UNB Alumni
Telling our #ProudlyUNB stories

UNBeknownst #36: Tosin Ajibola on blending social good with technology in Canada

UNB Alumni

Posted: February 16, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , Inspiring Stories , Engineering , UNB Fredericton



Social and technology entrepreneur Tosin Ajibola (MEng’20) moved from Nigeria to Canada to earn a Master of Engineering degree in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship from UNB. Out of that hands-on program, he and other newcomer classmates co-developed Welkom-U, an innovative online platform that puts newcomers, immigrants, and international students in touch with the things they need to survive and thrive. As CEO of Welkom-U, Tosin is focused on solving problems through...

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UNBeknownst #35: UNB Chancellor Wade MacLauchlan on the role of universities and education in our collective future

UNB Alumni

Posted: January 18, 2024 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , UNB Fredericton , Law



H. Wade MacLauchlan (LLB’81) is a well-known Canadian legal expert, academic, university administrator, politician and community leader. As premier of Prince Edward Island from 2015-19, he led an expansion and diversification of PEI's economy and the growth and rejuvenation of the province's population, while contributing to historic, regional initiatives in immigration, infrastructure and economic growth.  Prior to politics, MacLauchlan was the longest-serving president of the...

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UNBeknownst #34: Mohamed Bagha on growing strong communities by engaging newcomers

UNB Alumni

Posted: December 20, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Saint John , Podcast



Mohamed Bagha (BAMHT'05, MIDST'13) is the managing director of the Saint John Newcomers Centre and chair of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce. Originally from Kenya, he arrived in Saint John in the early 2000s to complete his post-secondary education at UNB and has been part of the newcomer support scene in the Port City for over a decade.   Mohamed is interested in helping grow and strengthen the community and is passionate about helping newcomers be part of that...

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UNBeknownst #33: Barbara Wasson on how technology and AI are shaping the future of learning

UNB Alumni

Posted: November 23, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , Computer Science , UNB Fredericton



Barbara Wasson (BScCS’82) is the director for SLATE - The Science of Learning and Technology, the Norwegian national centre for learning analytics. She is one of the founders of Kaleidoscope, a European Network of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning and has been the principal researcher on numerous Norwegian and international projects. She is also member of the Norwegian Ministry of Education’s Expert group on Learning Analytics and the Council of Europe Expert Group...

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UNBeknownst #32: Sara Taaffe on the tension between economic progress and sustainability

UNB Alumni

Posted: October 19, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Young Alumni , UNB Fredericton , Podcast , Renaissance College



“Knowing that there are a lot of people who really care and are working every day to make change, and seeing more and more policies and corporate behaviour changing, it leaves me feeling optimistic that we’re doing better than we were doing a year ago. There is hope and people have power.”  ~ Sara Taaffe (BPHIL'15)   Sara Taaffe (BPHIL’15) is a senior project manager with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership in London, England. After...

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UNBeknownst #31: Mike Corey on facing your fears to go far

UNB Alumni

Posted: September 21, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , Science , UNB Fredericton



Mike Corey (BSc’08) is a biology graduate turned travel host who never turns down an adventure. His curiosity has sent him searching out cultures, creatures, and locations that most people avoid – with the aim of facing – and even chasing – fear. This intense passion has led him to grow his YouTube Channel “Fearless & Far” to over 2M subscribers, receive 2 Emmy nominations for his Adventure Travel TV program "Uncharted Adventure", and an Ambie nomination...

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UNBeknownst #30: Teresa Fowler on the need for a reckoning in Canadian hockey culture

UNB Alumni

Posted: June 6, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , Education , Inspiring Stories , UNB Fredericton



Dr. Teresa Fowler (MEd’11) is a researcher who is diving into the sexism, misogyny and hypermasculinity of hockey in Canada and who is now working directly with Hockey Canada to try to correct the enduring problems. Teresa is an assistant professor at Concordia University of Edmonton in the faculty of education. Her research focuses on critical white masculinities and the implications of masculinity on men's mental health in hockey culture as well as anti-colonial pedagogic approaches...

