08/14/2025
FHNS GSA – Professional Development Workshop Invitation
Hello FHNS Graduate Students,
The FHNS Graduate Student Association (GSA) is excited to invite you to our Professional Development Workshop 2025 a unique opportunity to explore new career directions, gain valuable insights, and get answers to your most pressing professional questions.
📅 Date: August 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: RCFTR Auditorium
📌 RSVP by August 19, 2025
Reserve your spot here: https://forms.office.com/r/gTfHBqqJE4
Workshop Theme:
“From Kitchen to Market: Nourishing Innovation & Career Growth”
Featured Speakers 🔅🔅🔅
Ben Isakov
Startup Coach – Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Manitoba.
Ben is a Business Breakthrough Strategist and Exit Planning Advisor with over 20 years of experience in quality assurance, continuous improvement, and operations management. As Strategic Partnership and Venture Support Lead at the University of Manitoba’s Stu Clark Centre, Ben helps businesses and entrepreneurs overcome growth barriers, develop strategic plans, and transform innovative ideas into successful ventures.
Marissa Naylor
Marketing Coordinator – Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Manitoba.
Marissa is a dynamic marketing professional, entrepreneur, and national athlete passionate about driving impact through strategy, creativity, and community engagement. With over seven years of experience across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, she leads strategic marketing campaigns that inspire entrepreneurial thinking among students. Outside her role at the Stu Clark Centre, she runs Marissa Naylor Photography, capturing weddings and brand stories across Canada, and represents Team Canada in tenpin bowling on the international stage.
Trevor Lehmann
Career Counsellor – Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre, University of Manitoba.
Trevor holds an M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology and has over 10 years of experience in Canadian post-secondary education. As a Career Consultant at the University of Manitoba’s Career Services, he supports students at all stages—from high school to PhD—in making informed academic and career choices. He also serves as President of the Climate-Informed Counsellors Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and is the former Co-Chair of the Advocacy and Community Engagement Committee for the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling (CERIC).
💡What You’ll Gain:
✔️How to become an entrepreneur
✔️Career exploration and planning strategies
✔️Networking techniques that work
✔️How to pitch your ideas effectively
🧁🍪☕️ Snacks & Refreshments
Fuel your networking with a selection of muffins, cookies, and coffee. Please RSVP to share your dietary preferences.
If you have any questions, contact Vidheesha Abeysinghe (Communication Officer) at [email protected]
We look forward to seeing you there and making this year at FHNS truly remarkable! 🌟