UNBeknownst

UNB Associated Alumni
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UNBeknownst

A podcast for UNB alumni, by UNB alumni. Sharing interesting and surprising stories of people you may not have known attended the University of New Brunswick. Discussions on lessons learned, insights gained and hot takes on current topics.

  1. Josh LeBrun on social enterprise and building community 

    25 OCT

    Josh LeBrun on social enterprise and building community 

    Josh LeBrun (BBA’17) is Executive Director of 12 Neighbours, the tiny-home affordable housing community in Fredericton which has seen success – and global admiration – over the past couple of years. Now complete at 96 homes, the community-focused organization has turned its attention to social enterprise, providing low-barrier, progressive employment opportunities for the people it serves.   Josh has a passion for social enterprise, entrepreneurship and meaningful contribution. He has a background in both business and design, and co-founded his own business before turning his attention to 12 Neighbours.  In this episode:    Josh’s background and how he started working with his father, Marcel LeBrun, on the 12 Neighbours enterprise.  The three phases of 12 Neighbours and the goal of doing good in the community.  What it’s like working with family.  The people, profit, planet model of social business.  The challenges of running a social enterprise at the ground level.   How to pay attention and market social enterprise more broadly.   The importance of being able to work within a team.   Links and resources:    Josh’s LinkedIn  12 Neighbours  UNB Pond-Deshpande Centre  UNB TME program  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to past episodes of UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    27 min
  2. Shilo Boucher on building a healthy, strong community

    24 SEPT

    Shilo Boucher on building a healthy, strong community

    Shilo Boucher (BBA’00), is President and CEO of the YMCA of Southwest New Brunswick, one of the largest employers and community service organizations in the province. Shilo attended UNB on the Saint John campus, graduating from business administration in 1999, then worked at two large public accounting firms while obtaining her CPA before landing at the Saint John YMCA in 2006. She held roles as the chief financial officer and chief operating officer before taking on the role of president and CEO in 2011.   Shilo has been tremendously involved in helping to grow the community of Saint John and region, having served on the Saint John Airport board of directors, president of The Resource Centre for Youth, director of FusionSJ and River Valley Recreational Center, chair of the board for Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada, and the treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Saint John. She was also recently named to the board of directors for Port Saint John.   Host Katie Davey (BA’17) chats with her about being an active member of the community through building good governance and providing a helping hand.  In this episode:    A backgrounder on the wide range of activities of the YMCA in southern New Brunswick and Saint John.  How community programs are supporting employment and the economy.  How to do community health better  Growing as a leader and working with a board of directors  How to keep planning for the future and learning how to think strategically about future needs  The importance of good governance for both non-profits and corporate    Links and resources:    Shilo’s LinkedIn  YMCA of Southwest NB  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to past episodes of UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    31 min
  3. Host Katie Davey on her own work in public policy, social innovation and social entrepreneurship in New Brunswick

    15 AUG

    Host Katie Davey on her own work in public policy, social innovation and social entrepreneurship in New Brunswick

    In this special episode as the finale to Season 3, we turn the tables on UNBeknownst host Katie Davey (BA’17). In her day job, Katie is a public policy expert and social innovator, currently serving as the Pond-Deshpande Centre’s (PDC) Executive Director at the University of New Brunswick. Previously, she was the Director of Policy & Media at the Public Policy Forum, and also served as senior advisor in the Office of the Premier of New Brunswick. Armed with a degree in political science from UNB and master’s in applied politics from Wilfrid Laurier University, Katie has the perfect mix of academic and real-world savvy to tackle socio-economic challenges through social innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy. Selected as a top innovator by Atlantic Business Magazine in 2023, Katie is a go-to voice in political commentary and opinion writing, making waves in major publications and as a regular on CBC New Brunswick and Atlantic. She is the Founder and Principal of Femme Wonk and serves on the Board of Directors for the Human Development Council, Action Canada, and other community groups.  In this episode:    Katie’s origin story and how she got her start into politics, public policy and advocacy.  The impact of UNB’s Pond-Deshponde Centre and what exactly social innovation and social entrepreneurship means on the ground.  The social innovation lab – and how that’s shifting things in New Brunswick.  Problem-solving through the lens of social good.  The growth of ventures working on social innovation and social good in New Brunswick.  The information/communications challenges of our current environment.  How New Brunswick is stacking up against other jurisdictions around the world for social innovation and growth.    Links and resources:  Katie’s LinkedIN  Pond Deshpande Centre  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    52 min
  4. Nicole LeBlanc on sustainable communities, tech investment and women in venture capital

    23 MAY

    Nicole LeBlanc on sustainable communities, tech investment and women in venture capital

    Nicole LeBlanc (BBA’00) is a partner with Woven Capital in Tokyo, focusing on investments in mobility, energy, and sustainability that support and accelerate Toyota’s mission to build the safest mobility in the world. Prior to that she was a partner in Denmark with 2150, an urban tech & sustainability fund focused on supporting the growth of sustainable cities. She’s held previous positions as director of investments for Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs in Toronto, and as director at BDC Capital and at the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation.   Nicole is also a founder and investor in Sandpiper.vc, a women-led venture fund based in Atlantic Canada aiming to support women as both founders and investors. She’s a huge proponent of encouraging and supporting women in the venture capital sector, and I’m very excited to talk with her about why that’s so important, as well as why she feels so strongly in investing in technology for our collective future.  In this episode:    How Nicole first started in venture capital and the opportunities around the world that led her to becoming an expert in the field  Her position in Toronto at Sidewalk Labs that hooked her on green cities and urban tech.  Why corporate companies have growth/venture capital firms.   How companies can implement sustainability implement solutions in their systems – and why Nicole is excited about startups providing those solutions.   The role of corporate venture capitalist  How smaller municipalities can have a great impact on lives and drive change.  The Copenhagen urban model.  How engaging everyone in communities is key to finding solutions and capital sources.   Why there is a low rate of women in venture capital and how more women can break into it.  How Atlantic Canadian communities can be successful in building smart, sustainable places to live and work, even with fewer resources.   Links and resources:    Nicole’s LinkedIN  Woven Capital  Sandpiper Ventures  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    34 min
  5. Dr. Jen Woodland on integrated health research and the importance of knowledge translation

