The Ampersand - Unplugged

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged, we sit down with Pekarsky & Co.’s newest hire, Shannon Leo. Shannon will be leading and building the Toronto office of Pekarsky & Co. She listened to all of our podcasts as part of her due diligence on us; now’s your chance to listen to Shannon and learn about her background, her move out of law and her decision to join our humble enterprise.  Join us, while we dive into issues such as diversity and inclusion, M&Ms or Smarties, and how we arrived at Shannon as an extroverted, wine-loving, dog-loving, chocolate preferring fan of summer. On the more serious side, we explore the correlation between leadership and empathy, the power of connection and the importance of saying “good job!”   

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged, we were honoured to be joined by Wes Hall, Founder of the BlackNorth Initiative, Dragon and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors; and Dr. Chika Onwuekwe, Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Trican Well Services and ENMAX Board Member.  Join us as Wes and Chika share their very personal immigrant stories, Wes from Jamaica and Chika from Nigeria as they landed in Canada, worked hard and excelled in a country that, though imperfect, gave them unparalleled opportunity. We dive into a personal and meaningful conversation about a broad range of topics, though never straying too far from the at times uncomfortable, though entirely necessary, discussion around systemic racism and what we can all do to end it. This is a very real and honest conversation. We can all learn from Wes and Chika’s work ethic, grace, passion and humility. 

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged we sit down with Susan Reckseider, Director of Interpretation at Heritage Park and Cheryl Foggo, Canadian author, documentary film director, screenwriter and playwright. We dive into a fascinating conversation about history, generally, and black history in Alberta, specifically. Where we’ve been, where we’re headed and why it all matters. As usual, we end off with our Ask The Expert segment which hopefully you’ll find more interesting that Kiara did!  Enjoy the episode, and thanks for listening!

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged, we sit down with Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Deborah shares with us her views on why “silence is violence,” why you can never take no for an answer and the irrevocable gift of education. We talk about breaking the “pale, stale and male” stereotype as both a Chamber and as a city and we talk about the future of talent in Alberta. And once we source that talent, how do we then make these “digital nomads” feel welcome here. Deborah shares her optimism around silos coming down and collaboration going up, the importance of tuning out the Eeyores and looking at what’s possible rather than fixating on the obstacles. She concludes her time with us making a bold prediction for 2022 so you’ll have to stick around until the end to find out! And, as always, our co-hosts finish this episode off with an Ask The Expert Q & A! 

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged, Kiara and Adam sit down with two of Canada's most respected and oldest professional services firms and their leaders. Brian Thiessen, Managing Partner of the law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt and Kent Kaufield, EY Canada's ESG Markets Leader & Chief Sustainability Officer join the Pod to talk about all things EDI. They candidly share their own journey and experiences from PEI to rural Saskatchewan and points in between and how they arrived in Calgary and are now taking a leading role in changing the narrative around EDI. Venerable law and accounting firms aren't typically associated with innovation and leading change. We expect you'll have a different viewpoint after tuning into this great conversation. And stick around after the interview for our Ask The Expert segment, too 👊

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged, we sit down with two incredible women – Beba Svigir, CEO of the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and Shannon Doram, CEO of the YMCA Calgary – to unpack the very du jour and critically important topic of diversity, equity and inclusion.

We discuss diversity as a state of mind. We dissect what it means to feel included versus truly belonging. We hear Beba’s view that it’s actually better, and more diverse, to work with people who don’t like her, over those who do! Shannon shares her views on creating a “web of intentionality” in our quest to create truly great and inclusive experiences.

We talk about whether you should have to compromise in the name of diversity; about the two-way street that is diversity (for, you cannot be diverse without being open to learning where you are not diverse) and we explore the nuance of words – that equality and equity are different, for example. And we learn, in a remarkable twist, that Beba’s first ever full-time job upon immigrating to Calgary was given to her by none other than the YMCA.

Finally, if you stick with us to the very end, we host our first Ask the Expert answering YOUR questions about all things P&Co.

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, co-hosts Kiara Marika and Adam Pekarsky discuss their plans for the season ahead as well as look back at the lessons learned from their inaugural season of hosting The Ampersand: Unplugged.  A candid conversation where Kiara puts her boss on the hot seat about returning to work, and the two have a funny, honest conversation about the season ahead and even sprinkle a few Easter eggs about plans at Pekarsky & Co. in 2022.  

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

In this, our final episode of Season One of The Ampersand: Unplugged, our co-hosts, Kiara Marika and Adam Pekarsky spill the tea on what worked, what didn’t, how Podcasts are made and their plans for Season 2. This at times giddy second-take recording of our big finale is a must listen as Adam and Kiara compare life in Alberta to the Lord of the Flies, opine on the art of being a welcoming guest and how to reach the mountain top of becoming a trusted advisor. And, Adam reveals when Season 2 will launch…wait until you hear Kiara’s reaction. 

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged we sit down with another member of the Pekarsky & Co. team, Client Partner, Erin Dand. We have a great chat about growing up on a farm outside a small village in Saskatchewan, heading to the "big city" (of Kindersley!) for school, chores on the farm, getting into trouble, and much more. We sort of geek out on what the whole law firm life is like and have a good chat about why law firms are SOOOOO ripe for leadership development. As with other chats with P&Co. peeps, this is yet another look into the unique culture and 'special sauce' of our humble enterprise. We hope you'll tune in and, if you do, we know you'll enjoy!

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Ampersand: Unplugged we sit down with Mayoral candidate, Jan Damery. Jan, presently on leave from her role with the YW of Calgary, is seeking the Mayor's chair after a lifetime of involvement in political and community matters. We have a wide-ranging discussion about the pros and cons of being an outsider, how Jan's life experiences have prepared her for this run and why she thinks she can do the job. 

This is the last of our conversations with Calgary's Mayoral hopefuls before election day on October 18th. Hopefully our interviews with each of Jyoti Gondek, Jeff Davison, Brad Field and Jan have given you some insights and food for thought as you think about who you plan to vote for. 

Want to stay connected with us?
Follow us on our LinkedIn!