Court Carruthers, EMBA, became President and CEO of TricorBraun, a global packaging solutions company, in October 2017. Court has worked with AEA Investors for the last two years and served on TricorBraun’s board of directors since AEA’s purchase of the company. He lives in Lake Forest, IL with his wife, Kirstin (pictured here with Court), and two young sons.
Alumni Notes
Submit your alumni note to Smith Magazine2005
Jim McKay, EMBA, has launched his own boutique supply-chain consulting and facilitation firm, The Avleca Group, in Oakville, Ont. He helps clients develop an end-to-end strategy blueprint, connecting the dots from the shop floor to the board room. In November, he also published his first book, Reflections of a Workaholic.
Published in: Winter 2017
Dennis Estacion (EMBA), who traveled across Canada and around the U.S. for three months in 2007 and then went to Hong Kong and the Philippines in December, reports that he visited Europe for the first time in June and July 2008. Dennis is now back in Calgary as a business consultant with Divestco.
Published in: Summer 2009
Michael Gardner (EMBA) was recently elected Chair of the Board at the ALS Society of Canada. Using his business expertise, he aims to increase funding towards support services for people living with ALS and research for a cure. A long-time member of the ALS community, he will continue to raise awareness for this devastating disease. Michael is also the CEO of Recombo, a leading provider of interactive online agreements and secure digital signature software. He and his wife, Sara, live in West Vancouver with their children Kate and Adisen.
Published in: Summer 2009
Hugo Germain (AMBA) and Marilyn are expecting their second baby in May – a brother or sister for Elie, born October 2007.
Published in: Spring 2009
Gurjit Gill (EMBA) has returned to Montréal after a five-year posting in India. He is now Manager, Training Center Business Development at IATA (International Air Transport Association), and will be looking after IATA’s network of authorized training centres globally. IATA offers training in aviation, cargo, travel and tourism.
Published in: Summer 2015
Jeff Grevstad (EMBA) is now a consultant with Legacy Bowes Group out of Winnipeg, specializing in Leadership, Organizational Structure and Dynamics, Business Planning and Strategic Process.
Published in: Summer 2008
Joanna Griffiths, BCom’05, has started a new chapter with her company, Knix. The intimate apparel brand and pioneer in the leakproof underwear category, was acquired by Essity, a global hygiene and health company. Joanna maintains a 20 per cent share of Knix and will remain as president.
Published in: Fall 2022
Joanna Griffiths, BCom, was named to the Top 25 Women of Influence list for 2020. The founder and CEO of Knixwear was recognized for creating the Life After Birth project, a travelling gallery that highlights women’s postpartum journeys. The initiative was designed to change the narrative of the postpartum experience, encouraging honesty, acknowledgement and support. The resulting photo exhibit first opened in New York in August 2019, and subsequently visited Toronto and Los Angeles.
Published in: Fall 2020
Andrew van der Gugten (EMBA) died suddenly on Aug. 7. Andrew worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. After earning his MBA, he joined ratiopharm Canada as Head of Market Access. He later joined Cobalt Pharmaceuticals as Vice-President, Sales. His family and friends remember him as a man of character who placed a high premium on hard work and friendship.
Published in: Winter 2013