Panelists:

Doug Buchanan

Co-founder, Yalty Software

Doug is a lifelong entrepreneur and recently co-foundered Yalty Software. Yalty is developing a solution to increase conversion rates at online retailers. Doug has public, private and NFP company executive and board experience. While head of a public fintech company, Doug managed international offices and stakeholders. A believer in life long learning, Doug holds degrees in Engineering, Robotics, Management Accounting and holds an MBA and ICD.D designations.

Zameena Dadani

Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives, Westcoast Family Centres

Zameena Dadani is a policy and communications professional. Her current role as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications works closely with the CEO of a community-based organization, focusing on government relations, communications, strategic planning, and operations. She currently advocates for Young Professionals at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. Zameena takes pride in working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to develop intuitive strategies to achieve a meaningful impact.

Stefan Fletcher

CEO, Rebalance^MD

Stefan Fletcher is a Physiotherapist who is a founder of Rebalance^MD (2013) the home of complete musculoskeletal care in Victoria, BC, which includes a large multidisciplinary team of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Sports Medicine Physicians, Physiatrists, Physiotherapy, and Splinting & Bracing. Before creating Rebalance^MD, Stefan owned his own Physiotherapy Clinic and then held the position of Regional VP of Operations for LifeMark/Centric Health, responsible for 15 offices across British Columbia. Stefan is also the former Head Physiotherapist for Rugby Canada. Rebalance^MD was presented with the ACE-WIL Industry Partner of the Year award for 2019.

Danielle Jones

Business Development Associate, Venture for Canada

Venture for Canada is a national charity that fosters the entrepreneurial skills and mindset employers say today’s students need if they’re going to play a constructive role in growing tomorrow’s rapidly evolving economy. The Internship Program was launched in 2018 and is funded by ESDC’s Student Work Placement Program. Danielle Jones, based in Calgary, AB, joined VFC’s Internship team as a Business Development Associate in January 2020 and leads the employer support efforts.

Special Guest:

Jennie Nilsson

President, ACE-WIL BC/Yukon

Jennie Nilsson holds a Master’s of Education from the University of Victoria in the area of leadership studies and for the last 15 years has worked in the Co-operative Education Program at the University of Victoria. In her various roles, she has developed instructional materials, collaborated on projects with other work-integrated learning practitioners across the province and engaged new stakeholders to participate in co-operative education. Prior to taking on the ACE-WIL president role in 2019, Jennie spent 11 years working provincially, and 2 years nationally, to plan and deliver relevant and meaningful professional development to co-op and WIL practitioners.

Facilitator:

Larry Iles

Senior Faculty, Career and Experiential Learning Department, Thompson Rivers University

Larry Iles is an award-winning Career Jedi. He has an extensive education and leadership portfolio that he has applied throughout his 22 years at Thompson Rivers University, all within Career and Experiential Learning. Larry works one-on-one with students and alumni, providing valuable career knowledge and career development support. Larry has said “My favourite moment working with students is when they have an experience and really connect it to their personal career development and as a result, have this fantastic clarity about themselves and next steps.” Larry is a past president of ACE-WIL BC/Yukon and a long-time volunteer.