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Welcome back to Coffee With Convery. Today’s conversation is for anyone who has ever askedthemselves: Am I on the right path?What if I want to pivot?How do I connect what I’m studying to the real world?Because here’s the truth. Careers today are no longer linear. They are dynamic, evolving, and often unpredictable. I’m excited to welcome Jake Okechukwu Effoduh. Jake is an Assistant Professor at the Lincoln AlexanderSchool of Law, where his work focuses on artificial intelligence, technology law, and international human rights. His journey spans global institutions, including theWorld Economic Forum, Carnegie Mellon University, and leadership roles in AI policy and human rights across Africa and Canada. From practicing law to shaping conversations on AIgovernance and equity, Jake represents what it means to build a career with purpose and perspective.

Welcome back to Coffee With Convery, today’s conversationasks us to slow down, lean in, and really listen. Because sometimes, the most important work happening inthe world isn’t loud, it’s deep. It’s thoughtful. And it’s rooted in truth. In a time where we talk a lot about innovation,disruption, and the future of work… We don’t always talk enough about the human stories thatshape who we are and who we become. Today’s guest lives at that intersection where researchmeets lived experience, where storytelling meets impact, and where truth meetscourage. Lucas Wilson is a PhD, a writer, and a SSHRC PostdoctoralFellow at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He’s also the editor of SHAME-SEX ATTRACTION:Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy — a powerful collection that brings forward voices and experiences that have historically been silenced. In addition, Lucas serves as a board member with TheArQuives — Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives, helping to preserve and elevate stories that matter.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s yourlaunchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest is someone who understands that in today’seconomy, attention is earned — but trust is built. Giulio Becatti is a filmmaker and video strategist basedin Canada, founder of GHMedia, and someone who helps construction brands turncredibility into clients through the power of visual storytelling. But what fascinates me about Giulio isn’t just that heshoots great video. It’s that he understands positioning. He understands trust. He understands how creativity becomes strategy. And he recently filmed a documentary in South Sudan. We’re going to unpack all of it.

Most organizations do not fail because they lack technology. They fail because they misunderstand trust. In an AI driven, hyper connected world, the real risk is not speed. It is vulnerability. Today’s conversation is about what leaders miss before something breaks. Rob Chaykoski is a cybersecurity and information technology expert with more than twenty five years of experience. He is a Zero Trust architect, AI researcher, educator, and public sector security leader working across healthcare, government, education, and enterprise systems. But this is not a conversation about firewalls. It is about responsibility. It is about digital trust. It is about why cybersecurity is now a leadership decision. If you lead people, manage data, or work in tech, this one matters.

Most institutions do not struggle because of funding. They struggle because creativity and strategy stop talking to each other. And when that happens, innovation stalls before anyone notices. If you are leading a team, building a program, or navigating your own career, today’s conversation is about how to build bridges before silos harden. My guest is Dr. Glen Lowry, senior academic leader, former Associate Vice President at Centennial College, Executive Director of Partnerships and Research at OCAD University, and long serving academic leader at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. But here is why this matters. Glen has built institutions at the intersection of creativity, research, industry, and community without losing the storyteller inside him. Today we are breaking down:Why partnerships fail before they even startWhat colleges must change right now to stay relevantand The leadership signal most people miss under pressure

Coffee With Convery – Special Edition | Live with Northeastern University Toronto Students Today’s Special Edition features four exceptional graduate students from Northeastern University Toronto who are navigating the Canadian job market as innovators, newcomers, and future leaders. Meet the Guests John Justice Abban John is a biotechnology graduate student with experience spanning GMP manufacturing in Canada and regulatory operations in Ghana. From placing 2nd in an AI in Life Sciences Hackathon to researching HER2-targeted biologics, he’s building a career at the intersection of biotech manufacturing, compliance, and data science. Rita Aladi Rita is a Project Management graduate student and ONYX Scholar who specializes in stakeholder coordination and operational efficiency. With experience leading teams across Nigeria and North America, she brings a data-driven, customer-centric mindset to every project she touches. Victor Adekunle Victor is a Project Management professional with a foundation in architecture and systems thinking. Skilled in governance, Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration, he is positioning himself as a high-impact co-op candidate ready to drive measurable results. Alexis Hercules Alexis is a biotechnology graduate student passionate about translating molecular research into therapeutic impact, particularly in women’s health. With hands-on experience in antibody research, GMP/GCP/GLP principles, and student leadership as President of BioNeXt, she is committed to advancing equitable innovation in drug development.