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UNBeknownst #29: Lea Nicholas MacKenzie on championing Indigenous human rights

UNB Alumni

Posted: May 11, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Fredericton , Arts , Podcast , Inspiring Stories



Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie (BA’91) is a trailblazer for Indigenous rights: she’s the former special advisor for Indigenous issues to the UN, former chief of staff to then minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, and past chief of staff to the National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations. She also served as director of aboriginal participation and chief of protocol for the Four Host First Nations during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and...

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UNBeknownst #28: Mark Leger on the future of local journalism and its importance in building communities

UNB Alumni

Posted: April 13, 2023 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Saint John , Inspiring Stories , Podcast



Mark Leger (MA’11) was editor of Huddle, the popular Maritime online business news publication, from 2017 to early 2023, and was also director of news content for parent company Acadia Broadcasting, which owns and operates 15 radio stations in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A journalist for more than 25 years, Mark began his career as a reporter and editor with the Telegraph-Journal and went on to work for CBC Radio as a reporter and producer. An entrepreneur at heart, he has...

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UNBeknownst #27: Balarama Holness on education, politics and confronting systemic racism

UNB Alumni

Posted: March 9, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Fredericton , Inspiring Stories , Podcast , Education



Balarama Holness (MEd’16) is a former CFL athlete turned social entrepreneur, community organizer and anti-racism activist. A native of Montreal, he played professional football for the Montreal Alouettes, with whom he won the Grey Cup in 2010. He’s also well educated, having earned a master’s in education from the University of New Brunswick and a bachelor of civil law and juris doctor from McGill University. In 2018, Balarama gained political notoriety by gaining support...

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UNBeknownst #26: Deborah Lyons on being an Ambassador and UN representative in Afghanistan – and why education for women is critical for global stability

UNB Alumni

Posted: February 8, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Fredericton , Arts , Podcast , Inspiring Stories



Ambassador Deborah Lyons (BA’71, DLitt’15) is a diplomat with 21 years of professional experience in political affairs, international cooperation and economic development. Her most recent assignment was as special representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, having served prior to that as Ambassador of Canada to Israel and before that as Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Ms. Lyons has held several senior positions with...

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UNBeknownst #25: John Leroux on what it means to love a place and why architecture and art are so important in attracting and inspiring people

UNB Alumni

Posted: January 10, 2023 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , UNB Fredericton , UNB Saint John , Arts



John Leroux (PhD’20) is an architect, art historian and currently manager of collections and exhibitions at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick. John has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of art history, architecture, visual art, curation, and education. He holds a bachelor of architecture from McGill University, an M.A. in art history from Concordia University, and a PhD in history from UNB. He has worked at award-winning architecture firms in...

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UNBeknownst #24: Krista Jones on the future of work, the intersection of people with digital transformation, and how Canada can be competitive globally

UNB Alumni

Posted: December 8, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Engineering , Podcast , Inspiring Stories , UNB Fredericton



Krista Jones (BScEE'88) has been a passionate innovator and builder of technology-based businesses for over 30 years. She leverages her deep entrepreneurial and leadership experience to advise founders, inspire teams and create programs to scale Canada’s most innovative companies. Currently senior vice president of ventures services at MaRS Discovery District, she recently founded MaRS Momentum, an exclusive program that supports the executives of high-growth companies and accelerates...

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UNBeknownst #23: Donald Savoie on the centralization of power in Western governments, lack of public trust in our leaders, and what government IS good at

UNB Alumni

Posted: November 10, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , Inspiring Stories , Arts , UNB Fredericton



Donald Savoie (MA’72) holds the Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at the Université de Moncton, as well as the Clément-Cormier Research Chair in Economic Development. Over his career, he has served as an advisor to federal, provincial and territorial government departments and agencies, the private sector, independent associations, OECD, the World Bank and the United Nations. In 1986, at the request of the Canadian prime minister, he undertook a...

