BAA Annual Dinner

November 16, 2011 

This year’s 23rd Annual Business Alumni Dinner was held at the Westin Hotel in Edmonton. Over (number) alumni and friends gathered to mingle and network over a delicious dinner and dynamic panel discussion – “Edmonton’s Balancing Act: Finding the Good in Growth”. The highlight of the evening was the panel discussion, facilitated by Joseph Doucet, Enbridge Professor of Energy Policy. The vibrant women panelists: Kim Krushell, City Edmonton Councilor, Anne Smith, President & CEO of United Way Alberta Capital Region, and Gail Stepanik-Keber, ’90 BCom, Chief Marketing Officer at Servus, all provided insights on the challenges of dealing with a cyclical environment. With such diverse backgrounds represented, a major topic was the ability to bring different sectors together to manage the growth taking place.

      BAA Dinner

 Panelists Kim Krushell, Anne Smith, Gail Stepanik-Keber, with Dinner Chair Charlene Butler and Interim Dean Joseph Doucet

                                                 Thank You

Alumni Profile

Gail Stepanik-Keber

Gail Stepanik-KeberGail began her Servus career in 1998, and as Chief Marketing Officer, she oversees their commitment to community impact. In addition to her BCom, she also completed her Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University in 2007 with a thesis in corporate environmentalism. Serving on numerous boards in the city, she also adds her passion for building a sustainable community to her role on the Canadian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility Advisory Board at the Alberta School of Business.

 

 

 

Her thoughts on ‘Finding the Good in Growth’:

  • Managing people properly is essential to building a workforce that can be retained during booms and busts.
  • Organizations can’t stop spending during a decline – it is the perfect time to access productivity and work smarter.
  • Building socially responsible succession plans start with strategy at the level of governance that goes far beyond, and far longer than the current management team.
  • Connection and alignment with stakeholders, and fostering a passion for what you do is key to keeping relationships when times are difficult.
  • Banks are now regulated to create social responsibility reports, and holistic thinking is becoming far more important.
 

Past BAA Annual Dinner Speakers

November 2, 2010
Gerry Protti
Chairman, Flint Transfield Services

November 17, 2009
John Ferguson
Chairman of the Board, Suncor Energy

November 20, 2008
Dave Collyer
President, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

October 10, 2007
Fred Singer and Jordan Singer
Henry Singer Fashion Group

November 22, 2006
Eveline Charles
President & CEO
Eveline Charles Salons & Spas

November 3, 2005
Dr. Jacqueline Shan
President, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer
CV Technologies

October 14, 2004
Dr. Greg Zeschuk and Dr. Ray Muzyka
Joint CEOs, BioWare Corp.
Co-Chairmen, CodeBaby Corp.

November 6, 2003
Patrick LaForge
President and CEO, Edmonton Oilers

October 24th, 2002
David O’Brien
Chairman, EnCana Corporation

October 25, 2001
Philippe and Nan-b de Gaspé Beaubien
Telemedia Inc and Business Families Foundation

October 19, 2000
Barbara Stymiest
President & CEO, Toronto Stock Exchange

 		 October 14, 1999
Don Lowry
President & CEO, EPCOR

October 8, 1998
Peter Lougheed
Premier of Alberta 1971 – 1985

October 2, 1997
Linda Crompton
President & CEO, Citizens Bank of Canada

September 19, 1996
Eric Newell
Chairman, President & CEO, Syncrude Canada

September 28, 1995
Joe Clark
Former Prime Minister of Canada

September 22, 1994
Hugh Bolton
Past Chairman, Coopers & Lybrand

April 15, 1993
K. Michael Edwards
President, Richardson Greenshields
Former Chairman, Toronto Stock Exchange

May 14, 1992
Jack MacLeod
President & CEO, Shell Canada

May 30, 1991
Gordon Thiessen
Senior Deputy Governor, Bank of Canada

April 26, 1990
Ross Walker
Chairman and CEO, Peat Marwick Thorne

April 27, 1989
Paul Davenport
President-Elect, University of Alberta