EdUp Canada

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster talks Brooke Roberts in a discussion that explores the trajectory of skills development across various careers, highlighting the universal importance of skills regardless of the professional path chosen. Brooke shares her unique journey, from leveraging insurance money from a farm accident to explore Europe, to navigating the challenging job market with an international education background, eventually leading to her embrace of the digital nomad lifestyle and solopreneurship. Throughout their conversation, they dive into the significance of personal branding, the impact of mentors, and the flexibility in career development, shedding light on the value of trades alongside traditional academic degrees. The exchange offers insights into adapting to the evolving job landscape, the benefits of strategic job applications, and how unconventional experiences can enrich personal and professional growth. 

00:00 Welcome to EdUp Canada: Unpacking Success Stories 

00:51 A Serendipitous Meeting and the Power of Connections 

02:40 Brooke Roberts: A Journey from Kansas to Global Entrepreneur 

05:20 Mastering the Job Application: From 75 to 7 

09:17 Skills for Success: What Makes You Stand Out 

13:21 The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Embracing Remote Work and Travel 

18:16 Redefining Career Paths: The Value of Trades and In-Demand Skills 

21:09 Surprising Skills in Unexpected Fields 

22:06 The Value of Skilled Trades and Education Paths 

23:13 Personal Stories of Success and the Importance of Agility 

24:17 Addressing the Need for Skilled Workers in Canada 

26:26 The Power of Personal Branding and Authority 

28:53 The Impact of Mentors and Learning from Failure 

33:16 Celebrating 20 Episodes and the Journey Ahead 

Bio: Brooke Roberts (she/her) currently serves as Director of Partner Marketing at Podium Education, an edtech company aimed at supercharging the undergraduate degree through career-tethered, digital experiential programs. She has over 20 years of professional experience in international & higher education and is the founder of Inside Study Abroad, the premiere career development and training platform for aspiring global educators. Formerly, she was Director of International Education at Johnson County Community College, Senior Vice President of GoAbroad, Director of Operations & Advising for Global Educators/CISabroad, and founding director of global learning at the University of South Dakota. Beyond her work in global education, she’s the creator and host of two video podcasts Solopreneur Labs (where she shares strategies and stories on building a one-person digital business) and The Travel Confessions (where she spills all her secrets of building a career and life of travel). Brooke has lived, worked, and traveled to 59 countries on six continents including several multi-month journeys as a digital nomad living in a new country each month. You can connect with her on Instagram as @thenewdorothy or say hi on LinkedIn. 
 

Read the full transcript here  

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster speaks with Nadine Baladi about the critical role language plays in education and career success. Nadine, a seasoned professional in language and career education and a member of the National Association of Career Colleges' board of directors, shares her rich family history of international education and multilingualism, underscoring the emotional intelligence and cultural understanding that comes from learning a second or third language. They discuss the overlooked emphasis on language in education, particularly in ESL programs, and explore how career colleges and language academies can better support international students in Canada amidst a crisis of identity and communication within the sector. Nadine highlights the transformative power of education for growth and the importance of placements in career colleges for students' success. The episode also touches on the critical role of support services and personalized guidance for students in navigating their educational paths, emphasizing Nadine's passion for the sector's potential for continuous growth and learning.  

Read the full transcript here

Bio:  Nadine Baladi is Senior Vice President at Oxford International Education Group, a global higher education organization that is headquartered in the UK. In her role, Nadine drives strategy, growth, innovation and execution for Oxford International’s Canadian Career Colleges, English Language, Juniors, and IELTS testing. Nadine started her career teaching overseas as an ESL instructor and has spent over 20 years in senior roles in the international education and the higher education spaces, both in Canada and in the USA. Nadine sits on the board of the National Association of Career Colleges in Canada, and on the board of Career Colleges Ontario, and has served on various ESL Accreditation Commissions in the USA, including CEA and ACCET. Nadine has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from McGiIll University and the University of Toronto. 

