Kunal is a physician-turned health-tech builder, Senior Systems Analyst at The Ottawa Hospital, and professor at Algonquin College. From India’s wards to Trualta’s startup trenches, he’s designed digital tools for caregivers and driven system-level change. He demystifies complex healthcare for students and teams—and advocates for aging, caregiving, and health equity.

You can find him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunalparikh6/

Global communicator turned AI innovator – From serving in the South Korean government to steering worldwide PR for Kia Motors and attracting foreign investment, Chris Doré spent 10 years in Asia mastering diplomacy and storytelling.

• ScarlettNova CEO – Now leads an AI consultancy & venture studio that makes artificial intelligence accessible, practical, and transformative for everyday business. You can find Chris at https://www.scarlettnova.com/

  
  

• Hands‑on educator – 10+ years at Algonquin College designing entrepreneurship, sales, and emerging‑tech courses that turn ideas into action.

  
  

• Episode focus – How Chris “gamifies rejection,” turning every “no” into a score‑boosting quest for feedback, iteration, and growth, plus his playbook for confident AI adoption.

  
  

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What does it look like when curiosity meets global strategy — before age 30? Whether you’re a student, an emerging leader, or just passionate about meaningful work, this conversation will leave you inspired.

Check out Business Minds Media https://www.youtube.com/@businessmindsmedia

In the latest episode of Career Canvas with Sandra Yuk-Sim Wu, I sit down with Mathis Vuillermin, a rising leader whose accomplishments span digital media, public policy, and international collaboration. He’s the co-founder of Business Minds Media and a key contributor to Canada’s $200M broadcasting reform at the CRTC — and he’s just getting started.

We talked about:

✅ Saying yes to the right opportunities

✅ Leading with purpose across borders

✅ What will always matter in a world of change

✅ French vs. North American workplace culture

✅ Building confidence early in your career

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an extraordinary guest who is an example for women in leadership—Amri Murray. She made a big decision during her maternity leave, which changed her pursuit as a professor. She talked about what work-life balance really means to her. Amri is now a Licensed Paralegal, Entrepreneur, and Educator with a remarkable journey in the legal world. As the Founder and Business Owner of AJ Murray Legal Services P.C., You can find Amri Murray at https://www.ajmurraylaw.ca/Amri has been providing top-notch legal services for over six years, specializing in landlord and tenant disputes, small claims court, human rights, and more. Her dedication to securing the best outcomes for her clients is unmatched.But Amri’s story doesn’t stop there. Her commitment to the legal profession extends beyond client advocacy. She tutored aspiring paralegals preparing for their licensing exams. Her passion for mentoring future legal professionals speaks volumes about her dedication to giving back and shaping the next generation of leaders.Amri’s impact isn’t limited to the courtroom or classroom. She actively volunteers with Reach Canada, providing pro bono legal services to individuals with disabilities in Ottawa, helping them navigate complex legal matters with compassion and care. She also serves on the Paralegal Education & Advocacy Committee for the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA), where she champions professional development and knowledge-sharing for paralegals in Eastern Ontario.So, if you’re considering a career in law, wondering what it takes to run a successful legal practice, or simply curious about the journey of a driven and passionate legal entrepreneur, this episode is for you!

Join Sandra Yuk-Sim Wu—artist-turned-leader, MBA, PMP,and Executive Certified in Management and Leadership—as she shares her unconventional career journey and insights on navigating career and education choices.

From her beginnings as an artist and art teacher to herroles in healthcare, education, and international business, Sandra’s story is a testament to the power of reinvention, lifelong learning, and purposeful decision-making. Because success isn’t a straight line—it’s a canvas, layered with experiences, risks, and new opportunities.

She’ll also invite business-minded, like-minded leaders,entrepreneurs, and change-makers to share their own journeys.

Each episode will inspire you to embrace change, leverageyour unique strengths, and design a future filled with purpose and possibility.

Welcome to Career Canvas with Sandra Wu — the podcastwhere creativity meets strategy to shape a career and life you love.

Today’s guest, Ali Pahlavani, is proof that your career pathdoesn’t have to be linear to be successful.

Ali started his career as a civil engineer — a world rootedin structure, analysis, and problem-solving. However, his curiosity and passion for working with people led him to make a bold pivot into financial services. Armed with an analytical mindset from his engineering background, Ali quickly found his footing in the world of investment strategies, wealth management, and financial planning — eventually becoming a Certified Financial Planner.

