Collisions YYC Crystal Phillips, Growing Innovation Hubs in Calgary
Crystal Phillips, former Olympic-level speed skater and co-founder of the Branch Out Foundation, joins Collisions YYC as the newly minted Senior Director at the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). In this candid and future-forward episode, Crystal and host Tyler Chisholm explore how OCIF is fueling Calgary’s transformation through strategic investments in high-potential sectors—from life sciences to agtech to creative industries. Crystal unpacks how OCIF evaluates projects for impact, fosters ecosystem “collisions,” and balances long-term vision with short-term execution. She also shares personal insights on leadership, navigating imposter syndrome, and why Calgary’s culture of collaboration remains its greatest asset. This episode is a masterclass in economic development meets emotional intelligence. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders alike.
Topics Covered:
- What OCIF is and how it works
- Sector-focused economic development (Life Sciences, Agtech, Aerospace, etc.)
- Creating and funding hubs, nodes, and platforms
- The balance of curiosity vs. decision-making in leadership
- Why creative industries are crucial to ecosystem storytelling
- Navigating imposter syndrome in new roles
- Calgary’s innovation ecosystem and its unique strengths
For the extra curious
Links & Mentions:
Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF)
Branch Out Neurological Foundation
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Host links:
Tyler’s website: https://www.tylerchisholm.com
Tyler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholm
Guest links:
Crystal Phillips’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-phillips-7296b932
OCIF’s Website: https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/
Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing