ItsKayToBeKaren Season 2

A conversation with Kaitlyn Hebert offers a clear, grounded look at what responsible leadership in AI truly requires. As Executive Director of AiSK, Kaitlyn brings a blend of ethical focus, structured thinking, and practical experience that shapes how she approaches innovation and public trust. She emphasizes the importance of thoughtful governance, curiosity, and creating environments where peopl...

Auckland Nickolayou joins us for an engaging conversation grounded in innovation, leadership, and the evolving landscape of his field. Auckland shares insights from his professional journey, reflecting on the experiences that have shaped his perspective and the values that continue to guide his work. He speaks to the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the role of collaboration in...

Khoa Nguyen joins ItsKayToBeKaren for a thoughtful conversation about the mindset, curiosity, and intentional choices that shaped his path into software development. From discovering his passion for Computer Science to navigating the challenges and breakthroughs of early‑career growth, Khoa reflects on how storytelling, learning, and community shaped the developer he is today. He shares insights f...

Connor Shirley is a mechanical engineer whose path into the field began with an unexpected shift from the College of Education to engineering. In our conversation, he reflected on how that change helped him understand his strengths and build confidence in his ability to solve real problems. His early experiences in the uranium and mining sectors showed how curiosity and persistence can open doors,...

Alexander Asare is a Mechanical Engineer-In-Training (EIT) who has been working at a consulting firm specialising in the mining, oil, and gas industries. He spent his time completing his undergraduate program in both Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering. In our conversations, we learnt about his day-to-day role and how he navigates challenges. Through his leadership at the Development Profession...

Jader Ranconi is a senior procurement specialist who brings about 18 years of experience from Brazil and Canada. During our conversation, we learned how he navigated his procurement career path from his early years. By graduating from one of the top business schools in Brazil, he brings a business and strategic leadership mindset that puts him at a competitive edge. Not only this, but his multilin...

Aaron Maclennan is an electrical engineer but a complete explorer at heart. During the podcast, he shared about some of his insights on what he believes to be vital skill sets that employers value in the industry. With his years of experience, he takes us on a journey of his career, and how he has evolved into a leadership role at his workplace. While he has had many achievements over the time of...

Cole Roszell joins us to share what it’s like pursuing hydrology in a program where almost no one else chooses the field, all while preparing for a 16‑month work term with a uranium mining company. Drawing from his time in the young cadet program and his experience in the military, Cole talks about how discipline, structure, and resilience shaped both his academic journey and his approach to envir...

Ella Sikora is currently a final-year Chemistry undergraduate student. While managing her time at one of the busiest cafes that we have in the city, she balances her academics, extracurricular activities, and some of her hobbies. She shares her day as a barista at the D'lish By Tish, and some of her great memories with her coworkers. She takes us through how she landed as a barista while still ful...

Inioluwa Olaleye, now at Siemens EDA and formerly a Software Developer II at Vendasta, joins ItsKayToBeKaren for a thoughtful deep dive into the choices and challenges that shaped his path in tech. He reflects on why he chose Computer Science, how he navigated a demanding fourth year filled with research, coursework, and a part‑time job, and the imposter syndrome that ultimately strengthened his g...

Hudson Sandbo, an Application Engineer at Siemens EDA, joins ItsKayToBeKaren for a candid conversation about the path that led him into the world of electronic design automation. He reflects on the responsibilities and problem‑solving mindset his role demands, the pivotal moments that pushed him toward computer engineering, and the realities of navigating an undergraduate engineering program. With...

We have two lovely ladies at our podcast who have made an impactful mark at the university before they have convocated. Chi Vu, a previous intern at Zu and a current full-time software developer at Andgo, shared her experiences as a Computer Science student and how she has evolved over time. Amanda Ewen has been part of many research symposiums and has actively participated in quite a few research...

Here I am bringing forth Season 2 of ItsKayToBeKaren, with new faces, areas of interest, conversations, and questions. With this new season of the podcast, I am looking forward to your continued support and hoping that all of you will pour more love into these episodes than you previously did. In this season, we have six local businesses sponsoring us, and we truly hope that in return, all of you...