2 5 T H
A N N I V E R S A R Y
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EVENING AGENDA 2023
5:30 p.m. Doors Open 5:30 p.m. VIP Reception Begins Mezzanine Lobby 6:30 p.m. VIP Formal Remarks Alberta Premier Danielle Smith; Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek; Avenue Editor in Chief Shelley Arnusch; RedPoint Media Group President Käthe Lemon; connectFirst Credit Union Chief People, Brand and Culture Officer, Bob Webb. Musical Performance Ginger Beef. 7:00 p.m. Doors to Auditorium Open 7:30 p.m. Formal Presentation Land Acknowledgement Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes. Remarks Mayor Jyoti Gondek; Avenue Editor in Chief Shelley Arnusch, RedPoint President Käthe Lemon; connectFirst Credit Union Chief People, Brand and Culture Officer, Bob Webb. Top 40 Class of 2023 Presentation emceed by Global TV anchors Blake Lough and Joel Senick. Musical Performance Russell Broom Memorial Orchestra.
avenuecalgary.com
8:30 p.m. Celebration in the Lobby • Musical performance by Kenna Burima • (Top 40 Class of 2015) playing a set list of the Top 40 Class of 2023’s favourite songs. • Enjoy some nibbles at the taco bar, pad Thai station and Korean beef station, as well as passed appetizers from Hotel Arts. • Visit our sponsor activations: connectFirst Credit Union — try to win one of three $200 prizes from Hillberg & Berk jewellery (or have a glass of bubbles as a consolation prize). • At the UCalgary Spark Lounge (Right • Alcove) have your portrait drawn by a robot, see a 3D-printer in action, and learn more about how UCalgary is sparking change in our communities. • Visit Bloom Benefits Lounge (Left Alcove) for the Pure Portraits photo booth. • Stop by the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre activation with artist Dean Stanton (Top 40 Class of 2003) in the North Lobby for an I Love Colour painting experience. • Visit the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Cupcake Lounge for a sweet treat! 3
M A I N
F L O O R
REGISTRATION
PIANO
AUDITORIUM
WASHROOMS NON-ALCOHOLIC SPECIALTIES BAR
FOOD STATION
UCALGARY SPARK LOUNGE
AUARTS PARKADE EXIT
DOORS
C97.7
ALUMNI TABLE
HANGOVR180 TABLE
REDPOINT MEDIA TABLE
A-LIST MEMBERSHIP
BE THE CHANGE
M A P
CONNECT FIRST CLAW GAME & LOUNGE
CALGARY CHAMBER CUPCAKE LOUNGE
ATB
RANCHMEN'S CLUB
WILDER INSTITUTE/ CALGARY ZOO
OXFORD PROPERTIES COMPLIMENTARY COAT CHECK
BLOOM BENEFITS LOUNGE WITH PURE PORTRAITS PHOTO BOOTH
CALGARY TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE ART ACTIVATION FEATURING ARTIST DEAN STANTON
Some things are just better together. And all businesses are better with us. Our 2024 sponsorship package is live! Scan the QR code below to learn about our full slate of events and ways you can get involved.
CL ASS OF
2023 2 5 T H
A N N I V E R S A R Y
They say the 25th consecutive year of something is its silver anniversary. For the Top 40 Under 40 project, it’s fitting, considering the shining accomplishments of all who have been named to Top 40 lists since the program began. This year’s Top 40 Under 40, presented by connectFirst Credit Union, the University of Calgary, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, continue that legacy. Representing a diverse range of sectors, these inspiring individuals are creating a more vibrant, viable, innovative and inclusive Calgary. We salute the Class of 2023, presented here in alphabetical order, as well as those who came before.
