haskayne but be sure that she will put as much effort and attention into our smaller events as the large events.  She strives to ensure that all Haskayne events run smoothly and meet the high standards of leadership in sustainability for the Haskayne School of Business and the university.  Her creative ideas make all our events noteworthy. Livia has invested much of her time mentoring our student clubs.  Right from the start Livia was part of the committee who worked with the clubs educating the students on running successful events, reviewing contracts, and ensuring that rules and regulations of our school were met.  Her help was appreciated by our clubs, and she has been awarded Superior Service awards for her hard work and dedication to our student club success. Livia along with other Haskayne members won a mixed team Dean’s award for the incredible job they did to ensure our EMBA program was able to successfully run the first in-person program during the pandemic. It’s easy to see that Livia enjoys her job and enjoys working with the people of Haskayne.  Always fun, we certainly enjoy our time before and during an event, and she may upon occasion sneak a few treats our way!! It is my sincere pleasure to nominate Livia to be the recipient of the Golden Bull Award at Haskayne.

April 2022 - Kathy Weninger

Nominated by Janice Eliasson

Kathy Weninger is the Undergraduate Procedures Advisor who has worked with six Undergraduate Associate Deans in her over quarter century of service to the U of C. Her title only partially describes her work with Undergraduate students, not only guiding them in the processes to resolve issues but also supporting them in their interactions with the Undergraduate Associate Dean's office. I have been on many committees with Kathy Weninger where her professionalism and respect for colleagues has enhanced the productivity. She promotes an environment of mutual trust and respect for everyone's strengths and what they can contribute as well as her insight as a "historian" of the HSB. Kathy is very personable and generous with her time to answer a variety of questions. Many times, I have come to the Undergraduate office with an issue or question that Kathy has resolved. As an Instructor in Operations Management, I appreciate efforts to reduce the workload for others by improving a process. Kathy has done this numerous times over the years for processes that affect many such as making the exam deferral process clearer and less onerous for both students and instructors. Thank you, Kathy, for being such a caring member of the HSB and your excellent contributions to the Undergraduate experience.

March 2022 - Janice Eliasson

Nominated by Dave Rudanec

Janice Eliasson is a well-respected senior instructor within Haskayne’s Operations and Supply Chain Management area. Her dedication to the student experience is exceptional and deserving of being recognized.

I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with Janice over the years in conversation and attending various student DC tours and Haskayne functions. In my role meeting with students, I often receive positive comments about how they have enjoyed her classes. She always makes time for OSCM related questions and is a champion for Haskayne Career Development Centre events. Janice clearly works hard to develop and refine course materials ensuring students are learning the theory required to be competitive in the job market. Our students are lucky to have such a dedicated faculty member in their corner.

Janice also brings an energy that resonates throughout the building. This is part of what makes Haskayne a great place to work and learn.

Thank you Janice for everything you do for our students!

February 2022 - Dave Rudanec

Nominated by Karen Anderson

I nominate Dave Rudanec, Undergraduate Career Development Specialist, for the Golden Bull award. Dave is the consummate steady presence always striving to enable students and actively participate in their efforts to gain valuable employment and career direction.

The Haskayne Career Development Centre team has gone through substantial changes but continues to provide valuable service to both students and the greater Haskayne community. Dave’s commitment to positive employer relations, strategy and communications ensure Haskayne students continue to gain access to top notch career opportunities and job placements. A parent himself, Dave connects with students, supports them as they identify their goals and guides them on a career journey as they navigate their degree and future successes. Many students reach out to thank him personally and continue to share their success stories which speaks to his critical role in their development and achievements.

Dave has a keen wit and appreciates a good dog story. We both own dogs that top the scale at 100+ pounds and this provides us with an endless source of entertaining content. I hope you get the chance to say congratulations and swap a story or two!

January 2022 - Karen Anderson

Nominated by Elizabeth Henderson

It was a Santa Claus moment. I checked the previous recipient list, then checked it twice, to be sure I had the opportunity and honour of nominating Karen Anderson for the Golden Bull Award.

When people walk in our front door, Karen is there to greet them. Students, vendors, community members, staff and faculty. When any of us walk into the Dean’s area on the third floor, Karen is usually the first person we see. Whether you need directions, information, help with the arcane machinations of office equipment, or almost anything else, if she can’t help you, she probably knows who can. I consider her an honourary member of the community engagement team because she provides meaningful community engagement every single day.

If our culture exists in an environment of mutual trust and respect, it’s because we work with people like Karen. She is always professional, courteous, helpful (my office plants are alive because of her!) and knowledgeable, but also has a wicked sense of humour when the opportunity presents itself. She is courageous when it comes time to share her ideas and experiences, something I took note of especially during the last two pandemic years when she was essentially our front-line worker at the school, without the option of retreating to safety and working from home. She brings her humanity to work, and we are all better because of it.

Some people are leaders because they have that title. Others are leaders because they command the respect and appreciation of the people around them. Karen is this person. She is a cultural leader at Haskayne and is most deserving of this award.

