From the Gridiron to the Boardroom

Anthony (Anton) Bellot’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, leadership and a unique blend of skills cultivated both on the football field and in the classrooms of Scurfield Hall. A graduate of the Haskayne School of Business, Bellot's journey from the gridiron to the boardroom at ATB Financial has been marked by unwavering confidence, strategic thinking and a commitment to embracing challenges head-on. 

Early beginnings: Football is life

From 2010-2015, Bellot, BComm’16, thrived as a student-athlete, donning the jersey for the University of Calgary Dinos football team. But his time on the field was not just about tackles and victories; it became the crucible where his leadership skills were forged. The camaraderie, teamwork and relentless pursuit of excellence became the cornerstones of his foundation, setting the stage for life after football.  

"From football, the definition of success is getting up one more time when you get knocked down," says Bellot. "Football and finance have a lot of similarities. There is a finite goal, which is to be successful, so [whether] closing a transaction or winning a championship, I don't really see a difference."

Bellot always knew he was destined for a career in finance, a realization fortified by the encouragement of his first coach at UCalgary, Blake Nill. Nill helped guide Bellot into finance based on his strong academic credentials and his work ethic. While balancing the gruelling demands of university football with the rigours of academic excellence can prove difficult for many, Bellot embraced the challenge. 

Will not take no for an answer

In the realm of football and recruiting, Bellot’s experience was quite distinctive. He grew up in Calgary and played high school football at St. Francis, a renowned football powerhouse with 27 City Championships and 7 provincial titles to its name. Despite participating in the Senior Bowl, a prestigious event featuring the top senior football players from across the province, he was never ranked among the top 100 recruits, casting doubt on his prospects of playing football at the university level.

"It was the summer of my rookie year, and Coach Nill suggested I might not be ready for university football yet. He thought I should consider playing junior instead," Bellot explains. "But I remember looking him straight in the eye — this was the best coach in the country I was challenging — and I stood up, shook his hand and told him confidently, 'I'll see you tomorrow at the 6:15 a.m. workout.' I was determined to put in the work to prove myself."

Bellot would go on to impress, make the team and play for the Dinos for five years. He was a part of the Dinos’ six consecutive conference championships (2008-2013) and played in the 2013 Vanier Cup. He was also simultaneously paving his path in the business world, beginning with a summer internship at Husky Energy in 2014. At the time, a career in the energy and gas sector seemed the end game for many young professionals in Calgary, and Bellot was no exception. However, the unforeseen oil-price decline of 2014 compelled him to reassess his career trajectory. Facing uncertainty, but armed with a solid foundation in finance, he adeptly shifted gears, turning to the banking sector for new opportunities. This decision marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his professional journey, one that would leverage his unique blend of athletic work ethic and academic acumen.

“I literally hit up every bank on the street asking what their internship programs look like and I decided to put myself out there, network like hell and try to stand out,” recalls Bellot, who applied for five different positions at ATB, reaching the final one-on-one interview stage for each. “This is where the story takes another interesting turn.”  

Calling an audible

Despite going deep into the interview process, Bellot faced a challenging moment when he was not selected for any of the internships he had pursued with such dedication.

“It just felt like such a significant setback at the time,” says Bellot. “I remember thinking, 'What am I going to do now?' It was a moment of real uncertainty for me."

Far from being disheartened by these setbacks, Bellot chose to embrace them as vital opportunities for personal and professional growth. Drawing parallels from the hurdles he had overcome in his athletic career, he used these experiences as a catalyst to forge ahead with even greater determination and resilience. In his own journey, each setback became a stepping-stone, fuelling his drive to work harder and rise stronger.  

But the same resilience that got him his spot on with the Dinos and got him through his move out of oil and gas paid off once again when he landed an unexpected opportunity in risk and compliance with ATB. -The role that may not have been his first choice but proved to be a critical period in his career.

After initial setbacks in his internship applications, Bellot remained proactive. He consistently sent thank you letters and stayed connected with the human resources personnel at ATB. About two months later, his persistence paid off when  ATB contacted him with unexpected news: a candidate had declined a role in its Risk and Compliance department. While Bellot had not originally applied for this position, his impressive candidacy had left a lasting impression. Without hesitation, Bellot accepted the offer.

