2026 Breakout Session Speakers
Tuesday, February 17
Tony Briggs
eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre
Tony Briggs is an Executive Professor at the Alberta School of Business and the co-founder of the eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre at the University of Alberta. He taught the MBA and EMBA business capstones for nine years and now leads key offerings in our interdisciplinary certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship including a new Technology Ventures course in partnership with the U of A Innovation Fund.
Tony was part of the founding team of the Threshold Impact Venture Mentoring Service, a founding board member of the Edmonton Screen Industries Office. His commercialization experience includes patent licensing at Harvard Medical School, technology consulting with U.S. SBIR-grant companies. His research on startup pitching has been mentioned in Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Tony holds a DBA from BU Questrom, an MS from MIT Sloan, an MBA in Finance from UBC Sauder, and a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta.
Peter Keith
eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre
Peter Keith is the Centre Director for eHUB, the University of Alberta’s entrepreneurship centre. In this role, Peter provides student entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and community needed to launch new ventures. He is the interim investment lead at the U of A Innovation Fund, making venture capital investments in early-stage companies, and he is an instructor at the University of Alberta School of Business, teaching foundational concepts of entrepreneurship to the next generation of leaders.
Peter's experience is further grounded in his background as a successful small-business owner in Edmonton's food industry. He holds a BCom and MBA from the Alberta School of Business.
Breanne Kraus
Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation
Breanne Kraus is the Director of Marketing at the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, where she leads marketing strategy for Stollery No Bounds, a $1 billion fundraising effort supporting children’s health care today and the future of pediatric care in Alberta and beyond.
A University of Alberta School of Business alumna, Breanne brings a background spanning both agency and nonprofit leadership. She has built award-winning campaigns and led major brand initiatives in health care philanthropy, and has been named a Top 40 Under 40 by the Association of HealthCare Philanthropy. Her work focuses on using marketing, data, and storytelling to drive revenue, engagement, and real-world impact.
Breanne is passionate about helping emerging professionals see the nonprofit sector as a place to build meaningful, high-impact careers. She believes nonprofit work offers unique opportunities to develop leadership skills, tackle complex business challenges, and make a difference early in your career and community.
Daniel Mooney
Navacord
Dan is a Talent Advisor at Navacord, based in the Calgary office. With a passion for connecting people to opportunities, he partners with leaders across the organization to find the right fit for every role and create an onboarding experience that feels seamless and welcoming.
Originally from Ireland, Dan made Calgary his home in 2019 and launched his own recruitment agency specializing in engineering and construction placements. His entrepreneurial journey gave him a deep understanding of what makes great talent thrive. In 2025, Dan brought his expertise to Navacord, where he continues to build strong relationships and help teams grow by learning the stories behind the people.
Equipped with a Human Resource Associate Specialization and a Talent Acquisition Certificate, Dan combines technical know-how with a people-first approach. When he’s not shaping careers, you’ll find him staying active, whether on the football pitch or in the boxing ring.
Jennifer Bergman,
Jennifer Bergman Weddings + Events
Jennifer Bergman is the President of Jennifer Bergman Weddings and Events, an Edmonton-based boutique event planning and design firm that has produced over 450 events (and counting!) across Western Canada and internationally, including Mexico, Jamaica, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, and South Beach.
A proud graduate of the Alberta School of Business, Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Commerce and has fond memories of serving on the RMBS Executive team (’05, ’06) and competing in case competitions such as JDC West and the Queen’s Entrepreneurship Competition.
Jennifer’s journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly, but she never looked back—now celebrating 16 years as her own boss. Before launching her company, she worked in marketing, where she gained invaluable experience planning large-scale conventions and honed her creative skills on national advertising campaigns.
Passionate about community and industry involvement, Jennifer has served on the Alberta School of Business Alumni Association Board and was a founding board member of the International Live Events Association (ILEA) Edmonton Chapter. She has also lent her event planning expertise to initiatives such as the Stollery Women’s Network and Food for Thought Edmonton. Outside of work, Jennifer balances running a business and a family, while also supporting her husband, Sean, in his recent entrepreneurial journey. Together, they make a great team, enjoying travel, gardening, and staying active with their three young children.
Outside of work, Jennifer balances running a business and a family, while also supporting her husband, Sean, in his recent entrepreneurial journey. Together, they make a great team, enjoying travel, gardening, and staying active with their three young children.
Andras Marosi
Department of Finance
András Marosi is executive professor of finance at the University of Alberta and former associate dean, undergraduate programs. He received his PhD in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and MPhil in finance from the University of Cambridge.
Professor Marosi has taught introductory and elective corporate finance courses for several years to undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and Master of Financial Management students. He has won several teaching awards, including the MBA Association Award for Excellence in Teaching (2015 and 2016), the MBA MacKenzie Teaching Award (2014 and 2023), and the undergraduate Business Student Association MacKenzie Teaching Award (2004, 2018 and 2023).
Professor Marosi’s research has been published in the Journal of Finance and the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, and he received the Jean Perrien Award at the 2012 Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Conference. Professor Marosi was born in Hungary and is married, with one daughter. He is a passionate runner and cyclist.
Thursday, February 19
Gregory Mowbrey
Mowbrey Gil LLP
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 over 90 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 over 30 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.
Janine van Essen
Mowbrey Gil LLP
Janine van Essen joined Mowbrey Gil in 2024 as Manager, Business Development, bringing with her a dynamic mix of marketing, customer relations, event planning, and business management experience. At the firm, Janine plays a key role in building and strengthening relationships, spotting new opportunities, and connecting people in meaningful ways. A true believer in the power of networking, she’s always looking for creative ways to grow brand awareness and spark new conversations.
