Author: Claire Edwards

Lunch with a Leader featuring Heather Culbert

Sept LWAL
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Join us for an exceptional “Lunch with a Leader” event featuring Heather Culbert, a trailblazing leader whose contributions have profoundly shaped Calgary’s community landscape. Heather is more than a leader—she is an innovator and change-maker who has dedicated her life to advancing the causes that matter most to our city.

After nearly three decades in the oil and gas industry, Heather transitioned from her executive role to focus on enhancing our community. Over the past decade, she has made a lasting impact by serving as Chair of SAIT’s Board of Governors, co-chairing the Promising Futures Campaign, and founding pivotal initiatives like Board Ready Women, Axis Connects, and the Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Awards. Through these efforts, Heather has tirelessly championed the advancement of women on local boards and in Calgary’s business community.

Heather’s commitment extends far beyond these roles. As a trustee for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and past chair of United Way of Calgary and Area, she has consistently demonstrated her dedication to philanthropic leadership. Currently, she serves as Chair of the United Way World Leadership Council, continuing her mission to drive positive change.

One of Heather’s most significant undertakings is her work as co-chair of the OWN.CANCER campaign, where she leads efforts to raise over $250 million for the new Arthur JE Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Thanks to her leadership, $225 million has already been secured, bringing us closer to opening a facility that will revolutionize cancer treatment and improve survival rates across Calgary and Alberta.

This lunch is an invaluable opportunity for those aspiring to board leadership or seeking to make a meaningful impact in their careers. Heather’s extensive experience and passion for community enhancement make her the ideal mentor for anyone looking to become board-ready or take the next step in their professional journey.

Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of Calgary’s most influential leaders and gain insights that could transform your path to leadership.

Only 10 spots available! Registration opens August 21 @ 9am.

Must be an Axis Member to register (Register here)

      • Date: Sept 4, 2024
      • Location: The Ranchmen’s Club
      • Time: Please arrive at 11:15 am. Lunch will start at 11:30 am.
      • Lunch is included.

About Heather Culbert

Heather is a co-founder of Axis Connects as well as the founder of Board Ready Women, a non-profit focused on raising awareness of women on boards in Alberta and assisting with opportunities for women to serve on Boards.

Heather currently serves as Vice-Chair of Export Development Canada (EDC), Board Member of The Fraser Institute, Chair of United Way World Leadership Council and as a co-fellow of the Jarislowsky Foundation, benefiting the MBA program of the Haskayne School of business at the University of Calgary.

From 1996 to 2006 Ms. Culbert was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Services with Enerplus Resources Corporation.

Community Achievement Award: Calgarian of the Year presented to Heather Culbert

Exciting News!

Axis Connects is thrilled to celebrate our incredible co-founder and board chair, Heather Culbert, who has been honoured with the prestigious Community Achievement Award: Calgarian of the Year!

Heather’s impact on Calgary is nothing short of extraordinary. After nearly three decades in the oil and gas sector, she dedicated herself to community service, leaving an indelible mark on our city. Her leadership and innovation have driven countless initiatives, enhancing the lives of Calgarians.

From her pivotal roles as chair of SAIT’s Board of Governors and co-chair of the Promising Futures Campaign to her relentless efforts with Board Ready Women and Axis Connects, Heather’s dedication to advancing women in business is unparalleled. She has also made significant contributions as a trustee for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and as past chair for United Way of Calgary and Area, among many other roles.

One of Heather’s most significant achievements is her leadership in the OWN.CANCER campaign, raising an astounding $225 million towards the new Arthur JE Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This centre, set to open this year, will revolutionize cancer treatment in North America, thanks to Heather’s tireless efforts and the support of many volunteers and donors.

Join us in congratulating Heather Culbert on this well-deserved recognition! Her passion, vision, and dedication are truly inspirational.

Transformative Leadership: Unleashing Team Potential

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Join us for a captivating Career Development Dialogue on the topic of Transformative Leadership: Unleashing Team Potential

Are you on a quest for the secret sauce that propels teams toward unprecedented success? Look no further. The upcoming Axis Connects Career Development Dialogue is your gateway to mastering the art of leadership that not only meets but shatters expectations. Dive into a treasure trove of innovative strategies and practical tools designed to elevate your team’s dynamics and results.

This session, orchestrated by Monark’s vanguards of leadership excellence and organizational psychology (visit them at leadwithmonark.com), promises to arm you with the cutting-edge techniques needed to amplify your team’s influence, harness collective strengths, and surge ahead in performance. Join us and transform the way you lead.

  • Topic: Transformative Leadership: Unleashing Team Potential
  • Speaker: : Amanda Julian, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder, Monark
  • Venue: The Hyatt Regency Downtown (Thomson’s Social Hub)
  • Date: June 12, 2024
  • Time: 11:30am – 1pm
  • For: All Career Levels
  • Attendance: 100+ Axis Connects Members
  • Ticket Price: $40 (lunch included)

Agenda

  • 11:30AM: Registration & Networking
  • 12:00PM: Program Begins
  • 1:00PM: Program Ends
  • 1:30PM: Optional time for networking

Seating for this event is very limited, and tickets are expected to sell out rapidly. Don’t delay – secure your spot by registering now!

We hope to see you there!

Responding to our members’ valuable feedback, it’s evident that there’s a strong desire for increased networking opportunities during our sessions. To address this, we’re excited to announce that for this month’s event, we’ve dedicated time both before and after the presentation for meaningful networking opportunities.

