2024 Breakout Sessions

Mike Bray - PCL Construction

Breakout - Tuesday

Mike has been working in Human Resources since 2005 and has been with PCL since 2007, starting as a Human Resources Coordinator before transferring to Finance in 2010.   He returned to the world of Human Resources in 2012 and in 2015 transferred to Houston as the district HRPD Manager.  Mike came back to Edmonton in 2021 to work as the District Human Resources & Professional Development Manager for the Canadian Industrial group.

While working with PCL, Mike has contributed to a variety of initiatives including chairing district DE&I committees, social committees, United Way Campaigns in Houston, and Bust a Move in Edmonton. He has also been deeply involved in his communities, serving as vice president for the board of directors of Houston Habitat for Humanity, working with Junior Achievement, and becoming a foster parent.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, camping, dirt biking, snowboarding, and playing hockey.

Stephanie Proseilo - Fountain Tire

Breakout - Tuesday

Stephanie is a marketing innovator who loves to create digital solutions to enhance and engage teams and the customers they serve. Her experience spans B2B and B2C with iconic brands such as ATB Financial, Finning, Vallen, and Fountain Tire. She had rolled up her sleeves in many areas of marketing like digital marketing, e-commerce, social media strategy, content strategy, channel management, communications, and voice of the customer programs.

Outside of work, she can be found on the ski hill or a hike with her family somewhere in Alberta, and her love of skiing almost equals her love of music and a good book.

Gregory Mowbrey - Mowbrey Gil LLP.

Breakout - Tuesday

Gregory Mowbrey is the Managing Partner of Mowbrey Gil LLP Chartered Professional Accountants & Business Advisors. After obtaining his General Arts degree with an Economics Major and an MBA, he began articling with a major international accounting firm, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience. Driven by the pull towards his roots, he joined his father's local practice. It was here he expanded his skill set in owner/manager financing, taxation, audit and assurance, advisory services, and the nuanced art of mergers and acquisitions. Today, Mowbrey Gil proudly stands as the second largest local firm in Edmonton, boasting a powerhouse team of approximately 75 people. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services comparable to an international firm, with the exception of public companies and insolvency, made by choice. Gregory not only excels in his professional life but is also a dedicated family man and has been married to his wife for nearly 29 years and is a proud father of two daughters both of whom have followed in their father's footsteps, joining the world of accounting. Gregory is eager to share his insights and stories from his career with the delegates at RMBS and hopes to engage the next generation of CPAs.

Meghna Singh - Aimco

Breakout - Thursday Morning

How do you go from being an engineer to being the Head of Strategy and Innovation at a large institutional investor? Ask Meghna Singh, and she will tell you that it takes curiosity, courage and collaboration. Meghna has a PhD in Electrical Engineering, specializing in signal processing and computer vision, and has worked in various sectors, from Financial Services, Utilities, to Asset Management. She leads the Strategy and Innovation function at AIMCo, one of Canada's largest institutional investors, where she is responsible for shaping and delivering the organization's innovation agenda. Meghna's colleagues describe her as passionate, funny and supportive, and someone who never stops learning.

Heather Stephens - Emissions Reduction Alberta

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Heather Stephens is ERA’s Chief Operating Officer. Heather has worked with ERA since inception and has played a key role in operating and growing the organization over the past 12 years. In her current role, Heather leads teams responsible for finance, project portfolio management, information technology, contract management, governance, and Human Resources. As a Chartered Professional Accountant, Heather brings her extensive background in audit and financial accounting with not-for-profit organizations, Government of Alberta agencies, as well as various private and public Canadian and International companies. Prior to joining ERA directly, Heather spent 20 years with the multi-national accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Edmonton and London, UK offices, the last nine of which were primarily dedicated to helping establish and operate ERA (formerly Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation). Heather graduated from the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce degrees.

Kurian M. Tharakan - StrategyPeak Sales & Marketing Advisors

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Kurian Mathew Tharakan is the founder of the sales and marketing strategy firm StrategyPeak Sales & Marketing Advisors and a 27-year veteran of the sales and marketing industry. He has consulted for companies in numerous sectors, including Manufacturing, Distribution, High Technology, Software, Non-Profit, and the Life Sciences. Before StrategyPeak, Mr. Tharakan was a vice-president sales & marketing for an Alberta based software firm where his team achieved notable wins with several members of the US Fortune 500. Mr. Tharakan is also the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “The 7 Essential Stories Charismatic Leaders Tell.”

 Mr. Tharakan’s association with the University goes back over thirty years. He graduated with a business degree in 1985. In 1990, he started his involvement with the newly formed Business Alumni Association, serving on numerous committees, and eventually as its President. In 2005, he was appointed as the School of Business representative to Alumni Council where he served for three years, and, beginning in 2011, he served for six years as a senator on the University of Alberta Senate.

Robb Sombach - Alberta School of Business

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

Robb Sombach is an Information Technology Professional with over 25 years of work experience in both the private and public sectors. He has held many roles, which have varied from Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Project Manager, Developer, System Administrator and Educator. He is currently an Associate Executive Professor at the Alberta School of Business, and values the perspectives that students bring to solving the problems of today.

Nina Benvenuto - CWB Financial Group 

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

One word to describe Nina? Energy! She wraps that core of her personality with other words like Engaging! Passionate! Fun! When you speak with Nina, you’ll soon realize there is no greater historian or curator of the CWBFG brand. She has collaborated on strategic initiatives across functions and departments and is a champion of relationships. Nina has spent most of her career at CWB, and in those 17 years, has been a central part of CWBFG’s growth and transformation journey. She’s crafted learning strategies for major initiatives using a blend of creativity and enthusiasm. As she’s worked to enlighten both branch and corporate employees, her focus on relationships and connections helped lead her to her most favourite role yet on the talent acquisition team. Nina’s motto is “The bigger the hair the harder they stare”. Encouraging everyone to bring your true authentic self and stand out!

Daron Stewart - Direct Energy

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

Daron Stewart has 30 years of process optimization and business transformation experience and holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Alberta. His international experience includes assignments in the US, Czech Republic, Romania, Germany, Poland, Korea, and Canada. Daron’s background includes customer care, market and strategic planning, M&A integrations, IT, ERP, process optimization and business transformation. Daron was self-employed for 20 years, working in several industries, including utilities, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, law enforcement, legal services, mining, financial services, and telecommunications. Daron is a member of the Kids Kottage Board and is a former Vice-Chair for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Environment Committee. Daron thrives off variety and lives by the mantra “Get comfortable being uncomfortable” (U.S. Navy Seals).

David Curran - Direct Energy

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

David Curran has 30 years of Project Management and IT Management experience across a variety of industries including Oil & Gas, Cannabis, Social Services, Utilities, M &A, not for profit and fast paced startups.  As a project manager, David has been responsible for implementing a variety of enterprise class solutions including ERP systems, Call Center as a Service (CaaS), custom developed solutions and a variety of IT infrastructure implementations.  Having long depended on practical “on the job” training, David has recently decided to pursue an MBA.