Events

In 2012, a failed startup and a denied US work visa collided into one of Vancouver's great success stories. Catherine Dahl had just watched her employer shut down; Reza Sanaie had quit his job for Amazon in Seattle, only to be turned back at the border. Together with two co-founders, they built Beanworks and nine years later sold it to global enterprise firm Quadient for $104 million, one of the largest exits in Vancouver startup history.

Then came the question nobody prepares you for: what next? Catherine now coaches CEOs, sits on boards, and invests. Reza mentored immigrant tech workers and first-time founders, and is building again in the AI era with a new venture in modern accounting.

Join us as Club President Navid Morawej, Reza's friend of 26 years, sits down with Catherine and Reza for a candid 30-minute conversation about building together, selling, and what success means the second time around. Expect real stories, zero polish, and plenty of laughs.

This fireside chat is proudly sponsored by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, a leading full-service Canadian business law firm. Osler's Emerging and High Growth Companies group works with founders and high-growth companies throughout their journey, from incorporation and early financings to M&A, exits and whatever comes next. The partnership is particularly fitting for this conversation: Osler advised Beanworks on its 2021 acquisition by Quadient.

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Join us for an evening of great company, food, and cheer as we celebrate Oktoberfest together!

What to expect:

• 📍Private room with a stunning waterfront view

• 🥂Canapes throughout the evening, including vegetarian and lighter options

• 🎟️Drink tickets per guest (wine, beer, or non-alcoholic), additional drinks on your own tab

• 🤝A relaxed mingling format - come connect with fellow members and guests

Space is limited , so RSVP early to secure your spot. More details to follow! Prost! 🍺

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Peter Volpé, Xavier Hamel-Lapointe, and Lisa Chen come together for a timely educational discussion on market risk, diversification, quantitative technology, and disciplined decision-making in today’s markets.

Bringing perspectives from financial planning, portfolio management, and quantitative technology, the panel will explore how investors can think about risk during periods of market strength - and why diversification, discipline, and risk management remain important as market conditions change.

Many traditional portfolios have historically relied heavily on long-only exposure to stocks and bonds, while periods such as the 2008 financial crisis demonstrated how quickly correlations and market conditions can shift. The discussion will explore where quantitative systems and data-driven processes can add discipline to the investment process - and where experienced human judgment, governance, and oversight remain essential.

This is a great opportunity to bring a friend, colleague, or prospective member who might enjoy the conversation and experience one of our Tuesday lunches.

The panel will be followed by audience Q&A.

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There's a lot of hype and fear around AI. Owen Lu's approach is to keep it simple and meet people where they are. In this session, Owen will share practical ways professionals and business owners can use AI to save time, improve productivity, and simplify everyday tasks - no technical background required. Drawing on his experience helping companies integrate AI into the workplace, he'll cover what AI is genuinely good for, when you don't need it at all, and how small efficiencies can help businesses thrive and people live more balanced lives.

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Join us for a fireside chat with one of Vancouver's most remarkable entrepreneurs. Shahrzad Rafati founded BBTV in Vancouver and built it into a global media-tech company reaching billions of monthly views, all while keeping its headquarters in our city. In conversation with Club President Navid Morawej, she'll share the story of scaling a homegrown company to the world stage, her perspective on the creator economy and the future of media, and the leadership lessons behind her advocacy for women and young leaders. Lunch at noon, conversation at 12:45, followed by audience Q&A.

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