Haskayne Business Exchange
Charting the future of business.
Welcome to the Haskayne Business Exchange
Join us at the Haskayne Business Exchange, a dynamic forum hosted by the Haskayne School of Business and UCalgary, where we bridge the gap between academic research and practical application.
Healthy Workplaces: The Human Cost of Systemic Failure
Date: March 4, 2025
Location: The GRAND, 608 1 St SW, Calgary, AB (map)
- Doors Open: 4:00 p.m. MT
- Main Program: 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. MT
- Networking Reception: 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. MT
Presenters
Dr. Justin Weinhardt, PhD
Workplace focus has become an elusive goal in an age of constant digital connection. This talk will explore distractions in the modern workplace—from the hidden cost of constant interruptions to the myth of multitasking. We'll examine diverse approaches to these intrusions, including how adults with ADHD navigate work environments. I’ll dive into the science behind attention spans and why distraction is more costly than we realize. Together, we’ll uncover practical, research-based strategies for harnessing our attention and achieving a state of sustained, meaningful productivity.
Dr. Samantha “Sammi” Dodson, PhD
This talk will focus on why organizations, managers, and coworkers fail to provide support to victims of sexual harassment who speak up about their experience and the negative impacts of this lack of support on victim’s wellbeing and workplace relationships. I will also share ongoing research on simple and surprising steps managers can take to mitigate secondary victimization and engender more compassionate workplaces.
Dr. Hossein Piri, PhD
Imagine being in a place where every few minutes, an alarm sounds—sometimes urgent, but often irrelevant. Now imagine that place is a hospital, where lives hang in the balance. This talk explores the phenomenon of "alarm fatigue"— and how constant, unnecessary alerts in healthcare settings can desensitize clinicians and lead to slower responses, even in real emergencies. I will share cutting-edge solutions to reduce alarm fatigue—moving toward smarter, more intuitive systems that prioritize truly critical alerts.
Moderator: Karen Radford
Karen Radford, executive leader and board director, will be our host and moderator for the evening, curating insightful conversations about healthy workplaces with industry leaders following the presentations.
Past events
Skepticism and Sustainability
October 15th, 2024
Learn from our key speakers and researchers from UCalgary —Dr. Serasu Duran on the circular economy and renewables, Dr. Yrjo Koskinen on sustainable finance, and Dr. Chelsea Willness on the outcomes of (in)authentic corporate social responsibility. Dive into a curated series of engaging talks and panel discussions featuring industry leaders who explore the real-world implications of cutting-edge research. At the Haskayne Business Exchange, we go beyond presenting ideas—we deliver actionable knowledge that empowers you to drive your professional growth.
Dr. Serasu Duran, PhD
Assistant Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management
Dr. Serasu Duran discusses the growing importance of recycling and repurposing old renewable energy technologies, like solar panels and wind turbines, to support clean energy growth. She explores how this approach can make the energy transition more affordable and sustainable by turning waste into valuable resources.
Dr. Chelsea Willness, PhD
Professor in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources
Why do some corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts flop, even when companies seem sincere? Dr. Chelsea Willness dives into the role of authenticity in CSR and how public perception can make or break a company’s good deeds. She provides insight into what companies can do to ensure their efforts resonate positively.
Dr. Yrjo Koskinen, PhD
Professor in Finance
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives create value for shareholders in the U.S., but not in Canada. Dr. Yrjo Koskinen explains how differences in corporate governance between the two countries contribute to this surprising result and what other factors make it challenging to make money with ESG in Canada.
Industry Leader: Mac Van Wielingen
Mac Van Wielingen is an investment management executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He co-founded Viewpoint Investment Partners and ARC Financial Corp., the largest private equity firm in Canada’s energy sector. Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022, Mac is recognized for his leadership in governance, corporate responsibility, and philanthropy.
Industry Leader: Byron Neiles
Byron is a Haskayne MBA and member of the Dean’s Management Advisory Council. In 2024, he retired after 30 years with Enbridge as Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, leading IT, human resources, real estate, supply chain management, public affairs, communications, and sustainability teams and prior to that led Major Projects and Safety and Operational Reliability. He is an active community volunteer and member of the ENMAX Corporation and Calgary Economic Development Board of Directors.
