UCalgary Alumni Abound in Avenue’s Top 40 Under 40

Co-Founder and CEO, Akira Impact

Eva Kiefer focuses on sustainable investing and impactful social initiatives. With extensive experience in the energy sector, she advocates for responsible investment strategies that prioritize both economic growth and environmental sustainability. In addition to her role at Akira Impact, Kiefer is active in organizations like Young Women in Energy and the Canada Energy Council, where she champions increased representation and diversity within the industry. Through her leadership, Kiefer is working to create a more inclusive and socially conscious energy landscape, paving the way for future generations to thrive in a sector historically limited in diversity. Kiefer is also a member of the University of Calgary Board of Governors.

Senior Geologist, ConocoPhillips; Co-founder, Geology in Motion

Dr. Dallin Laycock leverages his expertise to promote sustainable resource management and exploration. He has pioneered technologies to reduce the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, earning patents and publishing extensively. In 2021, he co-founded Geology in Motion, blending environmental education with field research on topics like Florida’s eroded coastlines and Puerto Rico's turtle-nesting sites. His projects, including a NASA collaboration for the Artemis I rocket launch, have gained global recognition, with his educational videos surpassing a million views. Laycock’s active roles in Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Canadian Energy Geoscience Association (CEGA) underscore his dedication to advancing geosciences and ethical resource stewardship.

Actor, Composer, Singer, Musician

Allison Lynch is a multi-faceted performer and composer in Calgary's vibrant arts scene. Known for her long-standing role with Theatre Calgary, Lynch has contributed as an actor, composer, musical director and sound designer. A member of EQUITY and ACTRA, she advocates for artists’ rights and recognition. Her original compositions and sound designs have been featured by Vertigo Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects, and she is a multiple Betty Mitchell Award-winner. Committed to inclusivity, Lynch mentors emerging artists through Theatre Calgary’s TC Mentors program and provides audio descriptions for visually impaired audiences. Known as “the actress of Calgary,” her work enriches Calgary’s performing arts community, blending creativity with inclusivity.

Clinical Scientist; Analog Astronaut

Dr. Nadia Maarouf merges health sciences with space research through her work at the University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services and Mars Planet Technologies. Driven by personal loss to heart disease, she made significant contributions to atherosclerosis vaccine-development during her doctoral studies. Her research drew the attention of astronaut and former UCalgary Chancellor Dr. Robert Thirsk, BSc (Eng)’76, Hon. LLD’09, MD, leading to collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency. Maarouf leverages space research to tackle cardiovascular issues, participating in analog missions to study astronaut health and test technologies for future space exploration. Her work promises advancements in both space medicine and health care for remote communities.

Physician & CEO, Prime Hair Clinic

After completing his residency at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine in 2017 (for which he received a Post-Graduate Medical Education credential), Dr. Joseph MacDonald initially pursued a career in family medicine before pivoting to the field of hair restoration. Under the mentorship of renowned hair-transplantation specialist Dr. John Gillespie, MD, MacDonald honed his skills and eventually took over the Gillespie clinic, rebranding it Prime Hair Clinic in 2018. In addition to running the clinic, MacDonald serves as a clinical lecturer at UCalgary and holds membership with the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. As one of Canada’s few qualified hair surgeons, he advocates for professional integrity and ethical practices in the hair-restoration industry, aiming to combat misinformation and substandard treatments.

Interim Senior Director, Student Wellness and Accessibility Services

In 2023, psychologist Meg Martin became manager of UCalgary’s Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Prevention and Support Office, supporting 60,000 students, faculty and staff. She quickly built the office, doubling its staff and introducing a restorative, community-focused approach. Under her leadership, initiatives like the “What You Didn’t Know Wednesdays” webinar series and Canada’s first feminist self-defence program were launched. Now the university’s senior director of Student Wellness and Accessibility Services, Martin continues to shape SGBV education. Beyond UCalgary, she secured funding from Hockey Canada for mandatory training after a sexual-assault scandal and co-launched Alberta’s One Line, a toll-free support service. Over a decade, she has raised more than $1 million for crisis response and education, significantly advancing SGBV prevention and support.

“As head of the Student Wellness Centre, she has brought forward a lot of services for students,” says Rehill. “As students’ needs around SGBV and other issues have changed and increased over the years, she has been key to adapting the services of the Student Centre to bring that forward.”

