TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series: Bobbie Racette
TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series: Bobbie Racette
Rooted in Resilience: Leadership, Identity, and Impact
2SLGBTQIA+ Métis-Cree entrepreneur Bobbie Racette is transforming tech and innovation. As the exited Founder of Virtual Gurus, acquired in November 2025, she pioneered a more inclusive digital landscape, driving equitable opportunities for marginalized communities through thoughtful tech and generative AI.
In this insightful and inspiring fireside chat moderated by Collisions YYC Host Tyler Chisholm, hear how Bobbie’s visionary leadership not only propelled her business but also continues to inspire others to champion inclusivity and break barriers in the tech industry.
Schedule of the Evening
5:00 PM: Doors open for refreshments, interactive art experience, and networking
6:00-7:15 PM: Fireside Chat with Bobbie Racette & Tyler Chisholm
7:15-7:30 PM: Networking and exit
Interactive Art Experience
Keegan Starlight will be facilitating an interactive art experience, where attendees are invited to contribute to a collaborative painting that will be featured on stage during the fireside chat. Arrive when doors open at 5:00 PM to participate!
What is the TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series?
Made possible thanks to the generous support of TC Energy, the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is proud to present the TC Energy Ingenuity Speaker Series. Throughout the year, we host inspiring entrepreneurs on campus, featuring some of the most well-known members of the innovation community.
Who is it for and why attend?
Anyone looking to gain entrepreneurial thinking skills, network with the innovation community, or anyone looking to start a company in the future are invited to register. We showcase entrepreneurial leaders within the University of Calgary and the Calgary innovation ecosystem representing a diverse array of backgrounds and accomplishments.
Who will you hear from?
Bobbie Racette
Bobbie Racette is not just a tech entrepreneur - she’s a force of nature. As the trailblazing, exited Founder of Virtual Gurus, Bobbie has revolutionized the way companies find and connect with diverse, top-tier remote talent. Proudly Métis-Cree and unapologetically Queer, she has built her career on championing inclusivity, equity, and opportunity for communities that have long been overlooked.
Under Bobbie’s leadership, Virtual Gurus became one of North America’s leading Talentplace platforms, empowering thousands of talented professionals with more than $15M CAD in earned wages to underserved communities. Recognized as EY Entrepreneur of the Year Special Citation and Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year, Bobbie is proof that resilience, grit, and a bold vision can reshape industries. Recently, the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business honoured her as Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year, cementing her status as a pioneer in innovation.
After eight transformative years as CEO, Bobbie transitioned into the role of President to focus on scaling purpose and impact, deepening enterprise partnerships, and amplifying the Virtual Gurus brand. Shortly after this transition, Virtual Gurus was acquired by Zirtual and PennSpring Capital, based in Pennsylvania. This marks a historic milestone as she became the first Indigenous woman in Canada to exit a tech company.
When she’s not disrupting the tech world, Bobbie is creating a meaningful impact as Chair of the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, Chair of QueerTech, and a member of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Board. Her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices extends beyond business, as she continues to build pathways for others to thrive.
Fueled by her mantra that "no is not an option," Bobbie Racette inspires the next generation of leaders to dream bigger, demand more, and break down barriers—one revolutionary step at a time.
Tyler Chisholm (Moderator)
It’s been said by many colleagues and friends that Tyler's superpower is being “endlessly curious,” which has served him in many ways, from growing up on the farm to his passion for marketing. Presently, Tyler is the Co-Founder and CEO of clearmotive marketing, a full-service agency focused on industrial clients. Under Tyler's leadership, clearmotive has evolved from a creative-first agency to a strategic partner that enables its clients to flip the traditional sales system creating a steady flow of inbound leads.
Tyler is also the host of two podcasts — They Just Get It and Collisions YYC. They Just Get It features interviews with people who have taken interesting and unique paths through life, often outside of what is considered "normal," highlighting the importance and rewards of following your dreams. In-depth knowledge about Alberta's economy and growing business opportunities is what you'll get from Collisions YYC. Each episode goes beyond the headlines to provide listeners with valuable insights that might just inspire their next big idea.
Tyler is a passionate philanthropist and founder of Red Express, a project designed to put toys in the hands of children in need each holiday season. He is an ambassador for International Justice Mission Canada to support their cause of ending slavery in our lifetime. In 2012, Tyler received recognition as one of Avenue's Top 40 Under 40.