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UNBeknownst #22: Emilie Chiasson on creating human-centered designs and solving big challenges through collective action and gender equality

UNB Alumni

Posted: October 13, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Renaissance College , Inspiring Stories , Podcast , Young Alumni , UNB Fredericton



Emilie Chiasson (BPHIL’15) is a design and innovation expert who’s worked with government and NGO organizations to co-create meaningful solutions to persistent problems in developing countries and regions. After graduating from UNB’s Renaissance College, she completed a master's in global affairs from the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and since then has gained field experience working with vulnerable populations on the traditional...

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UNBeknownst Episode 21: Josh O’Kane on Sidewalk Labs and “the city Google couldn’t buy” 

UNB Alumni

Posted: September 6, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , Arts , UNB Saint John , UNB Fredericton



Josh O'Kane (BSc/BA ‘09) is a reporter with The Globe and Mail who has covered the technology sector for much of the past five years. His coverage focuses on the relationships between tech companies and human beings, governments, economies, and each other. His latest book, Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, investigates the failed effort by Google sister company Sidewalk Labs to build a future-focused neighbourhood in Toronto, the many institutions that company won over, and...

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UNBeknownst Episode 20: Mitch Cobb on purpose-driven entrepreneurship and making a positive community impact

UNB Alumni

Posted: June 23, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , Arts



Mitch Cobb (BA’02) is co-owner and CEO of Upstreet Craft Brewery on Prince Edward Island. But Upstreet isn’t just a brewery - even though it's grown to become a major player in the Atlantic Canada brewing industry. It’s a Certified B Corp, intent on doing business differently and making a positive impact in its community. Mitch has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. He graduated from UNB with an arts degree in anthropology...

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UNBeknownst Episode 19: Julia Wright on finding your path through trial and error, and journalism in challenging times   

UNB Alumni

Posted: June 9, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Young Alumni , Podcast , Arts , Inspiring Stories , UNB Fredericton



Julia Wright (BA’07) is host of CBC Information Morning on CBC Radio 1 in Saint John, and is also an award-winning writer and photographer. Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, Julia was a contributor to Vice, Buzzfeed, and various local and provincial newspapers before taking on radio hosting duties in 2019. Earlier, she founded and edited two independent Saint John creative writing and art zines: Hard Times in the Maritimes and The Tempest. In her spare time, she loves...

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UNBeknownst Episode 18: Brandon Mitchell on creating comic books and teaching youth through visually telling Mi’kmaq stories 

UNB Alumni

Posted: May 26, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast



Brandon Mitchell (BIS’16, MEd’18) is a Mi'kmaq graphic artist, published writer and entrepreneur from Listuguj, Quebec, now residing in Fredericton. A two-time graduate of UNB, with a bachelor's in multimedia and art culture and a master's in education, adult and continuing education, he is the founder of Birch Bark Comics and creator of the Sacred Circles comic series. His work includes a series of illustrated books that fuse contemporary graphic novel artistic approaches with...

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UNBeknownst Episode 17: Tom Liston on Bay Street and how the Canadian tech sector can help us overcome big global challenges

UNB Alumni

Posted: April 22, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Fredericton , Management , Podcast



Tom Liston (BBA’96) is one of the most sought-after minds in Canada’s tech investment sector. Tom currently serves on several Board of Directors for public and private technology companies, and he has a strong track record of shareholder value creation in that capacity. As chief investment officer of a leading technology-focused venture capital firm, he made investments in SaaS, FinTech, and healthcare IT fields – two of which were among the top exits in Canadian technology...

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UNBeknownst Episode 16: Mike Harrison on emergency medicine during a pandemic, flight surgery and the long way to get to what you love

UNB Alumni

Posted: April 8, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: UNB Fredericton , Podcast , Kinesiology



Mike Harrison (BScKin’02, MScExSS’05) is a flight surgeon, as well as an emergency medicine and critical care physician at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He was recently one of the flight surgeons for SpaceX’s Crew-1 Dragon - which launched in 2020 and returned in 2021.  Mike graduated from UNB with a bachelor of science in kinesiology and a master of science in exercise and sport science. We talk with Mike about his work as an ER and aerospace physician,...

