Clouston Conversations by Ivey Business School Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/clouston-conversations-by-ivey-business-school Clouston Conversations is a podcast from Ivey Business School that amplifies the voices of tomorrow’s international business leaders. Hosted annually by recipients of the Ross N. Clouston Memorial Award – named in honour of the late Ross N. Clouston – the series features candid discussions with leaders from across industries, from venture capital to visual arts. Join the conversation with these tenacious student hosts, as they draw out valuable lessons, bridge theory and practice, and inspire the next generation of business leadership. © 2026 Ivey Business School 5953a216-1e89-515b-a213-b38e0ec3aa82 yes en Fri, 28 Aug 2026 06:15:42 -0700 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 06:16:01 -0700 https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/impact/ https://img.transistorcdn.com/uj3eizKWNhZw1hOHo0q9koVcgpwf_xMsCNFsCFRduUk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xM2Zm/ODU2YzlkZDIwOWQz/NmVjMmEyODliMDdl/ZTQ2Zi5qcGc.jpg Clouston Conversations by Ivey Business School https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/impact/ episodic Ivey Business School Clouston Conversations is a podcast from Ivey Business School that amplifies the voices of tomorrow’s international business leaders. Hosted annually by recipients of the Ross N. Clouston Memorial Award – named in honour of the late Ross N. Clouston – the series features candid discussions with leaders from across industries, from venture capital to visual arts. Join the conversation with these tenacious student hosts, as they draw out valuable lessons, bridge theory and practice, and inspire the next generation of business leadership. Clouston Conversations is a podcast from Ivey Business School that amplifies the voices of tomorrow’s international business leaders. Ivey Business School No No Lessons from the climb with Dolamu Asipa, MBA ’26 3 3 Lessons from the climb with Dolamu Asipa, MBA ’26 full dcb5efba-bb58-4e73-ad93-68639485c347 https://share.transistor.fm/s/95432a5e A successful career is rarely a straight climb to the top. Few people understand this better than Larissa Chaikowsky, MBA ’04 – a leading financial executive, community builder, and mountaineer.

In this episode of Clouston Conversations, Larissa sits down with host Dolamu Asipa, MBA ’26, to reflect on the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership – from her first leadership role with the Brownies to an 18-year career at BMO Financial Group and, most recently, her work as Chair of the Ivey Alumni Network. Together, they discuss the value of a “just do it” mindset, the realities of navigating the corporate world as a female executive, and the importance of knowing when to pause and take in the view.

Candid and insightful, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what it means to reach the top – and what matters once you get there.


In this episode: 
01:32: From the Brownies to the boardroom 
03:49: Why it had to be Ivey
08:29: When no two days are the same
12:44: A woman’s seat at the table
18:12: What she wishes she knew then 
20:04: The unexpected reward of giving back
22:32: Why an Ivey degree is just the beginning 
28:22:  What mountaineering can teach us about careers 
30:11: The most important skills in the Age of AI


About Clouston Conversations

Clouston Conversations is a podcast series featuring interviews conducted by recipients of the Ross N. Clouston Award. The award is generously supported by Robert Clouston, MBA ’72, and Brendan Clouston, MBA ’79 in memory of their father's legacy of leadership. It is presented annually to an incoming Ivey MBA student who demonstrates personal and academic determination and success in pursuing their studies at Ivey. After receiving the award, recipients are asked to contribute to the intellectual capital of the School by conducting an interview that enhances the diversity of perspectives and knowledge represented within the Ivey Business School community and contributes to the overall intellectual enrichment of the School.

]]> A successful career is rarely a straight climb to the top. Few people understand this better than Larissa Chaikowsky, MBA ’04 – a leading financial executive, community builder, and mountaineer.

In this episode of Clouston Conversations, Larissa sits down with host Dolamu Asipa, MBA ’26, to reflect on the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership – from her first leadership role with the Brownies to an 18-year career at BMO Financial Group and, most recently, her work as Chair of the Ivey Alumni Network. Together, they discuss the value of a “just do it” mindset, the realities of navigating the corporate world as a female executive, and the importance of knowing when to pause and take in the view.

Candid and insightful, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what it means to reach the top – and what matters once you get there.


In this episode: 
01:32: From the Brownies to the boardroom 
03:49: Why it had to be Ivey
08:29: When no two days are the same
12:44: A woman’s seat at the table
18:12: What she wishes she knew then 
20:04: The unexpected reward of giving back
22:32: Why an Ivey degree is just the beginning 
28:22:  What mountaineering can teach us about careers 
30:11: The most important skills in the Age of AI


About Clouston Conversations

Clouston Conversations is a podcast series featuring interviews conducted by recipients of the Ross N. Clouston Award. The award is generously supported by Robert Clouston, MBA ’72, and Brendan Clouston, MBA ’79 in memory of their father's legacy of leadership. It is presented annually to an incoming Ivey MBA student who demonstrates personal and academic determination and success in pursuing their studies at Ivey. After receiving the award, recipients are asked to contribute to the intellectual capital of the School by conducting an interview that enhances the diversity of perspectives and knowledge represented within the Ivey Business School community and contributes to the overall intellectual enrichment of the School.