In this episode, Michael speaks with Kimberly Hanson, CEO of Health Partners. Kimberley sheds light on the role of training, skills, and philanthropy in creating lasting careers. They delve into strategies for collaboration between employers and health charities, aiming to create healthier workplaces while fostering community resilience and well-being. Additionally, Kimberley underlines the importance of having clear intentions, being adaptable, and cultivating personal values in an ever-evolving workplace. The significance of philanthropy in personal and career development is also examined. 

01:41 Kimberly's Journey to Health Partners 

03:22 The Role of Health Partners in Supporting Health Charities 

05:18 The Importance of Workplace Giving Campaigns 

07:36 The Impact of Health Charities in Canada 

08:46 The Importance of Skills and Mentorship 

13:25 The Role of Volunteering and Philanthropy in Skill Development 

15:03 The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign 

17:17 The Role of Career Education in the Healthcare Sector 

25:44 The Power of Mentorship 

About Kimberley:  

Kimberley Hanson assumed the role of HealthPartners Chief Executive Officer in February 2023. She is a seasoned executive with deep experience in the health charity sector in Canada having worked as a strategic advisor to many organizations in the health and chronic disease community as Vice President at Hill+Knowlton Strategies and as Executive Director of Advocacy at Diabetes Canada. Prior to that, Kimberley held various senior management positions in crown corporations including Payments Canada and Export Development Canada. Kimberley is a fully bilingual, experienced spokesperson and public speaker who holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa. As a passionate volunteer and community member, she and her family have raised more than $1 million for local charities. 

Read the full transcript here

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster talks with Joe Leonhardt, a 25-year veteran in higher education, about skills, education, and leadership. Joe and Michael talk about how the restaurant business will teach you a lot about leadership. Joe emphasizes digital marketing skills and shares the importance of effective communication in leadership. He also expresses his passion for career education, specifically within the trades. Joe tells the inspiring story of his first student who, against all odds, found a path to success through higher education. The podcast concludes with Joe discussing the importance of encouraging and mentoring young leaders, as he sees a gap in this sector in today's world. 

00:44 Guest Introduction: Joseph Leonhardt 

01:20 The Importance of Digital Skills in Today's World 

01:57 Exploring the Career Education Sector 

03:06 Personal Experiences and Passion for the Sector 

03:15 The Impact of Career Education on Families 

04:20 Discussion on International Students and Enrollment 

05:07 The Value Proposition of Career Colleges 

13:08 The Role of Mentoring and Leadership in Career Education 

16:07 The Importance of Communication in Leadership 

18:37 Learning from Failures and Overcoming Challenges 

22:55 The Power of Mentoring and Influence in Leadership 

29:32 Closing Thoughts and Reflections 

Read the full transcript here

Bio: Joe Leonhardt is a 26-year veteran of career and higher education largely in enrollment management and campus operations executive roles. A lifelong student of leadership, today Joe teaches leadership as adjunct faculty in the MBA program at the University of Arizona Global Campus. He also serves as a Senior Account Executive at Advance 360 Education, a higher education digital marketing company. Finally, Joe has served as a college consultant and is currently an active board member for multiple organizations. 

Leonhardt earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business from Indiana Wesleyan University and has received multiple leadership performance awards throughout his career. 

Joe has been married to Melodie for 32 years, lives in Castle Rock, CO. and has two adult children. Joe is also a published author and podcaster. 

On this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, hosted by Michael Sangster, explores the transformative role of skills and training in shaping successful careers. The episode features Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes reflecting on Canada's educational sector. Hughes and Sangster discuss  

The conversation also covers the concept of relentless welcome, diversity in student populations, ensuring truth in advertising for international students, and the potential damage to the reputations of educational institutions. Hughes shares her career journey and her greatest mentor, emphasizing the impact tutors can have on student lives. They both remain optimistic about the education sector's future despite the difficulties faced. 

