Events
2013
Migrating People, Migrating Ideas: Policy lessons Canada and the US can teach each other
July 7, 2013 - The Senate Room, Hotel Alma, University of Calgary
Special guests:
Dr. Bloemraad delivered a major address entitled Migrating People, Migrating Ideas: Policy Lessons Canada and the US Can Teach Each Other to a gathering of Berkeley Alum, senior academics from the University of Calgary and numerous business and financial leaders.
Sharing the podium with Dr. Bloemraad was Jason Kenney, until recently, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and just appointed Minister of Employment and Social Development. Minister Kenney elaborated on his foray into Silicon Valley, where he promoted synergy between the US and Canada in entrepreneurial opportunities and innovation financing.
July 7, 2013 - The Senate Room, Hotel Alma, University of Calgary
Special guests:
- Dr. Irene Bloemraad, PHD - Chair of Canadian Studies, University of California, Berkeley
- The Honourable Jason Kenney - Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
Dr. Bloemraad delivered a major address entitled Migrating People, Migrating Ideas: Policy Lessons Canada and the US Can Teach Each Other to a gathering of Berkeley Alum, senior academics from the University of Calgary and numerous business and financial leaders.
Sharing the podium with Dr. Bloemraad was Jason Kenney, until recently, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and just appointed Minister of Employment and Social Development. Minister Kenney elaborated on his foray into Silicon Valley, where he promoted synergy between the US and Canada in entrepreneurial opportunities and innovation financing.
Dr. Irene Bloemraad, PHD, Chair of Canadian Studies, University of California, Berkeley
Russell Kalmacoff, MBA, President UC Berkeley Club of Canada
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
Russell Kalmacoff, MBA, President UC Berkeley Club of Canada
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
2014
Rockmount was pleased to present four excellent events with a common theme in 2014:
ENTREPRENEURSHIP - the essential ingredient in broadening our economic base.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP - the essential ingredient in broadening our economic base.
Silicon Valley meets the Alberta Oil Patch
February 18, 2014 - Presidents Room, Calgary Petroleum Club
Special guest:
Dr. Paul Russo presented live demos and engaged with the guests in a dialogue that demonstrated the synergy between the petroleum and the information communication industries. Dr. Russo is particularly interested in the application of GEO’s technologies to transportation and processing.
With operations in San Jose, Florida, Ontario, United Kingdom and India, Silicon Valley-based GEO Semiconductor is a microchip company, and a pioneer and leader in a host of digital video technologies – from video compression and human interfaces, to geometric processing which is key to cloud, automobile and surveillance cameras. GEO outsources its fabrication (fabless).
Dr. Russo, with roots in Montreal, has a BSc in electrical engineering from McGill University and Master and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the recipient of the Pioneer Tech Award from The World Economic Forum and the Centennial Medal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
He began his career at RCA Laboratories and was then recruited into General Electric by Jack Welch. Following GE he was involved in the creation and management of Silicon Optix and Genesis Microchip, prior to forming GEO. Genesis did an IPO on NASDAQ in 1998 and reached a market cap of several billion dollars in the early 2000’s.
February 18, 2014 - Presidents Room, Calgary Petroleum Club
Special guest:
- Dr. Paul Russo, PhD - CEO, GEO Semiconductor Inc.
Dr. Paul Russo presented live demos and engaged with the guests in a dialogue that demonstrated the synergy between the petroleum and the information communication industries. Dr. Russo is particularly interested in the application of GEO’s technologies to transportation and processing.
With operations in San Jose, Florida, Ontario, United Kingdom and India, Silicon Valley-based GEO Semiconductor is a microchip company, and a pioneer and leader in a host of digital video technologies – from video compression and human interfaces, to geometric processing which is key to cloud, automobile and surveillance cameras. GEO outsources its fabrication (fabless).
Dr. Russo, with roots in Montreal, has a BSc in electrical engineering from McGill University and Master and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the recipient of the Pioneer Tech Award from The World Economic Forum and the Centennial Medal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
He began his career at RCA Laboratories and was then recruited into General Electric by Jack Welch. Following GE he was involved in the creation and management of Silicon Optix and Genesis Microchip, prior to forming GEO. Genesis did an IPO on NASDAQ in 1998 and reached a market cap of several billion dollars in the early 2000’s.