PHOTOS BY JARED SYCH WITH STEVE COLLINS, JOHN COOPER AND CHRIS LANDRY PHOTOGRAPHED ON LOCATION AT OXFORD PROPERTIES 400 THIRD, CENTENNIAL PLACE AND EAU CLAIRE TOWER
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Exceptional businesses need exceptional people Congratulations to the Top 40 under 40 winners! 400 Third | Bow Valley Square | Centennial Place | Eau Claire Tower
C o
s
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Susannah S. Alleyne
Age 37
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Counsel and Equity Ombudsperson, Law Society of Alberta
WHY SHE ’S A TOP 40 SH E I S A T RAILB L AZ ER WITHIN ALB ERTA’S LEGAL PRO F ESSIO N, WORK I NG TOWARDS AN EQ U AL , INCLU SIVE WO RKPL ACE .
“BE OPEN TO THE IDEA TH AT W HER E YOU L AND, W HETHER TH AT ’S IN YOUR CAR EER OR WHERE YOU CALL HOME, M AY NOT E X I S T I N I T S F U L L F O R M Y E T. ”
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D AV E
Dave Carlton & Andrew Renaux
Age 35 ANDREW
Age 34
Co-founding director and CEO, Leaf Ninjas Inc.
WHY T HEY ’ RE TOP 40S T H I S P OWE RH OUSE PA I R IS DEDICATED TO CRE ATING A HE ALTHIER , GREENER , MORE BE A UT I FU L , B IO DIVERSE AND SU STAINAB LE CITY.
“OUR BUSINESS ALIGNS WITH WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE A N D W H AT W E WA N T T O D O I N T H E WO R L D . T H E R E I S N O L I M I T T O T H E P O S I T I V E I M PA C T W E C A N H A V E I N T H I S P R O V I N C E A N D A C R O S S T H E C O U N T R Y. ” D A V E C A R LT O N
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 35
May Choi Rheumatologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E H E L PS PATIENTS WITH COMPLE X AU TO IMMU NE DISE ASES GET DIAGNOSED AND TRE ATED E ARLIER .
“THE TYPES OF DISEASES I SEE ARE OFTEN CH ALLENGING TO DI AGNOSE, AKIN T O S O LV I N G A P U Z Z L E O R A M Y S T E R Y. ”
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Age 27
Devin Cooper Musician and Philanthropist, Devin Cooper Music Inc.
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H E ’S A N AWA RD-WI NNING CO U NTRY MU SICIAN, WHO STAGES CHARITY CONC E RT E VE NTS IN SU PPO RT O F THE ALZ HEIMER’S SO CIETY.
“IF I GET A NO, I NEV ER SEE TH AT A S A CLOSED DOOR, I JUST SEE TH AT A S A R EDIR ECTION.”
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 39
Matthew Corkum Head Meteorologist, Dynasty Power, and Accessibility Advocate
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E A DVOCAT ES FOR PEO PLE WITH DISAB ILITIES BY HELPING TO CRE ATE I NC L USI VE SPO RT O PPO RTU NITIES AND BY PU B LIC SPE AKING.
“ T H E B E S T WAY T O C R E AT E A B E T T E R C I T Y A N D COMMUNIT Y IS NOT TO JUST MEET EV ERYONE’S BA SIC NEEDS, BU T LOOK AT EV ERY THING W E DO W I T H INCLUSION IN MIND.”
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Congratulations to this year's outstanding Top 40 under 40.
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MORGAN
Morgan Curley & Marc Husted
Age 39 MARC
Age 38
Co-founders and Designers, Bamff
WHY T HEY ’ RE TOP 40S T H ROUG H T H E I R DESIGN AND B RANDING COMPANY, THEY CRAF T A CO O L AND L I G H T- H E A RT E D AESTHETIC F O R CALGARY ’S HOSPITALITY INDU STRY.
“WE ARE BOTH COMMITTED TO THE CIT Y AND SEEING HOW W E C O U L D E L E VAT E W H AT ’ S H E R E .” MORGAN CURLEY
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Lauren DeDieu
Age 34
Associate Professor (Teaching), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary
WHY SHE ’S A TOP 40 SH E E MP OWE RS ST UDE NTS OF ALL AGES TO TRANSF O RM THEIR F E AR O F MATH INTO CONFI DE NC E , A ND RUNS PRO GRAMS THAT COMBAT GENDER B IAS IN HER F IELD.
