Episode #130: C-Suite Unplugged: Ian Burns, President & CEO of Connect First & Servus Credit Union
Release Date: 10/01/2024
Episode #136: C-Suite Unplugged: Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer, WestJet
AlbertaBETTER
Alexis von Hoensbroech, the visionary CEO of WestJet, uncovers the fascinating journey from his early aspirations in astrophysics to leading one of Canada's premier airlines. His story is one of unexpected turns, moving from the scientific realm to a pivotal business role with the Boston Consulting Group before embarking on his influential career within the Lufthansa Group. With a narrative that spans continents, Alexis shares how these diverse experiences have shaped his unique leadership style at WestJet, including the cultural transitions from Europe to Canada and the challenges and...
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Episode #135: C-Suite Unplugged: Marc Staniloff, President & CEO, Superior Lodging Corp.
AlbertaBETTER
Trailblazer Marc Staniloff joins us on C-Suite Unplugged to share his remarkable journey in the Canadian hotel industry. From a career in real estate to acquiring the development rights for Super 8 in Western Canada, Marc's path is filled with strategic choices and compelling partnerships that have transformed local communities. He offers an honest look into the challenges and triumphs of launching a successful franchise model, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and collaborations with First Nations, which have fostered mutual growth and opportunity. Marc also reflects on the...
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Episode #134: The Brief: A Federal Conservative Government: What will that mean for Canada?
AlbertaBETTER
Ginny Roth, a prominent conservative voice and partner at Crestview, joins us to explore the potential future of a Conservative government in Canada. With her deep roots in political organizing and consulting, Ginny offers an insider's perspective on what a government under Pierre Poilievre might prioritize. We unravel the possible consequences a second Trump presidency could have on Canadian conservatives and examine Poilievre's distinctive protectionist approach on social media, diving into how these dynamics might reshape public affairs and policies north of the border. Our conversation...
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Episode #133: The Brief: Winter 2024 Economic Snapshot
AlbertaBETTER
The team dives into many of the leading and lagging economic indicators that tell us a bit about where Alberta's economy stands compared to the summer snapshot. They also dive into some of the political developments both nationally and globally and what they could mean for Alberta and Canada's economic forecast into 2025. There are several positives in Alberta's outlook. The Bank of Canada's interest rate hikes seem to have set Canada's economy up for the 'soft landing' they hoped for, curbing consumption and inflation without significant job losses. Meanwhile, Alberta continues to be the...
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Episode #132: C-Suite Unplugged: Warren Stow, President, GrainsConnect Canada
AlbertaBETTER
Warren Stow, the visionary CEO of GrainsConnect, shares his captivating journey from his roots on a family farm in Graysville, Manitoba, to leading a pivotal player in the grain industry. Hear firsthand about the strategic operations that channel Western Canadian grains and oilseeds to global markets, and how Warren's agricultural upbringing and diverse career experiences shaped his leadership. Discover the intricate dance between tradition and innovation that propels GrainsConnect forward, navigating challenges from labour disruptions to leveraging cutting-edge technology. Our...
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Episode #131: The Brief: C-59 Blows an Icy Wind on Canadian Ambition
AlbertaBETTER
Understand the frustrations behind Bill C-59's controversial greenwashing amendments with insights from Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta. Can these changes to the Competition Act redefine the landscape for Canadian companies making environmental claims? Discover how the lack of clarity and rushed legislation might stifle innovation and corporate communication, leaving the Competition Bureau in a tough spot. Explore the broader implications of discouraging future-oriented environmental claims and the potential chilling effect on Canadian entrepreneurship. As Adam sheds...
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Episode #130: C-Suite Unplugged: Ian Burns, President & CEO of Connect First & Servus Credit Union
AlbertaBETTER
On this episode of the C suite, we welcome Ian Burns, CEO of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Limited, who shares his remarkable journey from working at a Costco in high school to leading a major credit union. Ian opens up about his educational background and the unexpected transitions that shaped his career, including a pivotal stint at TELUS. His story is filled with resilience, adaptability, and the importance of seizing opportunities, offering valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. We explore some of the leadership challenges in the world financial services, as well as the...
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Episode #129: The Brief: How will the coming BC election impact Albertans?
AlbertaBETTER
What happens in British Columbia has a huge impact on Alberta, and a lot is happening in BC right now as the October 19th election approaches. Top BC political commentators Allie Blades and Rob Shaw join us for a riveting discussion about the rapidly evolving policy and political landscape, and the implications for Alberta. Our guests provide an in-depth look at the unique dynamics and challenges that have emerged for the reshaped party landscape – with the BC United Party halting its campaign, merging with the BC Conservatives, and setting up a close contest with the BC NDP....
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Episode #128: The Brief: Hon. Minister Nate Horner - Q1 Fiscal Update
AlbertaBETTER
What was initially a modest $350 million surplus has now skyrocketed to an impressive $2.9 billion. In a first quarter fiscal update that was far from typical, what drove this sudden surplus and what are some of the challenges that come with it? Join us as we sit down with Alberta's Minister of Finance Nate Horner to dissect Alberta's surprising first quarter fiscal update. We'll discuss the driving forces behind this unexpected increase, including oil and gas prices and Alberta's rapid population growth, while also examining the dual-edged sword they represent—while more people mean higher...
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Episode #127: The Brief: Unprecedented Canadian Rail Strike
AlbertaBETTER
Get ready for an eye-opening discussion with Derrick Hynes, President and CEO of FETCO, as we unravel the complexities of the ongoing rail work stoppage in Canada. Derrick brings to the table his profound insights on the challenging landscape of collective bargaining in a post-COVID world and the significant economic risks at stake. He also shares the proactive measures FETCO has recommended to the Minister of Labour, aiming to strike a fair balance between union demands and employer capabilities while highlighting the pivotal role FETCO plays in representing large employers in federally...
info_outlineOn this episode of the C suite, we welcome Ian Burns, CEO of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Limited, who shares his remarkable journey from working at a Costco in high school to leading a major credit union. Ian opens up about his educational background and the unexpected transitions that shaped his career, including a pivotal stint at TELUS. His story is filled with resilience, adaptability, and the importance of seizing opportunities, offering valuable lessons for aspiring leaders.
We explore some of the leadership challenges in the world financial services, as well as the transferability of business skills across industries and the critical role of customer service. Ian shares personal anecdotes from his time at TELUS, including innovative strategies during the 2005 strike. We discuss the current challenges faced by credit unions, such as balancing customer and employee needs, navigating economic hurdles, and addressing competition from fintechs and large corporations. The conversation also highlights the consolidation trend within the credit union sector and the strategies for maintaining a competitive edge.
The unique culture and operational model of credit unions takes center stage as we examine the advantages of member ownership over traditional banks. Ian explains how credit unions prioritize their members' best interests by being driven not by profits, but by principles of purpose, autonomy, and mastery. Looking ahead, the conversation touches on future growth, digital innovation, and the balance between technology and maintaining community ties, providing a comprehensive view of the long-term outlook for credit unions in Alberta.