Forge Your Future - Careers that STEM from Science

Forge Your Future (formerly known as Entrepreneurship Speaker Series) was established in 2022 to inspire science students with the impactful career paths that have started from a UM Faculty of Science degree.

Featuring Faculty of Science alumni who have become entrepreneurs or leaders in their field, this event aims to spark ideas around emerging themes in industry and research. We strive to ignite meaningful conversations about where a science degree can lead. Join us as we forge the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and risk-takers.

2 speakers talking on stage with people in the audience.

Past events

Pauline Gerrard wearing a black shirt and smiling at the camera.

Pauline Gerrard, Executive Director of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Experimental Lakes Area

Pauline Gerrard is the Executive Director of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Experimental Lakes Area, where she provides strategic leadership to the world’s leading freshwater research facility. With a background in environmental science and ecology, she brings over two decades of international experience in water and wetland management, science communication, and community engagement.

Prior to joining IISD, Gerrard spent nearly a decade with the World Wildlife Fund in Laos, where she worked on large-scale conservation programs and projects, including the Greater Mekong Program and the WATER Project, which focused on restoring urban wetlands for wastewater treatment. Her early career included roles with the Mekong River Commission, Laos’ Science Technology Environment Agency, and as a field technician at the Experimental Lakes Area.

She holds an MSc in environmental biology and ecology from the University of Alberta and a BSc from UM. Gerrard is a passionate advocate for effective science communication and outdoor environmental education, often found canoeing lakes or exploring wetlands with a net in hand.

Leslie Tari wearing a blue button down shirt with a coat and an eyeglass smiling at the camera.

Dr. Les Tari, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Cidara Therapeutics [BScHons/89, PhD/95]

Tari is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Cidara Therapeutics and a two-time UM Faculty of Science chemistry alum [BScHons/89, PhD/95]. Following his time at UM, Tari focused on supporting early-stage drug discovery in both academic and industry settings, developing over 50 publications or patents. Previous to working for Cidara Therapeutics, Tari was a member of the scientific staff of the start-up, Syrrx Inc., co-founded ActiveSight Inc., and held various positions at Trius Therapeutics (acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals). At Cidara Therapeutics, Tari oversees the development of targeted immunotherapies designed to treat serious diseases.

Tari is the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Cidara Therapeutics and a two-time UM Faculty of Science chemistry alum [BScHons/89, PhD/95]. Following his time at UM, Tari focused on supporting early-stage drug discovery in both academic and industry settings, developing over 50 publications or patents. Previous to working for Cidara Therapeutics, Tari was a member of the scientific staff of the start-up, Syrrx Inc., co-founded ActiveSight Inc., and held various positions at Trius Therapeutics (acquired by Cubist Pharmaceuticals). At Cidara Therapeutics, Tari oversees the development of targeted immunotherapies designed to treat serious diseases.

Stasi Baran profile.

Dr. Stasi Baran, Chief Operating Officer, nQube Data Science

Dr. Anastasia (Stasi) Baran, is the Co-founder and COO of nQube Data Science. As part of the team that has been integrating AI into the gaming industry for several years, she has played a crucial role in developing AI-based slot floor optimization and player segmentation solutions.

Driven by a desire to have fun at work, she pivoted from the academic world to the casino industry, where her innovative approach and extensive experience in implementing casino AI technologies have been essential to the success of nQube's AI-driven casino technology suite. Baran obtained her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Manitoba. Her academic background includes a BSc in Physics and an MSc in Astrophysics. With her multi-disciplinary expertise, she develops fitting applications for nQube's advanced artificial intelligence technology in casinos, merging her interests in data modelling and the gaming world to encourage innovation and efficiency.

Chris Schmidt headshot.

Chris Schmidt Co-Founder/CEO, Pluto Ventures

Chris started his first business at the age of ten and is still protecting Winnipeg's trees from Dutch Elm Disease. After completing a B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba, he decided not to follow in his family's footsteps and pursue medicine. Instead, he founded the world's first Snapchat filter company, Geofilter Studio.

Geofilter Studio exploded at an unprecedented rate of 24,000% and grew to 85 employees in the first year. It was Canada's fastest-growing company in 2017 and created over 100,000 filters that accumulated 5 billion views worldwide. Chris then formed EveryStudio, which housed Geofilter Studio, EveryStudio AR, and EveryStudio Stickers. EveryStudio AR created augmented reality products, while EveryStudio Stickers made iOS sticker packs with over 150 million views in the App Store. In 2019, EveryStudio was acquired.

In 2018, Chris started Pluto Ventures, an artificial intelligence company with a world-class team backed by a strong group of investors and advisors. Together, they are building Parallel, a social commerce platform with users spanning 191 countries.

When Chris is not working on his companies, he enjoys helping others with their business journey and has presented at over 125 events.

Students asking questions from the speaker.
Brian Mark, the Dean at the Faculty of Science, talking.
The speaker talking.

Contact us

Daniel Heschuk
Program Development Specialist
Daniel.Heschuk@umanitoba.ca
204-474-7801