“IN BOTH MY TEACHING AND MY OUTREACH, I L O V E W H E N S T U D E N T S H A V E T H A T ‘ A - H A ’ M O M E N T. T H E I R F A C E S L I G H T U P B E C A U S E T H E Y G E T I T. ”
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 36
Julie Deleemans Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E T ESTS TO SE E IF PRO B IOTICS CAN HELP TRE AT GASTRO INTESTINAL A ND PSYC H OSOC IAL SYMPTOMS IN CANCER PATIENTS AF TER TRE ATMENT.
“DO NOT LET OTHERS TELL YOU W H A T Y O U ’ R E C A PA B L E O F ; Y O U C A N D E C I D E T H A T F O R Y O U R S E L F. ”
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CONGRATS Hadis Karimipour, P.Eng. Ben Klepacki, P.Eng. Aaron Logan, P.Eng. on receiving an Avenue Top 40 Under 40 award!
From researching the application of artificial
The Association of Professional Engineers
intelligence and machine learning on the
and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)
Internet of Things, to clean technology
regulates the practices of engineering
innovations for energy security, to the ethical
and geoscience in our province—and has
and sustainable extraction and refinement
for more than a century. We safeguard
of precious metals, these trailblazers are
the public interest of all Albertans while
dedicated to improving the world with
driving Alberta forward with courage
Alberta-made innovations.
and innovation.
apega.ca
Barry, Daniel & Lorin Doerksen
BA RRY Age 33 DA N I EL Age 38 LO RI N Age 36
Farmers, Ranchers and Owners of Gemstone Grass Fed Beef
WHY T HEY ARE TOP 40S T H E FOURT H - G E NERATIO N RANCHERS HAVE INNOVATED THEIR FAMILY BUSI NESS WH I L E RAISING B EEF THAT CALGARIANS CAN F EEL PRO U D TO E AT.
“ W E A L L H AV E U N I QU E A B I L I T I E S T O M A K E O U R G OA LS WO R K . H AV I NG A V I S I O N F O R W H E R E W E WA N T T O G O H E L P S U S OV E R C O M E A N Y P O T E N T I A L I S S U E S W E M I GH T H AV E WO R K I NG T O G ET H E R .” LORIN DOERKSEN
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Creating Meaningful Connections and Change Congratulations to this year’s Top 40 Under 40 class of trailblazers, innovators, and changemakers. Like the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, you’ve put people at the centre of your work. Your commitment to community ignites change and helps our city shine brighter. calgary-convention.com Connecting people for 50 years
Age 38
Nauzer Forbes Interventional Endoscopist and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H I S COL L A BORATIVE RESE ARCH IN THE F IELD O F INTERVENTIO NAL E NDOSCO PY HAS PU T CALGARY O N THE WO RLD MAP.
“ I W O U L D H A V E B E E N T R U LY H A P P Y DOING ANYTHING IN MEDICINE, BU T THIS IS M Y DR E AM JOB.”
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Aravind Ganesh
Age 33
Assistant Professor of Neurology, Vascular and Cognitive Neurologist, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute; Chief Executive Officer, Let’s Get Proof
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 A G LOBA L L E A DE R I N NEU RO LO GY, HE ALSO RU NS A CROWDF U NDING P L AT FORM T H AT G I VES A LEG U P TO RESE ARCHERS ARO U ND THE WO RLD.
“ R E S E A R C H I S A N I M P O RTA N T WAY F O R ME TO TAK E QUEST IONS — AND SOMET IMES F R U S T R A T I O N S — F R O M PA T I E N T S A N D EXPLOR E THEM THROUGH A LENS TH AT MIGHT HELP US AR R I V E AT SOMETHING."
