2025 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.

Brooke Rose - University of Alberta

Breakout - Tuesday

Brooke Rose (she/her) is a self-professed charity nerd with more than 15 years of working in healthcare philanthropy. With a Bachelor of Commerce from the UofA, a Masters degree in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Carleton University, and a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation, Brooke has dedicated a career to funding medical innovations, research and new treatments that have saved lives around the world. She has raised more than $40 million working for charities in Canada and Australia and looks forward to speaking with RMBS delegates on building a career with purpose. When not raising funds and meeting with donors in the community, Brooke can be found championing EDII at the University of Alberta, on stage doing improv in the city or sneaking in another trip overseas.

Puneeta McBryan - Edmonton Downtown Business Association

Breakout - Tuesday

Puneeta McBryan is the CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, a role she took on in December of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as cities, downtowns and businesses all over the world grappled with the devastating impact of the pandemic and the unknown reality ahead. As the lead convener, connector, and ‘chief optimist’ for Edmonton’s Downtown, Puneeta is working with all three orders of government, the private sector, the arts & cultural and post-secondary sectors, and her city’s social services and nonprofit leaders to help build vibrancy, social well-being, and economic prosperity for her community.

This work has led to her recognition as the Inspired Leader of the Year in 2022 by IABC Edmonton, one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine in 2021, and the recipient of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Community Impact Award. Puneeta also serves on the Board of Directors for Health Cities, sits on the Norquest Workforce Advisory Council, and often volunteers her time to work with business students at the University of Alberta School of Business.

Previously, Puneeta was an industry leader in the field of marketing and communications, most recently as the Director of Client Services at ZGM Modern Marketing Partners, Western Canada’s largest independently owned full-service advertising agency.

Marc Blais - Alberta Motor Association

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Marc is a Marketing Team Lead at the Alberta Motor Association (AMA), where he specializes in strategic planning and driving innovative marketing initiatives that connect with Albertans. Marc’s journey began in the exciting world of cannabis marketing, before he moved to Montreal to take on the role of Marketing Manager at L'Oréal. After gaining valuable experience in Montreal, he returned to Edmonton and joined AMA, where he now leads a talented team in shaping the organization’s marketing strategy.

This will be Marc's sixth time at the Rocky Mountain Business Seminar, where he’s excited to share insights from his dynamic career path. Outside of work, Marc is a passionate Edmonton Oilers fan, a golf enthusiast, and an avid DJ who loves to spin tunes when he's not leading marketing strategies.

Julia Liosis - Alberta Motor Association

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Julia is a Marketing Team Lead at the Alberta Motor Association (AMA). She enjoys developing and executing innovative marketing strategies that drive brand awareness and customer engagement, with a focus on customer journey mapping and segmentation. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce at MacEwan University, she worked at Oilers Entertainment Group leading the organization's youth literacy program. At AMA, Julia has specialized in developing marketing strategies for Travel and Insurance, and now collaborates with a team of marketers on AMA's member rewards program. Outside of work, Julia can be found volunteering for SAFE Team, an Edmonton-based cat rescue, or trying new creative endeavours like pottery.

Erin Schwartz - CPA Education Foundation

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Erin is the Director of the CPA Education Foundation, where she oversees scholarship and grant administration, sponsorships (like sponsoring RMBS!), Foundation events, and the Hesje CPA Knowledge Centre. Erin is an alumni of the University of Alberta, and attended RMBS when she attended the Alberta School of Business. When not working, Erin is typically spending time with her family. She’s either entrenched in chaos with two toddlers at home, renovating a dollhouse with her niece, or binge watching the latest comedies. Erin is a people-first leader who has a passion for lifelong learning, DEIA, and community building.

Antonia Stiuca - Facultas Professional Corporation

Breakout - Thursday Morning

Antonia is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over a decade of experience in financial strategy, budgeting, taxation and corporate reporting across diverse industries, including academia, non-profit, public practice, construction, and transportation. She holds a Master of Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Accounting.

Beyond her corporate finance expertise, Antonia is a dedicated educator, serving as a sessional instructor at post-secondary institutions such as MacEwan, University of Saskatchewan and NAIT. Passionate about bridging the gap between theory and practice, she helps students develop critical thinking skills that drive real-world decision-making.

She is also the founder and owner of Facultas Professional Corporation, an accounting firm dedicated to empowering clients by handling their accounting needs, allowing them to focus on their passions.

Jennifer Bergman - Jennifer Bergman Weddings & Events

Breakout - Thursday Morning

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.

Angelo Talamayan - MNP LLP

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

Angelo Talamayan is the Alberta Provincial Leader for MNP’s Technology & Innovation group. With a team of 9,000 professionals across over 150 offices nationwide, MNP is one of Canada’s top professional services firms.

Angelo brings a wealth of experience working with innovative companies across a variety of sectors, including AI & Machine Learning, Life Sciences, Robotics, FinTech, Gaming, and Software Development. Leading a team of 30 specialists, he has supported companies at every stage of their journey—from startups to exits—helping them tackle challenges in areas like capital raising, accounting and tax, people and culture, government grants, business growth, international expansion, and strategic exit planning.

An active leader in Alberta’s tech and innovation ecosystem, Angelo has forged partnerships with organizations such as Alberta IoT, Startup TNT, TresholdImpact Venture Mentorship Service, Rainforest Alberta, Edmonton Unlimited, Halo Health, Banff Venture Forum, the Venture Capital Association of Alberta, and the Canadian Blockchain Consortium. Under his leadership, MNP was honoured with the inaugural YEG Startup Community Awards.

Angelo is also passionate about education. He has pursued studies at the University of Alberta, Vienna University of Economics and Business, and Harvard University. He has been invited as a guest lecturer at the University of Alberta School of Business and served as a Board Director for the University of Alberta Business Alumni Association from 2017 to 2020. Angelo is a three-time attendee of RMBS and served as the VP of Public Relations in 2009.

Outside of his professional life, Angelo is an avid traveler and adventurer, having visited nearly 40 countries and lived on three continents. A proud father of two, he remains deeply connected to the RMBS alumni community.

Gregory Mowbrey - Mowbrey Gil LLP

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

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 80 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 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.

Robb Sombach - Alberta School of Business

Breakout - Thursday Afternoon

Robb is a technology enthusiast who has experienced the evolution of the Internet from a first-person perspective. He is fascinated by technology and data and their impacts on the world today.

With over 25 years of work experience as an Information Technology Professional, Robb has held many roles during his career in both the private and public sectors. Those roles include IT Director, Security and Network Administrator, Systems Analyst, Business Analyst and Software Engineer.

Robb has always had a passion for teaching, and in 2008, turned that passion into a reality. Robb is currently an Associate Executive Professor in the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta, where teaches courses in Business Technology Management and General Business.

In the offseason, Robb likes to spend time with his family, travel, read, play video games, and let his dog take him for walks.