Measuring the impact of social innovation in Nova Scotia

Saint Mary’s University professor and students receive Mitacs fund to study community projects

Dr. Chantal Hervieux and a team of graduate students will study the social innovation impact of Inspiring Communities

Across the globe, there is growing enthusiasm and support for social innovation and community-based projects that address critical issues such as climate change, equity, employment opportunities and newcomer integration. How can we determine if these projects have a lasting impact beyond their immediate benefits? Can social innovation truly transform societal systems and contribute to a better world?

These essential questions are at the heart of Dr. Chantal Hervieux’s research. As the Director of the ImpactLab at the Centre for Leadership Excellence in the Sobey School of Business, Professor Hervieux has been awarded a substantial Mitacs grant of $255,000. Her mission: to study Inspiring Communities, a Nova Scotia-based not-for-profit organization, and gain a deep understanding of social innovation, its approach, processes and impacts. Given its active involvement in the community, Inspiring Communities serves as an ideal test case and model for others.

Since 2018, Inspiring Communities has played a crucial role in supporting communities across Nova Scotia, from Digby to Cape Breton, using an equity-centred systems change approach. They aspire to build equitable, thriving communities through connecting communities, creating collaborative partnerships, measuring impact and maintaining a strong and sustainable core. By partnering with this organization, Dr. Hervieux aims to document and map their practices, ultimately sharing valuable insights globally.

Anacapri LeBlanc, a Master’s student in Women and Gender Studies, agrees that innovation in Nova Scotia deserves to be highlighted.

““Here, we have a not-for-profit that wants a rigorous assessment to know what’s working, what are strengths and what are the weaknesses in their process. They are very invested in helping Nova Scotians.””

— Anacapri LeBlanc, MWGS student

Anacapri LeBlanc

Jocelyn Li, Co-Executive Director at Inspiring Communities, emphasizes the organization's commitment as an intermediary organization to supporting equity-deserving communities, including historical African Nova Scotian communities, Indigenous people, racialized newcomers, neurodivergent people and people of differing abilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. The organization relies on developmental and other evaluation methods. By sharing their data archives, they aim to chart their progression from evaluation techniques to program models that better serve their equity-deserving members and community groups.

Dr. Hervieux’s work, alongside that of the student researchers, will play a pivotal role in strengthening the evidence base for their programs. Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan, a student in the Sobey School of Business Masters of Business Analytics program, highlights the unique opportunity provided by the Mitacs-funded project.

Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan

““I chose Saint Mary’s because of its collaborative approach to research, emphasizing local community engagement. Through this project, I gain knowledge about not-for-profits and Atlantic Canada, and benefit from Professor Hervieux’s guidance.””

— Anandalakshmi Anathara Prasenan

Over the next two years, twelve graduate students from Saint Mary’s University will receive internships to conduct research within local communities across Nova Scotia. These students, drawn from programs such as Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Business Administration, and PhD studies, will apply their academic methods to real-world scenarios. They will also participate in training workshops, learning innovative impact assessment methodologies developed by the Centre for Leadership Excellence’s ImpactLab. This approach delves deep into systems and interactions, allowing researchers to trace the path of impact and understand where and how it occurs.

Prasenan and LeBlanc with Dr. Hervieux

Dr. Hervieux underscores the significance of studying Nova Scotian communities in the context of global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. In this tumultuous world, Nova Scotia stands out as a beacon of resilience and innovation.

Interim Dean Mark Raymond notes the impactful collaboration between Saint Mary’s University, Inspiring Communities, and dedicated graduate students, “Their collective efforts promise to advance social innovation and contribute to positive change in Nova Scotia and beyond.” 

Saint Mary’s wins Enactus National Social Entrepreneurship Competition

The Enactus Saint Mary's National Team –David Cambell, Jonzel Robichaud-Lorde, Gabriel Martin, Olivian Sanderson and Rashid Khan with the Enactus Canada trophy

The National team pitching their presentation at the Final Round of the competition

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team members in Toronto

The team members cheering at the Enactus Canada National Exposition

The National team and staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre: (L-R) Gabriel Martin, Olivian Sanderson, Jonzel Robichaud-Lord, Michael Sanderson, Jason Turner, Rashid Khan, David Campbell, Brennan Daley

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team members in downtown Toronto

Enactus Saint Mary’s alumni Mitch Harrison BComm’17 cheering the Enactus Saint Mary’s team

The Saint Mary’s Enactus team will represent Canada at the World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakstan this October

Congratulations to Enactus Saint Mary's students for being named the 2024 Enactus National Champions! The Enactus Canada National Exposition, held in Toronto from May 14 to 16, featured teams from 49 institutions across Canada.