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top40under40.com 2023
Stephanie Hutchinson
Age 39
President and Program Director, YYC Music Awards; Vice President and Co-owner, Chronograph Records; Director of Programs, National Music Centre
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E ’S ONE OF WEST ERN CANADA’S TO P MU SIC E XECU TIVES , RELE ASING MU SIC ON H E R C H RONOG RA PH RECO RDS L AB EL AND RU NNING THE YYC MU SIC AWARDS .
“I WOULD TELL M Y YOUNGER SELF NOT TO T A K E T H I N G S S O S E R I O U S LY O R P E R S O N A L LY. THER E’S A LOT IN THE WOR LD TH AT YOU C A N ’ T C O N T R O L , A N D T H A T ’ S O K A Y. ”
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Hadis Karimipour
Age 37
Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E ’S A C Y BE RSE C URI T Y E XPERT WHO IS PIO NEERING THE U SE O F AI TO PROTECT C RI T I CA L I NFRA ST RUCT URE , W HILE ADVO CATING F O R GENDER DIVERSITY IN HER F IELD.
“I POS SES S A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF T H E D I F F I C U LT I E S F A C E D B Y M I N O R I T I E S C O M PA R E D T O T H O S E W H O H AV E N ’ T E X P E R I E NC E D S U C H CH ALLENGES. FEELING THE BURN BY TOUCHING THE F I R E D I F F E R S F R O M B E I N G T O L D A B O U T I T S H E A T. ”
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top40under40.com 2023
DION
Dion Kelly & Eli Kinney-Lang
Age 30 ELI
Age 32
Co-founders of Possibility Neurotechnologies and BCI Games.
WHY T HEY ARE TOP 40S T H E Y C RE AT E OP P O RTU NITIES F O R CHILDREN WITH SEVERE NEU RO LO GICAL DI SORDE RS T H RO U GH B RAIN-COMPU TER INTERFACE TECHNO LO GIES .
“OUR GOAL IS TO CR E ATE A MOR E I N C L U S I V E S O C I E T Y, W H E R E E V E R Y O N E H A S EQUAL OPPORT UNI T IES.” D I O N K E L LY
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Age 38
Ben Klepacki Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer, Convrg
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E CO- FOUNDE D A CLE ANTECH COMPANY THAT U SES HIS STATE-O F-THE-ART T E C H NOLOGY DESI G N TO REDU CE METHANE EMISSIO NS IN THE O IL AND GAS SECTO R .
“I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO HELP CALGARY BECOME K NOW N A S THE GLOBAL CENTR E F OR T HE ENER GY E VOLU T ION.”
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Age 38
Krista Lauridsen Associate Vice President, People Places & Spaces, ATB
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E H A S T RA NSFORMED THE O F F ICES AND RETAIL LO CATIO NS AT ATB I NTO AWARD-WINNING INCLU SIVE SPACES .
IN T RO TK T K I S A N AWA RD-WI NNI NG D IV E R S I T Y, E Q UI TY A ND I NC L USI ON ST R ATE G I ST A N D FOUNDE R OF S H E M E ETS , A WOME N- OF- COLOUR E N T R E P R EN E UR SH I P RESOURC E G RO UP T K T K .
“ I T R U LY T H I N K T H E R E ’ S V A L U E IN PEOPLE BEING TOGETHER I N A C U R A T E D S PA C E . ”
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Chantelle Little
Age 35
Founder & CEO, Tiller
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E FOUNDE D A SU CCESSF U L WEB DESIGN AND B RAND AGENCY, WHILE C H A MP I ONI NG AND ENCO U RAGING OTHER YO U NG ENTREPRENEU RS .
