Mulgrave Alumni

E16: The Multi-Industry Mindset (Jesse Peng '11)

From tutoring math as a UBC engineering student to scaling a real estate portfolio from $5M to $60M, Jesse Peng (Class of 2011) has built his career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and bold decision-making. In this episode, Jesse opens up about the failed startups that shaped him, the pressure to live up to expectations, and the mindset shifts that helped him move across industries. His journey spans digital marketing, real estate investing and now collectible technology. As a pioneer in the trading card and collectibles space, he’s focused on disrupting a multi-billion-dollar industry through transparency, passion, and community impact. We talk about risk, resilience, “winner’s tilt,” and why poker might be the ultimate training ground for entrepreneurship. Most of all, Jesse shares why building something meaningful — not just profitable — is the real measure of success.

E15: Art That Connects: Queerness, Advocacy and Community (Kelcy Chan Timmons '15)

In this episode, we sit down with Kelcy Timmons Chan, Class of 2015, a queer artist whose work spans murals, public art, and community-driven projects across Toronto and beyond. Kelcy shares how their experiences as a biracial, gender-fluid artist shaped their creative practice, from exploring identity and belonging to using food, colour, and public space as tools for connection and advocacy. We talk about finding language for queerness, building chosen family, founding the Queer Art Crawl, and why art is never apolitical. Through personal stories and playful insights, Kelcy reflects on the power of accessibility, representation, and showing up fully — both in art and in community.

E14: Identity, Advocacy, and Resilience (Mac Walsh '19)

In this episode of the Mulgrave Alumni Podcast, host Ava Thompson speaks with Mac Walsh, a resilient and inspiring alum from the Class of 2019, who navigates life as an autistic, trans masculine young adult. Mac shares his journey with health challenges and the importance of advocacy and representation for marginalized communities. He discusses his experiences with mobility aids, adaptive sports, and the impact of personal loss on mental health. The conversation highlights the significance of finding one's voice and the ongoing journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

E13: Giving Life: A Story of Organ Donation (Farah Virani)

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, we speak with Farah Virani – a cherished member of the Mulgrave community, long-time volunteer, and part of our admissions team – as she opens up about her powerful journey through chronic illness, motherhood, and the life-changing gift of organ donation. Diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease in her early twenties, Farah spent years quietly carrying the weight of a future she knew would involve kidney failure. Her story takes us through the realities of living on dialysis, the emotional complexity of seeking a donor, and the immense strength it took to balance her health while raising young children. In an extraordinary act of love, Farah’s husband became her donor – a decision that brought fear, hope, and overwhelming gratitude. With honesty and grace, Farah reflects on the resilience that kept her going, the guilt and vulnerability often felt by transplant recipients, and how her children learned to process compassion, strength, and fragility at an early age. Released in honor of National Blood Donor Week, this episode is not just about survival – it’s about family, love, and what it truly means to give life. Whether you’ve been touched by organ donation or not, Farah’s story will stay with you long after the episode ends.

E12: More than words: Inside the world of speech pathology therapy (Fiona Humbert-Droz '07)

In this episode, Fiona Humbert-Droz (Class of 2007), a passionate Speech-Language Pathologist, takes us through the many facets of her work. She clears up common misconceptions about speech and language disorders and shares her approach to supporting patients with challenges like speech delays, stuttering, and social communication needs in autistic individuals. Fiona also delves into the emotional side of her work, explaining how she helps clients build confidence and resilience when it comes to communication. She discusses the importance of creating a trusting, supportive environment for meaningful progress and shares strategies to help patients overcome barriers to effective communication. This episode highlights the impact of speech-language pathology and the invaluable role these professionals play in fostering self-expression and connection.