Dr. Paul Russo, CEO, GEO Semiconductor Inc.
The Case For Strengthened Fiscal Conservatism
April 9, 2014 - Bennett Room, Ranchmen's Club
Special guest:
Maxime Bernier, MP for Beauce, Quebec is an articulate advocate of smaller-government and decentralized federalism. He shared some thoughts on a more fiscally conservative Canada, a smaller federal government and how this approach can ensure national prosperity and unity.
Mr. Bernier was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2011 with significant majorities. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Mr. Bernier was Vice-President of Standard Life of Canada and then Manager of Corporate and International Relations at the Quebec Securities Commission.
As an independent consultant, he has provided advice on the development of legislation and regulations for financial institutions. He has served as Executive Vice President of the Montreal Economic Institute. Mr. Bernier has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Quebec and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1990. Mr. Bernier is also member of several charitable organizations.
April 9, 2014 - Bennett Room, Ranchmen's Club
Special guest:
- The Honourable Maxime Bernier, CP, MP - Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism, and Agriculture)
Maxime Bernier, MP for Beauce, Quebec is an articulate advocate of smaller-government and decentralized federalism. He shared some thoughts on a more fiscally conservative Canada, a smaller federal government and how this approach can ensure national prosperity and unity.
Mr. Bernier was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2011 with significant majorities. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Mr. Bernier was Vice-President of Standard Life of Canada and then Manager of Corporate and International Relations at the Quebec Securities Commission.
As an independent consultant, he has provided advice on the development of legislation and regulations for financial institutions. He has served as Executive Vice President of the Montreal Economic Institute. Mr. Bernier has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Quebec and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa. He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1990. Mr. Bernier is also member of several charitable organizations.
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, CP, MP
Attendees including Janaka Ruwapura, Vice-Provost International of the University of Calgary (far right).
First Nations Resource Development Opportunities
July 11, 2014 - Senate Room, Alma Hotel, University of Calgary
Special guests:
Chief Reginald Bellerose, member of the Muskowekwan First Nation (MFN), holds a Masters in Project Management from the University of Saskatchewan (2005) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in History and Political Science (1995). Currently acting as Chief of MFN, Reginald Bellerose has previously held positions with the Royal Bank of Canada, the University of Alberta, and Junior Achievement Canada. These employment experiences provided him with a solid foundation in business management fundamentals as well as enhanced operational knowledge and human resource organizational development skills within the public domain and corporate environment. As Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation, Bellerose remains focused on enterprise in and for his community, primarily in the area of natural resource development and sustainability.
Rockmount was pleased to host this event attended by forty guests including alumni of the universities of Manitoba and California, Berkeley as well as a cross-section of representatives from government, business and academia who all participated in a discussion of First Nations opportunities in resource development.
Attendees included Dean Jim Dewald of Haskayne and several members of UC academic staff, Dale Bossert, Director of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy & a board member of GasFrac, Roy Berg, a prominent Calgary tax lawyer, Dean Luciuk, VP TransAlta, Professor Ed Johnson, Director of Biogeoscience Group at UC and Dr. Experience Nguagu of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at UC.
July 11, 2014 - Senate Room, Alma Hotel, University of Calgary
Special guests:
- Chief Reginald Bellerose - Muskowekwan First Nations, Saskatchewan
- Professor Bob Kayseas - First Nations University of Canada, Regina
- Sheldon Wuttanee - President, First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, Saskatoon
- Eric Butenschon - Program Manager, Indigenous Leadership and Management, Banff Centre
Chief Reginald Bellerose, member of the Muskowekwan First Nation (MFN), holds a Masters in Project Management from the University of Saskatchewan (2005) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in History and Political Science (1995). Currently acting as Chief of MFN, Reginald Bellerose has previously held positions with the Royal Bank of Canada, the University of Alberta, and Junior Achievement Canada. These employment experiences provided him with a solid foundation in business management fundamentals as well as enhanced operational knowledge and human resource organizational development skills within the public domain and corporate environment. As Chief of Muskowekwan First Nation, Bellerose remains focused on enterprise in and for his community, primarily in the area of natural resource development and sustainability.