“ YOUR A BILIT Y TO LE AR N IS EV ERY THING. IF YOU CAN LE AR N FROM AN YONE AND E V ERY T H ING, AND SORT W H A T ’ S V A L U A B L E A N D W H A T ’ S N O T, T H A T I S R E A L LY T H E K E Y T O S U C C E S S I N A N Y V E N T U R E . ”
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Global GlobalNews News GlobalNews News Global Morning Hourat at66 Morning Hour with withDallas DallasFlexhaug Flexhaug & & Blake BlakeLough Lough
Globalnews.ca
with LindaOlsen Olsen with Linda JoelSenick Senick && Joel
Aaron Logan
Age 37
Chief Operating Officer, Excir
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 A N E NT RE P RE NEU R WITH MO RE THAN 660 PATENTS TO HIS NAME , H E NE G OT I AT E D T H E L I C E NSE O F A PRECIO U S METAL E-WASTE TECHNO LO GY TO THE ROYAL MI NT.
“ I L I K E T O B E PA R T O F N E W I N D U S T R I E S . I L I K E T O B E PA R T O F N E W I D E A S A N D B E A BLE TO GROW AND CH ALLENGE M Y O W N M I N D S E T. ”
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Change makers, ground breakers, status-quo shakers. Our alumni do it all. Congratulations to inspiring MRU alumni for making this year’s Top 40 under 40. Here’s to you, your accomplishment and all that’s still to come. We can’t wait to see what’s next. You always belong here. mru.ca/Alumni
Adam Martinson
Age 39
President and Founder, AJM Environmental
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E H E L PS BUSI NESSES I N T H E ENERGY INDU STRY MINIMIZ E THEIR ENVIRO NMENTAL DISTU RBANC E A ND DOES VO LU NTEER WILDLIF E CO NSERVATIO N RESE ARCH.
“ M Y G OA L I S T O B E A G O O D S T E WA R D O F T H E E N V I R O N M E N T. T H E H A R D E S T L E S S O N I ’ V E L E A R N E D I S T H A T W E ’ R E N O T G O I N G T O B E P E R F E C T, B U T I ’ M G O I N G T O D O T H E B E S T I C A N I N H E L P I N G C O M PA N I E S A N D S O C I E T Y G E T T O T H A T P O I N T. ”
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YOU DREAMED IT. YOU DID IT. Congratulations to this year’s honourable Top 40 under 40, and here’s to 25 years of celebrating the changemakers, innovators and dreamers who are helping shape our city to be a place of boundless opportunity. What makes Calgary unique is its people. Home to curious, collaborative and creative people like you, Calgary is where bright minds with big ideas come together to solve global challenges. Let’s keep building this city as a place of possibility for all. Together.
Get inspired at lifeincalgary.ca.
Age 34
Renee Matsalla Co-founder, Tacit Edge Product Leadership
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E CO- C RE AT E D T HE F IRST EQ U ITAB LE AND GLO BALLY RECO GNIZ ED APPLIED MI C RO- C RE DENTIAL PRO GRAM F O R PRO DU CT MANAGEMENT.
“THE ADV ICE I’D GI V E TO M Y YOUNGER SELF IS, IF YOU HIT A GL A SS CEILING, JUST BUILD YOUR OW N HOUSE.”
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Jayme Minor
Age 39
Partner, MAXgreen Windows, Siding and Roofing; Partner, Endorphin Dream Garage Ltd.; Founder, OktSOBERfest
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H E H E L PS BUI L D COMMUNITY F O R THOSE RECOVERING F ROM ADDICTIO N WI T H A N E VE NT T H AT P U TS A SO B ER SPIN O N TRADITIO NAL O KTO B ERF EST.
“ T H E M O R E I T E L L M Y S T O R Y, I K NOW THE MOR E PEOPLE I C A N H E L P. ”
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 39
Husein Moloo CEO and Co-Founder, PurposeMed
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H I S FA ST- G ROW ING VIRTU AL CARE COMPANY HELPS PEO PLE F ROM UNDE RSE RVED COMMU NITIES GAIN ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE .
“THE FRONT DOOR TO OUR H E A LT H C A R E S Y S T E M I S N O T THE S AME FOR EV ERYONE.”
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Age 39
Daniel Monzon CEO, Catapult Startups
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E H E L PS I MMIGRANT, NEWCOMER AND REF U GEE ENTREPRENEU RS OVE RCOME O B STACLES AND START B U SINESSES IN CANADA .
