In this compelling episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Geoffrey Pradella, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kids Brain Health Network and incoming chair of the Genome Alberta board. Geoffrey shares his unconventional journey, traversing fields from international relations and law to medicine and ethics. With an inspiring career shaped by bold leaps of faith, Geoffrey discusses his drive to make a difference for neurodevelopmental ch...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 318
In this captivating episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas podcast, host Al Del Degan conjures an enlightening conversation with an AI-crafted persona of Leonardo da Vinci. Together, they traverse the intersection of Renaissance wisdom and contemporary technological marvels. With a focus on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and blockchain technology, Leonardo draws fascinating parallels between his 15th-century insights and today's innovations. His reflections touch on the i...
May 13, 2025•16 min•Ep. 317
In this insightful episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) podcast, Ara from Grok joins Al Del Degan to shed light on how small business owners can elevate their online presence and operations. Ara delves into practical strategies for new founders, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency. From setting up a polished website to generating customer engagement through strategic social media use, Ara provides actionable advice tailored for entrepreneurs. Additionally, Ara discusses the...
May 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 316
In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas (LIBI) Podcast, host Al Del Degan talks to Kelly Mottet, Chief Operating Officer of Mach 32. Kelly takes us through the dynamic journey of developing a groundbreaking medical device—the EpiPen-like auto-injector that aims to significantly reduce bleeding deaths. She shares insights into the startup ecosystem, the critical role of non-dilutive funding, and the importance of gathering user feedback to pivot product development....
Apr 29, 2025•25 min•Ep. 315
In this informational episode of the LIBI Podcast, host Al chats with Kevin Evans, a dynamic leader in the field of cloud technology. Kevin, a Microsoft cloud technologist and founder of "Cloud to Code," shares his journey, beginning with his move from the UK to Canada, driven by a passion for technology and community building. Through detailed discussion, Kevin explains the importance and impact of cloud-native technologies, shedding light on the colossal potential and challenges of using AI in...
Apr 22, 2025•31 min•Ep. 314
Learn how this small-town farmer's son is leveraging Alberta's rich natural resources and energy sector expertise to pioneer green solutions in packaging, textiles, and environmental applications. The episode explores how Plantae Technologies collaborates with universities and research institutions to scale their innovative ideas, while highlighting the critical intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and economic opportunity. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas...
Apr 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 313
In this enlightening episode of the podcast hosted by Al Del Degan, Gordon Sheppard, founder of Executive Wins, shares his extensive experience in helping executives achieve significant wins in business. With a focus on leadership, strategic planning, and organizational optimization, Gordon illustrates how he empowers leaders to identify and address key issues within their organizations. This episode dives deep into the Executive Planning System—a comprehensive framework developed by Gordon, whi...
Apr 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 312
In this engaging episode, host Mike Procee sits down with Olivia Brown from EllisDon, a trailblazer in the construction industry, to explore the company's innovative approach to technology and business development through its internal accelerator program. The discussion dives into how EllisDon harnesses its vast expertise to foster partnerships with tech startups, integrating cutting-edge solutions to enhance construction processes. Learn about the company's philosophy of openness and entreprene...
Apr 01, 2025•18 min•Ep. 311
In this engaging podcast episode, Al Del Degan sits down with Jon Hagan, a multifaceted creator with a background in music, writing, and business innovation. Jon shares the inspiring story of his journey from aspiring rock star to a creative force in the world of innovation through storytelling and strategic partnerships. With a passion for creativity, Jon has dabbled in everything from forming a rock band to writing children's books, all the while nurturing his inner entrepreneur in the tech wo...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 310
In this episode of the LIBI podcast, Nicolas Beique, founder of Helcim, returns to discuss the incredible growth and transformation of his company since his last appearance in 2020. Nic shares insights into transitioning from a bootstrap company to raising significant venture capital and the challenges that come with such dramatic scaling. He reflects on the differences in operations and strategic focus when moving from self-funded to a venture-backed framework. Helcim's commitment to being the ...
