

Coffee With Convery
Brien 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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2024 • 47min
From Nano to Now, a Journey in Digital Innovation with Tad Chisti
Welcome to Coffee with Convery, ☕️🎙️ the podcast where we dive deep into the journeys of inspiring professionals who are shaping the digital landscape. 🌐
🚀 Today, we have a special guest joining us from the heart of Toronto, Ontario. Tad Chisti is the Digital Experience Practice Leader at IBM, where he leads a dynamic team of over 120 consultants. 👥💡 With a diverse background in nanotechnology engineering and over nine years of experience at IBM, 🧬📈 Tad has driven some of the largest digital transformation programs in Canada and beyond. 🌍🔧
As an Associate Partner, Tad has spearheaded projects that have not only surpassed financial targets but also redefined digital customer experiences across multiple platforms. 📊💼 His leadership on a recent program resulted in an impressive 5x revenue growth over four years, 📈✨ making it the largest digital initiative in Canada and one of the top five in the Americas. 🌟🏆
In addition to his professional achievements, Tad is a certified ScrumMaster and Product Owner, 👨💼🏅 recognized IBM speaker, educator, and mentor. 🎤📚 His commitment to excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including the GBS Service Excellence Award and IBM Manager's Choice Award. 🏅🥇
Join us as Tad shares his career journey, insights on leading digital transformations, and the innovative work being done at IBM iX. 💼🔍
Whether you're an aspiring consultant, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the digital world, 🌐🤖 this episode is sure to provide valuable takeaways. 💡📘

Jul 25, 2024 • 26min
From Building Dreams to Communities, One Lego at a Time with Charlie Jeffers
Welcome to Coffee with Convery, ☕️ the podcast where we dive into inspiring stories over a warm cup of coffee. Today, we have a special guest who is not just building with bricks but also building communities and dreams. 🏗️
Meet Charlie Jeffers, the remarkable teenager behind "Pass the Bricks."
Charlie started Pass the Bricks with a simple yet powerful mission: to collect used LEGO bricks, 🧱 clean and sanitize them, 🧼 and then repurpose them into new sets for children in need. His journey began in 2020 when he realized that many kids don’t have access to educational and creative tools like LEGO, which he personally found instrumental in developing skills like math, 📐 engineering, ⚙️ and creativity 🎨 from a young age.
Through his initiative, Charlie and his team of volunteers have already collected over 900 pounds of LEGO bricks 🏋️♂️ and created more than 3,000 new sets. 🧩 These sets are distributed through partnerships with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs, 👧👦 the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, and even international efforts reaching as far as Ecuador. 🌎
Join us as we chat with Charlie about his inspiration, the challenges he’s faced, and his vision for expanding Pass the Bricks to more cities. 🏙️ Learn how a single idea can turn into a movement, making a positive impact on both the environment 🌿 and the lives of children around the world. 🌍
So grab your coffee ☕️ and get ready to be inspired by Charlie Jeffers on today's episode of Coffee with Convery. 🎙️

Jul 18, 2024 • 39min
From Media Mastery to the Red Carpet with Jodie Davis
🎉 Welcome to another episode of Coffee with Convery, where we bring you the brightest minds and most inspiring voices in media, entertainment, and beyond. Today we have a truly special guest joining us.
He’s an award-winning digital and broadcast executive producer with 20 years of experience, known not only for his exceptional work but also for his empathetic leadership. Our guest today is Jodie Davis.
Jodie is renowned for his role as the co-executive producer of Entertainment Tonight Canada, where he and the management team oversee a staff of over 70 to produce a daily, half-hour network show watched by more than half a million Canadians every day. During his tenure, he’s won four Canadian Screen Awards and a CCMA award, with an additional 17 CSA nominations under his belt. 🏆
Jodie has also produced five live New Year’s Eve specials for Global TV, featuring performances by stars like Keith Urban, Demi Lovato, Celine Dion, and Shawn Mendes. These shows reached over 4 million Canadians at the stroke of midnight and earned two Canadian Screen Award nominations. He pioneered "ETC Live," the first daily live entertainment show streamed on Facebook and YouTube. 🎥🎤
Under his leadership, ET Canada’s digital and social media platforms thrived, with online revenue tripling year after year. The YouTube channel boasts over 1.5 million subscribers and a billion views from 2019 to 2022, while the Facebook page garnered over 250 million views in the same period. In just over a year, the TikTok channel grew to 430,000 followers. 📱💻
Jodie has played a pivotal role in transforming how entertainment is produced and consumed in Canada, from bringing red carpet glamour to Canadian events and viewers to being part of the team that launched one of Canada’s first reality shows, "The Lofters."
Grab your favorite cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to be inspired as we dive into the journey, insights, and expertise of Jodie Davis. ☕️🎬