Rockmount was pleased to host this event attended by forty guests including alumni of the universities of Manitoba and California, Berkeley as well as a cross-section of representatives from government, business and academia who all participated in a discussion of First Nations opportunities in resource development.
Attendees included Dean Jim Dewald of Haskayne and several members of UC academic staff, Dale Bossert, Director of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy & a board member of GasFrac, Roy Berg, a prominent Calgary tax lawyer, Dean Luciuk, VP TransAlta, Professor Ed Johnson, Director of Biogeoscience Group at UC and Dr. Experience Nguagu of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at UC.
Chief Bellerose and Russell Kalmacoff Hugh Evans, Chief Bellerose and Jim Dewald Erick Butenschon, Shelson Wuttunee and Bob Kayseas

The Costs of a National Securities Regulator
October 6, 2014 - Calgary Petroleum Club
Special guests:
Rockmount's interest in junior public capital markets led us to Dr. Roberta Romano PhD, Professor of Law at Yale University, with whom we have been in communication for the past 6 years. Because of the timeliness of the subject of her book, "The Advantage of Competitive Federalism for Securities Regulation", we suggested she come to Calgary. The primary audience consisted of lawyers in Calgary specializing in securities, mergers & acquisitions, exempt, and/or takeovers, in‐house counsel and representatives from securities and financial firms, investment bankers. The event was sold out and was close to 300 attendees.
Rockmount co-sponsored this event with the University of Calgary Faculty of Law and the Haskayne School of Business for a presentation and panel discussion to have a dialogue and discussion around current issues in Calgary’s legal and finance sectors and the Western perspective on a National Securities Regulator.
People of note in attendance included Jonathan Denis, Solicitor, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Alberta; Rob Anderson, MLA for Airdrie (Official Opposition House Leader, Wildrose Finance & Treasury Board Critic); Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat (Wild Rose Party) and Rod Fox, MLA Lacombe-Ponoka (Wildrose Party). Campaign Cabinet Members: Joanne Alexander, Precision Drilling; Scott Cochlan, Torys LLP; William Dejong, Dentons; Kerry Dyte, Cenovus and John Kousinioris, TransAlta. University Leadership: Nuvyn Peters, Vice‐President (Development); Kristine Williamson, Executive Director, Faculty Development and Peggy Anderson, Director, Regional Affairs, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
October 6, 2014 - Calgary Petroleum Club
Special guests:
- Roberta Romano - Sterling Professor of Law and Director, Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law
- Doug Horner - Senior Advisor to the Premier on Internal Trade and Federal and Provincial Relations
- Darrin Hopkins - Director, Co-head Public Division, Richardson GMP
- Bill Rice - Chair and CEO, Alberta Commission
- Jim Dewald - Dean, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
- Ian Holloway - Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Calgary
Rockmount's interest in junior public capital markets led us to Dr. Roberta Romano PhD, Professor of Law at Yale University, with whom we have been in communication for the past 6 years. Because of the timeliness of the subject of her book, "The Advantage of Competitive Federalism for Securities Regulation", we suggested she come to Calgary. The primary audience consisted of lawyers in Calgary specializing in securities, mergers & acquisitions, exempt, and/or takeovers, in‐house counsel and representatives from securities and financial firms, investment bankers. The event was sold out and was close to 300 attendees.
Rockmount co-sponsored this event with the University of Calgary Faculty of Law and the Haskayne School of Business for a presentation and panel discussion to have a dialogue and discussion around current issues in Calgary’s legal and finance sectors and the Western perspective on a National Securities Regulator.
People of note in attendance included Jonathan Denis, Solicitor, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Alberta; Rob Anderson, MLA for Airdrie (Official Opposition House Leader, Wildrose Finance & Treasury Board Critic); Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat (Wild Rose Party) and Rod Fox, MLA Lacombe-Ponoka (Wildrose Party). Campaign Cabinet Members: Joanne Alexander, Precision Drilling; Scott Cochlan, Torys LLP; William Dejong, Dentons; Kerry Dyte, Cenovus and John Kousinioris, TransAlta. University Leadership: Nuvyn Peters, Vice‐President (Development); Kristine Williamson, Executive Director, Faculty Development and Peggy Anderson, Director, Regional Affairs, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
2016

Diversifying Alberta's Economy - Driving Investment Through Capital Markets
October 27, 2016 - Wedgewood Room, MacDonald Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta
Special Guests:
This event was part of Athabasca University's Future of Leaning series and explored the policy environment in Canada for developing capital markets and the challenges in growing internationally competitive companies in our own backyard. Rockmount was pleased to be a sponsor of this event.
