As a highly active and engaged member of the business community in Calgary, Mike was the right man to lead Bow Valley College in to its $35 million Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign as Campaign Cabinet Chair. Professionally a chartered accountant who ran a successful practice for 35 years, Mike is also committed to doing what he can to ensure Alberta continues to evolve. His community work has afforded him several awards, the most recent in 2023, The Order of Canada.

As a goal oriented and driven individual who has worked on several campaigns to move the needle and realize a common goal, Mike says, “I recognize the need to support all sectors and my volunteer work is as important as any of my work activities have been over the years.”

Business acumen and community mindedness is what is needed to execute a successful campaign and Mike Shaikh has no shortcomings in either. He is goal oriented and driven and he has an undeniable passion for education. “I know that when our community can provide barrier free quality education to all, our city, province, and nation is better for it.”

Providing students with first rate education through certificates and diplomas lays the groundwork for them to be job ready and moving towards exciting careers and futures when they leave Bow Valley College. Mike’s leadership of the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign and his passion for education has kept us on time and on target.

Shannon has used her leadership skills and passion for community to assist in the development of non-profits and post-secondary. As current chair of Bow Valley College’s Board of Governors, this highly successful and well-respected female force makes any activity she chooses to do for you, THRIVE. In her professional career, Shannon joined BOWEN Group in 1984 and worked her way up the ranks to become the CEO in 1996. Under her leadership, BOWEN grew from a small, local employment agency to the 17^thlargest, privately held recruiting and contractor management firm in the country.  In 2021 she sold the organization to Agilus where she stayed on as the Corporate Ambassador supporting the transition through to June of last year.  What she calls “retirement” now has her splitting her time between championing all that is BVC, as founder and CEO of an on-line Jewellery company called Canary and most recently as the new Board Chair of a privately held firm.

Shannon knows Bow Valley College well and she believes our institution is a global leader in supplying in-time and on-demand education—making a critical difference to the provincial economy.

“I want to spread the word that Bow Valley College is both an educational champion and a well-run, self-sustaining business leader.” In addition, “our Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign is giving students the chance to receive an education regardless of financial means—this is very compelling to me”!

Always willing and able to jump in to speak with passion, lead with confidence, and connect our community to hers, Shannon is a true ambassador to those who matter—our students!

Sharon is a visionary and a true leader who guided Bow Valley College as President and CEO during the shift from being provincially administered to a board governed institution (1997). In addition to her legacy as a Bow Valley College leader, Sharon, while now in retirement, continues to support the college through her volunteer activities. She sits on the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign Cabinet—a cabinet tasked with raising $35 million towards the future of students at Bow Valley College.

Sharon gives her gifts, time and her talents to the college. Her career has afforded her the reputation as a woman of outstanding vision committed to improving the lives of Calgarians and she says, “Although I retired after two decades as President and CEO, Bow Valley College is never far from my thoughts.  I am very proud it is one of the largest and fastest growing colleges in Alberta. Bow Valley College graduates are essential to the communities we serve.”

In her years as the leader of this institution, Sharon witnessed the unforeseen consequences of individuals not being able to complete their studies for financial reasons. Her determination to be a part of the solution to this problem was sparked when she was asked to join the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign. As a community leader, Sharon said “nothing is quite as sad as successful learners dropping out before finishing because they have run out of money. Bow Valley College has financial awards to prevent this, along with many other bursaries and scholarships. College is expensive and the enrolment keeps growing. Building an endowment to open more doors with more awards inspires me!”

For more than 40 years, Dave has been a highly regarded leader in the energy sector and for the past ten years he has been a member of the Bow Valley College family. Dave is an advocate, supporter, and leader who sat on our Board of Governors for three terms from May 7, 2014, to June 30, 2021, ending his term as Board Chair. A key stakeholder in the development of the college’s Open Doors-Open Minds Strategy, Dave was a natural fit as a volunteer cabinet member for the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign.

“The Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign is a game-changer for supporting students and enabling program development. It’s great to have the opportunity to contribute to an initiative that will make a difference. It’s also very satisfying to be part of the campaign team comprised of committed leaders from the college and from the community.”

