Coffee With Convery

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of Coffee with Convery. This Black History Month, we introduce our Legacy in Motion series with a powerful conversation featuring Manny Almonte—a visionary leader dedicated to empowering men of color and fostering community transformation. Manny is the founder of Mastermind Connect, a dynamic men’s collective, and the Young Masterminds Initiative, a nonprofit creating transformative experiences that help men of color connect with their passions, inner selves, and communities. His impact extends beyond city limits into the great outdoors, where he leads Camping to Connect, a pioneering BIPOC-led youth mentorship program promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Manny’s advocacy for nature accessibility shines through his award-winning short film, Wood Hood, which has sparked conversations on inclusion in outdoor spaces at national conferences and news outlets. With a background in business and community building, Manny is also the principal of MA Reloaded, a boutique web design firm. Originally from the Dominican Republic and now based in Denver, Colorado, Manny lives with purpose—alongside his family and dogs—dedicated to driving lasting change. Tune in to hear how Manny is putting Legacy in Motion and inspiring the next generation.

In an era where the challenges facing at-risk youth are more complex than ever, Coffee with Convery continues its Legacy in Motion series with a conversation on justice, mentorship, and systemic change. Joining us is Demetrius Watson-Williamson, a rising voice in criminology, to discuss the critical importance of intervention and support. Currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Criminology after completing his BA at the University of Windsor, Demetrius brings a unique perspective shaped by both academic research and hands-on experience. He explores the systemic factors contributing to youth vulnerability, the innovative strategies he’s employing to drive positive change, and the essential role of mentorship and community engagement in fostering resilience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in youth justice, advocacy, and building a more equitable future. Tune in as we continue to put Legacy in Motion.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery.  As part of our Legacy in Motion: Black History Month series, I’m honored to welcome Chris Studer to the show. Chris is a visionary leader, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to fostering inclusivity and creating positive social impact.  Chris is the Executive Director and co-founder of The Get REAL Movement, a nonprofit tackling homophobia and promoting inclusivity since 2011. Through authentic conversations and impactful campaigns—like the To My Grade 7 Self video—Get REAL has transformed lives across Canada. Beyond his advocacy, Chris has worked in branding, advertising, and non-profits, collaborating with brands like Nintendo, CIBC, and Coca-Cola.  As a Black man adopted from South America, his journey of embracing identity and allyship has inspired many.  Grab your coffee as we dive into Get REAL’s mission and impact with Chris Studer.

Join Alexander De Ridder, a coding prodigy turned AI innovator, as he shares his transformative journey from Bruges to building cutting-edge companies like SmythOS and INK. He discusses the significant impact of collaborative AI systems on business efficiency and the vital life lessons he's learned while balancing family and career. Dive into nostalgic memories of Belgium, the importance of genuine feedback, and the role of curiosity in creativity. Alexander also envisions the future of AI and its potential to shape society positively.

🎙️ Start 2025 with a Dose of Career Inspiration! 🚀 We’re rewinding to the #1 most popular episode of Coffee with Convery featuring Tad Chisti, Head of Digital Experience Practice at IBM Canada. Fun fact: your host, Convery, hired Tad as an intern 10 years ago! Get ready to dive into Tad’s incredible journey as he shares:- How to build diverse, high-performing teams- The surprising power of curiosity- His secret key to success This is one story you can’t miss. So, grab your favorite brew, settle in, and get ready to be inspired! ☕ For more career-boosting conversations, visit coffeewithconvery.com. 🚀

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Coffee with Convery! Today, I’m delighted to introduce Brandon Lapointe, an ambitious recent graduate from Sheridan College's Pilon School of Business. With a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Human Resources, Brandon is ready to take his next big step in the HR field. Brandon’s journey showcases an impressive blend of hands-on customer service expertise, talent acquisition experience, and a knack for innovative problem-solving. His work with PC Express at Fortinos Supermarket highlights a commitment to excellence in customer relations, while his stint as a Talent Acquisition Recruiter at Gordon Food Service demonstrates his ability to connect talent with opportunity. Brandon is now looking to channel these experiences into an impactful role where he can contribute to organizational success while continuing to grow as a professional. If you’re on the lookout for a dedicated, driven, and innovative HR talent, you’ll want to tune in to hear his story. Let’s explore what makes Brandon a standout candidate for the future of work!