Must be an Axis Connect’s member, membership is free – register at www.axisconnects.com

Amanda Julian, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder, Monark

Amanda holds a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology, and is passionate about bridging the gap between leadership research and practice. Together with co-founder Kelsey Hahn, Amanda recognized the opportunity to apply her extensive experience in leadership and organizational assessment and development, as the basis for Monark’s innovative approach to improving access to leadership development and training.

Lunch with a Leader featuring Kelly Schmitt

May LWAL (2)

Join Kelly Schmitt this May, at The Ranchmen’s Club for Lunch with a Leader. This program is designed to provide Axis Connects members with valuable opportunities to gain insights, mentorship, and network with senior professionals in various industries. We aim to inspire and empower our members by exposing them to diverse perspectives and experiences.

Only 10 spots are available!

Must be an Axis Member to register (Register here)

  • Date: May 28, 2024
  • Location: The Ranchmen’s Club
  • Time: Please arrive at 11:15am. Lunch will begin at 11:30am.
  • Lunch is included!

About Kelly Schmitt

Chief Executive Officer, Benevity Inc.

Kelly is the CEO of Benevity, a leading provider of global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer, and nonprofit engagement solutions. Powering the goodness programs of many iconic brands such as Apple, Google and Nike, Benevity has processed over $13 billion in donations and 65 million hours of volunteering to 430,000 nonprofits worldwide.

Prior to taking on the CEO role in February 2021, Kelly was Benevity’s President and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the company’s go-to-market activities and industry-leading risk, vetting and donation disbursement services. Kelly has over 20 years of experience in growth company finance and operations, and recently received the Calgary Influential Women in Business Award (Large Enterprise) and was named an AACSB Influential Leader for her impact in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging area.

Kelly is passionate about childhood learning and development, serving on the board of the Calgary Science Centre and supporting causes that empower women and children.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn!

Registration Page!

Global News Calgary: CIWB Highlight

Global News Calgary covers the 2024 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards.

“The community should be very, very proud of the amazing role models we have in Calgary. Calgary is a true enabler, and that is why this is so exciting. Calgary corporations are getting behind this initiative, and it’s helping our community grow,” remarks Heather Culbert, Axis Connects Co-founder and board chair.

Reflecting on her achievement as the recipient of the Large Enterprise Award, Doreen Cole expresses, “Winning this award to me means that I am given the opportunity to represent the many successful women that are part of large business in the energy sector here in Calgary.”

Wendy Beauchesne, recipient of the Social Enterprise Award, shares her thoughts, stating, “As a winner, I do think it is a reflection of the project I get to be a part of, which is the new cancer centre opening in less than 6 months. It is truly going to be a cancer centre built for the community by the community, and if this is a reflection of that, then I am very, very proud.”

CTV News Calgary: CIWB Highlight

Coverage of the 2024 Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards by CTV News Calgary.

Hear from Doreen Cole, recipient of the Large Enterprise Award, as she shares her perspective on the promising future for women in Calgary. In Doreen’s words, “There are so many women who are accomplishing major deals, projects, investments, opportunities, and pursuing thoughts all across the province and very early in their careers“.

“The Awards are so important to profile exceptional women and male champions in our city,” says Heather Culbert, Co-founder and board chair of Axis Connects.”So people in our city can see it. If they can see it, they can be it!”

‘A slow-moving machine’: Calgary’s top businesswomen taking charge as gender gaps prevail

Axis Connects and two CIWB Award winners, Lorraine Mitchelmore and Jennifer Massig, had the opportunity to speak with Matt Scace Calgary Herald yesterday on gender parity in leadership. We are proud to be celebrating female leaders and male allies at the CIWB Awards, Presented by National Bank Financial and TransAlta who are committed to changing the status quo and advancing diversity in leadership roles.

“This year’s recipients have “set a tone and pace of strong leadership and haven’t backed away from challenges, and have addressed them head-on,” said Nuvyn Peters, CEO of Axis Connects”

Join us in congratulating this year’s winners, who will be honoured at the gala this evening: Lorraine Mitchelmore, Wendy Beauchesne, Jennifer Massig, Doreen Cole P.Eng. ICD.D, Alicia Quesnel and Bryan de Lottinville

CIWBAwards2024

READ HERE

Amplifying Diverse Voices: Advancing Women in Leadership

Today on Collisions YYC, Amber Griffith had the pleasure of being back on the show to share the latest from Axis Connects! Join us in championing gender diversity and leadership equality at our flagship event of the year: the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards, Presented by National Bank Financial and TransAlta! Last chance to grab your ticket for tomorrow: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-calgary-influential-women-in-business-ciwb-awards-tickets-872174416157?aff=Axiswebsite

Calgary Chamber: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Forum

 

Last night, Axis Connects proudly supported the Calgary Chamber in presenting the sold-out Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Forum, a pivotal event sparking insightful dialogue and actionable strategies. As a supporting sponsor, we were thrilled to contribute to an evening dedicated to fostering positive change within corporate environments.

The forum featured an esteemed panel including Alex Gysen, TD Regional Manager of 2SLGBTQ+ Business Development in the Prairies, Daniel Monzon, Entrepreneur and Founder of Catapult Startups, and Rachel Wade, Director of DEI & Employee Experience at Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Guided by Brian Lanier, Founder & CEO of The Leaders Circle, these passionate panelists shared invaluable insights into cultivating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Throughout the discussion, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the profound connection between diversity and organizational performance, the importance of intersectionality, and the transformative potential of inclusive hiring practices. Panelists underscored the significance of becoming employers of choice for immigrants and underrepresented communities, emphasizing the competitive advantage that diversity brings to businesses.

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