Erik Flakstead (AMBA) and wife Krystal were excited to welcome their first son, Benjamin Markus, in January.
Alumni Notes
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Aziz Garuba, AMBA’12, has launched BlackTies, a global community platform with a mission to develop high-performing Black professionals. The platform, which can be accessed via web browser or mobile app, allows members to connect and engage in community groups related to industry or interests and to access resources and curated job opportunities targeted at Black professionals. “Since we launched in February 2022, we’ve seen amazing growth and our members tell us that what we’ve built is a much-needed solution for the community. We plan to launch career consulting services and learning and development opportunities in line with our mission.” Go to blacktiesapp.com to learn more.
Published in: Fall 2022
Thomas (Tom) Rutherford, EMBA, died on August 2 at age 62 of cancer. Tom grew up, in Ottawa and had a long career in banking, working at Canada Trust, Canada Permanent, and Royal Trust. He was proud of returning to school for his EMBA at Smith. In 2013, he moved to Vancouver. He is survived by his sister, Jane, and brother, Kelly, as well as nephews and nieces.
Published in: Fall 2020
JP Gladu, EMBA, president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, was appointed Chancellor of St. Paul’s University College, an affiliated institution of the University of Waterloo in Ontario and located on its campus. JP has 25 years of experience in the natural resource sector. His career path includes work with indigenous communities and organizations, non-governmental environmental organizations, industry and governments across Canada.
Published in: Winter 2018
Shawn Good, EMBA’12, has been appointed president, CEO and head coach of Libro Credit Union. Shawn, who is currently CEO at SaskCentral in Saskatchewan, begins his new role with the Ontario-based company in May.
Published in: Spring 2023
David Hargreaves, EMBA, has been appointed vice-president, strategy and business development of Seaspan Shipyards, Canada's non-combat shipbuilding partner for its National Shipbuilding Strategy. Based in Vancouver, David brings to Seaspan over 25 years of experience in complex system-engineering business-leadership positions.
Published in: Winter 2020
Christopher Ho, BCom, and Julien Roger, BCom'11, have founded the payroll start-up Abletribe, with the aim of transforming payroll from an administrative burden to a competitive advantage for small business through the use of cloud-based payroll software. abletribe.com
Published in: Summer 2016
Rob Hoy, BCom, has joined Shiftsmart as vice-president of partner experience, where he is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding and engagement of workers on the Shiftsmart platform, which matches skilled workers with companies.
Published in: Fall 2021
Wahub Jahangir, MIB’15, tells us that after graduating he moved to Pakistan and took on a business development role in his family’s sports goods manufacturing firm, Tempo Sports. Wahub is also serving a term as SVP of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan. On a personal note, he adds: “In 2019, I got married, and now I am a father of two beautiful girls.”
Published in: Spring 2024
Bill Karamouzis (EMBA) founded Hall pass Media (www. hallpassmedia.com) in 2008 and quickly grew it to more than 6.4 million monthly viewers. In April 2011, while Bill was completing his EMBA studies, the company was purchased by Mind- Jolt, which was founded by the former CEO of MySpace, Chris DeWolfe. Bill says the lessons he learned during the MBA program, as well as the peer network he amassed, were very valuable during the due diligence process and have helped him to excel in his role as SVP at MindJolt. Email: billkara@gmail.com
Published in: Summer 2012