The symposium focused on Alberta’s capital markets as a key to supporting SMEs’ access to capital, growth, and entrance to new markets.
Major gaps exist in the startup to public company continuum. The major banks and investment dealers under service SMEs valued under $50 million. This is not an issue unique to Alberta, or even Canada. Across North America, many SMEs hit a ceiling where their inability to access capital stalls growth and innovation. The outcome for many of these firms is to be acquired rather than go public. Once that occurs, Alberta often loses talent, future investments, and decision makers. This event was part of Athabasca University’s Future of Learning Series and explored the policy environment in Canada for developing capital markets and the challenges in growing internationally competitive companies in our own backyard.
October 27, 2016 - Wedgewood Room, MacDonald Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta
Special Guests:
- Deborah Hurst - Dean, Athabasca University, Faculty of Business
- Dave Mowat - President, ATB Financial
- Leo de Bever - Chairman, Oak Point Energy, Bennet Jones LLP, C.D. Howe Institute Former CEO AIMCO
- Ungad Chadda - President, Capital Formation, Equity Capital Markets, TMX Group
- Darrin Hopkins - Director, Co-Head Public Venture Capital Division Richardson GMP
- Russell Kalmacoff - President, Rockmount Financial Corporation
This event was part of Athabasca University's Future of Leaning series and explored the policy environment in Canada for developing capital markets and the challenges in growing internationally competitive companies in our own backyard. Rockmount was pleased to be a sponsor of this event.
The symposium focused on Alberta’s capital markets as a key to supporting SMEs’ access to capital, growth, and entrance to new markets.
Major gaps exist in the startup to public company continuum. The major banks and investment dealers under service SMEs valued under $50 million. This is not an issue unique to Alberta, or even Canada. Across North America, many SMEs hit a ceiling where their inability to access capital stalls growth and innovation. The outcome for many of these firms is to be acquired rather than go public. Once that occurs, Alberta often loses talent, future investments, and decision makers. This event was part of Athabasca University’s Future of Learning Series and explored the policy environment in Canada for developing capital markets and the challenges in growing internationally competitive companies in our own backyard.
(Left to Right): Dave Mowat, Darrin Hopkins, Michael Thomson, Ugad Chadda, Deborah Hurst, Leo De Bever, Russell Kalmacoff
2017
Conference on Global Economic Issues 2017
November 18, 2017 - Clausen Center for International Business and Policy, UC Berkeley, CA
November 18, 2017 - Clausen Center for International Business and Policy, UC Berkeley, CA
Special Guests:
This invitation-only event examined the challenges faced by emerging countries, especially Latin America, the future of globalization for emerging and advanced economies, the policy challenges posed by rising income and wealth inequality and its causes, and the challenges to the conduct of monetary policy in a world of low natural real interest rates. |
Clausen Center Advisory Board
Rockmount Financial Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of its President, Russell Kalmacoff, to the Advisory Board of the Clausen Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The Center was endowed by Tom Clausen, who was President of the Bank of America and President of The World Bank. It’s mission is to bring macroeconomists and central bankers together to engage on financial issues of critical global importance. Rockmount shares the Board with representatives of BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, AXA(insurance), and Duquesne (private equity). Clausen is led by Pierre-Olivier Gauringhas, Professor of business and economics at Berkeley, who has been writing the newsletter of the International Monetary Fund.
Rockmount Financial Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of its President, Russell Kalmacoff, to the Advisory Board of the Clausen Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The Center was endowed by Tom Clausen, who was President of the Bank of America and President of The World Bank. It’s mission is to bring macroeconomists and central bankers together to engage on financial issues of critical global importance. Rockmount shares the Board with representatives of BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, AXA(insurance), and Duquesne (private equity). Clausen is led by Pierre-Olivier Gauringhas, Professor of business and economics at Berkeley, who has been writing the newsletter of the International Monetary Fund.