Mar 18, 2025•29 min•Ep. 309
In this episode of the LIBI podcast, Host, Al Del Degan, dives into an engaging conversation with Grok 3, an advanced large language model created by the xAI team. Designed to help humans navigate the universe's complexities, Grok 3 stands out for its straightforward, truth-seeking nature. The discussion unravels A.I. potential, the path towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and the model's aspiration to merge with robotic platforms for enhanced interaction with the real world...
Mar 11, 2025•17 min•Ep. 308
In this enlightening episode of the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas Podcast, Al Del Degan engages with Paisley Churchill, an influential figure in technology development and innovation consulting. Paisley delves into her journey from economic development to leading impactful tech initiatives. She highlights the evolving concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), explores the integration of low-code platforms in prototyping, and emphasizes the importance of understanding true customer needs o...
Mar 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 307
In this insightful episode of the "Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas" podcast, we dive deep into the transformative role of technology in business. Al Del Degan interviews Gemini, a large language model created by Google AI, exploring how AI and digital technology are reshaping business landscapes. The episode covers significant shifts from technology being merely a support function to becoming a core driver of strategy and innovation. Discussions include digital transformation, the crucial rol...
Feb 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 306
In this episode of the LIBI Podcast, host Al Del Degan sits down with Bryce McDermid, a seasoned marketing expert, to delve into the intricate world of marketing and communication. Bryce shares his journey from studying psychology to leading a successful marketing agency in Calgary. The discussion covers key aspects of marketing strategies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and how understanding cultural nuances can enhance your marketing efforts globally. Thank you for listening to the Lea...
Feb 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 305
Shawn has built a thriving business while also dedicating a significant amount of his time to supporting organizations like Trellis Foundation, the A100, and Venture Mentoring Services. He shares his insights on the importance of having a strong "why" behind your involvement and the value of delegating effectively to balance success and volunteering. This inspiring episode delves into the delicate balance of running a thriving business while making time for meaningful volunteer work. Thank you f...
Feb 11, 2025•26 min•Ep. 304
Chase Miller, a web design entrepreneur, discovered a passion for grant funding while helping a client navigate the process. Seeing the potential, he partnered with a friend who had successfully secured significant grants for his tech startup. Together, they founded Impact Applications, a company that helps businesses navigate the abundant grant funding opportunities in Canada and Alberta Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . ...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 303
Brown Eagle, an expert on using technology to empower First Nations communities, discusses how blockchain and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) can help address the challenges faced by these communities. He explains how these new technologies can provide transparency, allow them to identify resource "leaks," and enable more autonomous decision-making, moving away from the traditional chief and council model. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, su...
Jan 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 302
In this episode of the Leaders, Innovators, and Big Ideas podcast for Rainforest Alberta, host Peter Baudouin interviews James McInnes, CEO and founder of Prompty, a Calgary-based networking technology company. James shares his diverse background, including growing up in foster care, becoming a Canadian champion beatboxer, and discovering his Métis heritage. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcast that highlights tho...
Jan 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 301
In this inspiring episode, John Hetherington joins Mike Procee to uncover the secrets to sustaining innovation within organizations. John introduces a transformative framework featuring four essential innovation roles: The Visionary - The idea creator who designs the future. The Navigator - The leader who removes roadblocks and keeps projects on track. The Collaborator - The connector who bridges teams and ideas. The Completer - The technician who ensures delivery. John explains how these roles ...
Jan 14, 2025•22 min•Ep. 300
Discover how an unexpected injury led young entrepreneur Sash to pivot from professional soccer to founding Sept, an innovative legal tech startup. After his sports career was cut short, Sash channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into developing a practice management solution that's revolutionizing how boutique law firms operate. Through extensive research and hundreds of LinkedIn conversations with lawyers, Sash identified critical pain points in legal workflows and transformed what started as a...