Jul 11, 2024 • 49min
From Unlocking Opportunities to Navigating the Job Market with Julien Simões
In today's episode of Coffee with Convery ☕, we're diving into the world of talent acquisition and recruitment with a seasoned expert who has made his mark across a range of industries.
Joining us today is Julien Simões, a Senior Talent Leader with extensive experience connecting innovative tech companies with the right candidates, focusing on areas such as tech 💻, product 📦, and data 📊.
Currently based in Lyon, France, Julien's journey in talent acquisition spans companies of all sizes, from startups and scale-ups to major corporations like IBM and Scotiabank.
Julien’s career highlights include his work in building recruitment processes from scratch and scaling them for success. He's navigated challenges with finesse, optimizing hiring strategies and fostering diverse, high-performing teams. His passion for helping organizations thrive is evident in his tailored approach to hiring, ensuring a perfect match between candidates and company culture.
Outside of work, Julien is a passionate foodie 🍲, a travel 🌍 and language enthusiast 🗣️, and an avid sports fan 🏅 who roots for his favorite teams. As an investor, he supports startups with his keen eye for promising opportunities, including his investments in YC-backed startups 🚀 and his involvement with Time for the Planet 🌱, a non-profit committed to tackling climate change.
Get ready for an engaging conversation as we discuss his journey, experiences, and perspectives on building successful teams and driving innovation in the tech industry.

Jul 11, 2024 • 43min
From Empowering Change to Transformation with Justina Ikwu
🎉🎉 Welcome to the 180th episode of Coffee with Convery! 🎉🎉
Four years and counting, I'm beyond excited to mark this milestone with you. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey of conversations, insights, and inspiration. Here's to many more episodes of empowering change and celebrating dynamic leaders and their careers! ☕
Empowering Change & Transformation with Justina Ikwu
Today, we're thrilled to have Justina Ikwu, a powerhouse in strategy and transformation, join us. With an MBA from Queen’s University and an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa, Justina is a well-rounded professional dedicated to driving growth and sparking change.
Justina's expertise spans across financial institutions and social impact initiatives, and she currently serves as the President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals. Her journey is marked by a commitment to empowering underserved communities and fostering financial empowerment.
Throughout her career, Justina has excelled in leading cross-functional teams, navigating complex challenges, and pioneering innovative solutions. From her role at RBC as a Senior Manager of Strategy & Transformation to her impactful work at TD and H&R Block Canada, she has consistently demonstrated her leadership abilities and innovative prowess.
Join us as we explore Justina's inspiring story, her dedication to social impact, and her vision for the future.

Jul 4, 2024 • 32min
From Leading Business and Shaping Policy to Serving Parliament with Kareem Brochu
🎙️ Welcome to another episode of Coffee with Convery!
Today, we're joined by a remarkable guest, Kareem Brochu, the President of the Canadian Association of Business Students (CABS). With over 70,000 business students under his leadership, Kareem's strategic prowess and financial acumen have propelled CABS to new heights.
As President, Kareem is not only responsible for developing and executing strategic plans but also for overseeing operational efficiency, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring financial progress. His extensive experience in sales, customer service, and management has honed his ability to optimize practices and drive performance.
Beyond his role with CABS, Kareem's journey is a tapestry of leadership roles and community service. From representing Telfer undergraduate students as their President to establishing the first-ever student insurance plan in Montreal, Kareem's impact is felt far and wide.
Join us as we delve into Kareem's journey, exploring his insights into leadership, finance, and community engagement. Get ready for an inspiring conversation filled with valuable lessons and perspectives.🚀

Jun 20, 2024 • 32min
From PRIDE to Innovation and Advocacy with Felipe Soares
Welcome to Coffee with Convery ☕️, the podcast where we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and success stories!🏳️🌈
Today, we have a special guest whose journey embodies resilience, innovation, and advocacy. 🎤
Joining us today is Felipe Soares, a seasoned Customer Success Leader with a passion for customer success and dog training. 🐾 Felipe's career trajectory is nothing short of inspiring, from his roots as a Tax Lawyer to founding his own business and now making waves as a leader in the B2B SaaS industry. 🚀
Felipe's expertise lies in driving revenue through customer-centric strategies, nurturing executive relationships, and supporting people and organizations through change management initiatives. But what truly sets Felipe apart is his story as an immigrant in Canada. 🌍
Whether it's mentoring Gen Z entrepreneurs, spearheading volunteer projects to support refugees, or advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the tech sector, Felipe's impact extends far beyond business metrics. 💼
Today, we'll dive into Felipe's journey, exploring his experiences at companies like Fable and Riipen, his passion for mentoring through QueerTech's Access Program, and his work to making tech more inclusive for all. 🌈
So grab your favorite brew ☕️, settle in, and let's enjoy some inspiration and insights with Felipe. 🎧