(Left to Right): Pierre-Olivier Gouringhas, Professor of Economics, and of Global Management, Director of Clausen Center for
International Business and Policy, UC Berkeley;
Governor Ilan Goldfajn, President, Central Bank of Brazil;
Carmen Reinhart, Professor of the International Financial System, Harvard Kennedy School.
International Business and Policy, UC Berkeley;
Governor Ilan Goldfajn, President, Central Bank of Brazil;
Carmen Reinhart, Professor of the International Financial System, Harvard Kennedy School.
The Case For The Bay Area
As we Albertans look east and west for signs of encouragement in our efforts to turn around our economy, we also recommend looking south, to the San Francisco Bay Area, a place of boundless optimism, where ideas and capital are intersecting in an unprecedented way. Over the past 15 years Russell Kalmacoff and Rockmount have taken a multi-pronged initiative in this regard.
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)/Volunteer Work:
Other Bay Area Activities and Relationships:
Business presence:
Academic Involvement:
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)/Volunteer Work:
- Berkeley Haas Business School alumni rep
- Founder, Alumni Club of Canada
- Chair, Campaign for Professorship of Canadian Studies
- Member, Canadian Studies Advisory Board
- Member, Charter Hill Society
- Berkeley Economics Clausen Center, Advisory Board Invitation
Other Bay Area Activities and Relationships:
- Singularity University (SU): Executive Program, Palo Alto
- Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI), Berkeley (off campus)
- Geo Semiconductor: Silicon Valley Meets the Oil Patch, Calgary Event
- Digital Moose Lounge
- San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Associates (SPUR)
- Canada House, Berkeley Global Campus, concept plan
- Alberta Innovation Advisory Council, San Francisco
- Consulate General of Canada, San Francisco
Business presence:
- Rockmount Inc. (a California Corporation)
Academic Involvement:
- Master of Business Administration (UCB)
- CMHC Senior Fellow (UCB)
- International House Resident (UCB)
2019
Vancouver and The Business of Housing
July 28, 2019 - Arbutus Club, Vancouver, BC
July 28, 2019 - Arbutus Club, Vancouver, BC
Presented in Partnership by:
The University of British Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley hosted a symposium and panel discussion for the discussion of the housing crisis in the City of Vancouver. Participants in the panel discussion included: Dr. Thomas Davidoff, Stanley Hamilton Professor in Real Estate Finance & Director of the UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate; Patrick Wood, Director of Canadian Self Storage Valuation Services (CSSVS); and Jeanne Huangli, J.D., Executive Director of the International & Strategic Initiatives at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
The discussion’s theme was "Vancouver and The Business of Housing" with emphasis on the future of real estate in Vancouver, the financial framework of large projects, and housing in a university community. Professor Davidoff, Mr. Wood, and Ms. Huangli dealt with facets of the subject matter within their respective. Professor Davidoff focused on the issues of property taxes and the influence on the housing market and prices. Mr. Wood provided his unique expertise in self-storage across the country, as Canada’s leading expert. Ms. Huangli spoke about the student body of the UCBerkeley community and the need for student housing with UCBerkeley having its own crisis. All balanced on the topic of the Vancouver housing crisis.
Urban environments have challenges in common with respect to housing. Yet, Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, and Calgary have remarkable differences. The symposium compared and contrasted these cities. Vancouver is uniquely impacted by foreign investment. Toronto benefits (and suffers) from its being the financial center of Canada. San Francisco's housing supply is inhibited by the balkanization of municipal governments. Calgary is in the position of a buying opportunity in housing as a result of the economic cycle.
Urban environments have challenges in common with respect to housing. Yet, Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, and Calgary have remarkable differences. The symposium compared and contrasted these cities. Vancouver is uniquely impacted by foreign investment. Toronto benefits (and suffers) from its being the financial center of Canada. San Francisco's housing supply is inhibited by the balkanization of municipal governments. Calgary is in the position of a buying opportunity in housing as a result of the economic cycle.