Enactus Canada is a registered charity providing programs to inspire post-secondary students to initiate and operate socially and environmentally positive enterprises. This is the first time the Saint Mary’s team has taken the top prize. As a result, the team is thrilled to be representing Canada at The Enactus World Cup 2024 in Astana, Kazakstan, from October 2 to 4, 2024, with teams from 33 different countries.

In addition to receiving the top honour, the Enactus Saint Mary’s team was named National Champions for two topic challenges, the Innovation and Impact Challenge and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, while achieving National Runner-up status in the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge. Additionally, individual recognition came for team member Courtney Dingle, who was named Project Manager of the Year. This achievement is a direct result of their unwavering dedication and the development of impactful projects that address pressing social and environmental issues.

Exemplifying Innovation and Sustainability

Enactus Saint Mary's success stems from a commitment to fostering positive change through two key projects:

• Plastarch: This pioneering business tackles the escalating problem of plastic waste by offering a sustainable alternative for restaurant food packaging and utensils. Their solution lies in an affordable, durable and food-safe bioplastic crafted from an unexpected source—potatoes slated to be discarded. Plastarch not only mitigates plastic pollution but also promotes a circular economy by finding a valuable use for food waste.

  A team representing Plastarch won the Innovation Cup, which was organized by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre in the fall of 2023.

• Square Roots: This initiative addresses the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity. At the farm level, 30% of harvested produce is dumped into landfills due to cosmetic imperfections despite being perfectly healthy. Square Roots rescues this "imperfect" produce that would otherwise be discarded, offering it at affordable prices to those facing limited access to healthy food. The team recently received a $100,000 investment from the Government of Nova Scotia for expansion, and they aim to expand to more than 50 locations across Canada and the US by 2026.

Measurable Impact Through Passionate Effort

The team's relentless efforts and exceptional presentations impressed a panel of esteemed Canadian CEOs who recognized the projects' potential to generate significant social, economic and environmental impact in Nova Scotia. Notably, Enactus Saint Mary's has demonstrated their success in the past year through:

• People: creating four jobs, empowering 27 entrepreneurs, and providing access to nutritious food for 6,300 individuals.

• Planet: a substantial 130,025 pounds of food waste diverted from landfills, a remarkable reduction of 88,055 kilograms of CO2 emissions, and conservation of 19,226,926 litres of water.

• Prosperity: fostering entrepreneurial spirit by launching three new businesses and generating $337,246 in revenue.

Reflecting on the team's success, Enactus Saint Mary's Co-Presidents Susan MacInnis and Paige Bigelow BComm’24 said, "We are incredibly impressed by the team's dedication and resilience over the past year. Each member has contributed their time and creativity to establish new social enterprises and innovate existing ones. Placing first at the Enactus Canada National Exposition for the first time in Saint Mary's history could not have been possible without the support from all the members and alumni who are part of the Enactus Canada Network, Saint Mary's University, and most of all, the community. As we prepare to represent Team Canada at the World Cup in October, we are honoured and excited to continue our impact, fueled by collaboration and a shared commitment to positive change."

Japanese speech nets national prize for computing science student

Liam Jay

A group photo of contestants and judges at the 35th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest

Liam Jay had never given a speech in English, let alone in a language he was just learning. Even so, with encouragement from his Japanese Studies professor at Saint Mary’s, he competed in the 35th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest. He ended up winning the Casio Award, one of the top special prizes at the competition, held at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa on March 24.

“I was really nervous. That was the first speech I’ve written in any language,” says Liam, a computing science major who just finished his first year of studies. His speech focused on his love for books; he has a lot of math books and also enjoys action books, as well as Japanese and Chinese literature.

“English is my first language. Chinese is my second language, though I’m not really fluent. I’m half Chinese, so I hear it a lot at home,” he says, adding he has a better comprehension of Chinese text.  