Jun 13, 2024 • 45min
From Rowing to Film and Resilience with Seb Benzecry
🎙️ Welcome to ☕️ Coffee with Convery, the podcast where we sit down with some of the most fascinating minds from various fields for a chat over a cup of coffee!
Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to our guest, Sebastian Benzecry! 🚀
🎓 Sebastian is a PhD Candidate at the University of Cambridge, where he focuses on Film and Screen Studies.
He's also the President of the Cambridge University Boat Club for 2023/24, leading the team to victory in The Gemini Boat Race 2024 and winning the Aberdeen Quaich trophy! 🚣♂️🏆
Beyond his academic and athletic achievements, Sebastian brings a wealth of experience in content writing and tutoring. He has worked as a content writer for Modus Workspace, creating original articles on workspace culture and office spaces, as well as contributing to social media marketing.
His experience in rowing extends to coaching roles at several prestigious institutions, including Pembroke College Boat Club and The Leys School. 📝👨🏫
Sebastian's journey began at Princeton University, where he earned his BA in English and honed his skills as a creative director for an on-campus broadcast TV show. He then pursued his MPhil at the University of Cambridge, where he has continued to excel. 📚
In today's episode, we'll dive into Sebastian's academic pursuits, his passion for rowing, and how he balances his roles in both academia and athletics. We'll also discuss his thoughts on the future of film and screen studies, his experiences in content creation, and much more.
So, grab your favorite cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this enlightening conversation with Sebastian! ☕️🎉

Jun 6, 2024 • 43min
From Foster Care to Advocacy with Andrew Bridge
Welcome to another episode of Coffee with Convery, the podcast where we bring you inspiring stories and conversations with remarkable individuals .
Today, I have the privilege of sitting down and introducing you to a true advocate for children’s rights, an esteemed lawyer ⚖️, and the author of the New York Times Bestseller 📚 “Hope’s Boy,” Andrew Bridge.
Andrew’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From growing up in foster care from age 6 to 18 🏠, to defying the odds and earning scholarships to Wesleyan and Harvard Law School 🎓, Andrew has transformed adversity into advocacy 💪. As a children’s rights lawyer, Andrew has dedicated his life to defending the rights of the most vulnerable among us ❤️.
The author of “Hope’s Boy,” a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly Bestseller, and Washington Post Best Book of the Year, Andrew shares a deeply personal and heart-wrenching story of his life. From the love he shared with his mother 💖 to the challenges of foster care and the resilience that propelled him to become a Fulbright Scholar 🏅.
Andrew’s latest book “The Child Catcher: A Fight for Justice and Truth” is now available for pre-sale on Amazon 🛒.
Amazon.com | https://a.co/d/4H3Rkp5
Amazon.ca | https://a.co/d/8l4axug
I’m thrilled to introduce our guest, the inspiring Children’s Rights Lawyer and Author, Andrew Bridge. 🎙️

May 30, 2024 • 29min
From Navigating Excellence to Talent Acquisition with Corey Shaw of North Star Talent
Welcome to another invigorating episode of Coffee with Convery! ☕
Today, we're joined by a true luminary in the world of talent acquisition, Corey Shaw 🌟, founder of North Star Talent, based right here in the heart of Toronto.
Corey Shaw, with a Bachelor's degree in History from Wilfrid Laurier University 🎓, has forged an illustrious career path, distinguished by his unwavering commitment to excellence.
From his tenure as a Talent Acquisition leader at TD, CIBC, Canada Life, Co-operators and currently The Salvation Army 🏢, he has built strategies to attract and hire exceptional talent. Corey's journey has been marked by visionary leadership and transformative impact.
Corey's story is one of continual evolution demonstrated by his curiosity and prowess as a natural networker, fostering collaborative environments where teams thrive 🌱.
Corey's unwavering commitment to empowering teams and enhancing organizational excellence is evident. As the founder of North Star Talent, he has dedicated himself to guiding organizations towards attracting and nurturing outstanding, diverse talent. 🌠