Bow Valley College is a comprehensive community college with a strong focus on the student experience. Providing students with the skills and practical experience required makes them employable. “I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the results of providing skills and practical experience and I want to do my part to ensure the college’s successful track record is sustained going forward.”

Community contribution is important to Dave and whether he is engaging with students about their experiences and the impact it has had on their lives, representing the college as a community leader, or inviting his peers to be involved, he is a well-respected, strategic, an operational leader and a true asset to Bow Valley College.

Kevin, a Managing Partner at DHR Global, has a career spanning over three decades. This community leadership and experience transcends into everything Kevin does and is a part of.  At Bow Valley College, we feel very fortunate to have had that leadership in many areas of the college. As a former Board Governor, Kevin was the Founder of the Premier's Scholarship Luncheon (PSL) and continues to be a Co-Chair. Kevin is a beacon of philanthropy and commitment and continues his work with us on the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign raising $35 million to support students and access to education.

If legacy is important to Kevin, he is a pillar of it at Bow Valley College. Kevin has helped establish the Premier’s Scholarship Luncheon as a must-attend event, with every sitting premier of Alberta attending in each year it has been held since 1994.  When asked about his legacy at Bow Valley College, Kevin says, “It is amazing to see what Bow Valley College has become and to recognize where it is going.  Every time you meet a student it renews your faith in what can be accomplished.” Kevin believes that Calgary is all about giving people a hand up, so he committed to our Open Doors-Open Minds campaign. He never tires of responding to the need for an education, he says, “it is fundamental in anyone’s future success.”

The Premier Scholarship Luncheon has helped raise more than $2 million for scholarships for more than 275 adult students. Kevin is the foundation for this event and while he continues to offer his expertise to many areas of the college, if you ask him, he will always say, “use me where you think I can help but know that the Premiers Scholarship Luncheon is always my primary focus.”

Patrick, President of Trico Communities, has a personal and family commitment to the work of Bow Valley College. If you know Bow Valley College, you know that the college is proud of the Chiu School of Business, named in honour of Patrick’s family’s long-term relationship and commitment to our students and the college. If you know Patrick, you know that community and philanthropy are fundamental parts of who he is. Patrick has been with us as an Open Doors-Open Minds Cabinet member since the campaign’s inception.

As a man who likes things that challenge him, Patrick jumped at the chance to work with other community leaders to propel the Open Doors – Open Minds campaign into success. “Through my work with community leaders on the campaign cabinet, we’ll meet goal and provide top of the line education opportunities.”

Patrick keeps active and engaged through his community leadership, his work as the Chair of the Dean’s Strategic Advisory Committee at the Chiu School of Business at Bow Valley College, the NU Community Board (part of the Trico Charitable Foundation), and more.  He says to be a leader you must “be humble, courageous, agile and adaptive.”

The Trico Group is a business that stands by the philosophy of “Doing well by doing good” and Patrick demonstrates this philosophy through empowering those around him!

Sheila's outstanding career has included tenure as a business advisor and corporate director with 35 years of experience in the oil, gas, pipeline, and petrochemical sectors in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her volunteer career led her to be co-founder and co-chair of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking.

She is smart, committed, and busy and she needs to be sure that her time and talents are utilized to the greatest advantage. As a life-long community advocate whose volunteer service and philanthropy focuses on the advancement of women, human rights, education, and health and welfare. Bow Valley College is a natural place for Sheila to utilize that time and that talent. Sheila says, "Bow Valley College is important to me as it is a gem in our community. They provide a welcome learning home to the people who choose to live in our midst, to upgrade their skills and education, and to pursue meaningful careers here in Alberta."

Sheila and her late husband, Kevin Peterson, were founding sponsors of the 1000 Women Rising initiative and this is where her love for the college began. It was an easy "yes" when asked to participate as a community leader in the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign to raise $35 million for the future of our students. "If I am continually inspired by the warm sense of community, and by the dedication of the students and the faculty I can inspire others. It's a place like no other - where the joy of learning is on display."

Creative director at Alykhan Velji Designs, a boutique design firm that brings an energetic flavour to the Canadian Design scene, Aly Velji is also a Bow Valley graduate and alumnus.