December 2021 - Elizabeth Henderson

Nominated by Meghan Vanderburgh

Elizabeth joined Haskayne in 2014 and leads the talented team of community engagement and event professionals, with her 20+ years of event management experience.

Pre-pandemic, Elizabeth started a Monday Morning Inspiration email to her team and a few lucky others (including myself), that contained meaningful and uplifting messages on the importance of making a difference by through encouraging words of support, motivation, resilience, curiosity, courage and contemplation. Her words energetically inspired her team to collaborate, engage and explore the value of connecting the diverse Haskayne community by celebrating our varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas. I applaud her for empowering her team through the difficult transition of in-person to the virtual events and successfully navigating these significant challenges and changes.

When I shared an office next to the community engagement team’s working space, I would frequently hear Elizabeth express her gratitude and offer motivating and uplifting gestures to increase her team’s confidence in their performance. This encouragement created a successful balance of the daily challenges of work tasks while maintaining positive mental health and an enjoyable work environment.

Her exceptional leadership skills enhance the accomplishments of her talented team. She is an invaluable resource who encourages self-growth, discovery and team empowerment.

It is my sincere pleasure to nominate Elizabeth Henderson to be the recipient of the Golden Bull Award at Haskayne.

November 2021 - Meghan VanderBurgh

Nominated by Janelle Morris

Did you know that Meghan VanderBurgh is the creative spark behind all of the collateral that makes up Haskayne’s visual identity? Over the past 10 years Meghan has been working quietly behind the scenes, collaborating with our marketing team, to develop and design Haskayne’s visual presence – a unique look and feel that makes our school stand out within the larger University of Calgary brand as well as amongst our competitors. Meghan is creative, curious, detail-oriented and always looking for innovative ways to tell a story and to showcase all of the exciting initiatives we have to offer. From designing Community Report and the individual look and feel of each of our programs to directing photo shoots and conducting press checks and so much more, Meghan is an important member of our Haskayne team and it is my pleasure to nominate her for this month’s Golden Bull award.

October 2021 - Janelle Morris

Nominated by Leighton Wilks

Every organization has that one “go to” person that people tend to gravitate toward when they need to get things done. For myself and many others at Haskayne, that person is Janelle Morris. Whether in her former role in communications or in her current role in graduate programs, Janelle always has a “boots on the ground” and “roll up your sleeves” mentality that is deeply appreciated by all that work closely with her. Her incredible work ethic resulted in Janelle being integral to the launch of our DBA and MMgmt programs, which is an exciting new direction for Haskayne.

Her work ethic is only part of what makes her such a fantastic colleague. Janelle is incredibly personable and generous with her time. I have often found myself at Janelle’s office door with a variety of questions or concerns, and she has always provided the needed information with a smile. Colleagues describe her as dedicated, collaborative, resourceful and professional. She often liaises with various campus offices to execute on Haskayne initiatives and new programs, and I can’t think of a better person to represent Haskayne and build relationships across campus. I look forward to the exciting initiatives that Janelle will bring to Haskayne in her new role as Manager, Graduate Programs.

For the above reasons, it is my absolute pleasure to nominate Janelle for this month’s Golden Bull award. Thanks for doing all that you do for our school, it does not go unnoticed!

September 2021 - Leighton Wilks

Nominated by Micheline Campanaro

Leighton Wilks is always willing to help the MBA and undergraduate offices with open houses and information evenings. His Business Negotiation class is one of our most popular offerings in the MBA program.  He genuinely enjoys teaching and brings that enthusiasm into the classroom. This is one of the reasons he won the Calgary Award for Community Achievement and the Lifetime Achievement University of Calgary Student Union Teaching Award. One of his former students states it best, “High energy, interesting and provides new concepts that challenge the way we view negotiations.” Leighton combines academic learning with experiential activities. This is showcased in the courses like SGMA 573 “Business in Japan” that he offered by bringing students to Japan and exposing them to the culture of business in another country. He brings his 11 years consulting experience in cross-cultural training, strategic planning, real estate development, corporate social responsibility, ethics and research into the classroom. Leighton is extremely supportive, understanding, and helpful to students, staff and faculty. I believe Leighton strives to make Haskayne a go to business school for students and that is the reason I nominate him for the Golden Bull Award.

August 2021 - Micheline Campanaro

Nominated by Jane Brown

Micheline Campanaro, MBA Senior Recruiting and Admissions Officer, exudes compassion, whether it is with students, faculty or staff or anyone who knows her.  She speaks from the heart, is fair, knowledgeable, respectful and kind – all of the values Mr. Haskayne speaks of.

I have seen Mich pick up students from the airport, have them over for dinner, help them find homes and she is always truly caring and there to help people.

Working with her team, Micheline is a strong leader who is dedicated and shares her wisdom.

I am honoured to nominate Micheline for the Golden Bull Award.  Thanks Mich for all the joy you bring to the Haskayne School of Business.

July 2021 – Jane Brown

Nominated by Paula Poirier

I’m thrilled to nominate Jane Brown. Jane has been with the University for many years, becoming an established figure in the building. She is super approachable and helpful.