    18 APR

    Dr. Jen Woodland on integrated health research and the importance of knowledge translation

    Dr. Jennifer Woodland (MA’09, PhD’15) is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at UNB’s Saint John campus and an Integrated Health Initiative researcher who teaches within the Bachelor of Health program at UNB. She has a PhD in experimental psychology from UNB, with a focus in multisensory perception. Jen has over 10 years of experience in health research – as a research methodologist for Horizon Health Network and Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick. Before her academic appointment, she spent 5 years working in the private health sector as the director of Human Health Factors at Canadian Health Solutions where she led a development team toward multidisciplinary medical innovation products. Her research interests are in multidisciplinary health research on medication adherence and combining the use of evidence-based psychological principles to inform the development and improvement of health product usability.  In this episode:    An explanation of experimental psychology in multisensory perception  How research, clinical and technology areas can work together and are critical for healthcare solutions  A detailed look at what integrated health and integrated health research really means  The Integrated Health Initiative (IHI) at UNB’s Saint John campus, and the benefits of an intentional health cluster  How to translate research into meaningful health policy  Health literacy for health adherence   Links and resources:  UNB Integrated Health Initiative  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    29 min
  6. Victoria LaBillois on economic reconciliation in Canada

    21 MAR

    Victoria LaBillois on economic reconciliation in Canada

    Mi’gmaq entrepreneur Victoria LaBillois (BA’91, MBA’04) is the owner of Wejipeg Excavation Inc. and co-owner of Wejuseg Construction Inc, and oversaw the completion of a major wind park in Gaspesie, Quebec, where the companies trained and engaged over 100 Mi’gmaq tradespeople.   Victoria has served both the First Nation and federal public service, working at the Band, regional, and national levels.  She is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, and represents the National Indigenous Economic Development Board in the development of Canada’s first National Indigenous Economic Strategy. In addition to advocating for and facilitating conversations at the highest levels around economic reconciliation, she is all about giving back to her community, serving as a mentor and coach to Indigenous women and helping youth build skills around financial literacy. In 2019 AND 2020, Victoria was honoured by the WXN as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.  In this episode:    How Victoria went from Arts graduate to owner of a construction and excavation company  Context around why we need to talk about economic reconciliation for Canada’s Indigenous peoples  What economic reconciliation practically means   The process of drafting a National Indigenous Economic Strategy for Canada and creating a strategy to advance economic reconciliation – and highlights from this important document that guides government, academia and corporate Canada  The 4 essential ingredients to economic prosperity for Indigenous peoples in Canada   How all of us can help further economic reconciliation  Links and resources:  Victoria’s LinkedIn  National Indigenous Economic Strategy  Wejuseg  UNB story on Victoria  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    41 min
  7. Tosin Ajibola on blending social good with technology in Canada

    16 FEB

    Tosin Ajibola on blending social good with technology in Canada

    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 technology AND making a social impact.   He is a member of the Atlantic Growth Solutions team, and he serves on the board of Venn Innovation, on the board of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and on the advisory board at Social Enterprise World Forum. He also leads the Atlantic Canada Chapter of BlackBoysCode, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the future of young black boys through Computer Science and Technology. And he’s been getting noticed: he was named a Top 30 under 30 Innovator in Atlantic Canada in 2021, a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant in 2022 & Top Youth Immigrant in Canada 2022.  In this episode:    Tosin’s personal experience starting a new life in Canada and how that helped inform his startup idea  The challenges that newcomers to Canada face, and how Tosin and Welkom-U are working to reduce or eliminate those.   Why retention of immigrants is important to Canada and the Maritime region and what we can do to increase that retention.  How leveraging technology and entrepreneurship can be used for a larger social purpose – and how that makes all the difference in Canada.     Links and resources:    Tosin’s LinkedIn  Welkom-U  Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants   Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    36 min
  8. UNB Chancellor Wade MacLauchlan on the role of universities and education in our collective future

    18 JAN

    UNB Chancellor Wade MacLauchlan on the role of universities and education in our collective future

    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 University of Prince Edward Island from 1999-2011, and dean of law at the University of New Brunswick from 1991-1996. In this episode:    How MacLauchlan got into academia and then politics  Insights into Atlantic Canadian policy on immigration and growth  The housing crisis and the solutions needed now  How higher education and university can do the most they can in a time of growth  The role of universities with respect to growth and immigration  Links and resources:    Wade MacLauchlan  Announcement of MacLauchlan as UNB Chancellor  Thanks to:    Our alumni host, Katie Davey  Music by alumni artist, Beats of Burden   Our alumni Affinity Partners, TD Insurance and Manulife     To listen to UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit our website.

    54 min
See All (42)

About

A podcast for UNB alumni, by UNB alumni. Sharing interesting and surprising stories of people you may not have known attended the University of New Brunswick. Discussions on lessons learned, insights gained and hot takes on current topics.

Information

  • Creator
    UNB Associated Alumni
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    UNBeknownst

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