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Welcome to the Scandinavian Business Club of British Columbia

6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4P9 Canada

Tel: (604) 484-8238 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00 p.m.
Except for July, August and December
Our events are open to members and non-members alike!

Our Next Event

No Posted Events

Slides - Past Speakers

Geoff Plant, 2016 March

Lawyer, Attorney General of British Columbia and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations from 2001 to 2005
Fatima Dhowre, 2018 February

With her charming smile and wit, Fatima Dhowre has quickly established her place in Vancouver's thriving comedy scene.
Bruce Stout, 2017 March

Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association
Simon Wosk, 2014 & 2016

Wine merchant with SIP Wines.
Paul Holden, 2013 April

Paul was born in London, England and joined the publishing industry in 1978 with Haymarket Publishing Ltd.
Amber Harper-Young, 2018 February

Amber Harper-Young is a nationally touring Yuk Yuks Comedian
Gunn Kim, 2018 March

Consul General Gunn Kim joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989 after passing the High Diplomatic Service Examination.
Julia Stretch, 2018 February

Julia Stretch has performed stand up everywhere from corporate Christmas parties to prairie Legion halls, tricked-out basements, gay campgrounds in Texas and Toronto Pride.
Susan Cartwright-Coates, 2018 April

Susan is a third generation jeweler and is the owner of Cartright Jewelers, following in the footsteps of her father, Don Cartwright and her grandfather, James Cartwright, who started the business in 1933.
Linn Andelius, 2020 March

Linn was born in Gothenburg, Sweden and moved to Aarhus, Denmark in 2009 to study medicine. She has lived in Copenhagen since 2015 and has started training in cardiology. Linn is now doing fulltime research to complete her PhD.
Phil Reynolds, 2018 November

International Submarine Engineering Ltd.
Phil Reynolds has been in sales and marketing since graduating University.
After a short stint in the financial industry his focus shifted to the technical aspects of sales which has always been of interest to him.
Alison Bodine, November 2015

Chair of Vancouver's peace coalition Mobilization Against War and Occupation (MAWO)
Jim Robson, 2011 April

To many British Columbians, Jim Robson is the voice of hockey.
David Fung, 2012 September

Dr. Fung is the Chairman and CEO of the ACDEG Group of companies.
Bryan Hansen, 2019 March

Bryan Hansen is a one-of-a-kind triumph of modern psychiatry and pharmacology.
Kari Turunen, 2019 November

Kari Turunen is the new Artistic Director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir and the former artistic director of the many choirs in Finland.
Alon Newton, 2011 May

Born, raised and educated in Israel, Alon was an avid climber and did many of his first ascents in the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula. He has summited, among others, Mont Blanc in the Alps and the Island Peak in the Himalayas.
Nis Schmidt, 2011 October

Graduated from the University of Alberta Medical School in 1961 after undergraduate studies in Physical Education, Biological Sciences and Chemistry.
Alain de la Plante, 2018 January

An award winning and highly acclaimed photographer, author, publisher, keynote speaker and artist!
Bjorn Moller, 2016 January

Director - Teekay Tankers Ltd.
James Laitinen, 2013 January

James Laitinen

James Laitinen is a Regional Director at Alma Consulting Group, a management consulting firm specializing in research & development tax credits across Canada
and throughout Europe.

James has experience with financial management, including performance measurement systems, due diligence, strategic tax planning, and value-based management. Critical skill sets include project management, process improvement, and strategic business analysis.

Mr. Laitinen’s background includes several sectors - private companies, public companies, government, and nonprofit's. Mr. Laitinen frequently contributes volunteering his time to the Certified Management Accountants – Vancouver Chapter, Toastmasters International, and APICS: The Association for Operations Management.

Personally, he is an enthusiast of stand-up comedy, hockey, golf and a proud supporter of the Canadian Red Cross. To learn about James’ latest adventures he is @jlate on twitter.

