Coffee With Convery

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of PRIDE Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #PRIDE means to them. On today’s podcast, my guest today is Russell Pollard. Russell is an independent consultant, Founder of Framework Leadership and Pride Talks.  He is entrepreneurial and empathetic, and aims to embed equity, diversity and inclusion into workplace culture and leadership. Russell’s career resides in the architecture and city-building communities, along with queer professionals across industries. He works between Toronto and the UK. Over the years he has volunteered for and led several non-profits that support people in their careers. Having grown up in Nova Scotia, he has since lived in several Canadian cities, Bhutan, France, and the UK.  Russell has a bachelor of interdisciplinary leadership, MBA and continuing education in equity and inclusion. In his spare time Russell likes to likes to catch the sunset from the island or from a neat rooftop patio in Toronto with his partner. I had the chance to sit down with Russell and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #PRIDEMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of PRIDE Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #PRIDE means to them. On today’s podcast, my guest today is Patrick Hunter. Patrick is a Sault College graduate where he studied graphic design and embraced a two-term role as the President of the Indigenous Students Council which provided programming and advocacy for Indigenous students at the college. Patrick is a 2Spirit, Ojibwe artist, graphic designer and award-winning entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. Though best known for his woodland art style paintings, Patrick has also had a positive and impactful impression in the corporate world through collaborations with Rogers Media Company, Staples, Ontario Power Generation, as well as TD and RBC banks to name a few.    The intention that drives the work Patrick does stems from how a better world can be created through art, so future generations can see themselves reflected in mainstream culture. With that in mind, Patrick has engaged the world of sports with artistic collaborations with the Chicago Blackhawks, creating the uniforms for the Canadian Olympic curling team, as well as APTN's new Bryan Trottier award for Indigenous excellence in the NHL . When not collaborating with exciting national partners, Patrick is creating awareness about his Ojibwe roots and inspiring creative confidence through in-person and virtual paint workshops across North America.  I had the chance to sit down with Patrick and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #PRIDEMonth #IndigenousHistoryMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of Asian Heritage Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #AsianHeritageMonth means to them. On today’s podcast, my guest is John Xu. John is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science, Honours, double major in Biology and Psychology. He is a highly motivated, versatile, and hybrid technology recruitment leader with extensive years of experience in full-cycle recruitment, team building, vendor management, HR strategy and process improvement. John has worked at TD Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank and now with Trupanion the fastest-growing player in the pet medical insurance space. He lives in Toronto with his wife, their two kids, and a pet (Choco). When not working, he loves to travel, learn new technology, and spend time at the cottage. I had the chance to sit down with Suanne and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #AsianHeritageMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of Asian Heritage Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #AsianHeritageMonth means to them. On today’s podcast, my guest is Suanne Wong. Suanne is a graduate of the University of Toronto — Innis College with an Honours Bachelor of Science, Human Biology, Psychology and East Asian Studies, holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from Kings College in London and most recently completed a Certificate in Digital Marketing Management from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Suanne has had a career that has shifted across many lanes and most recently is working with EHN Canada, home to the country’s largest network of industry-leading mental health and addiction treatment centres as a Senior Director Business Development, Strategy and Operations. I had the chance to sit down with Suanne and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #AsianHeritageMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of Asian Heritage Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #AsianHeritageMonth means to them. Lulu is attending the University of Toronto Scarborough with plans to graduate in 2023 with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Coop and International Business. Through the Management Coop and International Business opportunity, Lulu gained new skills in multi-field academic and practical experience in Toronto, Paris and Shanghai. Her work experience included being selected as a Delegate for Global Vision a national not for profit organization; a Production Coordinator for Ubisoft a computer gaming company; a founder of Flora Cosmetics & Jewelry E-commerce; and is now currently working as Graduate Marketing and Events Assistant at UTSC. In her spare time Lula likes to travel and dance! I had the chance to sit down with Lulu and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #AsianHeritageMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. On today’s podcast, I have two guests joining me Euloge Bindzi and Angelica Blake. Euloge is an Undergraduate Student at the University of Toronto (Scarborough) pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Finance with an expected graduation date of 2025 Angelica is an Undergraduate Student at the University of Toronto (Scarborough) pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing with an expected graduation date of 2023. Both Euloge and Angelica have been actively involved in the UTSC — Black Students in Business Club and most recently were announced at the 2023–2024 Co-Presidents. In her spare time, Angelica enjoys exercising, painting, and trying new restaurants with friends. In his spare time, Euloge likes to play soccer with friends, dance, and watch true crime documentaries. I had the chance to sit down with Euloge and Angelica and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #BlackStudentsinBusiness

