Magnet Network Live On The Pod

Dr. Vivienne Ming offers a glimpse into her keynote address at Magnet Network Live. Dr. Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Socos Labs. Her AI inventions have launched a dozen companies and nonprofits focused on human potential in education, workforce, and health. Dr. Ming explains her idea that we need to challenge ourselves with AI, not simply using it to ma...

Tiffany Callender joins us to discuss her efforts to help deliver economic empowerment to Black Canadian entrepreneurs. Callender is co-founder and CEO of the Federation of African-Canadian Economics (FACE). Working with the Government of Canada, she co-developed the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund. Callender explains how access to capital is an essential need for entrepreneurs, and describes how...

Darian Kovacs joins us to discuss how small businesses can harness digital tools to maximize the reach and impact of their marketing efforts. Kovacs is the Métis founder of Jelly Digital Marketing & PR and Jelly Academy, based in Vancouver. He hosts the Marketing News Canada podcast, chairs the Digital Marketing Sector Council, and sits on the board of NPower Canada. Kovacs shares what busines...

Dr. Wendy Cukier joins us to discuss her take on the future of work in Canada. A leading expert on disruptive technologies and  innovation, Dr. Cukier is Academic Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University. As AI technologies become more common in the workplace, Dr. Cukier argues that workers need both frameworks to support these technologies, and guardrails to ensure t...

Award-winning and platinum-selling recording artist Jully Black joins us to talk about love and positivity, her accomplished career, and the role of music in advocacy. Black talks about seizing opportunity, explains what it means to be a ‘co-conspirator,’ and gives us the inside story of her famously edited performance of ‘O Canada’ at the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Host: Emily Madden

Matt Small joins us to discuss technology’s role in preparing students for the workforce. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Small is deeply committed to partnering with the global higher education community to redefine student and institutional success by leveraging Symplicity’s smart, innovative technology. Since becoming President & CEO of Symplicity, he has expanded...

Jeff Melanson joins us to discuss how creative industries are leveraging technology to stay innovative. Jeff Melanson is renowned for his inventive approach to disruptive innovation, blending bold strategy with practical vision. As Strategic Partner for Unity Technologies, Partner at the Stratagem Group, and Advisor at Lansberg Gersick Advisors, he excels in identifying hidden talent and growth op...

Noel Baldwin joins us to discuss the need to address skills gaps in various industries. Noel Baldwin is the Interim Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre (FSC). He brings nearly two decades of experience in leading strategic initiatives and policy development in postsecondary education, adult learning and skills development. Baldwin shares his thoughts on how the pressing need to address...

Jamie Savage joins us to discuss challenges in talent recruitment. Jamie Savage is the Interim CEO of Startup Canada and is also the founder of The Leadership Agency, the executive recruitment partner of choice for North America’s fastest-growing startups and non-profits. Under Jamie’s leadership, the Leadership Agency has seen impressive growth, expanding into the US within just 18 months.  Savag...

Daniel Tisch joins us to discuss the trust factor when it comes to small businesses adopting AI. Daniel is President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and a public policy leader with extensive experience in government and the corporate sector. As the CEO and majority owner of Argyle Communications from 2003 to 2023, he grew the firm into Canada’s largest management-owned engagement and co...

Andrea Sampson joins us to discuss the power of storytelling for business leaders. Andrea Sampson is the founder of Talk Boutique. As an  executive speaker coach, communication expert and business strategist, Sampson specializes in helping those who have a message to convey do so with engagement and clarity. Sampson shares why creativity needs a little tension, the magic of the water cooler conver...

Jean-Pierre (JP) Giroux joins us to discuss how the manufacturing industry is changing to accommodate new technologies and a rapidly changing workforce. For more than two decades, JP has held positions of increasing responsibility with economic development, NGO, management consulting, industrial and corporate organizations throughout Canada. Beginning as an economic development officer in Canada’s...