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UNBeknownst Episode 15: Alexandra Pope on Canadian Geographic, life balance and the polarization of media 

UNB Alumni

Posted: March 25, 2022 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Renaissance College , Podcast , UNB Fredericton



Alexandra Pope (BPhil’06) graduated from UNB Renaissance College's bachelor of philosophy in leadership program and went straight to work in social media and journalism for local newspapers. She jumped to The Weather Network and then joined Canadian Geographic as digital editor – a dream job. Recently, she was named editor-in-chief of Canadian Geographic magazine and its sister publication, Canadian Geographic Travel. Although much of her time is spent behind a desk editing other...

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UNBeknownst Episode 14: From Artsy to Shopify, Ash Furrow on compassionate software development and separating yourself from your work

UNB Alumni

Posted: March 3, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Fredericton , Computer Science , Podcast , Young Alumni , Inspiring Stories



Ash Furrow (BCS’09) is a compassionate software developer from the small town of Woodstock, New Brunswick. He started building iPhone apps in 2009 while still a computer science student at UNB, which launched his career as a mobile software developer. After graduating, Ash and his partner moved to Toronto, then Amsterdam, and then New York, where he joined Artsy as it was just beginning to grow into the world’s largest online marketplace for art. He finally moved home to New...

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UNBeknownst Episode 13: James Gitau on the dangers and rewards of leading humanitarian work with UNICEF around the globe 

UNB Alumni

Posted: February 17, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Fredericton , Management , Podcast



James Gitau (BBA'87,MA'89) came from Kenya to Canada in the 1980s to study at UNB and later returned to Africa to cultivate an esteemed career with UNICEF across the globe. He’s part of UNICEF’s senior leadership and operations group, and over the years has developed cross-cultural team leadership skills and has gained international experience within the humanitarian and development context. He’s currently Deputy Representative, Operations for Yemen.    In this...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 12: Olive Ozoemena on promoting diversity and inclusion through employment initiatives and economic development

UNB Alumni

Posted: February 3, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , UNB Saint John



Olive Ozoemena (MBA'16), director of programs and operations for the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, is from Nigeria and came to New Brunswick in 2015 to study in the MBA program at UNB Saint John. She stayed in the community and has been an integral part of helping to build a multicultural society that is welcoming and inclusive for newcomers and people from all backgrounds. She is also a member of UNB’s Associated Alumni Council, and is passionate about building inclusive...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 11: Asif Hasan on the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the role of businesses and individuals in building a diverse, flourishing community

UNB Alumni

Posted: January 20, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Engineering , UNB Fredericton , Podcast



UNBeknownst Episode 11 Asif Hasan on the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the role of businesses and individuals in building a diverse, flourishing community  Asif Hasan is an alum from UNB’s Electrical and Computer Engineering and TME programs, and the CEO and co-founder of SimpTek Technologies, a Fredericton startup company that helps residential homeowners and electric utility companies to better understand, engage and predict energy usage. He’s a world citizen - born...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 10: Jason Stephen on the hot real estate market and working through uncertainty

UNB Alumni

Posted: January 6, 2022 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , UNB Saint John



UNBeknownst Episode 10  Jason Stephen on the hot real estate market and working through uncertainty  Jason Stephen graduated from UNB Saint John in 1998 with a degree in history and political science, and is now a realtor and real estate expert. Jason is a REALTOR® with Royal LePage Atlantic, has been involved in organized real estate for more than 20 years and just recently concluded his time as president of the Canadian Real Estate...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 9: Matt Anderson and Chris Simpson on leading healthcare in a pandemic and adapting to change

UNB Alumni

Posted: December 16, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Podcast , Science , UNB Fredericton , Arts



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 9 Matt Anderson and Chris Simpson: Leading healthcare in a pandemic and adapting to change Matt Anderson (BA’92) and Chris Simpson (BSc’90) took very different routes to get to top executive positions in healthcare in Canada. Matt graduated with an arts degree and began his career in data analytics and IT. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management from the University of...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 8: Samantha Stewart on competition, mental fitness and developing a growth mindset

UNB Alumni

Posted: December 2, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: Kinesiology , Podcast



