Skip to main content

Alumni Notes

Submit your alumni note to Smith Magazine

Search past alumni notes in Smith Magazine

2003

Bethany Tory (EMBA) died suddenly on April 21, in Ottawa, in her 45th year. She is survived by her husband Graham and sons Alexander and Zachary. Bethany was the COO of Skate Canada and served on the Board of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa as Finance Chair and previously as Chair of the Board for several years.
Published in: Summer 2015
Ian Di Tullio, EMBA, and his family leapt even farther afield, relocating to Doha, Qatar, following Ian’s PhD graduation from Cranfield University in the U.K. He is now Vice President, CRM & Loyalty, with Qatar Airways.
Published in: Winter 2016
dominic_varvaro
Dominic Varvaro (EMBA) had a very busy and interesting year. He downsized his home of 25 years, recovered from knee surgery, and completed the Ride to Conquer Cancer’s 290-km ride from Montréal to Quebec City. Dominic wishes all the best to his fellow classmates.
Published in: Winter 2011
Sean Waite, EMBA, died suddenly on Nov. 4. “After 47 years of whole-hearted living, Sean’s giant heart was spent,” his family wrote in his obituary. Sean is survived by his wife Jessica, son Dash, siblings Rory (Wendy), Riley (Erin), Megan (Bart), Tyrone (Jenn) and Darrel (Sandra), and numerous nieces and nephews. His full and varied business career involved several overseas postings, including three years in Singapore as a VP at IHS Energy. A proud member of his Calgary EMBA team, Sean served as a Project Advisor to numerous students in the school’s MBA programs since 2004.
Published in: Winter 2016
Julie Walsh
Julie Walsh (EMBA) is celebrating the tenth year of her business, The WorkShop Gallery Inc. She developed the concept while working on her MBA, and her business plan placed second in the 2003 New Venture competition. Situated in the heart of Greektown (at Pape and Danforth) in Toronto, the store provides custom picture-framing, large-format printing, original art and art classes.
Published in: Summer 2014
Kate Whimster
Kate Whimster (BCom) graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2010, receiving the Governors’ Award of Excellence for outstanding academic performance. As a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND), Kate is accepting patients at locations in Midtown and the Beaches in Toronto. In addition, she offers seminars and consultations and writes articles on a wide range of health topics for businesses in the GTA. For more information »
Published in: Summer 2011
Laura Williamson and Aubrey Hearn
Laura Williamson (BCom) married Aubrey Hearn last May 30 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Toronto. There were many Commerce grads in attendance, including her three wonderful bridesmaids. Laura and Aubrey live in Toronto, where Laura is working at TELUS in marketing.
Published in: Spring 2009

2002

catherine_bell_emba
Catherine Bell (EMBA) reports that her company, BluEra, won Alberta Venture magazine’s Best Workplaces 2014 Award in the Benefits, Perks and Incentives category. The award recognizes organizations that value their greatest asset – their people. Catherine (at left) is shown with Carolyn Duckworth (EMBA’01), who heads up BluEra’s Toronto office. Catherine’s upcoming book, The Awakened Company, (due Oct.’15) shares some of the ‘secret sauce’ of leaders from around the world, and includes insights from QSB’s Julian Barling.
Published in: Winter 2015
sherri_mwheller
Sherri M.Wheller (EMBA) joined Toronto’s Thoughtcorp as a Director of Business Development in June. Thoughtcorp is a leading problem-solving technology services firm.
Published in: Winter 2011
geoff_blair
Geoff Blair (MBA, Sc’94) is living in Ottawa and working as an independent consultant in the Defence and Security sector. “My interests – as always! – are in international and defence affairs and new technology ventures,” he writes. Geoff has also stayed with the Army Reserve and is currently CO of 33 Signals Regiment, National Capital Region. He and his wife Adrienne (Hurst, Artsci'97), a freelance writer, have two children: Connor (5) and Maeve (3).
Published in: Winter 2011