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. In Celebration of Asian Heritage Month, I will be featuring guests from the community to share their stories and what #AsianHeritageMonth means to them. On today’s podcast, my guest is Johnnie Vũ. Johnnie holds an MBA and a Certificate in Social Responsible Leadership from Queens University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Marketing from the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. Johnnie is caring, strategic and an inspiring leader. At RBC Royal Bank, he is currently a Regional Enablement for the GTR Diversified Commercial Banking team where he acts as the strategic advisor to the Regional Vice President of Commercial Banking to enable, embed and sustain regional and national strategic initiatives. Johnnie is also an active member in his community and held various boards positions for not for profits, charities and student unions. Currently, he is the Co-Chair for RBC Ascend Canada and acts as a relationship manager to Ascends’s top corporate partners. I had the chance to sit down with Johnnie Vũ and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired #AsianHeritageMonth

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. On today’s podcast, my guest is Lola Fakolujo. Lola is currently studying for her Bachelor of Business Administration, Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough with an anticipated graduation date in 2024. Lola is currently the Co-President of the Management and Economics Students’​ Association and the UTSC Black Students in Business Human Resources Director. Lola most recently was announced as the recipient of the Management Co-op Student of the Year 2022 Award for her meaningful contributions at Fidelity Investments. At Fidelity, Lola deepened her knowledge of finance while creating a new set of internal expense limits, and increased her skills in analyzing data and business communications. In her spare time Lola likes to sing, read fantasy novels, and watch superhero movies and tv shows. I had the chance to sit down with Lola to discuss Coop, initiative and intentionality and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. On today’s podcast, my guest is Jack Gillies. Jack is currently enrolled at McMaster University pursuing his Arts and Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies degree with hopes of graduation in April 2026. Jack is also a member of the McMaster Student Union’s Emergency First Response Team (EFRT), responding to medical emergencies within the McMaster University Campus. He trains constantly to continue developing collaborative skills and response confidence, and continuously participates in education and certifications to advance his emergency response knowledge. Responding in teams of 3, EFRT emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication and dynamic critical thinking, and their 24 hour a day, 7 day a week availability demands workplace dedication and individual flexibility. Jack and I got connected through a very special person in both our lives, the one and only Sarah Wells. If you do not know Sarah Wells you should. Sarah is an Olympic hurdler and Pan Am Silver Medalist, an Amazing Race Canada participant and founder of her Believe Initiative founded fittingly on a message of resilience. Through 6 degrees of Sarah Wells, both Jack and I have been deeply involved in Sarah’s Believe Initiative. If interested, you can find more information on the Believe Initiative at believeinitiative.com. Jack was a 2022 Loran Scholar Foundation Award Winner which is awarded to young leaders who demonstrate service, character, and leadership. 34 Canadians entering their first year of university were chosen in 2022 and Jack was one of them. When Jack is not saving lives and/ or attending post-secondary, he can be found running, hiking or biking in his local community and natural spaces. I had the chance to sit down with Jack to discuss Patience, self-respect and courage and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Students, New Grads, and Career Seekers, Welcome to #CoffeeWithConvery. On today’s Careering Talk, I have invited Jeremy Sewall to join me. Jeremy Sewall is an award-winning chef and restaurateur based in Boston and two-time James Beard Award nominee. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he has cooked in kitchens around the globe, focusing on seasonal ingredients and his New England food heritage. His restaurants Lineage, Island Creek Oyster Bar, and Row 34 have received accolades from New York Times, Esquire, Gourmet and The Boston Globe, among others. You follow and learn more about Jeremy at jeremysewall.com. Jeremy and I both grew up in the Hudson River Valley and our moms had an antique business together in Red Hook, New York for a number of years. Jeremy may have been born in upstate New York, but he’s had the heart of a true New Englander since spending summers in Maine as a child. There he and his family feasted on lobsters, clams and other New England specialties. The water has played a large role in his lineage; fishing has been a Sewall family livelihood for generations. Today, Jeremy sources lobsters for all of his restaurants from his cousin Mark Sewall, who captains his 38-foot boat out of York Harbor, Maine. I had the chance to sit down with Jeremy to discuss Culinary Arts, small bites and fellowships with Jeremy Sewall and I am happy to share our conversation with you, enjoy! #CoffeeWithConvery #Podcast #Listen #Learn #BeInspired