S03|16: Turning Gaps into Innovations with Natasha Kostenuk

S03|18: The Founder Mindset Season Finale: The Partners Behind the Progress in Alberta's Innovation Ecosystem

In this live finale episode, Leah Sarich sits down with Brian Ford of ATB Financial, Ashley Gallant of Artemis Canada, and Brad Parry of Calgary Economic Development and the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund for a wide-ranging conversation about the support systems that help Founders build lasting companies. Together, they unpack how banking, executive hiring, ecosystem design, and strategic investment all shape a Founder’s ability to move from early traction to real scale. Brian shares how ATB has intentionally supported emerging sectors like crypto and fintech, and why Founders should expect more from a banking partner than just an account or a loan. Ashley explains how Artemis works alongside Founders at key inflection points to make critical leadership hires, build trust, and strengthen teams before growth stalls. Brad offers an inside look at how Calgary Economic Development and OCIF think about long-term economic diversification, innovation nodes, and creating an environment where local companies can flourish without leaving Alberta. This conversation is packed with insight on startup ecosystems, tech talent, economic development, global market expansion, customer access, and why collaboration is one of Alberta’s greatest competitive advantages. It is a fitting finale for a season dedicated to the human experience of building, reminding listeners that while the Founder journey can feel lonely, no company scales alone. About the Guests Brian Ford is with ATB Financial, where he leads business areas focused on banking solutions for companies, including support for technology, fintech, and crypto businesses. He brings deep experience in commercial and corporate banking and is passionate about helping companies access the financial tools, advice, and partnerships they need to scale. Ashley Gallant is an executive recruitment consultant at Artemis Canada, where she partners with Founders and high-growth companies to make strategic leadership hires. Her work focuses on helping companies navigate inflection points, build high-performing teams, and connect great businesses with the talent they need to grow. Brad Parry is President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development and CEO of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund. He works across investment, attraction, retention, and expansion strategies to help diversify Calgary’s economy and strengthen the innovation ecosystem for future growth. The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: * ATB [http://www.atb.com/tech] * API [https://appliedpharma.ca/] * Artemis [https://www.artemiscanada.com/] * OCIF [https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/] — Contact Thin Air Labs:  * Website: ThinAirLabs.ca [http://thinairlabs.ca] * LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labs/] * X: Thin Air Labs [https://twitter.com/thinair_labs] * YouTube: Thin Air Labs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAg] Contact the Guests: Brian Ford / ATB Financial * Website: ATB.com [http://atb.com] * LinkedIn: ATB Financial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/atbfinancial/] * LinkedIn: Brian Ford [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangford66/] Ashley Gallant / Artemis Canada * Website: ArtemisCanada.com [http://artemiscanada.com] * LinkedIn: Artemis Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/artemis-canada-inc-/] * LinkedIn: Ashley Gallant [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashgallant/] Brad Parry / Calgary Economic Development / OCIF * Website: CalgaryEconomicDevelopment.com [http://calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com] * Website: OpportunityCalgary.com [http://opportunitycalgary.com] * LinkedIn: Calgary Economic Development [https://www.linkedin.com/company/calgary-economic-development/] * LinkedIn: Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-opportunity-calgary-investment-fund/] * LinkedIn: Brad Parry [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradparry/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S03|17: Reverberating Impact: David de Graaf on Biotech, Cancer, and the Founder Mindset