Having grown up in Nova Scotia and PEI, Liam initially became interested in Japanese culture through music and anime films. His interest in the language soon followed as he wanted to be able to communicate better with a friend in Japan. For an elective, he signed up for the Introductory Japanese (JPNS 1100) course, designed for students beginning the study of Japanese culture and language, both written and spoken.

Dr. Alexandre Avdulov encouraged students to compete in the 26th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Competition, co-organized by the Department of Languages and Cultures at Saint Mary’s and the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal, with support from the Japan Foundation and Mitsui Canada.

Students at the 26th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Competition, held in early March at Saint Mary’s

“Participation in the contest is an important language learning and teaching tool, as well as the very first true achievement of a learner,” says Dr. Avdulov. “Besides language excellence and creativity, it requires discipline, diligence, bravery—all the qualities that will be so useful to our students in Japan and anywhere else all through their lives.” 

Saint Mary’s students Liam Jay, Liam Selfridge and Jacky Chiu  at the national contest

Liam and two other Saint Mary’s students, Liam Selfridge and Jacky Chiu , advanced to the national competition, which is organized each year by the Embassy of Japan, the Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest Organizing Committee, and the Canadian Association for Japanese Language Education (CAJLE). Ambassador Yamanouchi Kanji gave the opening remarks and hosted a reception for the 23 contestants at his official residence.

“It is very nice to see a Saint Mary’s student among the winners along with students from the universities with much larger Japanese programs, such as UBC, UFT, York, Western, University of Alberta, etc.,” says Dr. Avdulov. “But to me, our participants are already winners the moment they take the podium, and I am very proud of all of them. What clearly sets our students aside from other schools is not only language excellence but also the content of their speeches. They speak on the importance of culture and cultural exchanges, the value of education, social justice, racism, homelessness and so on. I can only hope they will continue to raise their voices on these subjects in any language beyond the university gates.”

Liam expresses his appreciation to Dr. Avdulov, teaching assistant Miyuki Embree, and Miyuki Arai of the Global Learning & Intercultural Support office for their ongoing encouragement and support in helping him improve and practise his speech. The experience has given him much more confidence in speaking Japanese, which will be helpful this fall. Liam will be taking part in a bilateral exchange program at Hiroshima University, a partner institution of Saint Mary’s since 2005.

“I’ve never travelled beyond North America!” he says. “When I come back, I’d like to take more Japanese Studies courses at SMU – and maybe even try another speech competition.”  

Saint Mary’s is the only academic institution in Atlantic Canada that has a Certificate in Japanese Studies. Offered through the Department of Languages and Cultures, it’s open to students from all faculties and programs across the university. Bachelor of Arts students at Saint Mary’s can do majors and honours programs in Intercultural Studies or Asian Studies, also unique in the region. These are both available as a minor to students across the university who can also pursue a minor or certificate in Chinese Studies or Japanese Studies. In collaboration with the Global Learning & Intercultural Support office, these interdisciplinary programs support student travel to the region, particularly to China, Japan and South Korea.

“It’s wonderful that Liam is pursuing a student exchange program in Japan," says Ms. Arai, Director of Global Learning Services. "I’m even more delighted that Liam will receive a Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) Award to support his study in Japan.

The GSO Program at Saint Mary's is funded by the Government of Canada through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It's exactly for students like Liam who want to develop intercultural skills while expanding horizons and making global connections.

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Related:

• Certificate of Japanese Studies

• Global Learning & Intercultural Support

Distinguished Delegation Award for Model UN group

SMU’s team represented The Bahamas at Model UN in NYC

SMU delegates at the National Model UN Conference

Saint Mary’s team received the Distinguished Delegation Award

Model UN team in the airport heading to New York

Team dinner at Benihana

Wesley Brouse had been to New York City twice before, but the third time was a charm, as a member of the Saint Mary’s University team at the National Model United Nations conference.

“Going to the UN General Assembly for the NMUN closing ceremony was truly a dream come true,” says Brouse, a finance major who will graduate with his Bachelor of Commerce degree in May. “Getting to sit in the same seats that UN ambassadors from all around the world sit in, surrounded by students from all over the world, felt surreal.”

Saint Mary’s delegation of 10 students represented The Bahamas in the annual UN simulation, coming home with a Distinguished Delegation Award, the equivalent of a silver medal. The team from Dr. Marc Doucet’s Model UN course included students in the Faculty of Arts and the Sobey School of Business, with five political science majors, two finance majors and students from the management and marketing programs.