His leadership skills didn’t go unnoticed. Ali rose toexecutive roles at major financial institutions, driving business development, and operational strategy, and fostering a culture of innovation. Beyond the corporate world, Ali is also a passionate advocate for the financial services profession.

Through his involvement with Advocis, the Financial AdvisorsAssociation of Canada, he’s held leadership roles both locally and nationally — championing the voice of financial advisors across the country.

Today, Ali continues to work closely with clients as aCertified Financial Planner with Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network and Desjardins Financial Security Investments Incorporation, combining his technical expertise with a deeply human approach to financial planning.

But what really sets Ali apart is his passion for giving itback. As a professor, mentor, and educator, he loves helping the next generation of financial professionals — and even shares his best tips on teaching financial literacy to children!

This is a conversation about career pivots, transferableskills, leadership, and lifelong learning.

Let’s dive in — and start painting the canvas of yourcareer, one bold stroke at a time.

Today, we have an extraordinary guest, Dr. Chong Ho Alex Yu, a distinguished scholar, educator, and data science expert. Dr. Yu is a Professor and Program Director of the Data Science and AI Master Program at Hawai'i Pacific University, with deep expertise in statistics, machine learning, data visualization, and AI ethics.

You can find Dr. Yu on https://www.youtube.com/@datafrontiers

However, what makes Dr. Yu’s journey truly fascinating is his ability to embrace change and pivot across disciplines. With two Ph. D.s—one in Measurement, Statistics, and Methodological Studies and another in Philosophy—alongwith multiple master's degrees in areas ranging from educational psychology to theology, he’s a true lifelong learner. His career has spanned fields from mass communication and the arts to data science and advanced analytics.

In this conversation, we’ll explore not just his expertise in data science and AI but also his journey of career reinvention. Why do we need to avoid baby duck syndrome? How did he navigate these transitions? What does it take to embrace uncertainty and evolve in today’s fast-changing world? And how can we apply these lessons toour careers?

Join us as we dive into the power of continuous learning,adaptability, and the mindset needed to thrive in a world of constant change.

Success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about endurance. Whether in careers, personal growth, or physical challenges, the ability to adapt, persist, and push through obstacles is what truly defines long-term success.

In today’s episode, we explore endurance in all its forms with an extraordinary guest: Karen Meades.

You can find Karen Meades' new book on Amazon: My Limitless Life

Karen has had a remarkable career journey, serving as CFO at the Ottawa Heart Institute before transitioning into education as a professor and program coordinator at Algonquin College, School of Business and Hospitality. But beyond her expertise in accounting, leadership, and education, she is also an ultramarathoner—the third Canadian woman to complete the world-renowned Planet/4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series, a race that tests the limits of physical and mental endurance.

Karen’s experiences, both on the trail and in the boardroom, have given her a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and goal-setting. She understands that the hardest part of any challenge isn’t the start or the finish—it’s the middle, the space where doubt creeps in and perseverance becomes critical.

But Karen’s journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. In 2012, she was diagnosed with a heart condition that left 12% of her heart permanently damaged. This unexpected news could have ended her endurance career—but instead, she chose to reinvent herself.

Rather than stopping, she found new ways to channel her love for adventure. She transitioned from ultramarathons to cycling, embraced new challenges, and even discovered a passion for beekeeping—a reminder that endurance isn’t just about physical ability but about the willingness to pivot, adapt, and embrace change.

Karen’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone navigating career transitions, personal challenges, or professional setbacks. In today’s episode, we’ll explore:

🎯 Right-sizing your goals for long-term success – How to set achievable yet ambitious targets that align with your strengths and passions.

🏃 Why the middle of any challenge is the hardest—and how to push through – Whether in a career, business, or endurance race, learning to overcome self-doubt and stay motivated is key.

🥧 The “Pie of Life” approach – How balancing different interests (sports, business, and personal growth) can fuel passion, creativity, and success.

🔄 Pivoting with purpose – How to embrace change, focus on the positives, and find new ways to thrive when faced with unexpected obstacles.

💡 You don’t have to be great to start—but you have to start to be great – The importance of taking the first step, even when success feels far away.