David de Graaf never intended to become a biotech Founder, but a confluence of circumstances led him from academia into the startup world. A geneticist by training, David shares how financial needs and a desire for more agility in scientific application prompted his shift into industry. He likens big pharma to freight trains (efficient but hard to steer) and highlights the appeal of startups as nimble, innovation-driven environments. At Reverb Therapeutics, David and his Co-Founder Surjit Dixit are combining bi-specific antibodies with immune system signals to improve cancer treatment outcomes. Their lead program, AMPA-1, aims to amplify natural immune signals locally, using the immune system's own cytokines to better target tumors. With early data showing promise, Reverb is preparing for a major fundraising round to push the treatment into clinical trials. David also discusses the emotional resilience needed to be a Founder. He emphasizes the importance of therapy, mentorship, and learning from failure. For David, the ultimate reward isn't financial but the potential to dramatically improve patient lives, a mission that continues to fuel his entrepreneurial journey. About David de Graaf David de Graaf is the Co-Founder and CEO of Reverb Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on enhancing immune system signals to improve cancer treatments. A geneticist by training, David previously held roles in academia and at large pharmaceutical companies before founding multiple biotech ventures. His work has contributed to several drugs that are now either marketed or in late-stage trials, reflecting a rare success rate in drug development. Resources discussed in this episode: * Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon, created and narrated by Malcolm Gladwell  [https://www.audible.ca/pd/Miracle-and-Wonder-Audiobook/B09J1KRSGG] The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: 1. ATB [http://www.atb.com/tech] 2. API [https://appliedpharma.ca/] 3. Artemis [https://www.artemiscanada.com/] 4. OCIF [https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/] — Contact Thin Air Labs:  * Website: ThinAirLabs.ca [http://thinairlabs.ca] * LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labs/] * X: Thin Air Labs [https://twitter.com/thinair_labs] * YouTube: Thin Air Labs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAg] Contact David de Graaf:  * Reverb Therapeutics [https://www.reverbtx.com/] * Linkedin: David de Graaf [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidd12/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S03|16: Turning Gaps into Innovations with Natasha Kostenuk

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Leah Sarich sits down with Natasha Kostenuk, Co-Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy, a climate tech company revolutionizing hydrogen storage and transportation. Natasha discusses her transition from mechanical engineering to entrepreneurship, her early career in oil and gas, and how identifying a gap in hydrogen storage sparked the founding of Ayrton. Together with her Co-Founder, a PhD chemist, Natasha is working to make hydrogen more accessible and cost-effective by chemically binding it to a carrier oil, enabling the use of existing fuel infrastructure. Natasha dives deep into the startup journey, from filing patents and securing major funding rounds to the emotional highs and lows of building a team and a business. She also shares insights into how her company’s values of honesty and “getting it right” drive decision-making and innovation. About Natasha Kostenuk Natasha Kostenuk is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy, a climate tech company solving the hydrogen storage problem with a novel liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system. With a background in mechanical engineering and a career that spans oil and gas, sales, and business development, Natasha brings a practical, tech-forward mindset to clean energy. She’s also the Founder of Calgary Apraxia, a nonprofit dedicated to children with speech challenges. Resources discussed in this episode: * Calgary Apraxia [https://www.calgaryapraxia.cc] * Mindset by Carol Dweck [https://www.amazon.ca/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322] The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: * ATB [http://www.atb.com/tech] * API [https://appliedpharma.ca/] * Artemis [https://www.artemiscanada.com/] * OCIF [https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/] — Contact Thin Air Labs: * Website: ThinAirLabs.ca [http://thinairlabs.ca] * LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labs/] * X: Thin Air Labs [https://twitter.com/thinair_labs] * YouTube: Thin Air Labs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAg] Contact Natasha Kostenuk: * Website: ayrtonenergy.com [https://www.ayrtonenergy.com] * LinkedIn: Ayrton Energy [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ayrton-energy/] * LinkedIn: Natasha Kostenuk [https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-kostenuk-p-eng-45713216/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S03|15: How Healthcare Founder Sameer Dhar is Reimagining Preventative Care