Most people are not stuck because they lack talent. They are stuck because they are hiding. Hiding their voice. Hiding their truth. Hiding who they really are. Today’s conversation is about what happens when you stop editing yourself and start owning the stage. My guest is Ava Val. She is a John Candy Award winning comedian, musician, and actress. She has written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, appeared on Roast Battle Canada, and stunned audiences on Canada's Got Talent with a full sweep of yeses. She is also the first trans performer to break multiple barriers across Canadian comedy and television. But this episode is not about credits. It is about courage. It is about identity. It is about leading with truth.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest is someone who proves that passion isn’t just something you love, it’s something you build with. Vasili Palantzas is a musician, educator, and leader whose career has been shaped not by shortcuts, but by discipline, curiosity, and a deep respect for craft. From early practice rooms to leading ensembles, mentoring young musicians, and shaping the next generation of creative talent, Vasili’s story is about what happens when commitment meets creativity. This episode is for anyone navigating a non-linear path, building mastery over time, or wondering if what they love can truly become a life’s work.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest, Barry Moline has spent nearly four decades leading in some of the most complex, high-stakes environments imaginable energy, water, infrastructure, public service, disaster response, and now ethical influence and leadership development. He’s been a CEO for 29 years. He’s led statewide and national associations. He’s worked in government, utilities, nonprofits, global organizations and today, he helps leaders learn how to connect, persuade ethically, and build teams that actually work. Barry is also the author of CONNECT! How to Quickly Collaborate for Success in Business and Life, a book that challenges how most of us think leadership is supposed to look.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s yourlaunchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest is a powerhouse in the world of human resources, a certified coach, and a master at building high-performing leadership benches. Please welcome Tiffany Smye,  Founder and Principal Consultant at TCSTalent Consulting and former Senior Director of Talent, Learning & Development at MLSE.  Tiffany’s career is a masterclass in evolving within the talent space. She has led massive recruitment and development portfolios for global giants like RBC and Deloitte,managing everything from campus programs for over 650 annual hires to overseeing HR for banking operations with more than 9,500 employees.  Today, she uses that deep expertise to help organizations solve business challenges through a people-and-culture lens, focusing on leadership effectiveness and talentinnovation.  Whether you’re a student navigating your first campus recruitment cycle, a professional looking to pivot your career, or a leader trying to build a culture of trust and performance, Tiffany’s insights will change how you think about talent.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest doesn’t just work inside systems -- he questions them, rewrites them, and asks who they were actually built for in the first place. Colin Belcourt is an author, certified sustainability practitioner, award-winning DEI & belonging leader, business intelligence professional, and a queer systems thinker. Colin’s career didn’t start with a title or a straight line. It started at the front desk…and moved through administration, HR, recruitment, project management, DEI leadership, international talent, public-sector innovation and now into technology, AI governance, and authorship. His journey is proof that your first job doesn’t define you - but how you learn, adapt, and stay true to yourself absolutely does.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest understands something most people don’t realize until much later: careers aren’t ladders — they’re stories. Ella Weatherilt is the Director of Talent Acquisition at Medcan, with leadership experience at Walmart Canada, Spin Master, and across agency recruiting. But beyond titles, Ella is a storyteller at heart - an English Literature grad who turned narrative thinking into a career helping people move from one chapter to the next. She doesn’t just hire talent. She helps people make sense of their futures.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’s your launchpad for career inspiration. Today’s guest is someone who didn’t just notice a broken system, she chose to stand between families and it. Christine Lai is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Special Education Legal Fund. Since 2018, her work has helped provide over $1.3million in grants and thousands of hours of legal support to families navigating special education, families who too often feel unheard, overwhelmed, or alone. Christine’s journey spans Wall Street to nonprofit leadership, but this conversation isn’t about titles. It’s about advocacy. About translating skills into meaningful impact. And about building systems that protect families when they need it most.

Welcome to Coffee With Convery, the podcast that’syour launchpad for career inspiration. I’m your host, Brien Convery, and around here we believe success isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder - it’s about building your own jungle gym. Each episode, we share real stories from all kinds of careers and all levels, to help you design a careerportfolio of sorts that fits you and your passions. Let’s dive into today’s conversation. Today’s guest is someone who reminds us that careers don’t start in boardrooms, they start with people. Adam Castle is a developer and growth coach, mental health ambassador, and the Director of Venture Services & Partnerships at WEtech Alliance. But before startup accelerators, innovation programs, and ecosystem building - Adam’s career began in social work, youth services, recreation, and community care.

Welcome back to Coffee with Convery, where we caffeinate your curiosity with bold stories, real conversations, and fresh perspectives on how you define success - in work and in life. Today’s guest represents something I love spotlighting on this show: drive without entitlement, ambition with humility, and discipline with heart. Kofi Boateng is a second-year Commerce student-athlete atMcMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, a Defensive Lineman for the McMaster Marauders, a former Commercial Banking Analyst Intern at BMO, an award-winning entrepreneur, and a young leader who’s already built impact across finance, community, and business. From founding a lawn care company that served seniors and earned youth entrepreneur awards…to interning at BMO and KPMG…to leading corporate relations for Black in Business and representing firms like ICON Talent Partners and KPMG on campus… Kofi’s story isn’t about having it all figured out - it’sabout showing up, stacking reps, and building optionality early.