Welcome back to Coffee With Convery ! Today, we’re joined by Sanjay Padhiar, a dynamic business consultant and Fractional COO with over a decade of experience helping businesses streamline their operations 📈, improve processes 🔄, and, most importantly, turn customers into raving fans 😍. Sanjay is the Principal Consultant at IMA Consulting 🏢, where he leverages his deep knowledge of business management to help companies like Loblaw, adidas, Reebok, Bell, and Staples 🏅 boost profits 💰 and productivity ⚙️. His entrepreneurial journey 🚀 was inspired by his father’s approach to customer care 💖, and now Sanjay is on a mission to help businesses serve their customers better by enabling their employees to work smarter 🧠. Let’s dive into Sanjay’s fascinating career journey 🌍, his insights on business 💼, and his advice for young professionals eager to make an impact! 👏

Welcome back, innovators 🚀 and dream-chasers 💡, to another electrifying ⚡ episode of Coffee with Convery! Today, we're diving into the digital deep end 🌊 with a true titan of tech sales! 💻 Imagine a journey that starts in the vibrant pulse of South Africa 🌍 and leads to the cutting edge of Canada's tech scene 🇨🇦. Our guest has conquered continents 🌐, led legions at tech giants 🏢, and now he's revolutionizing the game for small and medium businesses across the Great White North ❄️. Fasten your seatbelts ✈️ and prepare for takeoff with the sales savant 🎯, the leadership luminary, the SMB superstar himself – Kree Govender! 🎉 From igniting innovation at IBM 💡 to masterminding Microsoft's moves 🎮, he's the Beethoven 🎶 of business growth, composing symphonies of success 🏆 wherever he goes. So, whether you're a budding entrepreneur 💼, a curious coder 💻, or just someone who loves a good success story 📖, you're in for a treat 🍬. Get ready to download decades of wisdom 🧠, unpack the secrets of sales mastery 🛠️, and maybe – just maybe – discover the key to unlocking your own potential 🔑.

Hey there, go-getters and world-changers, welcome to another energizing episode of Coffee with Convery ☕🎙️. Today, we're serving up a steaming cup of inspiration ☕💡 with a side of girl power! 💪👩‍💼 Get ready to meet a true force of nature who's shaking up the innovation landscape and empowering women left and right. She's an award-winning leader 🏆, a 2x TEDx speaker 🎤, and the founder of Women Helping Empower Women 👭. Our guest today is Dr. Georgette Zinaty 💼, a powerhouse professional who's making waves 🌊 as the Chief of Staff at Myant, a cutting-edge Canadian company driving innovation in advanced material science 🧬 But that's just one of her many impressive roles. 🚀 Dr. Zinaty is also the Canada Country Chair for G100: Mission Million 🇨🇦💯, advocating for a gender-equal future ♀️, and a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council 🌍. With over 15 years of experience at the University of Toronto 🏛️, she's raised millions in funding 💸 and created groundbreaking programs. Named one of 6 Canadian Women of Inspiration, Dr. Zinaty's expertise in leadership, diversity, inclusion 🌍, and innovation 🧠 has made her a sought-after speaker and thought leader. So grab your favorite brew ☕ and get ready to be inspired! We're about to dive into a conversation with a true trailblazer who's redefining leadership in the 21st century 🚀💡.

Welcome to Coffee with Convery ☕️, the podcast where we explore the journeys and experiences with talented individuals from all different backgrounds and careers. Today I’m talking with filmmaker extraordinaire, Billy Nawrocki. 🎬🎥 Billy’s journey in the world of film and media began at Providence College 🎓, where he earned his B.A. in English with a minor in Film Studies. Since then, his career has been nothing short of a thrilling adventure in the world of visual storytelling. 📚🖋️ From launching a startup sports network in Connecticut 🏀🏈 to founding his own production company, D.I.Y or DIE Productions, LLC 🎭, Billy has always been at the forefront of creating compelling content. His talent for storytelling has found a particularly chilling home in the horror genre 👻🔪, with his short films and screenplays earning accolades at numerous notable festivals and competitions 🏆. But Billy’s skills aren’t limited to scares — he’s also edited three feature films 🎞️ that have been distributed by companies like Gravitas Ventures and Breaking Glass Pictures, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. Most recently, Billy made waves as the lead editor for Bleacher Report’s Branded Content team, Playmaker, at Warner Bros. Discovery 🌊✂️. There, he crafted campaigns for an impressive roster of clients including Facebook, Netflix, Adidas, and many more 💼. Now, he’s returned to the world of freelancing 🆓, lending his expertise to brands like Vogue, Samsung, Cartier, and Google 💄📱💎🔍. As if all that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Billy is currently in pre-production for his debut feature film 🎥🍿, set to shoot in the fall of 2025. When he’s not immersed in the world of filmmaking, you can find him in Peekskill, NY 🏡, where he lives with his wife 👩‍❤️‍👨, two daughters 👧👧, and a trio of cats 🐱🐱🐱 who I’m sure provide plenty of inspiration for his storytelling!