Lawyer and Founder, Prison and Police Law

Amy Matychuk is a dedicated lawyer focused on justice reform and civil rights, especially for marginalized communities impacted by police and prison systems. As the founder of Prison and Police Law, she advocates for systemic change, including trans women’s rights to be housed in women’s correctional facilities. One of her key cases challenges federal policies to ensure fair treatment for trans inmates. Beyond her legal practice, Matychuk educates the public through Law360.ca and ABlawg.ca and serves on the executive boards of the Canadian Prison Law Association, the Alberta Prison Justice Society and the Alberta Police Misconduct Database Association, championing fairness and equity in the justice system.

CEO, Showpass

Lucas McCarthy is transforming the event ticketing industry in Canada. Under his leadership, Showpass has grown to be a prominent platform that enhances the audience experience at various events. From a small startup of three employees, it has become a thriving company with more than 110 team members and expansion across Canada, the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Today, Showpass is on track to handle $1 billion in annual sales and has been recognized in Deloitte’s 2023 Technology Fast 500 rankings. 

Founder and CEO, Guardyan Conservation Corp.

Jana McDonald, BA'21 groundbreaking LGBTQ2S+ leader in the male-dominated energy sector, is the founder and CEO of Guardyan Conservation Corp. She helps companies reduce carbon emissions while generating new revenue through carbon credits. In 2023, Guardyan’s Greenhouse Gas Avoidance Methodology enabled an Alberta oil company to generate 271 million voluntary carbon credits, one of the world’s largest emission-reduction projects. McDonald also empowers women in energy, mentoring through Young Women in Energy, where she earned a leadership award. As co-founder of the WhyNot International Aid Foundation, she has helped deliver more than $2.5 million in aid to communities in need.

Clinical Associate Professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Cardiologist, Alberta Health Services

Dr. Robert Miller balances patient care, research and health-care advocacy. He leads the Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac CT programs at Foothills Medical Centre and South Health Campus, where he has doubled CT scan capacity, enhancing patient access. An expert in advanced cardiac imaging, Miller’s research leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to improve diagnosis and risk-assessment. His lab, recently awarded a $500,000 Alberta Innovates grant, is developing AI models to guide doctors in choosing between less-invasive CT scans and more-definitive angiograms. This work positions Calgary as a leader in nuclear cardiology and aims to improve decision-making and outcomes in cardiac care.

President, Canadian Heritage Roasting Company

Jamie Parker leads efforts to source coffee ethically and support local communities. Along with Vice-President Michael Wenzlawe, Parker co-founded CHRC in 2015 with $10,000 in savings from their time as wildland firefighters. Their firefighting experience instilled perseverance and a deep respect for nature, which became core values of their brand. Starting from a garage, they grew CHRC into a business that now distributes to 1,200 stores nationwide. Committed to sustainability, CHRC plants a tree for every bag of coffee sold, totalling 129,000 trees to date, and supports various conservation initiatives. Their dedication to quality, ethics and conservation exemplifies the spirit of social entrepreneurship in Calgary.

“Jamie took a very unconventional route, as a kinesiology grad to a coffee business owner,” says Rehill. “His focus is on ensuring the environment is in a state that can be enjoyed by all and, since the inception of their coffee brand, they have worked with organizations that prioritize tree planting to help reduce wildfires.”

Partner, Brownlee LLP

Nabeel Peermohamed, one of its youngest equity partners at Brownlee LLP, excels in legal advocacy and community service. As an insurance defence litigator, he has shaped court interpretations of the Occupiers’ Liability Act and the Municipal Government Act, shielding commercial and municipal clients from liability. He chairs Brownlee’s Student Committee, fostering mentorship, and leads the firm’s pro bono efforts with the Calgary Civil Claims Duty Council, providing around 100 hours of free legal advice annually to self-represented litigants. His work with the Professional Liability Underwriting Society and other organizations reflects his commitment to ethical practices and support for underrepresented communities, emphasizing the value of pro bono work in reconnecting lawyers with their profession’s core values.

Creative Director, Producer, Musician, Curator, FOREIGNERZ, BUMP Festival, Cartel Madras

Priya "Contra" Ramesh is a driving force in Calgary’s arts scene, championing persons of colour and marginalized artists through ventures like FOREIGNERZ and BUMP Festival. Born in Tamil Nadu, India, and raised in Calgary, she co-founded the experimental hip-hop duo Cartel Madras, securing a Sub Pop record deal, releasing three EPs and performing more than 110 shows worldwide, including with M.I.A. in India. In 2020, she co-founded FOREIGNERZ, producing more than 30 projects that spotlight diverse voices. Her work with BUMP has brought more than 300 public art installations to life, along with a festival celebrating global and local talent. Recently named Calgary Public Library’s 2024 Filmmaker-in-Residence, Contra continues to shape a vibrant, inclusive future for Calgary’s arts community.

