
Coffee With Convery
Explore how success isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder—sometimes it’s about building your own jungle gym. From students to seasoned professionals, this career development podcast is your launchpad for job search strategies, personal branding, leadership growth, and workplace success. Dive into real-life career transitions, resume tips, interview preparation, mentorship, and future-ready skills. Produced by talent, for talent—empowering emerging professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives to thrive in today’s evolving job market. Listen now to level up your career!
Latest episodes

Sep 2, 2021 • 41min
Alarms, patience and change with Arun Sampath
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases and changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
My guest today is Arun Sampath. Arun is a student in a multi-disciplinary program in Science and Business at the University of Waterloo expected to graduate in 2022.
As an innovative co-op student, Arun always is looking for opportunities to continuously expand his knowledge and abilities in the workplace. Arun’s technical skills as a science student combined with his problem-solving abilities as a business student have allowed him to gain interests in business operations, sales, marketing, and customer support. Arun is hungry to learn and actively solve problems around an organization’s operations, business strategies, and customer pain points. This summer Arun worked as a Communications Analyst and Community Leader for the Amplify Program at RBC in Technology and Operations group. In his spare time, Arun likes exercise and go on walks in his spare time due to the shift to a virtual work environment during the pandemic. Besides that he is a huge food enthusiast and loves to make homemade meals from scratch.
I had the chance to talk Alarms, patience and change with Arun Sampath and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #ArunSampath #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Aug 26, 2021 • 30min
Throwback Thursday: Culture, agency and critical thinking with Michelle Manocchio
On today’s #CoffeeWithConvery podcast we are continuing the series “Throwback Thursday” where I bring onto the show students and young talent that I met years ago and to see where they are now.
My guest today is Michelle Manocchio a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University with an International Bachelor of Business Administration and a Specialization in Strategic Management. Michelle has extensive experience in client-focused, complex change environments where she has been able to design, manage and transform some of the largest organizations across multiple industries. Michelle has worked, studied, volunteered and traveled across 37 countries on five continents which has taught her how to enable success in global environments.
Michelle and I met years ago, when I made my transition from the U.S. to Canada with IBM. Her story, her passions and her love for life inspired me then and continue to inspire me now.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Throwback Thursday: Culture, agency and critical thinking with Michelle Manocchio and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #MichelleManocchio #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Aug 19, 2021 • 25min
Life's blessings, challenges and the importance of mentorship with Blake Zhang
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases and changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
My guest today is Blake Zhang. Blake is a student at Smith School of Business at Queen's University studying Business Commerce with an expected graduation date of May 2023. Blake and I met back in September 2020 through the Professional Mentorship Program which was sponsored by the Smith School of Business Centre of Social Impact in partnership with the student clubs Q+, the Smith Black Business Association (SBBA), and EDGE. We were formally assigned as Mentor and Mentee and have continued to remain connected as Blake made his move from home in China back to Canada to attend school in person in 2021.
This summer Blake worked as an Operations Analyst at RBC and also stepped up to the role of a student partner leading a team of students for our Believe Impact Project with Canadian Olympian and Amazing Race Canada contestant Sarah Wells. In his spare time, Blake likes to play basketball, spend time with his cat Melo and watching sports.
I had the chance to sit down to talk about life's blessings, challenges and the importance of mentorship with Blake Zhang and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #BlakeZhang #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Aug 12, 2021 • 41min
Impact philosophy, spoken word poetry and deep dives with Logan Kieller
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases and changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
Now let’s meet Logan Kieller. Logan is attending the Ivey Business School at Western University and is enrolled in the Honors Program for Business Administration with an expected graduation date in May 2023. Logan was the President of the Western Pre-Business Students' Network (PBSN) and co-led the Tech Under 20 until August 2020 of last year. Now after exploring entrepreneurship, he recently launched and is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Shape Donations, Managing Director of Hack the Globe and a Basecamp Incubator Fellow at the DMZ. Logan has four coops to his experience, three of which were with RBC and he is just getting started.
