Visionary CEOs Share the Truth Behind Their Success

Peek behind the curtains of corporate leadership and discover the unfiltered truths of visionary CEOs who've redefined industries. Evening with the Entrepreneurs is your front-row seat to candid conversations with those who've led with unwavering vision. Brace yourself for a night of revelations that will reshape your understanding of leadership.

What you’ll gain:

• Gain insights into the leadership philosophies of visionary CEOs.
• Learn actionable strategies for leading change and fostering innovation.
• Connect with top-tier professionals and broaden your professional horizons.
• Leave with a renewed perspective on leadership and success.

Meet the Panelists

Wilson Acton | Managing Partner, Tall Grass Ventures

Wilson is a builder. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur and 4x tech start-up founder, Wilson has an extensive background in M&A, capital markets, venture building and multi-generational experience in agriculture. Wilson is the Managing Partner at Tall Grass Ventures, a leading investment firm investing in the future of agriculture and food.

Desirée Bombenon | CEO & Chief Disruption Officer, SureCall B-Corp Chair, Calgary Chamber of Commerce

Awarded RBC’s Women’s Entrepreneur for 2020, Ernst & Young 2019 Entrepreneur of the year for the Prairies in Communication Technology, she is a bold innovator, futurist, and purpose driven leader. Her portfolio includes business strategy, social enterprise, and culture building. Desirée was inducted into the WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of fame in 2022 after being recognized for the 4th time.

Greg Guatto | President & CEO, Aspen Properties

In the 25 years since the inception of Aspen, Greg and his partners have purchased 63 properties and sold 68 in transactions totaling $2.75 billion and have completed 177 mortgage financings totaling more than $2.4 billion. In its newest endeavor, Aspen is repurposing One Palliser Square from 400,000 square feet of office space into 395 residential units.

Darcy Tuer | Co-founder & CEO, ZayZoon

Darcy Tuer is ZayZoon's Co-Founder and CEO, who grew up in Calgary and Edmonton and started his first tech company in 2000. “I'm passionate about Calgary's technology ecosystem.” Also, the Co-founder and previous President of Spira Data Corp. for 11 years, he founded his first software company, Halo Networks, in 2000 while studying electrical engineering at the University of Alberta. As a man with a heart of gold, Darcy serves as Past-Chair on the board of the Missing Children’s Society of Canada and has been a Director since 2011.

Dr. Simon Raby | Creative Director, Growth Catalyst

Simon is a respected Professor of Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University in Calgary, known for his exceptional contributions to the field of innovation, business growth and scaling. He is the Founder of Growth Compass, a cutting-edge center of excellence that provides evidence-based insights and intelligence on business growth strategies to businesses of all sizes. As the Creative Director for Growth Catalyst, Simon leads an executive education program that helps CEOs and senior leadership teams develop and execute innovative growth strategies.

Meet the Host

Breton Gaunt | Associate, McLeod Law LLP

Breton is an associate in McLeod Law’s Business Law group. He practices in business and corporate/commercial law, corporate finance and securities. Before becoming a lawyer, Breton ran a residential concrete business. He has degrees in economics and biology and is a Red Seal concrete finisher.

About Growth Catalyst

Growth Catalyst prepares businesses across all industries to achieve growth and thrive in today’s marketplace.

We cultivate dynamic cohorts of diverse and ambitious leadership teams, equipping them with the knowledge, resources and support necessary to create a strategic growth plan and successfully scale up.

Currently recruiting for our January cohort in Calgary! Go to www.growthcatalyst.ca for more information, to apply, or nominate a company!

Register for the event today!