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.
Alumni Notes
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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 (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 (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 (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) 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 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 (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
Patricia Withers (EMBA) was elected President of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS) effective April 25. She has served on the Board of Directors for the past three years, including one year as Vice-President for the Society. She has an extensive legal, entrepreneur and business background, with more than 25 years’ experience in oilfield service, commercial and residential real estate, construction and management consulting. She is an accomplished senior mediator and arbitrator and has been awarded the Chartered Mediator designation from ADR Institute of Canada and has extensive dispute resolution training through AAMS.
Published in: Summer 2009
Heather E. Campbell (BCom) married Adam Gordon (MBA’09) on June 25 in Kingston, with a reception at Ban Righ Hall. They are living now in the Beach neighbourhood of Toronto. Adam works as a Management Consultant and Heather works as an IT/Business Consultant. Concurrently, they also continue to grow Adam’s family company, YouBidLocal, which is being run by Sushee Perumal (MBA’07). Email: heatherellencampbell@hotmail.com
Published in: Winter 2012