“Few other delegations were as well prepared as our team was, and that was all thanks to Dr. Doucet,” says Brouse. “Although no one on our team had ever done Model UN before, he ensured we were all experts at it by the time we got to New York. We could not have won the award without him.”

Other highlights of the week in New York included a seminar about the various paths to UN employment and a team dinner at Benihana in Midtown Manhattan.   

“This year’s delegation should be very proud of their award,” says Dr. Doucet, a professor in the Department of Political Science. “Representing a small nation is always a challenge at NMUN. The Bahamas is known to ‘punch above its weight’ at the UN, but our delegates had to compete against larger delegations, with some having considerable past Model UN experience.” 

Brouse learned about the Model UN opportunity from a friend and jumped at the chance to be a part of it this year. With a keen interest in international politics and international law, he figured the Model UN course would be a great way to enhance his knowledge in these areas.

While at the NMUN conference, students from Saint Mary’s participated in a number of committees, simulating the work of the General Assembly’s First, Second and Third Committees, the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The topics they tackled ranged from the “Relationship between Disarmament and Development” to “Preventing Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” and “Environmental Sustainability in the Textile and Fashion Industries.”

The conference was attended by thousands of students from more than 175 universities and colleges worldwide. In the Distinguished Delegation category, only four other Canadian universities were recognized this year: the University of Ottawa and McGill, McEwan and Brock universities.

Canada's brightest student entrepreneurs shine at The Arena

The Arena 2024 Pitch Competition concluded after a thrilling 40-day battle, crowning Keeley McCormick as the champion with a prize of $10,000. Keeley, a University of Victoria Engineering and Computer Science student, impressed the judges with her innovative venture, Revyn Medical Technologies Inc. The company redesigned a vaginal speculum that prioritizes patient comfort and sustainability. 

Revyn Medical Technologies: a patient-centered solution

Founded by Keeley and a dedicated team from the University of Victoria, Revyn tackles the discomfort associated with traditional speculums. Through surveys of over 600 patients, they identified a significant number experiencing anxiety and even avoiding examinations due to speculum use. Their redesigned speculum aims to alleviate this issue while remaining effective for practitioners.

This win propels Revyn forward, allowing them to develop prototypes utilizing biocompatible materials and minimizing patient discomfort.

A fierce finale and generous supporters

Miswar Syed from the University of Waterloo won second place at The Arena with his business, Swish, which creates transparent screens that retrofit existing solar panels and can remove dust using nanotechnology. Swish allows solar panels to be cleaned multiple times a day and increases the efficiency of capturing energy, which could be especially beneficial in deserts where dust is a significant concern.

The final pitch battle between Keeley and Miswar presented a tough decision for the distinguished judges, which included Saint Mary’s alumni Shannon Byrne Susko BComm'89 BSc'92, April Howe EMBA'18, Mandhir Singh MBA'14, James “JC” Curleigh BComm’89 DComm'22 and Alexandra McCann.

Special recognition goes to Shannon's company, Metronomics, for sponsoring the competition and providing each finalist with a $10,000 award. Pat Whalen, Founder and CEO of Extension Marketing, also provided marketing support to the finalists valued at $5,000.

“Thank you to all participants for showcasing their brilliant ideas,” says Michael Sanderson, the Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “A special appreciation to the sponsors and judges whose essential contributions ensure the success of this pitch event.”

A national celebration of innovation

The Arena 2024 was not just about one winner. It was a nationwide showcase of student entrepreneurial talent, featuring 64 students from 29 universities, coast to coast. Seven contestants from Saint Mary's University battled with fellow entrepreneurs across Canada and showcased their businesses, including Maddie Bristol (Plastarch), Storme McNeil (Smile Vodka Water), Queen-Esther Okundonor (QTress Beauty Supplies), Jayrell Diggs (SudDrop Laundry Services), Aneesa Hussain (Plane Platter), Alexia Bourgeois (Gal Pal) and Yomna Ibrahim (Sociable). Their entrepreneurial spirit was contagious, inspiring many other students who watched the competition unfold.  This outpouring of interest showed that Saint Mary's fosters a vibrant environment where anyone with a dream can take flight.

