Leadership in times of crisis: Introducing the 2020-21 Jarislowsky Fellows in Business Management

What a year it has been. With the global COVID-19 pandemic upending life as we know it, including the business world, the 2020-21 Jarislowsky Fellows in Business Management Art Korpach and Heather Culbert can’t help but ask: How can leadership thrive in times of crisis?

Leadership is more important now than ever before. The co-fellows selected this year’s theme because the conversation is opportune given the complexity of decision-making required when times are difficult. From their perspective, true leadership is demonstrated when leaders make bold decisions in the midst of challenging times. In addition, it seems crises come more often these days which they hope to prepare Haskayne graduate students for.

• Photo above: Heather Culbert and Art Korpach. Photo by Kelly Hofer

Each year, the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership in Business is pleased to offer the Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management to MBA and EMBA students. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity to enrich Haskayne students’ experience through engaging successful business, social sector and public sector leaders as role models. Leaders selected as fellows bring a perspective made rich through their community involvement and exposure to the arts, international culture, religion, politics, diversity, and other worldly knowledge.

As an executive in residence at the Haskayne School of Business, each Jarislowsky fellow leverages their knowledge and connections to bring a wide range of people and perspectives to students. This year’s theme is an important one: Leadership during times of crisis.

Newly appointed co-fellow Heather Culbert expressed her gratitude for being selected, saying, “I am very honoured to be appointed as a Jarislowsky co-fellow. I believe that sharing experience with up-and-coming leaders will be of great benefit.

My hope is participants will observe that leadership can be demonstrated through experience and knowledge, but also through being authentic and calm, having high integrity and staying true to your values.

Returning for a second year, Art Korpach has seen the benefit students receive from being involved with the fellowship. “I learned that our MBAs are an energetic, interesting and curious group,” reflects Korpach. “My hope for this year is they will act boldly and gain even more understanding of how important it is for the business community to support the core principles and systems that are essential to the well-being of our broader society.”

The Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management will be kicking off the year with a virtual conversation with Haskayne leaders on Oct. 5. Panel members include Dean Jim Dewald, the school’s namesake Richard F. Haskayne, and fellowship namesake Stephen A. Jarislowsky. Additional events are being planned for the remainder of the fall and winter semesters. Learn more about the fellowship and stay up to date with future offerings.

About the 2020-21 Jarislowsky Co-Fellows in Business Management

Arthur Korpach has four years of public company audit and 27 years of investment banking experience, with a focus on the energy sector. He is a former vice-chairman investment banking of CIBC World Markets, where he managed the firm’s global oil and gas business. His experience includes providing advice on strategy, business plans, capital structure, credit, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. He is a former associate at the Creative Destruction Lab mentorship program at the Haskayne School of Business. Korpach serves on the boards of Inter Pipeline Ltd. and Freehold Royalties Ltd.

Heather Culbert: With more than 27 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Culbert has held senior positions in the oil and gas sector and was formerly the senior vice-president of corporate services at Enerplus, a mid-sized oil and gas company. Culbert serves as vice-chair on the board of Export Development Canada (EDC) and chairs the HR Committee. She was recently appointed the board chair of Alberta Research and Innovation Advisory Council, and she has been a director on the board of Whitecap Resources for the past 3 years. Culbert has been an active volunteer and philanthropist for many years and is the original founder of Women on Boards (now Board Ready Women) in Alberta.

• Image gallery, above: In 2019-2020, Haskayne graduate students connected with business leaders through multiple events through the Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management.