Coffee with Kyle - Lazaridis School Podcast Series

Looking to score a career in sports management?Learn how Sharona Friedman turned learnings from her BBA into an exciting career path ultimately leading her to her current position as the President and CEO of the Global Institute for Sport (GIS). For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Episode 09 features Ibrahim Gedeon, CTO Emeritus, TELUS. Join Dean Kyle Murray and Ibrahim Gedeon as they discuss their new book, Automata: The Power of AI Integrated with Advanced Robotics, exploring the economic and societal changes already beginning at the hands of new AI and robotic technologies. With Ibrahim’s technological and industry experience, combined with Kyle’s business and education acumen, this new book goes beyond simple takeaways to explore the past which has led to this technological revolution, and how AI will transform economies in the years to come. For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Episode 08 features Professor of Finance, Brian Smith. Join Dean Kyle Murray and Brian Smith for a candid discussion on Brian’s experience as a finance professor at WLU for nearly 40 years. Reflecting on his career, Brian recounts his favourite stories of alumni, how business education has evolved, and his experience supervising both the Lazaridis Student Investment Fund and Start Up Fund. The two also discuss the importance of experiential learning and how it has evolved alongside technology, the passion for teaching in post-secondary, and Brian’s plans and advice for retirement.

Episode 07 features Lazaridis Students' Society Co-Presidents, Abby Yim and Ella Jazvac. Join Dean Kyle Murray and LazSoc Co-Presidents Abby Yim and Ella Jazvac for a bright look into Laurier’s BBA program, the business student experience, balancing a busy lifestyle, and the importance of getting involved in student clubs.The student leaders chat with the Dean about what makes the Lazaridis BBA program unique , the impact of experiential learning opportunities and curricular events, how extracurricular activities enrich day-to-day life, and fostering student communities.

Episode 06 features BTM undergrad student and President of the Business Technology Management Student Association, Jack Kennedy. Join Dean Kyle Murray and Jack Kennedy for a fresh perspective on the BTM student experience, the important balance of social and academic life, and how the Lazaridis co-op program offers unique workplace experience to prepare students for the market.Their candid conversation explores the BTM program transition from Brantford to the new Milton campus, the importance of experiential learning, the value of community and engagement with local businesses, and how getting involved in the student experience enriches the university journey.For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Please join Lazaridis School Dean Kyle Murray and his guest Nikolai Cook, Assistant Professor or Economics and 2024 Polanyi Prize winner in the fifth episode of Coffee with Kyle!This month's episode, titled "Clearing the Air: How Pollution Affects the Mind—and the Research We Overlook," explores the life of a professor, passion for innovative research, and concise overviews of Nik’s studies in research credibility and the psychological effects of air pollution. For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Please join Lazaridis School Dean Kyle Murray and his special guest Jennifer Gruber (GDip '07), CFO, Communitech, in the fourth episode of Coffee with Kyle!This month's episode titled "From Campus to C-Suite" explores how accounting has evolved to align more closely with finance and strategy, how AI is reshaping the graduate toolkit, and how government programs can support career growth. Jennifer also shares how building community connections and leaning on your network can strengthen entrepreneurial resilience in uncertain times.For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Please join Lazaridis School Dean Kyle Murray and his special guest Simon Chan (MBA'01), Founder and CEO, Adapt with Intent Inc., in the third episode of Coffee with Kyle!This month's episode titled "Reshaping Retirement" explores how retirement is no longer a final phase of one's life, but rather a new opportunity to stay engaged in society and the workforce. Kyle and Simon discuss the need to educate people and modernize organizations for this paradigm shift, flipping the script on the retirement narrative, how future technologies may support this growing change, and what universities and business schools can do to help reshape retirement.For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

Please join Lazaridis School Dean Kyle Murray and his special guest Dan Herman (BBA'03), Innovation Policy Expert and Documentary Producer in the second episode of Coffee with Kyle!This month's episode titled "Unlocking Global Markets" explores the fastest growing economies around the world, how Canada has historically relied on trading with the United States, and why Canadian businesses should consider diversifying their trade in the global markets.For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.

This Special Episode features Lazaridis School professor Dr. Azim Essaji, Associate Professor, Economics.Taking the opportunity to learn more about current economic events, Dean Kyle Murray welcomes Dr. Azim Essaji to discuss what tariffs are, why and how they are used between trading partners, economic uncertainty, and how tariffs can spark a trade war.

Please join Lazaridis School Dean Kyle Murray and his special guest Jeff Borg (BBA'88), Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Summitt Energy in the debut episode of Coffee with Kyle! This month's episode titled "Careers in Sales" explores how the sales career has evolved since Jeff began his career, advice for those pursuing or considering a sales career, how sales should be taught at a business school, and what it takes to succeed in sales.For more information, please visit https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics/index.html?ref=lazaridis-school-of-business-and-economics.