Ingenious Thinkers

Farrell Calabrese believes that sustainability is no longer a department — it’s a mindset that belongs at the very centre of strategy. As the Founder of FMC Impact, she’s spent her career helping leaders design businesses that grow through purpose, not around it.

In this episode, Farrell shares how systems thinking and human-centred leadership can help organizations move beyond performative sustainability and build cultures that create lasting value — for people, for the planet, and for profit. Her insights challenge conventional notions of growth and remind us that when values and business align, real transformation begins.

John McCabe, Senior Design Manager for Watsonx at IBM, joins Ingenious Thinkers for a conversation on leadership, design, and the future of AI. John shares how his success has come from looking at problems differently than the rest of the market — blending creativity, technology, and human-centered design to create transformative experiences. Discover how he leads global teams, pushes boundaries in design, and redefines what’s possible in the world of artificial intelligence.

Jeff York, CEO of Altea Active, joins Ingenious Thinkers for an in-depth conversation on what it takes to build one of Canada’s most dynamic wellness brands. From his background in economics at Princeton to leading the launch of AVANT Yorkville, Jeff shares how Altea Active is creating communities where people feel supported, motivated, and inspired to thrive. This episode explores leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of wellness in modern life.

On this episode of Ingenious Thinkers, we’re joined by Nouhaila Chekouli, an inspiring leader and the founder of Scale Without Borders. Nouhaila’s work has become a lifeline for immigrant and international student entrepreneurs who want to build careers and companies in Canada’s fast-moving startup and tech space.

Her journey is one of resilience, determination, and vision. Coming to Canada as an international student herself, Nouhaila experienced firsthand the barriers that newcomers often face, from limited access to networks and funding to navigating cultural and professional differences. Instead of letting those challenges hold her back, she transformed them into motivation to help others. Today, her platform, Scale Without Borders, connects thousands of immigrants and students with the tools, mentors, and opportunities they need to succeed.

In our conversation, Nouhaila talks about:

• The lessons she learned while transitioning from student to entrepreneur.

• The gaps in the startup ecosystem and how she’s working to close them.

• The role of diversity and inclusion in building stronger, more innovative companies.

• How immigrants can transform obstacles into stepping stones for growth.

This episode is about more than entrepreneurship — it’s about breaking barriers, building communities, and believing in the power of fresh perspectives. If you’re looking for inspiration, practical advice, and a reminder that borders don’t have to define your potential, this is the episode for you.

Follow Ingenious Thinkers for more conversations with leaders who are shaping the future of business, technology, and society.

In this episode of Ingenious Thinkers, host Ken Tencer sits down with Jason Finucan, founder of StigmaZero, to explore how we can move beyond outdated stereotypes and reshape the way society approaches mental health. Jason shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind his work, and why breaking down stigma is essential for building healthier workplaces and communities. Together, they discuss practical strategies for fostering open conversations, creating inclusive cultures, and redefining mental health as a source of strength rather than silence.

Looking back on this year, we’re grateful for every inspiring conversation, every story shared, and every guest who brought their unique perspective to the table. Your voices have shaped Ingenious Thinkers into what it is today. Thank you for being part of this community — we can’t wait to bring you even more brilliant minds and game-changing ideas in 2026.

Joining us on Ingenious Thinkers hosted by Ken Tencer today is Mario Simon, consumer expert and growth-oriented leader, recognized for developing talent and highly engaged teams. In this episode, we discuss his professional journey and personal philosophy. Simon shares his academic background in behavioral economics and his career in consulting and brand valuation. He emphasizes his life's purpose: to create spaces where people are their best, which he achieves through coaching and leadership. He also introduces his upcoming book, "Free You From You," which explores shedding self-limiting programs to realize one's full potential, using his own experience overcoming a stutter as an example.Listen on 👇🔹 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uIB9Gc 🔹 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Rn7FYdConnect with Mario Simon:🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-simon-2abaa01/Connect with us 😊🔹 https://linktr.ee/SayHitotheFuture...Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:00 Professional journey and business experience8:00 Understanding and maximizing your gift12:00 Success as an inside-out job20:00 Navigating Complex vs. Wicked Challenges30:00 Simon's book, "Free You from You" ...Know someone who is clever, inventive, and original? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]. We’d love to chat!...Part podcast, part blog series, part live event, Say Hi to the Future is an inclusive platform aimed at highlighting the human side of ingenuity: clever, inventive, and original thinking. Our goal is to highlight new and interesting ways of looking at the world by speaking with ingenious thinkers and doers from all walks of life. With an eye toward the future, Say Hi to the Future's mandate is to explore how non-conventional thinkers are taking on some of our most pressing contemporary challenges.Hosted by:Ken TencerProduced by:Sonia RomeroMatt Miller...Tags:Coaching, life coach, mario simon coach, changemakers