Phil Seo, Associate Director, UBC Sauder Co-op Program, UBC Sauder School of Business LinkedIn
with the event's host, Russell Kalmacoff, President, Rockmount Financial Corporation LinkedIn
with the event's host, Russell Kalmacoff, President, Rockmount Financial Corporation LinkedIn
Rockmount Speaker Series with special guest Dr. Irene Bloemraad
May 9, 2019 - Calgary Petroleum Club
May 9, 2019 - Calgary Petroleum Club
Why Canadians love immigration and Americans aren't so sure (click to see presentation)

Dr. Irene Bloemraad is Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. She is also the Thomas Garden Barnes Chair of Canadian Studies. Dr. Bloemraad is the founding Director of the Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative, and holds the position of Senior Fellow with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. In 2014-15, she served as a member of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences committee reporting on the integration of immigrants into American society.
Dr. Bloemraad's research was highlighted in the Globe And Mail. See Polarized politics could shatter Canada’s fragile ‘virtuous cycle’ of immigration by Andrew Steele.
Rockmount has had the privilege of hearing Dr. Irene Bloemraad speak at one of our previous Speaker Series (Migrating People, Migrating Ideas: Policy lessons Canada and the US can teach each other) which included Jason Kenney who was the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism at that time.
Dr. Bloemraad's research was highlighted in the Globe And Mail. See Polarized politics could shatter Canada’s fragile ‘virtuous cycle’ of immigration by Andrew Steele.
Rockmount has had the privilege of hearing Dr. Irene Bloemraad speak at one of our previous Speaker Series (Migrating People, Migrating Ideas: Policy lessons Canada and the US can teach each other) which included Jason Kenney who was the Federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism at that time.
AIESEC/University of Calgary Leadership Development Event
May 1, 2019 - University of Calgary
Rockmount Financial Corporation operates a family business office that manages investments for a multi-generational family. In addition, Rockmount is
active as a volunteer and a donor, supporting curriculum development in business education. Our finance curriculum development desk was the biggest draw at this event.
May 1, 2019 - University of Calgary
Rockmount Financial Corporation operates a family business office that manages investments for a multi-generational family. In addition, Rockmount is
active as a volunteer and a donor, supporting curriculum development in business education. Our finance curriculum development desk was the biggest draw at this event.
Rockmount's Vice President of Research, Khalid Asaria was swarmed by interested students
Three courses highlighted were:
INNOVATION FINANCE
Is a course designed for an MBA student interested in launching a start-up. It involves ten steps beginning with the spark of an idea, drawn from serious research, and emerging as a standalone public company. The course will be presented in ten sessions, accompanied by a ten-chapter handbook and an algorithm-based “app”.
F.L.A.M.E.S.
This course encompasses the core prerequisite education requirements to operate in a capitalist economy - Finance, Law, Accounting, Marketing, Economics, Systems (FLAMES). Ideally this course would be presented as a one-week (six days) condensed introduction to business that could be offered at most colleges and universities.
MORTGAGE BANKING
Experience in Canada and U.S. has demonstrated a serious deficiency in Canada that could be covered by an approach contained in a business model we call Mortgage Banking. It emphasizes a primary focus in the risk assessment on the fundamentals of property market risk and construction risk, and secondarily on the credit risk of the borrower. The reverse which tends to be the norm in Canada.
INNOVATION FINANCE
Is a course designed for an MBA student interested in launching a start-up. It involves ten steps beginning with the spark of an idea, drawn from serious research, and emerging as a standalone public company. The course will be presented in ten sessions, accompanied by a ten-chapter handbook and an algorithm-based “app”.
F.L.A.M.E.S.
This course encompasses the core prerequisite education requirements to operate in a capitalist economy - Finance, Law, Accounting, Marketing, Economics, Systems (FLAMES). Ideally this course would be presented as a one-week (six days) condensed introduction to business that could be offered at most colleges and universities.
MORTGAGE BANKING
Experience in Canada and U.S. has demonstrated a serious deficiency in Canada that could be covered by an approach contained in a business model we call Mortgage Banking. It emphasizes a primary focus in the risk assessment on the fundamentals of property market risk and construction risk, and secondarily on the credit risk of the borrower. The reverse which tends to be the norm in Canada.