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 8 Samantha Stewart: Competition, mental fitness and developing a growth mindset Samantha Stewart (BRSS'13, BA'14, MEd'19) moved to Fredericton in 2009 to study Recreation and Sport Studies, and during that time, began competing internationally as a member of Team Canada’s wrestling team. Since then, she’s become a ten-time national medallist, been named Most Outstanding Female Wrestler in Canada twice, was the Rio 2016 Olympic alternate,...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 7: Eric Cook on Industry 4.0 and automation

UNB Alumni

Posted: November 17, 2021 12:00:00 AM AST

Category: UNB Fredericton , Podcast , Engineering



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 7 Eric Cook: Industry 4.0 and automation  Eric Cook is executive director and CEO of RPC, New Brunswick’s provincial research organization that provides science and engineering services to over 1100 clients annually. Eric’s career spans leadership in the application of science and technology in sectors including advanced manufacturing, space science, aerospace, and wireless communications. He’s served as the project engineer for...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 6: Cayman Grant on storytelling in Hollywood and why failing is important 

UNB Alumni

Posted: November 4, 2021 10:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , UNB Saint John



UNBeknownst Episode 6 Cayman Grant: Storytelling in Hollywood and why failing is important   Cayman Grant (BBA’01) graduated from UNB Saint John with a BBA in 2001, and has since become an Emmy award-winning writer and director making films and TV that have been screened in over 100 film festivals worldwide. She’s written and directed several projects, including Playing for the Mob, which earned her an Emmy for the feature-length...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 5: Natalie Weigum on the World Bank and the challenges of working in climate change

UNB Alumni

Posted: October 21, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Science , Podcast



UNBeknownst Episode 5 Natalie Weigum: The World Bank and the challenges of working in climate change  Natalie Weigum (BSc’10) is currently living in Washington, DC working as a climate change specialist at the World Bank, where she helps integrate climate change into the World Bank's development lending. She grew up in Fredericton, where she completed her bachelor of science with a double major in physics and chemistry at the University of New Brunswick. Prior to moving...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 4: Michaela D’Intino on building a strong local supply chain and leading at a young age

UNB Alumni

Posted: October 6, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Engineering , Podcast



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 4 Michaela D’Intino: Building a strong local supply chain and leading at a young age  Michaela D'Intino (BScE’16) is a young alum, having graduated from civil engineering at UNB in 2016. But Michaela didn’t go into a typical engineering firm or construction job. She went into supply chain and process improvement work in the food and beverage sector. After working for a number of years with food and beverage giant...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 3: Pam Palmater - Activism, decolonization and how to make an impact on Indigenous reconciliation 

UNB Alumni

Posted: September 23, 2021 8:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Law , Podcast



Pam Palmater: Activism, Decolonization and How to Make an Impact on Indigenous Reconciliation  Pam Palmater (LLB'97) is an award-winning public speaker, author and social justice activist. She was one of the spokespeople and public educators for the Idle No More movement and continues to advocate alongside other social movements focusing on Indigenous rights, social justice and climate action. She is also a well-known media commentator and public speaker - considered...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 2: Jason Goldlist - Wealthsimple, Venue and an unusual path to tech entrepreneurship

UNB Alumni

Posted: September 23, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast , Renaissance College



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 2 Jason Goldlist - Wealthsimple, Venue and an unusual path to tech entrepreneurship  Jason Goldlist (BPHIL’06), graduated from UNB with a bachelor of philosophy in interdisciplinary leadership from Renaissance College and is currently CEO and co-founder of Venue, an online platform for virtual special events that inspire and engage. He’s also co-founder of TechTO and has an impressive resume, including as head of marketing and...

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UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 1: Pilot - Get to know the hosts of UNBeknownst

UNB Alumni

Posted: September 23, 2021 12:00:00 AM ADT

Category: Podcast



UNBeknownst Podcast Episode 1Pilot: Get to know the alumni hosts of UNBeknownst Welcome to UNBeknownst, a podcast for alumni, by alumni.In the pilot episode, University of New Brunswick Associated Alumni Executive Director Michelle McNeil gets to know our volunteer alumni hosts of Season 1 of this new podcast. UNBeknownst explores unexpected career paths, insights of alumni learned from experience outside the classroom, and hot takes on current issues. In our pilot episode, learn more about...

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