“A S A N I M M I G R A N T A N D P E R S O N B O R N W I T H O N E A R M A N D L E G , I H AV E FA C E D AND CONQUEREDPHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CH ALLENGES TH ATMOST PEOPLE COULD NEV ER IM AGINE.”
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Age 30
Anna Murphy Community Leader and Equity Advocate
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E ’S C RE AT I NG A MO RE INCLU SIVE CITY THRO U GH HER ADVO CACY FOR THE 2 SLGBTQ IA+ COMMU NITIES
“I BRING IN W H AT I K NOW AND INFUSE ALL OF TH AT INTO THE CONV ERS ATION O F E Q U I T Y, U LT I M A T E LY B R I N G I N G I T HOME AND BRINGING IT BACK TO MY O W N P E R S O N A L S T O R Y. ”
P H OTO BY J A R E D SYC H
IN T RO TK T K I S A N AWA RD-WI NNI NG D IV E R S I T Y, E Q UI TY A ND I NC L USI ON ST R ATE G I ST A N D FOUNDE R OF S HE M EE TS , A WOME N- OF- COLOUR E N T R E P R EN E UR SH I P RESOURC E G RO UP T K T K .
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Toyin Lafenwa Oladele
Age 35
Executive Director, Immigrant Council for Arts Innovation
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E P ROVI DES IMMIGRANT AND NEWCOMER ARTS AND CU LTU RE P ROFESSI ONALS AN ENTRYWAY INTO PAID WO RK IN CANADA .
“OUR GOAL IS TO PROV IDE EARNING POW ER FOR NEWCOMERS, FOR THEM TO BE A BLE TO SEE TH AT THEY ’V E E AR NED AN INCOME A S AN ARTS PROFESSIONAL IN CANADA .”
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Maxim Olshevsky
Age 36
CEO and Managing Director, Astra Group/Peoplefirst Developments
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 A L E A DE R I N OFFI C E -TO -RESIDENTIAL CO NVERSIO NS , THIS IMMIGRANT E NT RE P RE NE UR I S H E LPING REVITALIZ E CALGARY ’S DOWNTOWN CO RE .
“THERE IS AN EASTERN EUROPEAN SAYING: PEOPLE TH AT DON’T RISK, DON’T D R I N K C H A M PA G N E . ”
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 30
David Oulton Executive Producer/Host, Face to Face with David
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H E T URNE D A COVI D- 19 LOCKDOWN PRO JECT INTO AN INTERNATIO NALLY SEEN T V SERIES , I NT E RVI E WI NG H OL LY WO O D CELEB RITIES AND SHOWCASING LO CAL LU MINARIES .
“EV EN W ITHOUT K NOW ING THE DE ST I N AT I O N, YO U H AV E T O K E E P GOING. S AY YES TO OPPORT UNI T IES: COME FROM A PLACE OF YES AND J U S T G O F O RWA R D .”
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WE SALUTE THE INNOVATORS FROM THE TOP 40 CLASS OF 2023 Want more stories about the innovative people and companies moving Calgary forward? Sign up for the new Avenue Innovation Newsletter, coming soon
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Age 39
Kathryn Pearce Executive Director, Maud Collective; Project Manager, City of Calgary
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E E L EVATES U RBAN SPACES TO B U ILD A SENSE O F COMMUNITY THRO U GH THE PRO CESS O F PL ACEMAKING.
I N TRO TK T K I S A N AWA RD-WI NNI NG DI V ER S I TY, EQUI T Y A ND I NC L USI ON STR AT EG I ST A ND FOUNDE R OF S H EM E ETS , A WOME N- OF- COLOUR E N TR EP R E NE URSH I P RESOURC E G ROUP T K T K .
“ SM ALL EFFORTS E V ERY D A Y E V E N T U A L LY L E A D T O L O N G -T E R M S U C C E S S . ”
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Age 39
Jacqueline Peterson Director, Policy and Offsets, Kathairos Solutions Inc.