Industry Leader: Janice Tran
Janice Tran is the CEO and Co-Founder of Kanin Energy, a development company pioneering the use of waste-heat-to-power technology to decarbonize heavy industries. With a strong background in finance and sustainability, Janice previously served as Director at Generate Capital, where she built one of North America’s largest portfolios of anaerobic digester assets. Prior to Generate Capital, Janice worked at NRG to start their renewable microgrids business line. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in Canada. Janice also co-founded Student Energy, a nonprofit which is today’s largest global charity dedicated to educating and uniting post-secondary students on energy issues.
Moderator: Pamela Wallin
The Honourable Pamela Wallin, O.C., S.O.M has been a journalist, an entrepreneur, a diplomat, a corporate director and a Senator. Ms. Wallin is an Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour, and a member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and a former Chancellor of the University of Guelph.
The intersection of business and digital worlds
June 13th, 2024
Learn from our key speakers and researchers from UCalgary—Dr. Mohammad Keyhani, Dr. Alfred Lehar and Dr. Sule Nur Kutlu. Explore how blockchain can eliminate intermediary costs and securely tokenize assets. Discover how connected and automated vehicles can improve traffic flow and road safety. Gain insights into trust and privacy regulations on online platforms and the importance of a multipronged approach to data security. Understand how AI is driving a new Industrial Revolution, transforming business structures and offering a wide range of roles and possibilities.
Featured Speakers
Blockchain and crypto
Dr. Alfred Lehar
More than just digital asset trading, they revolutionize traditional business sectors. Dr. Alfred Lehar explores how smart contracts can automate and secure transactions like real estate deals and business invoicing.
Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Mohammad Keyhani
Generative AI is transforming our world. Dr. Mohammad Keyhani explores new pathways created by generative AI in the science and practice of organization.
Trust and privacy in data management
Dr. Sule Nur Kutlu
User data management is a critical issue for businesses. Dr. Sule Nur Kutlu will discuss how empowering users to control their own data can increase data sharing on websites, and caution that the management of shared data can significantly impact a business's reputation.
Panelist: Ross Ballendine
Ross Ballendine is the Vice-President, Information Technology for Trimac Transportation, one of North America’s largest Bulk Transportation companies. He began his career in finance leadership roles before moving into the IT domain. As a CPA, Ross has a high degree of understanding and empathy for the users of technology solutions, and believes that technology should be delivered pragmatically and as a direct enabler of strategic business value. Ross’ career spans several industries, including manufacturing, Oilfield Services and most recently with Trimac Transportation, where Ross is spearheading a strategic cloud data architecture initiative.
Panelist: Danielle Gifford
Danielle Gifford, a dynamic leader and Director of AI at PwC, has pioneered substantial advancements in technology across multiple sectors. Her expertise in AI, AR, and cloud technologies has driven innovation and strategic investment, making her a pivotal figure in technological evolution.
Panelist: Neeraj Gupta
Neeraj Gupta is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and co-founder of start-ups including Lawcubator, FormulateIP, and Kfx Labs. He is the Chief Advisor for Technology & Innovation Investments at Invest Alberta and a board member of various organizations, including Platform Calgary and the Canadian Blockchain Consortium.
Moderator: Eric Wong
Eric Wong is a Senior Manager in Accenture’s Strategy & Consulting practice with 15 years of experience in Organizational Change Management, Organization Effectiveness, People and Culture, and Leadership. He currently leads Accenture Canada’s initiatives on understanding the impacts of generative AI on work and workforce dynamics.
Dive into a curated series of engaging talks and panel discussions featuring industry leaders who explore the real-world implications of cutting-edge research. At the Haskayne Business Exchange, we go beyond presenting ideas—we deliver actionable knowledge that empowers you to drive your professional growth.
The Haskayne Business Exchange is rooted within UCalgary’s transdisciplinary principles and themes that spans across a large spectrum of research fields. It’s about breaking down barriers between different fields of study to tackle complex problems.
"We deliver actionable knowledge that empowers you to drive your professional growth."
These complex problems are about how we thrive as people and as a society. How can we design, plan and build a sustainable, healthy community? How can our energy systems use new ideas and technologies to manage the multiple and sometimes conflicting needs of society, economy and environment? And how can we begin to transform our systems and society to be more equitable, inclusive and diverse so we can all thrive? Explore with us. Listen and engage in conversation. Take new ideas back to enhance your business. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the solution.
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