Confluence YYC: Leadership

Christine Dagenais is the dynamic leader and Founder/CEO of Bright Wire Leadership, a top leadership development and professional coaching firm in Canada. Christine’s commitment to excellence has attracted a team of renowned experts and created a new consultancy model that partners with organizations around the world to build the sustainable leadership skills they need for successful futures. Prior to founding Bright Wire, Christine held senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies across various industries, contributing to her wealth of experience she draws from as a successful entrepreneur and business leadership expert.

A sought-after speaker, expert moderator and panelist, Christine has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Alberta’s Top Female Entrepreneur with a Business of Distinction, a Top 20 Business Leader in Calgary, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. She is also an inductee to the University of Lethbridge’s Alumni Honor Society.

Christine authored The Intentional MBA, a book for high performing A Players looking to find their Plus and holds an MBA from the University of Calgary. She earned her ICD designation at Rotman School of Management and has served on numerous boards and has led various international volunteer programs. Christine has worked, studied, and traveled in over 70 countries and is a proud mother who enjoys weekend mountain adventures with her family.

Throughout Marcel’s career, he has worked to provide companies with the best possible results while focusing on business needs. He began his career as an auditor in the Netherlands and spent 15 years working with top accounting firms, with VolkerWessels as one of his primary clients from 2001 until 2010. In 2011, he moved into the construction industry as a Group Reporting Manager with VolkerWessels. After nearly 3 years in that role, he was given the opportunity to relocate to Canada to work with Volker Stevin Highways and Volker Stevin Contracting as the Operations Controller.

From there, he was promoted to General Manager of Volker Stevin Highways, overseeing the Highway Maintenance and Infrastructure divisions. For five years, he led teams securing our long-term provincial maintenance contracts with a strong focus on providing safe, high-quality solutions and service to our communities.

In January 2023, he was approached to take on a new challenge and become the Chief Financial Officer of Volker Stevin Canada, overseeing our seven companies. Here he couples his experience as a general manager and finance professional and provides targeted strategies to contribute to each company’s success. As of January 2024, Marcel’s role expanded and he is now CFO of VolkerWessels North America, encompassing our Canadian operations as well as our Seattle-based operations in the USA.

Jason Unsworth, MBA, is a values-driven leader who believes that exceptional organizational performance begins with a people-first culture. As Associate Vice President of Commercial Operations at Mount Royal University (MRU), Jason champions a collaborative leadership style focused on empowering teams and ensuring every individual understands how their daily work advances the university’s broader vision and academic mission.

With over two decades of cross-institutional leadership experience, Jason bridges purpose and performance. His approach connects healthy, inclusive workplace culture directly to high-impact operational execution, sustainable growth, and strong financial outcomes. Having progressed through key operational roles at MRU, he brings a deeply grounded perspective on leading teams through change, optimizing business services, and delivering sustainable, long-term results that elevate both the institution and the community it serves.

For nearly 25 years, Brian has helped leaders and organizations strengthen communication, build trust, and create high-achieving organizations.

Before founding The Leaders Circle, Brian spent over 20 years leading large, complex operations, serving as a Regional Vice President with Starbucks Coffee Company and as Director of Operations for Western Canada with KFC. His executive leadership experience enables him to connect transformational leadership with the practical realities of running a business.

Today, Brian advises executives and leadership teams across organizations ranging from 10 to 10,000 employees. He helps leaders think differently, align people around compelling futures, and create high-achieving organizations where accountability, collaboration, and results thrive.

Brian serves on the Boards of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Heritage Park Historical Village, where he co-founded the Black Heritage Committee. He is also a past Chair of the Calgary Black Chambers. A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Brian is recognized for combining practical executive experience with transformational leadership to help organizations develop leaders who create leaders.