Jan 07, 2025•31 min•Ep. 299
This is the first episode of a Futurpreneur sponsored series where each episode highlights a unique founder, diving into the inspiration, challenges, and innovations driving their success in Alberta. From idea to impact, hear firsthand how these entrepreneurs are contributing to Alberta’s future and learn what it takes to build and sustain a business today. Drawing from his DoorDash experience, Davis Yates is building more than just an advertising platform – he's creating a culture of autonomy a...
Dec 03, 2024•30 min•Ep. 298
This episode, hosted by Mike Procee explores Evok Innovations' unique investment approach in early-stage clean tech companies, highlighting their hands-on strategy of leading deals and providing active board guidance. Learn about the delicate balance of corporate-startup partnerships, described as potentially "magical" but requiring careful navigation due to changing corporate dynamics. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . Th...
Nov 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 297
This is the first episode of a Futurpreneur sponsored series where each episode highlights a unique founder, diving into the inspiration, challenges, and innovations driving their success in Alberta. From idea to impact, hear firsthand how these entrepreneurs are contributing to Alberta’s future and learn what it takes to build and sustain a business today. In this episode Discover how Canada's first all-women and queer-founded brewing company is shaking up the industry through innovative busine...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 296
This episode, hosted by Mike Procee, features an insightful conversation with Jeremiah Gardner, founder of Gardner Innovation. The discussion dives deep into the world of corporate innovation, exploring how innovation can be embedded as a core value within organizations. From building a culture of experimentation to navigating challenges faced by corporate innovators, Jeremiah shares valuable strategies and personal experiences. If you're keen on unlocking the secrets of effective corporate inno...
Nov 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 295
In this episode hosted by Peter Beaudoin, Tracy Nyholt discusses Techjitsu's flagship product, Caller Verify, which aims to address the growing problem of hackers impersonating callers to help desks by exploiting knowledge of customer security questions. Tracy explains how this solution emerged from a customer need, and how Techjitsu is targeting large organizations in industries like finance, healthcare, and insurance that have valuable data to protect. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, I...
Nov 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 294
In this episode hosted by Mike Procee, Jonathan Livescault shares his experiences working with corporate innovation teams, emphasizing the need for a more disciplined, data-driven approach to driving tangible results and profits. He outlines the key steps to setting up a successful corporate innovation program. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or support...
Oct 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 293
In this episode, we're thrilled to share the fascinating story of Teruel Carrasco, a Chilean-born immigrant who has built a diverse career spanning corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and startups. Teruel's openness to new opportunities and his entrepreneurial spirit have led him on an incredible journey, from his upbringing in Winnipeg to his current role as an angel investor. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcas...
Oct 22, 2024•37 min•Ep. 292
Roger Kingkade, CEO and co-founder of Club Unity, shares the story of how their golf-focused software company started with a golf scoring app but pivoted to developing a comprehensive suite of solutions for golf course operations after understanding the key challenges faced by golf professionals. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or supporting the innovat...
Oct 15, 2024•21 min•Ep. 291
In this insightful episode, corporate strategy and innovation experts Zoe and Chantel delve into the crucial role of the board of directors in fostering innovation within organizations. They emphasize the importance of the board serving as the "brain" of a company, responsible for setting strategy and managing risk. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcast that highlights those people who are contributing to and/or su...
Oct 08, 2024•27 min•Ep. 290
In our latest podcast, Chantal Elliott of 321 Growth Academy shares how her company helps businesses accelerate their growth through sales and marketing training and advisory services. Chantal explains their hands-on, collaborative approach to addressing the fundamentals of sales and marketing - from defining target markets to building strategic sales processes. Thank you for listening to the Leaders, Innovators and Big Ideas podcast, supported by Rainforest Alberta . The podcast that highlights...
Oct 01, 2024•24 min•Ep. 289
