In Session: Conversations with University Councillors – CFRC Podcast Network CFRC.ca Podcast Network

Welcome to the last episode of In Session: Conversations with University Councillors.  Queen’s University alumni and current University Councillors Kasmet Niyongabo & Samantha Cheung join us to shore up an amazing season of inspirational conversation.

In addition to their comments on inspirations to join University Council and sage advice for students and alumni to stay connected with each other and their Alma Mater through the pandemic, Niyongabo, Sci’ 11 and a recent Smith MBA alumnus chats with us about his work with Nutrien in mining engineering and more recently, overseeing planning and scheduling in the potash division.  He shares some memories from FREC weeks as coordinator of the in/famous Grease Pole, participating in Mining Games and various engineering competitions in addition to his motivations to pursue an MBA.  Cheung (Sci ’92, MSc ’95) talks about her career path through chemical engineering to an MBA and work in capital markets culminating in her current role as the Executive Vice President Investor Relations with Sagicor Financial, some fond memories of her own time as a FREC, and even a few anecdotes about how things are going for her daughter who is currently studying at Queen’s University.

In this episode we chat with Queen’s University Councilors Kofi Adow, Dr. Anita Jack-Davies and Aziz Garuba.  Each share details about their work on University Council and advice they have for students and alumni to stay connected during the pandemic.  Adow, an Executive Management Consultant in Seattle, also shares insights about his lifelong love of business and finance that began in Ghana, fun activities he engaged in while studying at the Smith School of Business.  Jack-Davies shares much about her role as Assistant Dean of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s, her graduate work in urban teacher education, and the inspirations that drive her passion for education.   Finally, Garuba, a director with the capital markets finance team with RBC, chats about his time doing virtual learning in Ottawa through the accelerated MBA program at Queen’s, his current work and his community engagement including his outstanding podcast Made to Lead a series that shares personal and professional stories of inspiring people of African descent who are leaders in their respective fields. Put on that pot of tea, sit down and enjoy!

In this episode, we’re chatting with Bittu George about his career in law and municipal politics in Kingston, his extensive service to many community organizations as well as Queen’s University Council and the work he’s engaged in there.  He also shared memories of his time in student organizations including Model Parliament as a Queen’s undergrad and his time with the Law Students Society when he was undertook his law degree. Fascinating conversation.  Put on a pot of tea and join us!

Join us again for the sixth installment of In Session: Conversations with University Councillors.  In this episode, we’re pleased to share conversations with Queen’s alumni John Armitage, Marcus Wong, and Michael Parsche.  Armitage shares much about his time at Queen’s and his lifetime love of athletics including his time in Varsity hockey and later joining the Gaels a as Head Coach, Rowing. Wong sheds much light on his fascinating career path from Masters studies in the UK to his work with Team Canada (Luge) in the Olympic circuit to his current role as a City Councillor in the midst of the pandemic in West Vancouver.  Parsche joins us as well to chat about his passions for student retention and advising, his career path since graduation and like Wong and Armitage, shares memories of his time at Queen’s in Engineering, his service on University Council and of course, advice for current students and alumni on staying connected with each other and to Queen’s.

In our fifth installment of In Session, we chat with Queen’s University Alumni Association President Rico Garcia (ArtSci ’14), Tka Pinnock, (ArtSci ’07), and Susan Smith ArtSci ’91).

From Rico, we learn about his work on University Council in addition to his time at Queen’s including his time as an on air volunteer at CFRC and his service in student governance, his career at McKinsey & Company and passions for economic development, and his work with the Queen’s University Alumni Association.

From Tka, we learn about her work at the intersections of the non-profit sector,  community-based research and community development since graduation, her re-entry into academia as a PhD Candidate in Politics, and her continued passions to be active in the community including her service on Queen’s University Council.

Susan also shares much about her fascinating career path including founding her own public affairs firm in Ottawa, some fun memories of her time as a Head Gael and staffer at QP, her inspirations for running for a University Council Seat, and like her peers, she offers current students some advice on staying engaged while studying remotely.

In our fourth installment of In Session, we share conversations from early in the New Year with Queen’s University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane and Queen’s alumni Sari Ohsada and Richard Baugh, all members of Queen’s University Council.

Principal Deane shares much about the fascinating, innovative and collaborative work he does as Principal to advance Queen’s University goals, the story of his journey from his time as student to a top academic administrator as well as his views on why its important for Queen’s Alumni to give back to their Alma Mater.

Sari Ohsada (BSc ’19), a very recently minted Alumna also takes time from her graduate studies at Oxford University in Environmental Change and Management to chat with us about her work with University Council, her scholarly passions, the activities she engaged in as an undergrad only a couple of years ago and the pathways she is cutting to building her burgeoning career.

Finally, we have an opportunity to chat with Richard Baugh (MBA ’14), also a recent Alumnus.  Richard talks about his work on University Council, his passions and successful career path in real estate development and finance, and some advice for current Queen’s students on staying well and engaged while studying remotely.