01:26 Discussion on International Student Program Changes 

01:43 Exploring Strengths and Weaknesses of the Education Sector 

02:10 Transforming Higher Education 

02:18 Impact of Government's Announcements on Education 

04:11 Challenges and Opportunities in the Education Sector 

04:45 Importance of Academic Integrity 

05:24 Preparing Students for the Future 

06:31 Addressing Mental Stress in Education 

07:33 Innovations in Learning Spaces and Pedagogies 

08:23 Challenges and Opportunities in the Education Sector 

08:54 Investments in Education and Technology 

09:39 Addressing Truth in Advertising in Education 

10:01 Reputation and Integrity in the Education Sector 

13:57 Personal Career Path and Mentorship 

17:33 Reputational Issues in Post-Secondary Education 

23:02 Toronto Film School: A Case Study 

31:14 Closing Remarks and Future Directions 

Bio: Yorkville University’s Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, PhD, is a globally recognized academic innovator who is passionate about the transformational power of post-secondary education to change lives and improve society. As President and Vice Chancellor of Canada’s largest private university, she has played a pivotal role in committing Yorkville to mentoring the next generation of ethical, highly skilled and socially conscious business leaders, psychotherapists, educators, and creative storytellers and designers. Under Dr. Christensen Hughes’s visionary leadership, Yorkville – which boasts campuses in Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON, and Fredericton, NB – has become a hub for innovative approaches to accessible education, with distinctive capabilities in the creation of an exceptional student experience, high-demand and career-relevant programs, leading student recruitment, and high-quality faculty. 

Dr. Christensen Hughes’s published work includes the co-edited books Academic Integrity in Canada: An Enduring and Essential Challenge (2022); Taking Stock 2.0: Transforming Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2022); Taking Stock: Research on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2010); and Curriculum Development in Higher Education: Faculty-Driven Processes and Practices (2007). Her most recent journal articles have focused on the need to better align university rankings and faculty research with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

In this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster is joined by special guest Nik Nanos, the Chief Data Scientist with Nanos Research. They discuss the evolving needs of the labour market, the importance of seeing oneself as a lifelong learner, and the role of international students in Canada's prosperity. The conversation also covers the vital role that post-secondary education institutions play in society. 

01:50 The Journey of Starting a Company 

03:02 The Challenges and Rewards of Family Business 

03:37 The Importance of Lifelong Learning 

10:29 The Role of International Students in Canada's Labor Market 

15:39 The Value of Admitting What You Don't Know 

17:43 The Art of Disagreement and Decision Making 

18:11 The Importance of Challenging Ideas and Creating Safe Spaces 

19:47 The Power of Networking and Learning from Others 

25:52 The Value of Post-Secondary Education and Skilled Trades 

28:17 The Role of Politicians and Public Service 

32:13 Closing Thoughts and Reflections 

Read the full transcript here

Bio for Nik Nanos 

Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research 

In 1987, Nanos founded the firm which does research in Canada and around world. He leads the team behind the weekly Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index, a must-have resource for senior executives, and is featured in a weekly segment on CTV’s News 

Channel, Nanos on the Numbers, which explores the latest political, business, and social trends. Nanos’ analysis has also been featured in most major news organizations, including Bloomberg News, the Globe and Mail, CTV News, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and The Guardian. 

The author of The Age of Voter Rage which unpacks populist politics in the United States, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, he is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail. His monthly Data Dive analysis explores the latest social, economic, demographic and political trends. 

In addition, he is a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC; chair of Atlantik Brücke Canada, a non-profit focused on advancing Canada- Germany relations; a Fellow at the Canadian Research and Insights Council and the Royal Canadian Geographic Society; and one of 20 honorary captains in the Royal Canadian Navy. 

He is also the Past Chair of Carleton University. 

He is a graduate of Queen’s University with degrees in history, political studies and an MBA. In 2023, Nik was appointed a member of the Order of Canada. 

On the EdUp Canada Podcast, host Michael Sangster interviews policy wonk Mike Moffatt, expert in housing and community issues.

