Turning Experience into Opportunity: Alumni Entrepreneurial Journeys

Lisa‑Marie Ellis, a Calgary lawyer, holds psychology, commerce and law degrees from UCalgary and was called to the bar in 2007. She practises family and wills and estates law, founded her own firm in 2010, and launched Ellis Legal Group in downtown Calgary in 2015.

Brian Hill, a father of three and bike‑commuting enthusiast, is director of Business Development at Momentum, where he has spent 15 years advancing entrepreneurship, social enterprise and Indigenous engagement. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UCalgary and an MBA from York University. He started TuffHill eBikes along with his wife, Alexandra Contreras, BA’06, BEd’09; friend, Sean Tuff, BComm’16; and Sean's wife, Steph Tuff, BComm’10.

Jana Boyko is an entrepreneur, author and speaker who has worked with 100+ brands. She launched a coaching practice in 2018 supporting women shifting to entrepreneurship and is now co‑founder of Bedside Business Plan Ltd. Her guided journals, including Bedside Business Plan, are sold in Indigo stores nationwide.

Hussain Darsi is a technology entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Loyalty Sense Inc., operating in Alberta and Texas. He leads the company’s growth by delivering integrated POS, payments, and customer‑engagement solutions for small and mid‑sized businesses. Known for his customer‑centric approach, he focuses on technology that helps local businesses modernize and grow.

Nina is a Calgary-based strategic communications and public affairs professional, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy in Digital Society at McMaster University. Her work explores the critical intersections of energy policy, digital infrastructure, and AI governance. 

A dedicated community leader and systems thinker, she serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Calgary Alumni Association and the Orenda Society. She is passionate about navigating complex policy landscapes and advancing Alberta’s role in the global energy transition.