USA Day - Sunny with a chance of space weather
October 15, 2019 - University of Calgary
Special Guests:
October 15, 2019 - University of Calgary
Special Guests:
- Dr. Nicola Fox - Director, Heliophysics Division, NASA
- Dr. Susan Skone - Associate Vice President, Research, U of C
- Dr. Andre Buret - Vice President, Research, U of C
- Ms. Lucia Piazza - Consul General of the U.S.A. in Calgary
University of Calgary International, Faculty of Science and the U.S.A. Consulate General in Calgary hosted USA Day 2019. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, so what better way to celebrate University of Calgary’s first USA Day than by exploring space. The event focused on Canada / U.S.A. collaborations on space research and featured exhibits and a keynote address by Dr. Nicola Fox of NASA.

Nicola Fox is the Heliophysics Division Director in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Heliophysics is not only vital to understanding Earth’s most important and life-sustaining star, but the study of key space phenomena and processes supports situational awareness to better protect astronauts, satellites, and robotic missions exploring the solar system and beyond.
Fox is a proven leader with extensive project, program and supervisory experience, and has authored numerous scientific articles and papers in addition to delivering science presentations worldwide. In addition to her research, she is also keenly involved with science education and outreach activities.
Fox is a proven leader with extensive project, program and supervisory experience, and has authored numerous scientific articles and papers in addition to delivering science presentations worldwide. In addition to her research, she is also keenly involved with science education and outreach activities.
Dr. Nicola Fox - Director, Heliophysics Division, NAS
Pictured: Kate, University of Calgary, Llw student with Khalid Asaria, Vice President Research, Rockmount Financial Corporation
UC Berkeley’s Clausen Centre - Third Biennial Conference on Global Economic Issues
November 16, 2019 - Berkeley, California
November 16, 2019 - Berkeley, California
This invitation-only event hosted prominent economists, policymakers, and industry participants. President of Rockmount Financial Corporation, Russell Kalmacoff, who is a member of the Advisory Board of the Clausen Centre, was represented by his associate Dr. Leo de Bever, who is Past President of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo $115 billion) and is currently on the board of the Government of Canada's Sustainability Fund.
Guest Speakers included:
And members of University of California, Berkeley
Guest Speakers included:
- Mary Daly - President, San Francisco Federal Reserve
- Calvin Ho - Senior Vice President and Director of Research for Templeton Global Macro
- Jed Kolko - Chief Economist at Indeed
- Carlos Carvalho - Former Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Brazil
And members of University of California, Berkeley
- Pierre-Olivier Gourenchas
- Kim Voss
- Emi Nakamura
- Andres Rodriguez-Clare
- Aran Taylor
- Chang-Tai Hsieh

Keynote speaker was Dr. Gita Gopinath, Economic Counsellor and Director of Research, IMF
speaking on "A Case for Integrated Policy Framework".
speaking on "A Case for Integrated Policy Framework".
National Indigenous Housing Conference 2019
November 25/26, 2019 - River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, Alberta
November 25/26, 2019 - River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, Alberta
Guest Speakers include:
Closing Remarks Focusing on Private Sector Sponsored Mixed Use Projects Russell Kalmacoff - President, Rockmount Financial Corporation |
Summary: CMHC mortgage insurance can play a major role. If the goal is larger, mixed-use projects, including more family-sized suites, residential rental, and commercial/retail/office space, NHA insurance on loans from private sector can be a incentive. Fixed income investor sources are abundant, at low cost. Land assembly assistance for larger sites could come from the Federal Infrastructure Bank. Private equity investors can also play a role, in junior construction financing, ownership of income property component, as well as traditional role in investment condominiums. Larger projects would support common area services as well. The typical result would be a virtual neighbourhood. The concept would work in urban and rural environments, including Indigenous communities.
Sheila Musqua Keewatin - CEO Keewatin Management Group
2021
Pandemic Activity
The following are books we have read over the three years beginning in October 2019, the period bestriding the pandemic. We would welcome feedback to discuss any of the books.
The following are books we have read over the three years beginning in October 2019, the period bestriding the pandemic. We would welcome feedback to discuss any of the books.