They discuss how the growth of international students at certain institutions has had significant impacts on local housing markets and communities.

Moffat emphasizes that the students themselves are not creating the issues, but that it stems from policy and planning oversights. Moffat shares his views in light of recent changes, welcoming policy interventions from the federal government and suggesting a more place-based approach.

He is optimistic about the new strategies being implemented to address the challenges. Moffatt also emphasizes the value of mentorship and how his personal life experiences have influenced his professional journey.

00:00 Introduction to the EdUp Canada Podcast

01:52 Meet Mike Moffatt: Economist, Policy Wonk, and Housing Expert

12:37 The Role of International Students in Canada's Housing Crisis

21:23 The Need for Better Planning and Policy in Housing

27:58 Mentoring Moments

View the full transcript here:

Bio: Mike is the Founding Director of the PLACE Centre. Mike’s research focuses on the intersection of regional economic development, building child-friendly, climate-friendly housing and communities, and clean innovation. In 2017, Mike was the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. 

An organization doesn't make it to be over 100 years old by being mediocre.  

And that's certainly true for career colleges across Canada.  

That's why Victor Tesan is on the show today. On this episode, we'll unpack 

* How they started radio in British Columbia  

* How career colleges are always adapting to the needs of today 

* All the hoops they *actually* jump through (it's more than you think) 

And much more on this episode of the EdUp Canada podcast 

⁠Read the full transcript here⁠ 

Victor Tesan, President of Sprott Shaw College, is a strategic and operational leader with 30 years of experience in the education sector. Victor has held the position of President for some of the largest regulated career college providers in the country and is also the current Chair of the National Association of Career Colleges.  He has held leadership and executive roles in numerous other sector groups and community associations such as the British Columbia Career College Association, Famee Furlane of Vancouver, and the Burnaby District Youth Soccer Association. Victor remains both a coach and community volunteer to this day.  

A graduate of both the public and private educational system in British Columbia, Victor has a proven history of building successful and sustainable organizations where culture, values, and community engagement are at the forefront. 

* Please note that this episode was recorded before the Minister of Immigration's January 22nd announcements*

In part two of our special 'Back to Parliament' episode, Ginny Roth, Kathleen Monk and Marlene Floyd unpack what career education institutions can expect in this round of Parliament, how career education fits into the different party's agendas and how immigration announcements could affect institutions.

Read the full transcript here

Bio for Kathleen Monk  

Kathleen Monk is a seasoned strategist and a veteran of numerous federal and provincial political campaigns. She served as director of communications to the late Jack Layton, serving as spokesperson and war-room director for the historic 2011 federal campaign. An award-winning communicator Kathleen has directed campaigns recognized internationally for their advertising and media relations. This included a prestigious Campaign & Elections Reed Award in 2020, a Platinum MarCom award in 2019 and an International Golden Quill award in 2020. Now President of Monk + Associates, Kathleen works with business and civic leaders to build strategies to secure public affairs victories.  Before entering her career in politics, Kathleen worked in newsrooms in Toronto, Ottawa, and Washington, D.C.  

Kathleen is an active board member of CIVIX, a non-partisan charity dedicated to building engaged citizenship among young Canadians, and a member of the Advisory Council of the Canadian Institute for Global Affairs. She holds an MSc in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics.  

Bio for Ginny Roth  

Ginny Roth is a Partner at Crestview Strategy based in Toronto.  

Ginny serves as the agency of record for many of the largest food and beverage, consumer-packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, and extractive industries in the world. Advising multinational corporations, domestic companies, and non-profits on government relations in Canada, she is a sought-after political commentator.   

Appearing as a frequent panelist on major television and radio outlets, Ginny is also a contributor to The Hub and National Post. Ginny was the recipient of The Peak’s 2021 Emerging Leaders award. Prior to joining the Crestview Strategy team, Ginny worked at Queen’s Park as an organizer for the Progressive  

Conservative Party of Ontario and has been a lifelong political activist. Ginny brings experience as a former staffer and political campaigner, managing a team of professionals serving clients in every jurisdiction in Canada.  

