Who is Christopher?
My peers often describe me as “thoughtful” and “impassioned”; while my friends frequently add “loyal”, “honest” and “creative”. These qualities are some of those I most strongly identify with, and are complimented by my varied hobbies and many life-passions.
More formally, I have built my career at Spartan Controls, where I am currently a Business Optimization Lead. I have also previously held a variety of roles at Spartan. My alma mater is the University of Calgary, where I completed my Bachelor of Commerce at the Haskayne School of Business - majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and minoring in English Literature. I have also completed my Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Development at UCalgary - an interdisciplinary program that is a joint offering from the School of Public Policy, the Schulich School of Engineering, the Haskayne School of Business, and the Faculty of Law. As part of this unique program, I completed my capstone project, entitled, “Creating Cohesion in Energy Strategy: An Analysis of Risk Management in the Western Canadian Petroleum Industry” which can be accessed here on the University of Calgary 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.
Previously, I have volunteered for SEEDS Connections, a non-profit focussed on activism, social equality and equity, environmental stewardship, embracing all forms of diversity, and advocating for student leadership. I have also previously held a post 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.
In my personal time, I enjoy a variety of hobbies, from creating and consuming music and food, to reading and writing (and in particular poetry). I also enjoy travelling, my favourite destinations being Japan, Italy, Spain, Miami, Seattle, and New York. These destinations are particularly to my fancy as they appease my appreciation for fashion, the arts, and fine dining.
I am also a trained classical pianist and guitarist, though this does not detract from my fandom of rock and blues music or musical theatre and broadway. My obsession with, and appreciation for guitars and vintage instruments have lead me to the accumulation of a very large collection, currently totalling over 150 pieces. As many musicians and collectors can attest, the personal “addiction” frequently leads to an ever-changing and ever-expanding collection. If you are ever interested in what instruments I may be parting with, you can check out my Reverb.com shop here.