Genre: Systems, Instruments and Culture
Title |
Author |
Subject |
Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It |
Scott Kupor |
Venture Capital |
Trillions: How a Band of Wall Street Renegades Invented the Index Fund and Changed Finance Forever |
Robin Wigglesworth |
Funds |
Exorbitant Privilege: The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System |
Barry Eichengreen |
US dollar |
The Code: Silicon Valley And The Remaking Of America |
Margaret O'Mara |
Silicon Valley |
Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs from Delhi To Detroit are Rewriting The Rules Of Silicon Valley |
Alexandre Lazarow |
Beyond the Valley |
The Globotics Upheaval: Globalization, Robotics, and the Future of Work |
Richard Baldwin |
Disrupting the professions |
Ten Lessons for a Post-pandemic World |
Fareed Zakaria |
Paradigm shift |
Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age |
Sanjay Gupta |
Health |
The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations |
Daniel Yergin |
Oil and Gas |
Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn't, and Why It Matters |
Steven Koonin |
Climate science |
The Avoidable War? The Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and China |
Kevin Rudd |
China |
Genre: Industries, Companies and People
Title |
Author |
Subject |
The Founders: The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley |
Jimmy Soni |
Paypal |
The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future |
Stephen Poloz |
Bank of Canada |
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber |
Mike Isaac |
Uber |
Behind the Cloud: The Untold Story of How Salesforce.com Went from Idea to Billion-dollar Company and Revolutionized an Industry |
Mark Benioff and Carlye Adler |
Salesforce |
An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination |
Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang |
Facebook |
No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram |
Sarah Frier |
Instagram |
The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race |
Walter Isaacson |
Genetics |
The Innovators: How a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the digital revolution |
Walter Isaacson |
Entrepreneurship |
Steve Jobs |
Walter Isaacson |
Apple |
Connecting the Dots: Lessons for Leadership in a Startup World |
John Chambers and Diane Brady |
Cisco |
The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III |
Peter Baker and Susan Glasser |
DC |
Genre: Artificial Intelligence Reinforcement Learning
Title |
Author |
Subject |
The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology |
Ray Kurzweil |
Singularity coined |
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies |
Nick Bostrom |
Alternate scenarios |
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence |
Max Tegmark |
Our cosmic endowment |
Human Compatible: AI and the problem of control |
Stuart Russell |
Friendly AI |
The Age of AI and Our Human Future |
Henry A. Kissinger Eric Schmidt Daniel Huttenlocher |
Ten year plan |
2022
TANDO
Russell Kalmacoff was elected a new Fellow of TANDO on August 2, 2022.
TANDO Global Fellows open new avenues of thinking about global problems, evaluate promising technologies, and assess market opportunities, connecting these to advance the public good. This is accomplished through: Speaking | Writing | Teaching | Venturing | Incubating | Consulting | Brokering | Networking | Gamifying
Click to visit TANDO website.
Russell Kalmacoff was elected a new Fellow of TANDO on August 2, 2022.
TANDO Global Fellows open new avenues of thinking about global problems, evaluate promising technologies, and assess market opportunities, connecting these to advance the public good. This is accomplished through: Speaking | Writing | Teaching | Venturing | Incubating | Consulting | Brokering | Networking | Gamifying
Click to visit TANDO website.
SEM - The Society for Economic Measurement
SEM 7th annual conference was held at the University of Calgary August 11-14, 2022 with co-sponsorship by the Bank of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the University of Alberta.
The Society for Economic Measurement (SEM) was founded in 2013 by William A. Barnett and Stephen Spear to promote research on economic measurement, using advanced tools from economic theory, econometrics, aggregation theory, experimental economics, mathematics, and statistics. The long run objectives are to meet the data standards established for the physical sciences, subject to the inherent limitations of a social science. The society’s founding cosponsors are Carnegie Mellon University, the Center for Financial Stability, and the University of Kansas. Effective 2019, the SEM president changed from William A. Barnett to Apostolos Serletis.
The Society for Economic Measurement
SEM 7th annual conference was held at the University of Calgary August 11-14, 2022 with co-sponsorship by the Bank of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the University of Alberta.
The Society for Economic Measurement (SEM) was founded in 2013 by William A. Barnett and Stephen Spear to promote research on economic measurement, using advanced tools from economic theory, econometrics, aggregation theory, experimental economics, mathematics, and statistics. The long run objectives are to meet the data standards established for the physical sciences, subject to the inherent limitations of a social science. The society’s founding cosponsors are Carnegie Mellon University, the Center for Financial Stability, and the University of Kansas. Effective 2019, the SEM president changed from William A. Barnett to Apostolos Serletis.
The Society for Economic Measurement