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E L A UNC H E D A P ROG RA M THAT PROVIDES ECO NOMIC INCENTIVE F O R MA JO R OI L A ND G A S P RODUC E RS TO VO LU NTARILY REDU CE METHANE EMISSIO NS .
“I’M A PROUD AMBASSADOR FOR CALGARY’S CLEANTECH C O M M U N I T Y. ”
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top40under40.com 2023 november/december
Age 38
Steven Ross Chief Development Officer, Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H E H A S H E L P E D RA I SE MO RE THAN $100 MILLIO N F O R WILDLIF E CO NSERVATIO N WH I L E INSPIRING OTHERS TO MAKE A DIF F ERENCE .
“IT’S A REAL FIT FOR ME TO BE A CONNECTOR FOR PEOPLE, S O I H OP E I H AV E A LO NG C A R E E R A H E A D O F M E I N T H A T. ”
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Raising a glass to the Avenue Magazine Top 40 under 40
Age 39
Julie Rubin Executive Director and Founder, Canadian Centre for Development
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E STA RT E D A N INNOVATIVE CENTRE TO F ILL A GAP IN TRE ATING KIDS WI T H DI SA B ILITIES DU E TO GENETIC ISSU ES AND TRAU MA .
“ T H I S I S B Y FA R T H E M O S T GR ATIF YING WOR K I’V E EV ER DONE. I FEEL SO PRIVILEGED TO H A V E H A D S U C H A N I M PA C T O N S O M A N Y FA M I L I E S ’ L I V E S .”
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Félicitations T
40
from
40
Your curiosity, commitment to change, unwavering tenacity and engaged citizenship inspires us. At Calgary French & International School we are dedicated to nurturing these qualities in our students, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow. Félicitations, Top 40 Under 40! We take immense pride in knowing that our graduates will join you in shaping a brighter future for all.
Our people do amazing things, every day. Thank you to our staff, physicians and volunteers across the province for everything you do. Whether you work on the frontlines, behind the scenes or volunteer your time, you are making a positive difference in the lives of Albertans. Your dedication to patients and each other inspires us all.
Congratulations to the AHS recipients of the 2023 Top 40 Under 40 award
Dr. May Choi
ahs.ca
Devin Cooper
Dr. Nauzer Forbes
Dr. Aravind Ganesh
Dr. Husein Moloo
Dr. Steven Yip
Age 30
Ishita Singla Artistic Director, Madhuban Performing Arts; Senior Communications Officer, CBC
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E C RE AT E D A SAF E SPACE F O R SO U TH ASIAN ARTISTS TO PERF O RM, AT T RACT I NG G LOBA L AT TENTIO N WHILE STAYING TRU E TO HER COMMU NITY RO OTS .
I N TRO TK T K I S A N AWA RD-WI NNI NG DI V ER S I TY, EQUI T Y A ND I NC L USI ON STR AT EG I ST A ND FOUNDE R OF S H EM E ETS , A WOME N- OF- COLOUR E N TR EP R E NE URSH I P RESOURC E G ROUP T K T K .
“MY PLACE AS A LEADER ISN’T A T T H E F R O N T O F T H E G R O U P. . . IT ’S AT THE BACK, TO PUSH M Y T E A M F O RWA R D .”
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Age 33
Chaz Smith CEO and Founder, BeTheChangeYYC
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H I S L I VE D E X PERIENCES WITH HOMELESSNESS DRIVE HIS MISSIO N TO END IT.
“FOR OUR VISIONS OF THE FUTURE, W E JUST NEED TO START SOMEW HER E, A N Y W H E R E , A N D N E V E R G I V E U P. ”
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Age 29
Cassie Suche Artist
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 SH E ’S DE DI CAT E D TO STRENGTHENING CALGARY ’S CRE ATIVE COMMU NITY T H ROUGH MENTO RSHIP AND PU B LIC ART PRO JECTS .