“One aspect that's incredibly important to me, and which defines my journey, is the belief that you don't need the most ideal start to succeed,” says Bellot. “What truly matters is not how you start, but how you finish. That's the essence of my story, and it is a message I always want to share.”  

Embrace every opportunity

Once on board at ATB, he dedicated himself to learning as much as possible about the business from this new perspective. The experience in Risk and Compliance proved invaluable, a period of learning and adaptation during his internship that marked a significant phase in Bellot's professional development. While he did not consider the job particularly glamorous, he recognized its value and the learning opportunities it presented. Determined to excel, Bellot went above and beyond in his role.

Simultaneously, he was proactive in networking within the bank. He communicated with HR personnel across different departments, including corporate banking and wealth management, informing them of his impending graduation and his eagerness to explore the next step in his career. This initiative led to an opportunity with the business banking group in their business banking centre.

In early 2016, Bellot faced a nerve-racking interview with the business banking group at ATB, his previous unsuccessful applications still fresh in his mind.

"You have to continue to pivot,” says Bellot. “Just because you didn't win a championship this year doesn't mean you stop or you're definitely not winning one next year."

Despite the pressure, he positioned himself effectively, showcasing his potential and readiness for the role. His efforts paid off and he was offered the job in April.

Embracing the same determined mindset that had guided him throughout his football career, Bellot continued to work diligently, maintaining a focus on his goals. This perseverance and dedication ultimately led to his remarkable progression within ATB. Seven and a half years later, he has risen to the position of director of agri-business and agri-food, at just 32 years of age. A testament to his relentless work ethic and the “never give up” attitude he carried through his journey.

Systems thinking: A holistic approach to leadership

One of the defining aspects of Bellot's success is his embrace of systems thinking. Defined by a holistic approach to problem-solving, systems thinking became Bellot's compass in the dynamic landscape of finance and agri-business. Understanding the interconnectedness of various elements and recognizing patterns allowed him to develop strategic solutions that propelled ATB to new heights.

"In an ideal world, any system should elevate individuals, making them better than when they entered,” says Bellot. “However, I believe the current system is often backwards. Reflecting on my experiences in the boardroom and as an athlete, it seems we focus on recruiting only the best to prevent system failure, leading to burnout rather than improvement

“A system ought to be self-sustaining and empowering, helping people to grow.”  

Bellot's success stories at ATB echo the narrative of a leader who not only understands the intricacies of his industry, but also has an innate ability to innovate and implement systemic solutions. From projects that had a significant impact to accolades recognizing his leadership prowess, Bellot's journey has become synonymous with success and forward-thinking.  

Paying it forward

As Bellot looks to the future, his vision extends beyond the boardroom.  

His commitment to mentorship and leadership development underscores a desire to give back, to inspire the next generation to overcome challenges with confidence and strategic thinking.  

Bellot continues to be involved with football as head coach of the Airdrie Irish, an Alberta Football League team and strategic partner of the Calgary Colts, a Canadian Junior Football League team, where he was recently named linebacker coach. Both teams work with athletes who find themselves, like Bellot, graduating Grade 12 and in transition to play semi-pro or university football, and who are looking for an opportunity to prove themselves and continue in the game after high school.  

His strategy in recruiting players goes beyond the numbers, possibly because he is seen and experienced the system himself.

“I don't [focus just] on the four- or five-star athletes, that come from a certain alma mater, or come from the U.S.,” says Bellot. “Instead, I ask: Will they work harder? Are they coachable? Will they take lessons and understand how to lose? Because if you don't understand how to lose, you can never win.”

Bellot's story is more than a chronicle of personal success; it is a narrative of how the lessons learned in the pursuit of athletic excellence can shape a leader capable of conquering new frontiers.  

“I truly believe that every single person, no matter what your field is, you can go learn it,” says Bellot. His journey in sports and business is an inspiration for those who dare to dream big, work hard, and believe in the transformative power of embracing challenges with confidence and a strategic mindset.