Key Drivers of Innovation – Global Lessons to Drive Growth

The demands of global customers are changing the tides and fortunes of Canadian corporate organizations. The essence of successful organizations is build on a foundation of innovation that brings new ideas, leverages the talent and skill set in our human resources and empowers organizations to bring state of the art products to market.

The benefit of innovation drives value for shareholders and customers alike. But how does innovation happen and what are the key drivers behind successful organizations that implement innovation in their core business and derive value through the use of innovation tax credits to reduce financial risk and improve bottom line performance.
Mike Brown, 2012 April

Mr. Mike Brown, Senior Planner, Strategic Planning.
Vancouver International Airport celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2011.
Niels Boel Abrahamsen, 2014 May

Danish Ambassador to Canada
James Garbutt, 2016 May

Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Steel & Oak Brewing Co. (est. 2013).
Aila Karpio, 2017 November

Aila Karpio is a natural organizer and an expert team builder who can quickly streamline and update a not-for-profit association’s operations.
Marlene Swidzinski, 2018 February

Marlene Swidzinski is known for her dry, deadpan style and offbeat worldview.
Julia Stretch, 2019 March

Julia Stretch has performed stand up everywhere from corporate Christmas parties to prairie Legion halls, tricked-out basements, gay campgrounds in Texas and Toronto Pride.
Ron Shore, January 2020

Bachelor's degree from Trinity Western University in business administration.
MBA from UBC - emphasis in marketing and a master's thesis on treasure hunting.
Trained in the Navy as an officer in surface and sub-surface command specializing in ship navigation; currently posted as a reserve officer.
Andy Cañete, 2019 February

Andy Cañete was born in Chile in 1973 under the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. His family immigrated to Canada when he was a child He's used his travels to inspire his onstage performances.
Georgia Swayze, 2018 February

Georgia Swayze spends her time performing at local Vancouver shows, such as Goldie’s Comedy Basement, and Eight ½ Inches of Comedy- among others.
Patrick Moore, 2010 September

Dr. Patrick Moore has been a leader in the international environmental field for more than 35 years.
Rob Baxter, 2016 September

Co-founder and principal at Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative.
Kathleen Maiman, 2011 September

Kathleen Maiman
Wade Pugh, 2018 May

Wade Pugh is a founder of and partner in Chewters Chocolates, a specialty chocolate manufacturer located on Annacis Island.
Thomas Gradin, October 2015

Player for the Vancouver Canucks from 1978 to 1986.
Currently, Associate Head Scout for the Vancouver Canucks
Michael Geller, 2017 May

Vancouver based architect, planner, real estate consultant and property developer
Peter Cowley, 2012 May

Peter Cowley is a Senior Vice-President and the Director of School Performance Studies at The Fraser Institute.
James A.V. Bligh, 2019 June

James works at Proscenium Architecture + Interiors Inc. as an Architect AIBC.
Stein Gudmundseth, 2015 April

Honorary Consul General for Norway in British Columbia.
Azza Rojbi, 2017 September

Azza Rojbi

Azza Rojbi moved to Vancouver from Tunisia in 2010. She and her parents and two brothers left behind friends, careers and their extended family in search of a better life.
Kyle Galbraith, 2017 April

Manager of Air Service Development at YVR.
Stein Gudmundseth, 2011 November

After almost 17 years of service, Honorary Consul General Stein Gudmundseth continues to be Norway’s principal representative in British Columbia since his appointment by King Harald V in August 1998.
Oli Maughan, 2018 February

Oli Maughan can be seen around Vancouver telling jokes to people who are mostly interested in the drink specials.
Darci LaRocque, 2015 January

Award‐winning technology trainer and speaker.
Kristoffer Vik Hansen, 2019 April

Spare
Tamara Hansen, April 2014

Coordinator of Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba.
Jordan Bateman, 2014 May

B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Glenn Sigurdson, 2018 June

Glenn is a renowned mediator and lawyer in his day job, and on the side, he is the Honorary Consul General for Iceland.
Jonas Albeck, 2015 September

Senior Land Specialist for Quicksilver Resources Canada Inc.
Peter Smyth, 2018 October