“ E V E R Y D A Y C A N B E A S D I F F I C U LT O R A S E A S Y A S Y O U W A N T. B U T I R E A L LY L I K E D O I N G T H I N G S T H A T A R E D I F F I C U LT. ”
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Jared Darcy Tailfeathers
Age 37
Multidisciplinary Artist
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E C E L E BRAT ES INDIGENO U S WAYS O F KNOWING THRO U GH T H E C RE AT I ON A ND AMPLIF ICATIO N O F MU LTIDISCIPLINARY ART.
“M Y ART IS A BOU T M Y R ECONNECT ION — M A K I N G S U R E I K N O W M Y I D E N T I T Y, AND COMMUNICATING TH AT TO OTHER PEOPLE.”
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Age 39
Brodie Thomas Founder, Uncommon Cider Co.
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E H A S T RA NSF O RMED B OTH LIQ U O R L AWS AND LO CAL DRINKING C ULT URE WI T H HIS PASSIO N F O R CRE ATING THE PERF ECT CIDER .
“WE’RE HERE TO TEACH P E O P L E A B O U T C I D E R I N A WAY TH AT ’S NOT PR ETENTIOUS. I’V E HEARD M AN Y PEOPLE SAY THEY DON’T LIKE CIDER, BUT THEY LIK E OURS.”
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fm
Congratulations AVENUE’S ‘TOP 40 UNDER 40’ 2023
25 YEARS OF CELEBRATING CALGARY’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST
Age 35
Benjamin Tutolo Associate Professor, Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary
WHY HE ’S A TOP 40 H E ’S T H E FI RST U CALGARY RESE ARCHER TO B E PART O F NASA’S MA RS SCIENCE L AB O RATO RY CU RIOSITY ROVER TE AM.
“[A S A GEOSCIENTIST] YOU’RE S T U DY I N G T H E WAY T H I N GS A L R E A DY WORK IN ORDER TO BUILD SOMETHING T H A T B U I L D S U P O N T H A T. ”
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Age 39
Andrea Urquhart Lawyer and Partner, Roulston Urquhart Criminal Defence
WHY SHE’S A TOP 40 A PA RT NE R I N CA LG A RY ’S B IGGEST ALL-F EMALE DEF ENCE L AW F IRM, SHE ARGU ES TOUG H H E A DL I NE - MA K I NG CASES WHILE PROMOTING LEGAL REPRESENTATIO N F O R ALL .
“PEOPLE’S STORIES, AND THE THINGS TH AT H APPEN INSIDE A COURT ROOM, AR E W H AT DR I V ES ME.”
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Ashley Wanamaker
Age 37
Founder and Psychologist, Being Human Club
WHY SHE ’S A TOP 40 H E R FE MI NI ST, T RA UMA-INF O RMED APPROACH TO THERAPY HELPS T H OSE WH O A RE U NDERSERVED BY TRADITIO NAL PSYCHO LO GY.
“ I T F E E L S R E A L LY I M P O R T A N T F O R C A LGA RY T O H AV E A N I N T E R S E C T I O N A L , F E M I N I S T, T R A U M A - I N F O R M E D S PA C E . ”
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Steven Yip
Age 39
Medical Oncologist, Tom Baker Cancer Centre; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
WHY HE’S A TOP 40 H E L E A DS I NNOVAT I V E PERSO NALIZ ED CARE PRO GRAMS F O R ALB ERTANS WITH CA NC E R , WH I L E ENSU RING EQ U ITAB LE ACCESS TO THESE INNOVATIO NS .
“OUR TEAM IN CALGARY SERV ES AS A GR E AT BE ACON OF HOPE. W E’R E AT A W O R L D - C L A S S L E V E L , E S P E C I A L LY I N P R E C I S I O N O N C O L O G Y. ”
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25 Incredible Years •1,000 Amazing Calgarians• 1 Great Night
top40 under40 2023
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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