To learn more about The Arena 2024, visit the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre website or watch the competition on Facebook.

Student leaders recognized at 2023-2024 SLRA ceremony

Student Leadership Recognition Award recipients

Congratulations to all 10 recipients of the 2024 Student Leadership Recognition Award (SLRA). The SLRA awards were presented in a ceremony on March 20, 2024, hosted by Career & Experiential Learning and Saint Mary’s University Student Association (SMUSA).

The annual award recognizes students who possess, display and apply leadership qualities and skills within the Saint Mary’s University community and beyond. The awards were initiated in 2012 and are given annually to a maximum of three students from each faculty.

Student Leadership Recognition Award 2024 recipients:

Faculty of Arts:

• Madison Vanderlinden, fourth year, Intercultural Studies & French

• Olivia Brennan, third year, Anthropology

• Rory McGarvey, fourth year, Environmental Studies

Faculty of Science:

• Amaan Ahmed, fourth year, Computing Science

• Katherine Myers, fourth year, Honours Astrophysics

• Paige Deering, fourth year, Biology

Sobey School of Business:

• Anubhav Gupta, fourth year, Finance & Computing and Information Systems

• Ashish Ganapathy, third year, Accounting & Finance

• Lydia Lee, third year, Marketing & Economics

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research: 

• Liam Mason, first year, MA Atlantic Canada Studies

McCain McLean Centre hosts Experiential Learning Symposium

On March 27, 2024, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted the university’s first-ever experiential learning symposium in support of the development of sport studies on campus. The event, titled “Sport Studies Outside the Classroom,” drew approximately 25 participants from on and off campus and included students, staff, faculty and industry professionals.

Experiential learning typically refers to hands-on opportunities to gain practical knowledge in a field. It includes an introspective component that calls upon students to reflect on their personal and professional development throughout the process. The event opened with presentations on the subject from the university’s Career and Experiential Learning office as well as the Director of Outreach and Experiential Learning for the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Kirrily Freeman.

Dr. Cheryl MacDonald, Director of the McCain McLean Centre and former instructor for Experiential Learning in Health, Wellness and Sport in Society (HWSS), provided an overview of current approaches to sport studies on campus. At the height of the pandemic, students completed online career modules and organized a virtual speaker series featuring women working in the sport and health industries.

Since 2023, the course has involved case study analysis in sport management and brief placements with organizations such as SMU Athletics & Recreation, the Counselling Centre, Rising Tide Irish Dance Academy, Volleyball Canada, Canoe Kayak Ontario Sprint and the Maritime Hockey League. The Centre also takes Experiential Learning students, the most recent of whom served as production assistants for a documentary on the history of women’s varsity sport on campus.

In preparation for the launch of the new certificate in Sports Business at Saint Mary’s in September 2024, the Centre invited the participation of Sport Nova Scotia, Halifax Wanderers FC and the University of Guelph. Scott McRoberts teaches Experiential Learning in Sport & Event Management at Guelph and is also the university’s Director of Athletics & Recreation.

“Experiential learning is a critical aspect in understanding the sport business landscape,” said McRoberts. “University athletics and recreation departments are well-positioned to provide students with those opportunities and to benefit from their contributions.” 

Saint Mary’s Director of Athletics & Recreation Scott Gray wrapped up the event with a presentation on existing and potential pathways for Experiential Learning students in his department. Students on campus have done gameday operations and worked in the fitness facility, and this year, a student with an interest in being an Athletic Director job-shadowed Gray. “We have an opportunity here to strengthen the relationship between athletics and academics on campus,” Gray said to the audience. “Experiential learning offers real-world insight in our dynamic and fast-paced environment.”

From court to corporate: Keisha Turner’s ace transition to entrepreneurship

Keisha Turner BA’12

This year, Saint Mary’s celebrates the 50th anniversary of women in varsity sport. Throughout the year, we will highlight women in sport like Keisha Turner BA'12—an inspiring athlete, innovative entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist and valued Saint Mary's community member.

Whether speaking at an event, helping with volleyball camp, through her ongoing work with the Arthur L. Entrepreneurship Centre, or sharing her experience with students and other professionals, Keisha always takes advantage of an opportunity to get involved.

Keisha has been a devoted Huskies Varsity Volleyball team member since 2007. In 2010, she played a crucial role in the team's AUS Championship victory, setting the team on the path to success that continues today.

