Meet the people building a better world

Distinguished Alumni Award
Gary Kovacs, BComm’90, MBA’99
Tech leader. Innovator. Connector of millions.

Gary Kovacs is the CEO of Mozilla Corporation, maker of the Firefox web browser, and he’s been a Silicon Valley tech leader for much of his career. With names like SAP, Adobe, Zi Corporation and IBM on his resume, this two-time Haskayne School of Business grad has found his fit in tech, innovation, and putting people first.

Graduate of the Last Decade
Natalie Panek, BSc’07
Aerospace Engineer. Advocate. Explorer.

Natalie Panek is a rocket scientist — literally. She works as a systems engineer and robotics operator at MDA Space Missions. She can fly a plane, has interned at NASA, and was part of the University of Calgary’s first solar car team during her time on campus. Natalie is also a tireless advocate for young women in technology.

Future Alumni Award
Scott Weir, fourth-year Faculty of Arts student
Campus composter. Urban farmer. Finance aficionado.

Scott Weir is all about balance, whether its numbers on a balance sheet or the delicate balance required to make his commercial aquaponics and urban farming ventures viable. He’s one of only three Canadians certified in commercial Aquaponics — the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals. He graduates next spring with an arts degree in political science.