Vice Chairman & President, Calgary Surge Basketball Club 

Dr. Jason Ribeiro is dedicated to making basketball accessible and fostering community engagement. Through initiatives like Surge ASSIST, which has provided more than 3,500 underprivileged youth with free game tickets and raised $300,000 for local charities, Ribeiro emphasizes youth development. He was instrumental in relocating and rebranding the Guelph Nighthawks as the Calgary Surge, transforming it into a community hub. Under his leadership, the Surge set a Canadian Elite Basketball League attendance record in May 2024 with more than 12,000 spectators, and expanded from two to 20 full-time employees. Ribeiro also contributes to the community through roles with the Alberta Motor Association, Sport Calgary and EducationMatters, using the Surge as a platform to build inclusive, vibrant communities through sport.

“There’s something to be said about the balance between academia and sport,” says Rehill. “Too often, people assume that pursuing a PhD means narrowing their focus to a single niche, but Jason has shown how community development, business, education and sport can all play integral roles in building a successful sports brand.”

News Writer and Podcast Host, Wealthsimple Media

Sarah Rieger is the sole news writer for Wealthsimple Media’s TLDR newsletter, which has grown from 7,000 to 1.8 million weekly readers since its launch. Her work focuses on providing accessible financial insights, empowering Canadians to better manage their money. With a background as an award-winning journalist for the Huffington Post and CBC, Rieger has covered topics ranging from labour rights to cryptocurrency. She also contributes to investigative projects, including research for the upcoming true crime series, Sasha Reid and the Midnight Order. Driven by a passion for human rights and social justice, Rieger volunteers with Calgary Outlink, supporting LGBTQ2S+ communities. She even donated a kidney through the Southern Alberta Transplant Program. Through her journalism, Rieger combines her dedication to social justice with her mission to demystify personal finance, helping readers build financial security.

“Her writing is very easy to consume,” says Rehill. “Financial writing can be dry and overwhelming. She writes in a way that is clear, concise, informative, without all the bells and whistles, to make it accessible for all Canadians.”

Mobility Initiatives Lead, City of Calgary

Andrew Sedor has been key in advancing sustainable transportation. He led the City’s e-scooter pilot program, bringing in Neuron and Bird as providers and positioning Calgary as a global leader in e-scooter ridership with 1.4 million annual users. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sedor also facilitated the creation of streetside patios for 200 restaurants, collaborating with the Beltline Urban Murals Project to enhance public spaces with local art. In 2017, he launched the Living Labs program, enabling real-world testing of innovative ideas using City infrastructure. Dedicated to fostering future urban planners, Sedor serves as an industry advisor for UCalgary’s Civil Engineering Capstone program and has taught Urban Studies 451 for six years, inspiring students to make meaningful contributions to city planning.

Founder, Lola Lash Bar

Anna Skrzypek has revolutionized Calgary’s beauty scene with her entrepreneurial drive and commitment to empowering women. Starting with one salon in 2012, she has expanded to five Calgary locations, a Kelowna branch and a client base of more than 70,000, complete with a signature product line. With a background in corporate finance, Skrzypek identified a gap in the market for eyelash extensions and turned her passion for esthetics into a thriving business. Her hands-on approach shapes every aspect of Lola Lash Bar, from design to customer experience, while promoting female empowerment and inclusivity. In 2021, she launched The Lola Care Box, donating essential personal-care items to organizations supporting women in need, such as the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. Skrzypek’s focus on creating an inclusive space ensures all clients leave feeling confident and empowered, reflecting her dedication to community-driven entrepreneurship.

Interdisciplinary artist and founder, LYT Studio

Interdisciplinary artist Lili Yas Tayefi blends old and new techniques to reveal deeper truths. Tayefi, founder of LYT Studio, specializes in custom ceramics made with robotics. Originally from Tehran, she holds a BFA from the University of Calgary and a master’s in advanced architecture from IAAC in Barcelona, where she helped create Spain’s first 3D-printed building in 2021. Her innovative spirit extends to her community work: she co-founded A Little Happiness Foundation, supports accessible art workshops locally, and teaches at Alberta University of the Arts and UCalgary, encouraging students to rethink societal systems through art and technology.