2024 End of Year Ball & Appreciation Event

Agenda Highlight :

1. Keynote Address by Hon. Leela Aheer & Fola F. Alabi
2. Games
3. Panel Discussion: featuring renowned experts Dennis Agbegha, Richard A V Clayton,Dr. Fossey, Priya Biswas and Kindra Howard by the facilitator Candida Tocci
4. Networking
5. Meet the New Board
6. Food and More

Speaker and Panel Profile Highlights

Hon. Leela Aheer

Hon. Leela Sharon Aheer was first elected as a Member of Alberta's Legislative Assembly for the Chestermere-Rocky View constituency on May 5, 2015. She was re-elected on April 16, 2019,as the MLA for the newly formed riding of Chestermere-Strathmore

As Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women (2019 - 2021), Hon. Aheer made significant strides in promoting multiculturalism and women's status. Her proclamation of Women's Entrepreneurship Day in February 2019 was a historic moment for Canada. She was the first Minister of Multiculturalism in the last twenty-five years and the first Deputy Leader of the United Conservative Party. A key priority of the new government was to provide more protections for women through initiatives like Clare's Law.

Hon. Aheer has worked tirelessly to affirm her position as an ally within the Alberta Legislature for those seeking shelter from gender-based violence, racism, and female genital mutilation. In May of 2022, her work on this matter came to fruition when The Health Professions (Protecting Women and Girls) Amendment Act, 2022, a Bill she championed in the Legislature, earned Royal Assent. This significant achievement is a testament to her commitment to social justice. MLA Aheer is renowned in her community and among her peers for her strategic insights and ability to build meaningful partnerships.

Hon Aheer was appointed Senior Director of Strategy and Partnerships with BioAro Inc., a

precision health and longevity medicine leader, in July 2024. Her visionary approach and

commitment to the public are invaluable in navigating the complexities of global health

markets.

Dennis Agbegha

Dennis Agbegha currently works as Regional Manager of Partnership for the Prairies at BDC. His career started with BDC in March 2021 when he joined as a Commercial Accounts Manager with BDC. Dennis joined BDC from ATB where he worked as a Business Banking Advisor and until most recently Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship. Prior to his banking career, Dennis was a Geoscientist with Exxonmobil, and before that he was a Production Geologist with Shell Upstream International in Nigeria. As a community builder and connector, Dennis enjoys volunteering for different organizations and being part of his community.

Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Mining from the University of Jos, Nigeria as well as a Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience from Imperial College London, UK.

Dennis embodies a vibrant and magnetic energy that draws people in. His colorful glasses are more than just an accessory; they symbolize his approach to life and business—bold and unapologetic. As a business leader, he prioritizes empathy and connection, believing that success is built on relationships. Dennis inspires those around him to be authentic and to lead with their hearts, creating an environment where innovation thrives.

Richard A V Clayton, PMP, CB-PMO

Richard is a highly accomplished professional in project, portfolio, and program management, boasting over 30 years of extensive experience across various industries. His focus on performance has consistently driven the successful execution of strategic initiatives, enhancing both project and operations management processes. Richard excels in fostering collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that all deliverables meet high standards of quality, timeliness, and scope. His impressive track record encompasses financial services, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, underscoring his dedication to achieving project success through meticulous execution and strategic oversight. In addition to his professional pursuits, he is committed to shaping the next generation of leaders as an instructor, course reviewer, editor, and developer at Southern Alberta Technical Institute (SAIT).

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Richard is a devoted Calgarian who values family time and thrives on outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, camping, stargazing, and enjoying picnics. He actively participates in community endeavors, serving as a coach, volunteer, and fundraiser for family sports and interests. Moreover, Richard plays an important role in his professional community by volunteering with PMI, PMI-SAC, PMI-NAC, and PMOGI. His profound belief in continuous learning highlights his commitment to leveraging professional networks as essential resources for growth and mentorship, reflecting his passion for both personal and professional development.

Dr. Fossey

Dr. Fossey is a senior Systems Change Strategist, a certified Project Manager (PMP), and has his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Calgary. Richard’s research focused on senior leadership team adaptability within Alberta Health Services. Richard’s work led to a deep understanding of complexity, systems thinking, and helping leaders and their organizations become more adaptable. Richard came to fully understand, and appreciate, the importance of building adaptability, being antifragile in a post-pandemic world, and capturing the wicked opportunities we come across every day.

Fola F. Alabi

Fola F. Alabi is a global authority, Tech Mum and influential thought leader in strategic leadership, and technology innovation shaping Strategy, project excellence and organizational change for Quantum value creation and economic mobility.

Fola is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, and a transformational leader with one goal: to transform project managers, PMOs, executives, and entrepreneurs into Strategic Project Leaders who accelerate value, drive strategic outcomes, and fuel global economies.

As a lifelong student of leadership and strategy aimed at creating social economic growth, Fola is dedicated to evolving project management into a strategic discipline—an essential pillar of corporate strategy that accelerates organizational value and peak performance. Known as "the Einstein of Strategic Leadership," Fola embodies the role of THE Strategic Project Leader™️, a game-changer for business leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Priya Biswas

Priya Biswas is a seasoned Product Coach and Consultant with over 15 years of experience driving successful software product transformations. She has a proven track record of leading teams and organizations towards Agile adoption and Product excellence.

Priya's career highlights include a decade-long tenure at GE Digital and a transformative 6-year stint at ATB Financial, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the company's Agile strategy. At ATB, she spearheaded the Product Management practice, establishing an internal training program and fostering a collaborative community of product professionals.

Beyond her corporate experience, Priya is passionate about building strong product communities. She serves as the President of Product Calgary, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and empowering product leaders.
When not immersed in the world of product management, Priya enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her camera and telling stories through her images.