Joining us on Ingenious Thinkers hosted by Ken Tencer today is Alieu Jallow, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialist at the City of Mississauga. In this episode, we talk about his experiences founding Gambia's first business incubator, supporting numerous startups and small businesses, and his current role in Mississauga's economic development office. He highlights the various programs and initiatives offered by Mississauga to support businesses at different stages, from initial ideas to scaling, including unique approaches like "reverse pitches" where investors explain their criteria to entrepreneurs.Listen on 👇🔹 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uIB9Gc 🔹 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Rn7FYdConnect with Alieu Jallow:🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alieujallow1/🔹 Website: https://www.mississauga.ca/Connect with us 😊🔹 https://linktr.ee/SayHitotheFuture...Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:30 Gambian economy and entrepreneurship8:00 Role and programs at the City of Mississauga11:00 Mississauga's holistic approach to entrepreneurship16:30 Youth advisory group for the World Bank...Know someone who is clever, inventive, and original? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]. We’d love to chat!...Part podcast, part blog series, part live event, Say Hi to the Future is an inclusive platform aimed at highlighting the human side of ingenuity: clever, inventive, and original thinking. Our goal is to highlight new and interesting ways of looking at the world by speaking with ingenious thinkers and doers from all walks of life. With an eye toward the future, Say Hi to the Future's mandate is to explore how non-conventional thinkers are taking on some of our most pressing contemporary challenges.Hosted by:Ken TencerProduced by:Sonia RomeroMatt Miller...Tags:Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Entrepreneurship, Gambia

Joining us on Ingenious Thinkers hosted by Ken Tencer today is Lisett Luik, Co-Founder of Arbonics, a company that aims to create high-quality carbon credits by using a data-driven approach combined with traditional forest knowledge, incentivizing landowners to plant and maintain forests. This episode highlights Luik's background and then expands on how Arbonics bridges the gap between landowners and large corporations, such as Microsoft, that seek to offset their carbon footprint. The company utilizes digital twin technology to assess land suitability for reforestation and project carbon sequestration, ultimately working towards a goal of one gigaton of total carbon removals to combat the climate crisis.Listen on 👇🔹 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uIB9Gc 🔹 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Rn7FYdConnect with Lisett Luik:🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisettluik/🔹 Website: https://www.arbonics.com/Connect with us 😊🔹 https://linktr.ee/SayHitotheFuture...Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:00 The new forest economy5:15 Carbon credits and incentivizing landowners9:30 Arbonics as the bridge18:15 Nature's role in addressing climate change20:15 Digital twin technology...Know someone who is clever, inventive, and original? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]. We’d love to chat!...Part podcast, part blog series, part live event, Say Hi to the Future is an inclusive platform aimed at highlighting the human side of ingenuity: clever, inventive, and original thinking. Our goal is to highlight new and interesting ways of looking at the world by speaking with ingenious thinkers and doers from all walks of life. With an eye toward the future, Say Hi to the Future's mandate is to explore how non-conventional thinkers are taking on some of our most pressing contemporary challenges.Hosted by:Ken TencerProduced by:Sonia RomeroMatt Miller...Tags:Lisett Luik, Lisett Luik Arbonics, Estonia, Forest economy, carbon credits

Joining us on Ingenious Thinkers hosted by Ken Tencer today is Julie Smithson, Co-Founder of Metavrse, an open-source 3D creation platform for the spatial web. In this episode, we discuss her journey from hotel management to being recognized as a Top Woman of the Future, highlighting the evolution of her company from creating the world's first touchscreen DJ controller to developing immersive training solutions. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, community engagement, and adopting innovative mindsets to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape, including the impact of AI and blockchain on industries and daily life.Listen on 👇🔹 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uIB9Gc 🔹 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Rn7FYdConnect with Julie Smithson:🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-smithson/🔹 Website: https://metavrse.com/Connect with us 😊🔹 https://linktr.ee/SayHitotheFuture...Chapters:0:00 Introduction3:56 Being a visionary thinker8:02 Community and continuous learning11:58 AI advancements and blockchain's role24:30 Human ingenuity vs. Artificial ingenuity34:25 The Metavrse43:30 The future with spatial computing...Know someone who is clever, inventive, and original? Reach out to our producer at [email protected]. We’d love to chat!...Part podcast, part blog series, part live event, Say Hi to the Future is an inclusive platform aimed at highlighting the human side of ingenuity: clever, inventive, and original thinking. Our goal is to highlight new and interesting ways of looking at the world by speaking with ingenious thinkers and doers from all walks of life. With an eye toward the future, Say Hi to the Future's mandate is to explore how non-conventional thinkers are taking on some of our most pressing contemporary challenges.Hosted by:Ken TencerProduced by:Sonia RomeroMatt Miller...Tags:Julie Smithson, Metavrse, VR, AR, blockchain, deepfake, humanics, spatial web, open ai, women in tech, tech, 3D