Even after graduating, Keisha continued to support the team as an Assistant Volleyball Coach until 2020. While coaching, Keisha shared her unique approach to success on the court. Her coaching philosophy, which blends physical preparedness with mental resilience, demonstrates her multifaceted approach to leadership—a quality that extends beyond sports into her entrepreneurial endeavours.

Now, Keisha remains an active member of the team's community by raising funds and cheering them on courtside and online.

Women's Atlantic University Sport Volleyball Championship, 2010

Keisha and Michael

Since graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Keisha combined her passion for sport, health and mindfulness to establish a career as an entrepreneur. With her husband, Michael Polak BComm'14, she has formed Akwekon—a consulting firm that guides Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the reconciliation of colonial and Indigenous practices.

More recently, Keisha co-founded Starberry Drink Co., a testament to innovation in the beverage industry, offering a refreshing, all-natural drink made from whole strawberries, maple syrup and water.

With her experience as an entrepreneur and athlete, Keisha has been named an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre at Saint Mary's. In this role, Keisha is nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and enriching the Saint Mary's University's community by bridging academic theory with real-world business practices.

Keisha, a Black female entrepreneur and community leader, has established the Turner Bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous Women. She takes pride in the pivotal role bursaries played in her success and is committed to promoting positive change and student success at Saint Mary's University.

To honour her dedication to Saint Mary's University and exceptional volunteer service, the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association presented her with the Paul Lynch Alumni Volunteer Award in 2023.

2024 Canadian Venture Capital Competition hosted at Saint Mary's

The 2024 winners in the graduate category from the University of Waterloo MBA: Zia Baig, Leo Zhang, Hisham Ismail, Hufsah Khan, Vireshaar Ragavan and Ryan Trainor.

The team from the University of Waterloo secured first place in the undergraduate category: Harry Soo, Leo Chen, Mischa Hinds, Rachel Butler, Tony Cao and Shilp Shah.

The team from the University of Toronto won second place in the MBA competition.

Team from University of New Brunswick (MBA)

VCIC judges

Team from Wilfrid Laurier University (Undergraduate)

Team from Dalhousie University (MBA)

Over 80 business students from leading universities across Canada, including the University of Alberta, University of Toronto, Queen's University and Wilfrid Laurier University, came together in Halifax recently for the Canadian Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). The day-long competition held on March 1, 2024, allowed students to immerse themselves in the role of venture capitalists and demonstrate their abilities in planning and execution while gaining valuable real-world insights.

“Hosting this divisional VCIC provides Canadian university students with the opportunities to participate in the world of venture capital, connecting with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists within the ecosystem. We are thrilled to nurture a supportive environment for entrepreneurial talents poised to make contributions to the evolving landscape of venture capital and innovation,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

This year marked the fourth iteration of the Canadian competition, a staple event held annually at the Sobey School of Business. The competition evaluates participants based on their thorough preparation and strategic implementation and offers a dynamic platform for students to delve into the nuances of venture capital investment. By engaging in simulated investment scenarios, students are challenged to make crucial decisions under pressure, replicating the scenarios faced by actual venture capitalists.

The 2024 winners in the graduate category are the team from the University of Waterloo MBA program, who secured the top spot and $1,000. A group of undergraduate students from the University of Waterloo secured first place in the undergraduate category with a prize of $500.

The two winning teams will compete at the 2024 VCIC Global Finals on April 12-13 at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Saint Mary’s University continues to solidify itself as a dominant force in the realm of university venture capital. While SMU students are excluded from competition in the Canadian division, they compete in the Northeastern Division of the Venture Capital Investment Competition against U.S. universities, frequently placing in the top ranks in both graduate and undergraduate categories.

Read more about SMU’s recent success in Boston: Students excel in Venture Capital Investment Competition.

BComm student with focus on sustainability wins prestigious Frank H. Sobey Award

Madeline (Maddie) Bristol

Sobey School of Business student Madeline (Maddie) Bristol has been named one of only eight undergraduate students from across Atlantic Canada to win this year's  Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies.  

Maddie is in her final year of studying for a Bachelor of Commerce at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary's. In addition to her studies, Maddie actively seeks opportunities to gain practical, real-world experience. 

