A time for transformation in life, business and leadership

We’ve been living and working in the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year-and-a-half now. We’ve become more adaptable and resilient. But what have businesses learned? What have leaders learned? What’s next?

The 2021-22 Jarislowsky Fellows in Business Management will explore this very topic. This year’s theme is A Year of Transformation.

Each year the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business is pleased to offer the Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management to MBA and EMBA students. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to enrich Haskayne students’ experience through engaging successful business, social sector and public sector leaders as role models. Jarislowsky fellows leverage their knowledge and connections to bring a wide range of people and perspectives to students.

“Last year’s theme was very topical as we learned from our panellists about their leadership challenges and how to turn a very difficult environment into opportunities to reshape the future.

"This year is about taking it to a whole new level and executing on the reality of business with an entirely new set of challenges,” explains returning co-Fellow Heather Culbert.

Newly appointed co-Fellow Patrick Lor, BA’90, MBA’01, was forever changed by his time at the Haskayne School of Business. “I thought what I needed was more education. However, what I got was much more — the professors, my classmates, and our guest speakers helped transform my attitude and mindset.

"Heather and I decided that we could take this theme and deliver something that isn't being delivered in classrooms. We want to challenge students to think about things that don't have any ‘right’ answers, but end up making a big difference in their lives.”

Culbert knows this isn’t the first or last time Haskayne students will face turbulent times. “True leadership is demonstrated when leaders make bold decisions during difficult situations. Challenging times can lead to some incredible lifelong learnings. My hope is that MBA students resolve themselves to the fact that leadership involves constant change and that they can’t be prepared for every scenario,” she says.

The Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management will be hosting their next virtual event for Haskayne graduate students on Nov. 5. Learn more about the fellowship and stay up to date with future Jarislowsky and CCAL offerings by signing up for the CCAL Newsletter here.

About the 2021-22 Jarislowsky co-Fellows in Business Management

Heather Culbert - Culbert is an independent businesswoman and active philanthropist with executive expertise in IT, HR and M&A in the energy sector. Culbert currently serves as the vice-chair of Export Development Canada (EDC), as a director on the board of Whitecap Resources, co-founder of Board Ready Women and Axis Connects (Calgary), board chair of the United Way World Leadership Council, and as a director on the board of The Fraser Institute. With over 27 years of experience in the energy sector, Culbert was the former senior vice-president of corporate services with Enerplus Corporation. Prior to that, she held senior management positions at Cody Energy, Suncor Energy and her own IT management consulting firm.

Patrick Lor - Lor is managing partner at Panache Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital firm that has invested in over 95 startups. He is also partner at 500 Startups Canada. He has been recognized by University of British Columbia’s Creative Destruction Lab as Associate of the Year in 2019 and by the University of Calgary with its inaugural Big Ideas Bold Leaders Alumni Award. Previously, Lor was co-founder of iStockphoto, which was sold to Getty Images in 2006, and was head of North American operations for Fotolia, which was acquired by Adobe in 2014. He is an active angel investor and LP in several venture capital funds including: iNovia Capital, Version One Ventures, Garage Ventures. In addition, he is an adviser and mentor at several technology incubator programs, and is a charter member of thea100.org and thec100.org.