]]> Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:16:39 -0700 Ivey Business School Ivey Business School 2120 A successful career is rarely a straight climb to the top. Few people understand this better than Larissa Chaikowsky, MBA ’04 – a leading financial executive, community builder, and mountaineer.

In this episode of Clouston Conversations, Larissa sits down with host Dolamu Asipa, MBA ’26, to reflect on the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership – from her first leadership role with the Brownies to an 18-year career at BMO Financial Group and, most recently, her work as Chair of the Ivey Alumni Network. Together, they discuss the value of a “just do it” mindset, the realities of navigating the corporate world as a female executive, and the importance of knowing when to pause and take in the view.

Candid and insightful, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what it means to reach the top – and what matters once you get there.


In this episode: 
01:32: From the Brownies to the boardroom 
03:49: Why it had to be Ivey
08:29: When no two days are the same
12:44: A woman’s seat at the table
18:12: What she wishes she knew then 
20:04: The unexpected reward of giving back
22:32: Why an Ivey degree is just the beginning 
28:22:  What mountaineering can teach us about careers 
30:11: The most important skills in the Age of AI


About Clouston Conversations

Clouston Conversations is a podcast series featuring interviews conducted by recipients of the Ross N. Clouston Award. The award is generously supported by Robert Clouston, MBA ’72, and Brendan Clouston, MBA ’79 in memory of their father's legacy of leadership. It is presented annually to an incoming Ivey MBA student who demonstrates personal and academic determination and success in pursuing their studies at Ivey. After receiving the award, recipients are asked to contribute to the intellectual capital of the School by conducting an interview that enhances the diversity of perspectives and knowledge represented within the Ivey Business School community and contributes to the overall intellectual enrichment of the School.

]]> No The Business of Being an Artist with Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA ’25 2 2 The Business of Being an Artist with Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA ’25 full 8ee0b34d-0e46-4545-ba34-7c8c0b201ead https://share.transistor.fm/s/ffa4f65d Art and business may seem worlds apart, but they share more common ground than meets the eye – after all, there’s an art to great business and a business to being a successful artist. In this episode, Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA ’25, explores this intersection with renowned Canadian conceptual artist Mitchell F. Chan. Together, they trace Mitchell’s evolution from architect to public artist and entrepreneur, examine the social and cultural significance of avant-garde art, and consider what it truly means (and takes) to push creative boundaries in an increasingly digital world. 

]]> Art and business may seem worlds apart, but they share more common ground than meets the eye – after all, there’s an art to great business and a business to being a successful artist. In this episode, Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA ’25, explores this intersection with renowned Canadian conceptual artist Mitchell F. Chan. Together, they trace Mitchell’s evolution from architect to public artist and entrepreneur, examine the social and cultural significance of avant-garde art, and consider what it truly means (and takes) to push creative boundaries in an increasingly digital world. 

]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:09:52 -0800 Ivey Business School Ivey Business School 2071 Art and business may seem worlds apart, but they share more common ground than meets the eye – after all, there’s an art to great business and a business to being a successful artist. In this episode, Sarvie Golestaneh, MBA ’25, explores this intersection with renowned Canadian conceptual artist Mitchell F. Chan. Together, they trace Mitchell’s evolution from architect to public artist and entrepreneur, examine the social and cultural significance of avant-garde art, and consider what it truly means (and takes) to push creative boundaries in an increasingly digital world. 

]]> No The Great Canadian Venture Story with Sophie Tong, MBA ’24 1 1 The Great Canadian Venture Story with Sophie Tong, MBA ’24 full d3a04da9-9d52-45b7-b5dd-9cf6044c41f7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fed8b802 What sets Canada’s venture capital landscape apart, and how is technology shaping its trajectory? In this inaugural episode of Clouston Conversations, host Sophie Tong, MBA ’24, sits down with Brian Kobus, HBA ’00, MBA ’06, Managing Partner and Head of Fund Operations at OMERS Ventures, to explore the current state of VC in Canada. Together, they discuss the unique factors influencing the country’s startup ecosystem, examine how tech firms are driving innovation, and celebrate the energy and ambition fueling Canada’s founders. 

]]> What sets Canada’s venture capital landscape apart, and how is technology shaping its trajectory? In this inaugural episode of Clouston Conversations, host Sophie Tong, MBA ’24, sits down with Brian Kobus, HBA ’00, MBA ’06, Managing Partner and Head of Fund Operations at OMERS Ventures, to explore the current state of VC in Canada. Together, they discuss the unique factors influencing the country’s startup ecosystem, examine how tech firms are driving innovation, and celebrate the energy and ambition fueling Canada’s founders. 

]]> Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:08:37 -0800 Ivey Business School Ivey Business School 1240 What sets Canada’s venture capital landscape apart, and how is technology shaping its trajectory? In this inaugural episode of Clouston Conversations, host Sophie Tong, MBA ’24, sits down with Brian Kobus, HBA ’00, MBA ’06, Managing Partner and Head of Fund Operations at OMERS Ventures, to explore the current state of VC in Canada. Together, they discuss the unique factors influencing the country’s startup ecosystem, examine how tech firms are driving innovation, and celebrate the energy and ambition fueling Canada’s founders. 

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