Mowbrey Gil’s strong focus on student training makes student recruitment an important part of Janine’s role—and one she’s especially passionate about. She enjoys working with her team to set students up for success as they explore their career paths and discover where their skills and interests can take them.
Outside the office, Janine stays busy with her two daughters and is a dedicated fan of “Girls Day,” making time for fun, connection, and creating memories whenever she can.
Jordyn McCullagh
Cenovus Energy
I am a dedicated Campus Talent Acquisition professional with a strong passion for finding top talent in the energy sector. At Cenovus Energy, I have helped a number of students and new grads kickstart their career. I’m passionate about opening doors for others, supporting diversity, and helping people grow in their careers.
Brandon is a Senior Business Analyst at AIMCo, specializing in financial operations and investment technology. With over 6 years of experience bridging finance and technology teams, he focuses on connecting people and ensuring technology solutions support how the business actually works. He has previously held roles at ATB Financial and Scotiabank.
He is a University of Alberta Alumnus, and this year marks his 3rd attendance at RMBS, having attended in 2017 and 2018 as a student delegate and VP External, respectively.
Now based in Calgary, Brandon spends his time enjoying the rockies through hiking, snowboarding, and golfing, and remains a loyal Oilers fan.
Erica Tosto
AIMCo
Erica is a dedicated Talent Acquisition Specialist supporting the Emerging Talent program at AIMCo. She’s passionate about making a meaningful impact on early career talent by fostering strong relationships with university partners, engaging with curious students, and collaborating with internal stakeholders. Erica is committed to building a diverse top talent pipeline of students and new graduates for AIMCo.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Commerce in HR Management from the University of Alberta. Since graduating, she has gained experience across various HR roles, ultimately finding her place in campus recruitment. She also holds a Certificate in International Learning, reflecting her enthusiasm for connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Outside of work, Erica enjoys long walks with her dog Link and exploring Edmonton’s food scene.
Brandon Vu-Pham
AIMCo
Marcus Ostrowerka
EPCOR
Marcus Ostrowerka is a seasoned business and legal leader having spent the past 8 years in a variety of legal, operational, and corporate development roles at EPCOR Utilities. Prior to that, Marcus worked in private practice with two national law firms in Calgary and Vancouver before moving home to Edmonton to work at EPCOR. Presently, Marcus is Senior Manager of Business Development and Investment, where he focuses on opportunities to grow EPCOR through project development or acquisition across North America, helping position the company for long-term success.
Outside of work, Marcus is a devoted husband, proud father to two young boys, an avid golfer and die-hard Oilers fan. He is an RMBS alum (delegate 2007, Executive 2008) and is a graduate of the University of Alberta School of Business (2008) and Faculty of Law (2012).
Michael Chien
AltaML
Erika Navarra
AltaML
Michael is a Talent Acquisition Partner at AltaML, specializing in recruiting emerging and experienced talent for roles across the applied AI space. With 3+ years in talent acquisition—and academic foundations in HR, general management, and sociology—he brings a people-first approach to helping teams grow.
Before moving into HR, Michael spent over a decade in customer service and retail leadership. Those years taught him the value of communication, adaptability, and relationship-building, skills that continue to shape how he collaborates with candidates and teams today.
Michael loves connecting with people who are curious, ambitious, and eager to grow. Whether it’s discussing career paths, AI talent trends, or how to stand out in competitive hiring markets, he’s always excited to share knowledge and learn from others.
Erika is a People Coordinator at AltaML, where she supports the organization’s talent and culture initiatives. With a career built on an Alberta School of Business foundation and over a decade of experience in marketing, advertising, and account management, she brings a strategic, people-first lens to organizational health and employee experience.
Before transitioning into people and culture, Erika was embedded in Edmonton’s marketing scene, beginning her career at Poppy Barley before moving to the agency world at ZGM, Western Canada’s largest independent agency. Those years taught her that the most impactful work comes from collaboration, clear communication, and a deep understanding of brand purpose—skills she now uses to foster a thriving internal community at AltaML.
Erika loves connecting with students who are navigating their own career pivots or entering the tech ecosystem. Whether it’s discussing her transition from marketing to HR or how to build an authentic, values-driven career, she is always excited to share insights and support the next generation of leaders.
Said El Imadi
Ndax
Tarek Rafih
Ndax
Said El-Imadi is Ndax’s HR Manager in Calgary. His HR journey spans Canada and the Middle East, with experience across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon. Before moving to Canada six months ago, he worked in Dubai as an HR Manager at Prosperity Insurance Brokerage supporting teams across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and as an HR Generalist at Supy. He also spent time in Riyadh as an HR Officer at Arabian Construction Company.
Outside work, he is into movies, games, series, and anime, and his favorite role is being a dad to his two daughters. Weekends are for family outings and discovering new places. Fun fact: he is a serious foodie and is always hunting for the best niche eats in Calgary.
Tarek Rafih is a Quality Assurance Engineer with over three years of experience in the field. He graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Business Analytics in December 2024. He began his career at Ndax as an intern in January 2025 and has recently transitioned to a full-time position, focusing on delivering high-quality, reliable products. Alongside ensuring quality for the website and mobile application, he places a strong emphasis on user experience, guaranteeing features not only work well, but make sense to all demographics.
He is passionate about cryptocurrencies, technology, and video games, which sparked his early interest in how software systems work, break, and improve. He enjoys connecting with others through shared interests in tech and gaming and is always curious to hear what your favorite game is.
