Calgary is such a bustling busy city, it’s no wonder we are home to a ton of amazing companies. We love supporting local, and to take that support one step further is to support the individuals who are running these unique companies. We bet you didn’t know that these local businesses have MBA grads leading them. Well, it’s true! And it’s all thanks to our friends over at UCalgary’s Haskayne School of Business. Haskayne’s graduates are making a huge impact in our community, leading some seriously cool companies and initiatives. Check them out and hey if you’re inspired, consider getting your MBA at Haskayne!
Fast and Female
Chandra Crawford, a 2016 Haskayne MBA graduate, is the founder of Fast and Female, a non-profit organization that focuses on keeping teen girls healthy, happy and active in sports. Not only is she an Olympic Gold Medalist but she’s also an awesome businesswoman with an inspiring mission. Now, this is something we back 110%.
Village Brewery
Another well-known local brand that graces our refrigerators and coolers on sunny weekends is Village Brewery. Alongside Village Brewery’s founders, Director and Haskayne MBA grad Stefan Horsky helps drive the success of the Calgary-based brewery. Their mission focuses on supporting the arts, music and wellness and Village gives 10% of their bottom line back into supporting the community. Thanks to Stefan and the Village crew we can enjoy delicious, locally-made beverages all while supporting great causes!
Hope Cleaning
2021 MBA grad Jesse Ward and his wife Rachel founded Hope Cleaning as a way to give back to the community. Hope Cleaning offers commercial and residential cleaning services as a primary service but the ultimate goal is to provide meaningful employment for single moms, new immigrants, women escaping violence and exploitation, students and recent graduates. This type of employer is #1 in our books and to think of how many lives Hope Cleaning is changing is truly heartwarming.
The Paddle Station
We can’t think of anything more Calgarian than floating down the Bow in the summer. Well, maybe floating down the Bow in a Paddle Station raft or kayak… that probably takes the cake! And that’s what Chief Storytelling Officer AKA founder Ravi Thaker’s mission has been from the start: to make our treasured summer activity more accessible. He’s a 2018 MBA graduate and saw the need for Calgarians to set afloat without all the hassle. Summer adventures are a lot easier and more enjoyable with The Paddle Station!
Leftovers Foundation
Leftovers Foundation is one of Western Canada’s largest food rescue charities with a dual mission of reducing food waste and increasing food access through community mobilization. Audra Stevenson, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Strategy, holds her MBA close to her heart, as she and her team fight to keep edible food out of landfills and redirect it into the hands of those who need it most. This is such a great cause and it’s so nice to see this MBA grad focusing her efforts in all the right ways.
The Beach YYC
Next is Elliot Weinstein, who we have to thank for providing us with Calgary’s first and only indoor beach volleyball facility, The Beach YYC. As a 2011 MBA graduate, Elliot recognized the need for Calgarians to experience something a little foreign to us: SAND! We will take any opportunity to sink our toes in, especially in the dead of winter.
UNDRCARD Boxing
When you think about strong positive female leadership, it’s hard not to think about people like Amanda Hehr. Amanda got her MBA in 2014 and since launched UNDRCARD Boxing Studio along with 2 other incredible women. Driven by music; it’s a different kind of beat box. UNDRCARD classes merge cardio, real boxing technique and strength training. If this doesn’t get you pumped up, we’re not sure what will!
Aura Inner Beauty
Avalon Lukacs broke free from the corporate world and used her MBA to build on her passion for helping people. Through the power of probiotics, adaptogens and collagen, Aura Inner Beauty products help heal skin from within. No matter what someone is going through, or what stage of life they’re in Avalon aims to empower herself and others through their inner beauty.
MALOU Clothing
Audrey Taylor, 2018 MBA graduate, is the Co-Founder of MALOU Clothing. Audrey supports her community through sustainable business practices and empowers women to look and feel like their best selves. Together with Co-Founder Angela Tulio, they believe that women should feel comfortable and beautiful no matter what they wear. What an amazing message and mission!
TransRockies Race Series
Aaron McConnell is the President of North America’s premier Cycling, Trail Running and Mountain Biking race series, the TransRockies Race Series. Leading the TransRockies team since 2004 and completing his MBA in 2005 really shows that you can pursue your dream job and get your MBA at the same time. In 2007, he founded the TransRockies Run and in 2011, he expanded the TransRockies Race Series to multiple events making it the great success that it has become today.
Wow, this is a pretty impressive list of cool local companies and we couldn’t be more proud to call all these business superheroes our neighbours! Haskayne’s MBA program is currently accepting applications for Fall 2021, so why not elevate yourself and be the best business mogul you can be?!
