Igniting Innovation: The Intersection of Philanthropy and Entrepreneurial Thinking
The creation of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking catalyzed the transformation of the Calgary innovation landscape. You can trace the roots of the exponential growth of venture investment in the region to the visionary leadership of the Hunter Family Foundation who dared to do something bold. This donation in 2017 to establish the Hunter Hub at the University of Calgary stands as the best example in the province of how philanthropy and entrepreneurial thinking can combine for exceptional results.
Don’t miss this this unique opportunity to hear firsthand about the origins of the Hunter Hub from Derrick Hunter and Dr. Elizabeth Cannon while we gain insights into the growth of Alberta's innovation ecosystem, and connect with fellow changemakers and investors who are shaping the future.
This holiday themed breakfast event has limited capacity so register soon!
Open to VCAA members (free) and community members ($45).
Agenda:
8:30am - 9:15am Breakfast & Networking
9:15am - 10:15am Panel Discussion
10:15 am - 10:30am Networking
Speakers:
Derrick Hunter
Derrick is the President and CEO of Bluesky Equities Ltd., an investment management company with interests in real estate, energy, technology and alternative strategies. Previously, he co-founded Wild Rose Properties Inc. – a property management company with assets in ten states and a portfolio value exceeding $1 billion.
Bluesky is one of the most active angel-investors in Southern Alberta having invested in over one-hundred seed-stage businesses since 2012. In 2019, Derrick was named Canadian Angel Investor of the Year by the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) as well as Technology Investor of the year by Start Alberta.
Derrick is also a Trustee of the Hunter Family Foundation which in 2017 made the largest gift ever to a Canadian university in furtherance of entrepreneurial education. The Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is located at the heart of the UCalgary campus and is fundamental to the institution’s goal of being Canada’s “entrepreneurial university”. Derrick co-chairs the External Advisory Committee at the Hunter Hub. He is also a Fellow of Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies., an Advisor to the UCEED General Health Fund and Platform Calgary, and serves on the board of Alberta Enterprise Corporation.
Derrick is a graduate of Queen’s University and the University of Calgary. He is a Life Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He was the 2018 recipient of the Management Alumni Excellence (MAX) award from the Haskayne School of Business.
Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, PEng, OC, AOE, FRSC, FCAE
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is president emerita of the University of Calgary after serving as president from 2010 until 2018. A champion for advancing the mission of the university and fostering excellence in higher education, she led the development of the university’s transformational Eyes High strategy and its $1.3 billion energize campaign through a focus on impact and a strong institutional culture. Prior to her term as president, Dr. Cannon was dean of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.
She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Aga Khan University and is a Director of the Gairdner Foundation and the Rideau Hall Foundation, in addition to being a director on several corporate and crown corporation boards including the Creative Destruction Labs. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering and the US National Academy of Engineering.
In 2006, Dr. Cannon was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and in 2019, was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2022, Dr. Cannon was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame – Southern Alberta. She has received five honorary degrees and serves as an Honorary Captain (HCapt) in the Royal Canadian Navy. An expert in geomatics engineering and a Professional Engineer, Dr. Cannon’s research has been on the forefront of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) since 1984 in both industrial and academic environments, and she has commercialized technology to over 200 agencies worldwide. Dr. Cannon’s work has been recognized with many national and international honours including the Johannes Kepler Award from the U.S. Institute of Navigation, an NSERC Steacie Award and the Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada. From 1997-2002, Dr. Cannon was the NSERC/Petro-Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering of the Prairie Region.
In addition to board work, Dr. Cannon is an active venture investor, especially in female- founded companies, and is the author of Enhancing Your Higher Education Presidency: Fifteen Lessons on Leadership.