Who is Christopher?
I’m often described by my peers as thoughtful and impassioned — and by my closest friends as loyal, honest, and creative. These are qualities I hold dear and try to bring into every space I occupy, whether I’m leading enterprise transformation initiatives, mentoring students, or curating vintage guitars.
Professionally, I serve as the Business Optimization Lead at Spartan Controls, where I design and execute cross-functional strategies that turn complexity into clarity. My work spans enterprise analytics, reporting design, pricing strategy, and SAP enablement, always with a focus on actionable insights and measurable outcomes.
I earned both my Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (with a minor in English Literature) and my Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development (SEDV) at the University of Calgary. The SEDV program is a unique interdisciplinary offering from the School of Public Policy, Schulich School of Engineering, Haskayne School of Business, and the Faculty of Law — a perfect reflection of my broad academic and professional interests. My capstone, Creating Cohesion in Energy Strategy: An Analysis of Risk Management in the Western Canadian Petroleum Industry, is available on the UCalgary PRISM repository.
I chose this program as I am a proud Albertan - having been born and raised in the province, I have a deep personal connection to the energy industry. In spite of this, I am a strong believer in sustainability and sustainable development - the impact of the Canadian energy industry on innovation, social responsibility, and ethical energy extraction are areas I believe Canadians have a lot to be proud of. We still, however, do a lot more. These core beliefs and values are thus reflected in my mission and vision statements.
Beyond the Boardroom
I’ve always believed in giving back. Over the years, I’ve contributed to organizations such as SEEDS Connections, World Vision Canada, and Relay for Life, and held leadership roles in student government, Model UN, and education advocacy. Whether mentoring first-year students, co-founding cultural clubs, or helping build open education resources, I am drawn to empowerment, education, and equity.
I have previously held posts on the Executive Council of the University of Calgary Model United Nations Team (UCMUNT), served as Vice President of Finance and Operations with the University of Calgary Debate Society (UCDS) and the University of Calgary Chapter of the Relay for Life. I am also the former Vice President of Finance and Operations and a founding member of PALgarians - a UCalgary Students’ Union Club designed to offer support to non-local students, develop community, and encourage mentorship amongst UCalgary students and their peers. I have also been heavily engaged with the University of Calgary Chapter of World Vision Canada, where I previously held the same post of Vice President of Finance and Operations and later became a Senior Advisor. In my final year at the Haskayne School of Business, I had the privilege of being one of five head mentors for the First Year Mentorship program. I have also served as a Substantive Assistant Director with the International Model United Nations Association (IMUNA) at National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) 2019 in Manhattan, NY.
Throughout my life I have strongly supported charity and philanthropy, with many of my projects being related to natural disaster relief. Other causes I advocate for relate to healthcare, the developing world, and accessibility to the arts. I also have a continuing passion for student education, and student governance and leadership. In my youth, I have been fortunate to have had many great role models and mentors. Whenever the opportunity has arisen, I have been enthusiastic about engaging and inspiring others, as many have done - and continue to do - for me. This has been explored in my multiple experiences as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at the Haskayne School of Business. Some highlights of my work include contributions to an open education resource (OER) on Technology Tools for Entrepreneurs - the first course of its kind in the world. This is made possible thanks to grants on education and curriculum development from the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. I am also supporting a fantastic initiative in the EdTech Examined Podcast with Co-Founders Kris Hans and the wonderful Erik Christiansen.
Colour of Life
When I’m not working, I’m usually:
Playing or collecting guitars — with a collection of over 150 fine vintage and rare pieces (some available here)
Composing, listening to, or performing music — from classical piano to blues, rock, and Broadway
Cooking and exploring global cuisines — with a special interest in the history and cultural significance of food
Reading or writing poetry — and studying everything from philosophy and political theory to economics and literature
Traveling to cities that fuel my love of art, fashion, and fine dining — especially Tokyo, Rome, Miami, New York, and Barcelona
What Guides Me
My career and life are anchored in a few simple beliefs:
That data and story together create the most powerful kind of clarity
That leadership means service, not ego
And that Canada, at its best, represents a global model for freedom, innovation, and sustainable progress
These are the principles that shape how I lead, how I work, and how I show up in the world.