Ordained in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin (Church of Ireland - Anglican).
Peter assisted at the Mission to Seafarers while a student reader at St Anns Dawson St in Dublin.
Coro Strandberg, 2014 September

Principal of Strandberg Consulting, nationally recognized corporate sustainability and social responsibility advisor to business, industry associations and governments.
Tom Nyberg

Honorary Counsul for Finland in Vancouver
Jason Robinson, 2017 January

Founder and CEO of Sustainability Television - a Canadian based social media network.
Simon King, 2018 February

Simon King ... bombards the audience with intelligent and flat out hilarious material at break neck speed.
Thomas Berger, 2013 January

Now a practicing lawyer in Vancouver, Thomas Berger served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 1971 – 1983. During that time, he was Commissioner of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry 1974-77.
Rnold Smith, 2017 October

Rnold is a New Westminster based business growth consultant.
Henrik Laursen, 2018 September

Henrik has extensive experience with forest products and provides his expertise and consulting in product and market development through his business, Danvik Marketing Services.
Torbjørn Reitan Fyrvik, 2018 April

The goal of the project is to design and build a fully autonomous research vessel which will be tested in the Atlantic Ocean. The team is currently working on the project but they are looking for assistance
Michel Laberge, 2017 June

Founder and Chief Scientist, General Fusion, Burnaby
Leah Costello, 2012 May

Leah Costello is the founder of the Bon Mot Book Club, Vancouver’s most exclusive and intellectually stimulating event series.
Andy Poon, 2014 November

Manager, BC Securities Commission’s community relations program.
Thomas Davies, November 2015

Member of the Editorial Board of the Fire This Time Newspaper
Mats Gerschman, 2015 March

Founder, Fortus Consulting
Currently (2015) teaching part-time at Capilano University.
Myrtle Siebert, 2013 May

Myrtle Rae Forberg Siebert came to writing through a deep appreciation for books
Jim Sinclair, 2012 May

Jim Sinclair was elected President of the B.C. Federation of Labour on May 14, 1999, by the Federation's governing body, its Executive Council.
Ben Whiting, 2012 November

Ben Whiting, is a Canadian from British Columbia, but he also has Swedish and Norwegian ancestry. He has worked in the Scandinavian mining industry and presented at the World Mining Forum in Stockholm and the Euro Mine 2012 in Skellefteå.
Geoffrey Hansen, 2012 March

Geoffrey Hansen is the Managing Director of Rocket Builders, a management consulting firm specializing in helping technology companies grow and prosper.
Jay James, 2014 March

Jay James, International Business Consultant, Philanthropist and Renaissance Man
Jorna Neuvonen, 2013 March

James Laitinen

James Laitinen is a Regional Director at Alma Consulting Group, a management consulting firm specializing in research & development tax credits across Canada
and throughout Europe.

James has experience with financial management, including performance measurement systems, due diligence, strategic tax planning, and value-based management. Critical skill sets include project management, process improvement, and strategic business analysis.

Mr. Laitinen’s background includes several sectors - private companies, public companies, government, and nonprofit's. Mr. Laitinen frequently contributes volunteering his time to the Certified Management Accountants – Vancouver Chapter, Toastmasters International, and APICS: The Association for Operations Management.

Personally, he is an enthusiast of stand-up comedy, hockey, golf and a proud supporter of the Canadian Red Cross. To learn about James’ latest adventures he is @jlate on twitter.

Key Drivers of Innovation – Global Lessons to Drive Growth

The demands of global customers are changing the tides and fortunes of Canadian corporate organizations. The essence of successful organizations is build on a foundation of innovation that brings new ideas, leverages the talent and skill set in our human resources and empowers organizations to bring state of the art products to market.

The benefit of innovation drives value for shareholders and customers alike. But how does innovation happen and what are the key drivers behind successful organizations that implement innovation in their core business and derive value through the use of innovation tax credits to reduce financial risk and improve bottom line performance.

James Laitinen

James Laitinen