Founder and CEO of Nia Health, Sameer Dhar, is on a mission to radically change how Canadians manage their health. In this episode, Sameer talks about starting a successful charity in high school, building his first startup Sensassure in eldercare tech, and how the lessons from that venture shaped his newest company, Nia Health. Leah and Sameer explore how proactive diagnostics, affordable subscriptions, and data integration are enabling Canadians to take control of their health journeys. About Sameer Dhar Sameer Dhar is the Founder and CEO of Nia Health, Canada’s first end-to-end proactive health platform. A serial Founder, Sameer previously co-founded the healthtech startup Sensassure, which was acquired in 2016, and a charitable organization in high school that raised millions for poverty relief. He’s a graduate of the Next 36 entrepreneurship program and a passionate advocate for using technology to drive meaningful social change. Sameer has raised over $8 million in funding for Nia Health and is focused on scaling access to preventative healthcare across Canada. With a background in finance and a personal mission to improve health outcomes, he combines visionary leadership with deep empathy for users. Resources discussed in this episode: * Website: Nia Health [https://join.niahealth.co/?ckey=nia%20health&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_Niahealth&utm_term=173847738161&utm_content=nia%20health&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21895011311&gbraid=0AAAAA93Kp8WZ2UGerl7XQYA0eVLUt1eBS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkILEBhDeARIsAL--pjzEIEuj35vjh_pP6F1j07bQUMa_aKijq17YiHLTtkN3NFiTD9yceqUaAkcCEALw_wcB] * Next 36 program [https://www.nextcanada.com/next-36/] The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: * ATB [http://www.atb.com/tech] * API [https://appliedpharma.ca/] * Artemis [https://www.artemiscanada.com/] * OCIF [https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/] Contact Thin Air Labs:  * Website: ThinAirLabs.ca [http://thinairlabs.ca] * LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labs/] * X: Thin Air Labs [https://twitter.com/thinair_labs] * YouTube: Thin Air Labs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAg] Contact Sameer Dhar:  * Website: Nia Health [https://www.niahealth.co/about-us] * Linkedin: Sameer Dhar [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameerdhar/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

S03|14: Transforming Chronic Care with Loreen Wales

Dietitian-turned-Founder Loreen Wales never planned to become an entrepreneur. But after years of watching patients struggle with preventable chronic diseases, she knew something had to change. That conviction led her to build My Viva, a clinical-grade lifestyle platform designed to transform the way people manage their health. In this episode, Loreen shares how she turned frustration into innovation, how she learned to raise capital with confidence, and why her belief in better patient care has never wavered. She also opens up about the personal cost and the courage it takes to build something that truly matters. From sleepless nights and family sacrifices to the lessons she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and self trust, Loreen’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation starts with conviction, and that the hardest journeys often lead to the most meaningful impact. About Loreen Wales Loreen Wales is the Founder and CEO of My Viva, a clinical grade lifestyle platform helping people manage and prevent chronic disease through personalized, evidence based care. A registered dietician and lifelong advocate for better patient outcomes, Loreen spent years in the healthcare system watching preventable illnesses take too many lives. Determined to make a change, she turned her frustration into action and built a platform designed to transform how people take charge of their health. Known for her humble confidence, tenacity, and deep empathy, Loreen leads with conviction and care. She’s as passionate about empowering patients as she is about supporting her team, her family, and the growing community of innovators reimagining what healthcare can be. Resources discussed in this episode: * Revive Wellness [https://www.revivewellness.ca/] * OrangeTheory Fitness [https://www.orangetheory.com/en-ca] The Founder Mindset is Sponsored By: * ATB [http://www.atb.com/tech] * API [https://appliedpharma.ca/] * Artemis [https://www.artemiscanada.com/] * OCIF [https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/] — Contact Thin Air Labs: * Website: ThinAirLabs.ca [http://thinairlabs.ca] * LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs [https://www.linkedin.com/company/thin-air-labs/] * X: Thin Air Labs [https://twitter.com/thinair_labs] * YouTube: Thin Air Labs [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHQyu5u8nMnIpw9e72boUAg] Contact Loreen Wales: * Website: My Viva Plan [https://www.myvivaplan.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/myvivainc/?hl=en] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/myvivainc/] * Linkedin: My Viva Plan [https://ca.linkedin.com/company/my-viva-inc] * LinkedIn: Loreen Wales [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/loreenwales] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.