Ginny holds a Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Contemporary Studies from the University of King’s College in Nova Scotia.  

Bio for Marlene Floyd  

Marlene Floyd is one of Canada’s leading government affairs professionals with over 20 years working in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. mMarlene was responsible for the execution of national stakeholder engagement and outreach campaigns while serving as the Director of Operations and Outreach to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau in the lead up to the 2015 federal election. Marlene has previously worked as a partner in a government and public affairs firm and has served as an advisor to Prime Ministers and several federal Ministers on a diverse range of public policy matters. An avid volunteer, Marlene sits on and Chairs several national and community boards and is the founder of Dress for Success Ottawa. For her career and community achievements, Marlene has been a recipient of a Forty Under 40 award, Y Women of Distinction award and a Leading Women Building Communities award from the province of Ontario. 

On this special 'back to Parliament' episode of EdUp Canada Michael is joined by Kathleen Monk, Marlene Floyd and Ginny Roth. Each of them brings a wealth of political, communications and government relations to the table. In this part 1 episode, they explore

* Why 'not being a jerk' is an important skill

* What skills are in high demand in this labour market

* How if you need to explain something in more than 5 slides you've lost them

* Which mentors have mattered most in their lives and careers

And much more

This is a part one of two episode

Read the full transcript here

Bio for Kathleen Monk 

Kathleen Monk is a seasoned strategist and a veteran of numerous federal and provincial political campaigns. She served as director of communications to the late Jack Layton, serving as spokesperson and war-room director for the historic 2011 federal campaign. An award-winning communicator Kathleen has directed campaigns recognized internationally for their advertising and media relations. This included a prestigious Campaign & Elections Reed Award in 2020, a Platinum MarCom award in 2019 and an International Golden Quill award in 2020. Now President of Monk + Associates, Kathleen works with business and civic leaders to build strategies to secure public affairs victories.  Before entering her career in politics, Kathleen worked in newsrooms in Toronto, Ottawa, and Washington, D.C. 

Kathleen is an active board member of CIVIX, a non-partisan charity dedicated to building engaged citizenship among young Canadians, and a member of the Advisory Council of the Canadian Institute for Global Affairs. She holds an MSc in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics. 

Bio for Ginny Roth 

Ginny Roth is a Partner at Crestview Strategy based in Toronto. 

Ginny serves as the agency of record for many of the largest food and beverage, consumer-packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, and extractive industries in the world. Advising multinational corporations, domestic companies,and non-profits on government relations in Canada, she is a sought-after political commentator.  

Appearing as a frequent panelist on major television and radio outlets, Ginny is also a contributor to The Hub and National Post. Ginny was the recipient of The Peak’s 2021 Emerging Leaders award. Prior to joining the Crestview Strategy team, Ginny worked at Queen’s Park as an organizer for the Progressive 

Conservative Party of Ontario and has been a lifelong political activist. Ginny brings experience as a former staffer and political campaigner, managing a team of professionals serving clients in every jurisdiction in Canada. 

Ginny holds a Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Contemporary Studies from the University of King’s College in Nova Scotia. 

Bio for Marlene Floyd 

Marlene Floyd is one of Canada’s leading government affairs professionals with over 20 years working in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. mMarlene was responsible for the execution of national stakeholder engagement and outreach campaigns while serving as the Director of Operations and Outreach to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau in the lead up to the 2015 federal election. Marlene has previously worked as a partner in a government and public affairs firm and has served as an advisor to Prime Ministers and several federal Ministers on a diverse range of public policy matters. An avid volunteer, Marlene sits on and Chairs several national and community boards and is the founder of Dress for Success Ottawa. For her career and community achievements Marlene has been a recipient of a Forty Under 40 award, Y Women of Distinction award and a Leading Women Building Communities award from the province of Ontario.