Shamira Madhany discusses the barriers that many skilled immigrants face when entering the Canadian workforce. Madhany is Managing Director, Canada and Deputy Executive Director, World Education Services. Madhany explains how post-secondary institutions can help immigrants bridge the ‘Canadian experience’ barrier with bridging programs, or by helping international students access pathways to emplo...

Candice Faktor joins us to discuss how AI can help unlock human potential. Candice Faktor is the co-founder of Disco, an AI-powered social learning platform. Faktor is also a keynote speaker on the future of work and believes we must invest in upskilling our workforces and use AI to augment human potential. Faktor shares why AI is more empathetic than we might think and how it can help us break fr...

Scott Sirrett joins us to discuss how young people can prepare themselves for the future of work. Stirrett is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that fosters entrepreneurial skills in young Canadians. Stirrett lists work experience through internships and work-integrated learning experiences as one of the best methods of preparing for future employment success. Also impo...

Patrick MacKenzie joins us to discuss challenges faced by skilled immigrants and their integration into the Canadian labour market. Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social develop...

Jessica Hanan joins us to discuss how she sees generative AI transforming industries. Jessica is the founder of Prompt Pilot, a leading SaaS platform that uses an AI coach to help users become expert prompters. She holds a First Class Honors Degree in AI Business Strategy, Risk Management, and Economics. As an Innovation Strategist at Altruistic, she combines financial acumen with AI expertise to...

Sasha Tregebov explains how applying insights from behavioural science can improve the design and delivery of policies, programs and services. As the Director of BIT Canada, Tregebov works to bring a more human-centred and evidence-driven approach to supporting job seekers, workers, and employers. Tregebov explains how “choice architecture” and the “Law of Least Effort” impact the choices and deci...

Rob Henderson joins us to discuss human resources challenges in Canada’s bio-technology sector. Henderson is President and CEO of BioTalent Canada,  an in-demand partner, policy influencer, and project leader that brings together the country’s largest national bio-economy network. His work focuses on connecting employers with skilled talent and addressing workforce shortages. Henderson explains th...

Danielle Cadhit joins us to discuss her experience bringing a human-centred approach to investing in and empowering entrepreneurs. Danielle (Dane) Cadhit is a creative practitioner, futurist, and strategist passionate about systems design and transformation. She primarily impacts this space as the Director of Systems & Emergent Strategy at Coralus, a global community of changemakers working on...

Dr. Curtis Clarke joins us to discuss the urgent need to adopt new models of learning. Dr. Clarke has served in Alberta Public Service roles, including Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, K-12 Education, and Solicitor General. He was also Assistant Deputy Minister of Alberta Correctional Services and Cabinet Policy Coordinator. Clarke shares what the emergence of mid-career learners means for e...

Paul Jenkins joins us to discuss how businesses can better prepare for the economic shifts caused by technological disruption. Jenkins is a former Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada. Jenkins explains why risk management structures are essential for business resilience in the face of rapid technological change and advancement, and says Canada needs to invest more heavily in digital skills...

Krista Pawley joins us to discuss how digital platforms can remove barriers and create greater access to opportunities for students.  Krista Pawley is a tri-sector leader who connects people and organizations across 56+ countries to catalyze sustainable, inclusive impact. She co-founded Wavemakers, the first national Work-Integrated Learning program using Virtual Reality, and founded Imperative Im...

Doug Walker joins us to discuss the role of technology in helping SMEs achieve their full potential. Doug Walker is a veteran of the Canadian technology industry and a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University. His career began at IBM, followed by leadership roles in SMEs and global enterprises. Doug served as President of Silicon Graphics Canada (which acquired Cray Computing) and CEO of Alias...

Dr. Marketa Evans joins us to discuss how colleges can better support students’ career pathways. Dr. Evans was President and CEO of Colleges Ontario, representing Ontario’s 24 public colleges. She was previously Vice President at Colleges and Institutes Canada, overseeing federal relations and advocacy. Dr. Evans shares how Ontario colleges can adapt to rapid technological changes in the workforce...