The next chapter for CDL-Rockies Entrepreneurial thinking is fundamentally about harnessing talent, passion, knowledge and networks to recognize opportunities where others may see challenges. At CDL-Rockies, we’ve applied that mindset since we began in 2017. The team has grown both in size and skillset since then, and I couldn’t be more proud of the community we have created and the existing communities who have embraced us. We’ve seen our fair share of changes over the past two years, with the pandemic and world events forcing us to rethink the responsibilities of being a leader, the culture we promote within organizations and the way we do business on a global scale. This has been a time of learning, and growth – especially for me. After five years, I will be stepping away from the role of Site Lead, dedicating more time to build something massive of my own at Fillip Fleet. I’m delighted to share that Heather Marshall, our current Head of Engagement, will be taking on the role of Site Lead. Heather’s success in building our stakeholder engagement program has further strengthened and connected our work with the greater ecosystem. Prior to CDL, Heather was the Business Development Director for Western Canada at Osler and participated in the inaugural CDL-Rockies Haskayne MBA course. I have every confidence that under Heather’s leadership, CDLRockies will continue to have significant impact in our community and beyond. When Jim Dewald, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business at UCalgary, first approached me to launch CDL-Rockies, I said I could give it two years; those two years have turned into five.
I was and continue to be inspired by CDL - the commitment to what we are doing, the impact we are having and the community that we have built - it is truly exceptional. In the last five years, we’ve exceeded expectations. We’ve had 333 ventures participate in our program and our alumni companies have generated $1.7 billion in equity value – and we’re still counting. I know the CDLRockies community will continue to have an impact on entrepreneurs, the innovation ecosystem and our economy as a whole. I’m excited for what the future has in store for CDLRockies. I look forward to being an active member of the CDL community and will continue to champion the program and its incredible work whenever and wherever I can. Thank you all for the last five years. I have immensely enjoyed connecting and working with all of you and watching this program grow from a small, single-stream site to what it is now. I can't wait to see how CDL continues to #buildsomethingmassive for years to come.
Sincerely,
Alice Reimer