Jane’s creativity and designs can be experienced throughout the Scurfield Hall Building in any of the newly renovated spaces including offices. Renovations seem to happen quite quickly however, I think it’s important to recognized that months of advanced planning with several different groups is invested into each project to make the magic happen.

Thank you, Jane, for your attention to detail and amazing work you do daily! You are appreciated!

June 2021 – Paula Poirier

Nominated by Lesley DiMarzo

Paula, especially in this last year, truly exemplifies tireless efforts, endless patience and boundless support. And, she does it all behind the scenes, which in my mind makes her even more deserving.

Paula’s work with IT goes so far above and beyond it is hard to quantify. This past year I know I have called on her for support while working from home and I would bet many others have as well. Her efforts have made my ability to work from home so much easier and stressless. Paula really is a hidden gem at Haskayne.

Thank you, Paula, for being so reliable and available. Thank you for making this last year just a little easier!!

May 2021 – Lesley DiMarzo

Nominated by Grace Wong

Lesley cares about our students, colleagues and loves her work. She’s very effective and professional. She is a passionate person and an excellent role model to me. It’s lovely to have a wonderful colleague who has such good energy and strength. Mostly importantly, Lesley shares her point of view authentically with me.

She has helped resolve scholarship payment for students numerous of times. One time she found out student payments were pending due to system access permission. She went above and beyond to offer her assistance promptly, no matter what program the students were in. When I talk to Lesley about student-related concerns, she listens and proposes solutions right away. Every time I knock on her door, she gives me a big smile and welcomes me in for discussion.

Lesley cares about the success of PhD and DBA programs. She also cares our Haskayne family and students.

April 2021 – Grace Wong

Nominated by Kimberley Dart

Grace’s and my work do not often intersect, so our paths don’t cross very often. But when they do, it’s usually because I need her help. She always greets me with a smile and helps me solve whatever issue I am dealing with in a very timely manner. While I feel bad for making more work for her, Grace never makes me feel that way. No matter how big (adding a new vendor) or how small (looking up an account code), Grace happily assists me when needed.

After moving to remote work, Grace responds to any e-mail inquiries very quickly and I swear I can “see” her smile in the words on the screen. If everyone approached their work with the positivity that Grace does, the world would be a better place.

March 2021 – Kimberley Dart

Nominated by Zahra Premji

Ever since I started at Haskayne in 2016 I have seen Kim, both in my emails promoting the amazing line-up of events that the Career Development Centre offers, as well as around the building. She radiates warmth, always has a smile, and will always stop to say hello and chat. In 2020-2021, I had a chance to work with Kim as part of the MGST 359 Career Readiness course. In all our interactions, I found Kim to be generous with her knowledge and her experiences, and passionate about ensuring our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the post-degree landscape. Kim is an exemplary colleague who embodies the spirit of Haskayne.

The work that Kim and the Career Development Centre team do ensures that our students are able to set themselves apart as Haskayne grads and have opportunities to meet and network with potential employers and community partners. From innovative events such as the Women in Finance panel in 2015 to the recent Haskayne Networking Café that was initiated this year, our Haskayne students are inspired to identify the career of their dreams and then are given the skills, knowledge, and confidence to reach for it. Kim plays a key role in making this happen. Thank you Kim, for your dedication to our students’ success and for being a wonderful colleague.

February 2021 – Zahra Premji

Nominated by Susan Basudde

Our Business Library is an integral part of supporting the teaching and learning processes at the Haskayne School of Business. It is here that many of our students, instructors and professors begin their work towards innovative research and developing unparalleled learning opportunities. It is also here where I have had the opportunity to work with Zahra Premji.

As a Research and Learning Librarian, Zahra has been a true ally. I have found her available to jump in on Zoom meetings that are in-progress with students who are stressed out about writing their first research paper or are feeling stuck and unaware of how to use the library systems in general.

I have noticed that Zahra is able to meet students where they are at. She acts as mentor, guiding students through the phases of research. She shares her expertise about complex databases, extending curiosity and holding space for non-judgmental conversations.  Zahra has been instrumental in helping the group of students I work with through the Academic Turnaround Program know that they can have great success engaging with campus resources.

Zahra’s role within the Business Library stands in the gap as one of the greatest equalizers in our faculty. Regardless of the experiences within our community, equitable, non-judgmental access to library services means that we all have the opportunity to contribute excellence.

Thank you, Zahra, for choosing to invest your time and talents in this way.

January 2021 – Susan Basudde

Nominated by Houston Peschl

Mental health and wellbeing are imperative to a safe and productive learning culture. Over the past few years, I have had students who are having challenges with handling the pressures of academics, home-life and work-life. Our ability to support our students during these times of need is essential, and Susan has repeatedly helped me with supporting students who require additional help and advice – beyond their academics.

I have witnessed with multiple students the positive impact Susan has on our students. Her attention and guidance have created a safe place for students to discuss their current challenges. She helps them develop the ability to manage their situation and ensures that they know there is support for them at Haskayne.

With the increased pressure our students now face with increased social and financial pressure, we must celebrate Haskayne as a safe and caring place to learn. It gives me hope and confidence knowing that Susan is available for our students!