I had the chance to talk Impact philosophy, spoken word poetry and deep dives with Logan Kieller and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #LoganKieller #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Aug 5, 2021 • 40min
Being thankful, student life and genuine connections with Jagroop Chahal
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases and changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
Now let’s meet Jagroop Chahal. Jagroop is a 2012 graduate of the New Horizon College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Engineering and a 2018 graduate from Lambton College with a Post Graduate Diploma in Web Design and Development. Jagroop is a Software Professional with a passion for coaching people on Mental Health and Wellness. Jagroop came to Canada with 3 years of experience as a Web and API Developer in India. He completed his Technical Systems Analyst Co-Op at RBC in the Online Banking Team and is now a Senior IT Developer at TD. In his spare time, Jagroop likes to read books, go out for a bike ride or play online poker.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Being thankful, student life and genuine connections with Jagroop Chahal and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #JagroopChahal #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Jul 29, 2021 • 24min
Journalism, leadership and mental health with Kendra Carey
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases, changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
My guest today is Kendra Carey (she/her/hers). Kendra is attending Western University with a focus on Business Management and Organizational Studies with an Honors Specialization in Accounting and is expected to graduate in December 2021. After graduation she will be commencing her Graduate Diploma in Accounting at Western in pursuit of her CPA designation. Kendra is currently a Financial Analyst Intern with RBC and likes to spend her time reading, writing, and watching old movies. During her time at RBC, Kendra has gotten involved with CFO Pride, where she has started a blog called the Rainbow Journal. Prior to her role at RBC, she has worked mainly in journalism, being a news editor at her university newspaper and hosting a radio show in her hometown of Drumheller, Alberta. A few fun facts about Kendra is that she can play the violin and is probably the world’s biggest Harry Potter fan.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Journalism, leadership and mental health with Kendra Carey and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #KendraCarey #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Jul 22, 2021 • 18min
Pizza, extracurriculars and making changes with Maureen Marful
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases, changing priorities as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
My guest today Maureen Marful. Maureen is a 2015 graduate from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree where she was involved in various extracurricular activities including the Queen’s Conference on Philanthropy, and AIESEC Queen’s. She also is a recent May graduate from Cornell University where she completed her MBA specialized in Strategy & Operations. Prior to Cornell, Maureen worked as a Management Consultant within EY’s Business Consulting Practice in Toronto where she had the opportunity work on diverse technology projects for global clients in Financial Services, Retail and Technology. Maureen has also worked at Scotiabank and most recently with RBC in Capital Markets in Toronto. This month, Maureen joined BlackRock in their New York City office.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Pizza, extracurriculars and making changes with Maureen Marful and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #MaureenMarful #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Jul 15, 2021 • 22min
Throwback Thursday: Curiosity, Consulting and Sunday Scaries with Rainer Feick
On today’s #CoffeeWithConvery podcast we are continuing the series “Throwback Thursday” where I bring onto the show students and young talent that I met years ago and to see where they are now.
My guest today is Rainer Feick a graduate of the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. Rainer has experience in management consulting including Tech strategy, IT transformation, and transaction advisory across many industries. He is currently working for West Monroe, a national consulting firm where he is a Senior Manager of Mergers & Acquisitions based in their New York office. In his free time, Rainer likes close his laptop and has notably been enjoying a DIY renovation on a cabin in upstate New York.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Throwback Thursday: Curiosity, Consulting and Sunday Scaries with Rainer Feick and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #RainerFeick #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Jul 8, 2021 • 23min
Non-traditional paths, networking and transferable skills with Philip Paschali
Students and young professionals are facing barriers, uncertainty, biases, changing priorities and now a pandemic as they navigate the school to work transition. Their collective stories have inspired me and now I want to share these stories with you.
Now let’s meet Philip Paschali. Philip is a 2018 graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where he received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours in Communication Studies and Research Psychology. Philip now is working at RBC transitioning from a Business Analyst to Manager of Merchant Insights in Cards, Banking and Payments Outside of work Philip enjoys working out and discovering new music.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Non-traditional paths, networking and transferable skills with Philip Paschali and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #PhilipPaschali #Listen #Learn #BeInspired

Jul 1, 2021 • 29min
Sports Talk: Swimming, time management and empathy with Charlie Broe
On today’s episode we are going to continue the journey with Sports Talk where my invited guests will share how being an athlete has helped them to propel their skill building, their mindsets and their futures. “Sports Talk” also helps us understand the hurdles and barriers some athlete’s face while being in school, participating in sports and trying to balance the transition into the workplace.
Now let’s meet Charlie. Charlie Broe is a 2019 graduate from Bryant University located in Smithfield, Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He was a Division I Student Athlete in Swim and Dive with the Bryant University Bulldogs and has volunteered with Swim across America and has been a Special Olympics Event Coordinator for a number of years as well. Charlie is currently employed at DataDog a leading monitoring organization in cloud applications as a Commercial Account Executive in Boston, Massachusetts.
I had the chance to sit down to talk Sports Talk: Swimming, time management and empathy with Charlie Broe and I am happy to share our conversation with you, Enjoy!
#CoffeeWithConvery #SportsTalk #CharlieBroe #Listen #Learn #BeInspired