Maddie served two consecutive year-long terms as president of Enactus Saint Mary's. During her presidency, she managed projects aimed at reducing food waste at the farm level, eliminating food insecurity, teaching at-risk youth financial literacy, and clearing oceans of plastic waste. Under her leadership, the team was named national champions in both the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge and the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge. 

Plastarch Packaging team at the 2023 Innovation Cup

As her passion for entrepreneurship and sustainability grew, Maddie launched Plastarch Packaging. The business provides a bioplastic solution to single-use cutlery and packaging for environmentally conscious business owners without compromising durability and affordability. Plastarch Packaging was the recipient of a $10,000 award at December’s Innovation Cup, hosted by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Maddie's commitment to entrepreneurship and sustainability, as demonstrated through her leadership of Enactus Saint Mary's and the founding of Plastarch Packaging, played a significant role in her selection for the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies. Her innovative approach to addressing environmental challenges and her dedication to making a positive impact on the community exemplify the qualities that the award aims to recognize and celebrate. 

“I extend my warmest congratulations to Maddie Bristol,” says Mark Raymond, Interim Dean, Sobey School of Business. “Maddie embodies the SMU experience. Our students develop an entrepreneurial mindset and are equipped with the knowledge, insights, real work experiences and network to lead and make a positive impact on business and on the community.” 

About the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies

All full-time business students attending Atlantic Canadian universities are eligible for consideration for the award. Deans at each university nominate candidates who have demonstrated a high level of entrepreneurship, a commitment to supporting the communities in which they live and work and relevant employment experience. Each award winner receives $45,000 in recognition of their achievements and gains access to mentorship support from members of the business community across the Atlantic region.  

Researching links between animal abuse and gender-based violence

Sue O’Neill

Graduate student Sue O'Neill is combining her passions for work and public education at Saint Mary’s, with research investigating the connections between gender-based violence and animal abuse. During her first year in the Women and Gender Studies program, O’Neill is working as a teaching assistant with the Sexual Violence Support Centre on campus while also focusing on her career as the Manager of Programs with HUMANE Canada's ACT (Awareness, Collaboration, Tools) Project.

Funded through Women and Gender Equality Canada, the project aims to address systemic barriers to health-seeking, safety planning and support services for survivors experiencing gender-based violence and their animals (companion, farm and service animals).

The project has launched the ACT To Keep Families Safe Online Learning Centre, a culmination of engagement with 42 partners and collaborators across the country, including the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. The web hub provides free educational modules with certificates upon completion, which Saint Mary's students can add to their Experience Record through the university's Career360° platform. Topics cover such areas as service animals and disability rights; supporting GBV survivors in rural, remote and farming communities; and self-care and compassion fatigue. Other digital tools available are information sheets, awareness and advocacy resources, case studies, templates, survivor stories and a quarterly newsletter.

O’Neill is among the speakers participating in the Listen, Learn, Act panel event on Thursday, March 28—a conversation led by community activists, academics, government and students to discuss how we can prevent and respond to violence while working towards safer and more empowered communities for all.

Q&A with Sue O’Neill

How did the ACT Project come about?
Our vision at Humane Canada is to have a humane Canada—to make positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty. But as Humane Canada was doing this work, we realized to make things better for animals, we have to make things better for humans because our fates are really intertwined. Humane Canada has been focused on a one-welfare approach to reach our goals of improving animal welfare.

Can you discuss the link between violence against animals and violence against humans?
We know that in circumstances where a pet is in a home where domestic violence is happening, higher reports of animal abuse are also occurring. We also know that the aggressors often use those animals as a method of control, either threatening to harm or actually harming the animal in order to control the survivor’s actions. Survivors don’t want to leave their animals behind, or won’t leave them behind, or will return to a violent situation because of their animals.  

Who can benefit from the online learning centre?
Some of the resources are for survivors, some are for professionals and we also have a lot of stuff for the general public. For students too, it’s a great way of informing people at the beginning of their careers, so they go into their careers with this knowledge.

What are you working on currently?
As we launched the ACT project, we realized that as much as we want to support survivors and animals in getting the help they need, we want to prevent the violence from happening. So, we’ve got a new 30-month project coming up, the Promising Practices Project. It’s going to highlight humane education and gender-based violence education programs that are specifically geared towards boys and men as allies in the prevention of violence.  