As an active member of Bow Valley College's alumni community ambassador and volunteer, Aly boasts that Bow Valley College helped him get his start in the design field. As an immigrant, he appreciates what Bow Valley College does for the immigrant community, and as the son of a Bow Valley grad, he is proud that he and his mom share this community. "It holds a special place in my heart."

Aly's design career has him travelling the globe so when Bow Valley College asked him to be a member of the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign he saw it as a great way of getting the design community involved with design students. Ideally, making those connections now will reap benefits later for his community and for our Bow Valley College alumni.  Through endowments and bursaries, Aly's design community and suppliers can support their future work force.

Aly is not only one of Bow Valley College's successful grads, but he is also a contributor, a volunteer, a mentor, an ambassador, and an employer. He wants to create awareness about Bow Valley College and what the college brings to the community. He does this in a variety of ways to demonstrate to those in his circle—the exponential impact!

Bettina is a seasoned professional in the corporate world. As CEO of Luxeum Renewables Group, she is developing utility-scale solar projects, recently expanding into the US. Furthermore, Bettina is also the founder of the public CPA firm Pierre-Gilles & Associates, which has offices and serves clients throughout Canada. Previously, she was CFO, Director, and Chair of the Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee for Pure Life Carbon Inc. She is a key player in fostering growth and sustainability in the fintech, agricultural and energy technology sectors.

In addition, Bettina's passion for mentorship and advocacy keeps her actively involved in causes such as Young Women in Energy and the Women’s Energy Network. At Bow Valley College, she is an active member of the Board of Governors and Chair of the Community Resources Council and a member of the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign Cabinet. She plays a pivotal role in shaping the college's direction and ensuring its services meet the needs of its diverse student body.

Working on the Open Doors-Open Minds fundraising campaign, "I see how far every dollar will go, for many years ahead, and what it means to those who benefit."

"By advocating for the college in the community and assisting the college administration in implementing their vision and strategy, we improve the student experience."

Luke Azevedo VP Creative Industries, Operations & Film Commissioner and Lissa Craig Director, Creative Industries have been working together as the Calgary Film Commission team at Calgary Economic Development (CED) for almost 20 years. They work with studios, government, unions/guilds, and producers in Southern Alberta to facilitate and develop local projects and attract new foreign film, television and digital media productions to the area. Together they volunteer on the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign Cabinet helping introduce their Creative Economy community to the college's $35 million campaign to support students and access to education, and to showcase our skilled personnel in the Entertainment Arts.

Calgary continues to show it is one of the top destinations for film and television productions in North America, and it is in the game to become a global esports hub with a strong competitive video gaming community and is an industry leader in immersive technology. CED's Film Commission team agrees that joining Bow Valley College's campaign cabinet to support the futures of students in these disciplines has been a win/win in developing their industry and supporting Bow Valley College students and graduates.

Luke and Lissa believe that Bow Valley College removes barriers and creates opportunities for learners to thrive in the arts. By building capacity in the creative industries sector through program graduates, we are building a thriving creative economy in Calgary.

If you ask either of them, they'll tell you they have heard firsthand testimonials from BVC students and alumni describing the significant, positive impact the college has had on their lives. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

An account executive for Deloitte, Tim is focused on serving major clients and has done so for over twenty-five years. He is a committed volunteer to the causes he cares deeply about. He is a proud member of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Development Council and a dedicated volunteer to the Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign to raise $35 million in support of students at Bow Valley College.

"I am passionate about BVC because I believe the college offers a unique opportunity for young people, many new to Canada, to rapidly gain the knowledge and education they need to get off to a quick start in their career through innovative programs in technology, entertainment arts, business, and health care within a culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect. Of particular importance to me is the BVC commitment to Indigenous students, studies, and physical space. "

As an account leader for Deloitte, Tim understands the importance of relationship building and he says, "The Open Doors-Open Minds Campaign allows me the opportunity to reach out to other organizations to create awareness for this amazing post-secondary school that represents a valuable source of diverse talent and critical skills."

There are few that advocate as effectively and passionately as Tim and his tireless efforts will open many doors and employment opportunities for BVC students.