How did you get involved in this area of work and research?
I’m a survivor of violence myself and it changed my career path. I always thought I would work in education but I ended up working as a children’s counsellor initially at a gender-based violence shelter. I ended up working in management at the shelter and that’s when I created an offsite animal safekeeping program for survivors of violence.  

What is your master’s research about?
I’m not straying far from my work! What I’m focusing on in my thesis is looking at the relationship between survivors of GBV and their animals, specifically farm animals, working animals or larger companion animals. Through the ACT project, we realized there isn’t a lot of research for survivors who have horses or cows or llamas or 17 sled dogs, so it seemed like a huge gap. What do you do with 300 cows when you’re fleeing violence?

Why did you choose Saint Mary’s?
I was living in Vancouver finishing up my first master’s degree, my MEd, and I had done a little bit of research on Saint Mary’s. The campus looked breathtakingly beautiful. I connected with Michele Byers to find out more about the Women and Gender Studies program, and it sounded flexible yet supportive. She connected me with some other students and they just loved Saint Mary’s so much, so then I had to go. I really love it here…it’s got a community feel, which a lot of the bigger universities don’t have.

What is the best part of your work and your research?  
I’m very grateful to get to do this work. Especially as a survivor, it just feels so meaningful to work on projects that can help other survivors.  

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Further reading

• Visit the ACT To Keep Families Safe Online Learning Centre

• Visit the Sexual Violence Support Centre at SMU

• Learn about our graduate program in Women and Gender Studies

• Explore the Minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Students excel in Venture Capital Investment Competition

Students from the Sobey School of Business gained valuable real-world experience and excelled in the recent Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) New England Regional Final held in Boston.

The graduate team, composed of students from the MTEI (Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation) and MBA programs, took home a top award. “Entrepreneurs and start-ups participate at these events and they determine the winners for Entrepreneurs Choice. Our team won due to their ability to communicate and connect,” says the team’s advisor, Brennan Daley of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

Gurprit Singh, MBA student

“Being part of VCIC in Boston was a truly transformative experience for me, giving me a real-world view of venture capital, pushing my critical thinking ability and exposing me to the vibrant Boston entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says MBA student Gurprit Singh. “The experience is not just a competition, but a stepping stone into the dynamic world of venture capital, shaping my skills and expanding my network in venture capital.”

Saint Mary’s participates annually in the Global Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC), the world’s largest venture capital competition with over 120 university and graduate school teams competing. VCIC is the only place where students get to be VCs for the day, and startups get an immersion in the fundraising process. The SMU teams compete against U.S. universities in the Northeast region and are judged by their preparation and thoughtful execution as a VC firm.

Top (L-R): Sorav Sogy, Ankit Mittal. Bottom (L-R): Shakkharatul Haque Mehad, Jacky Chiu, Shri Subramanian, Gurprit Singh, Sruthi Ganesapandian, Jack Poirier, Sidney Nuwahereza, Oscar Lu, Brennan Daley.

Sorav Sogy, BComm student

Bachelor of Commerce student Sorav Sogy says, “It's not studying; you're actively managing a Venture Capital (VC) fund as an associate. This involves making investment decisions, raising funds, attending conferences and building crucial relationships with entrepreneurs and VCs. You're making a real impact by working alongside industry leaders, facilitating co-investment deals, and learning directly from senior partners and associates at local VC firms. It’s as real as it gets.”

The university’s excellence in venture capital is well established through consistent winning performances in global competitions, expert faculty dedicated to mentoring students, and successful graduates who often pursue careers in this exciting field.

Mark Raymond, Interim Dean of the Sobey School of Business, notes that the teams from Saint Mary’s are the only Canadian teams competing at this elevated level against teams from prominent U.S. universities including Babson, Dartmouth and Notre Dame. “We are known for giving our students amazing opportunities. This is an example of how SMU students gain an entrepreneurial mindset and are equipped with the knowledge, insights, real work experiences and network to lead and make a positive impact.”

Saint Mary’s students, staff and faculty are paying it forward by hosting a national competition in Halifax in March for other Canadian teams who would otherwise not gain these lessons in entrepreneurship and innovation. "Hosting the Canadian regionals provides an opportunity for students from other schools to compete and engage with our vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem," notes Daley.