BCIT celebrated over 2,500 students at this year’s convocation, with keynote speakers at each ceremony offering words of wisdom and inspiration to graduates.
Ceremony 1
Ryan Benn, CEO and Group Publisher, Alive Publishing Group Incorporated and Canada Wide Media Limited
Ryan Benn is a BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and holds a Marketing Diploma in Entrepreneurship from BCIT. As CEO and Group Publisher of Alive Publishing Group Incorporated and Canada Wide Media Limited, Ryan transformed Alive into a global wellness media powerhouse reaching over 30 million readers worldwide. His work has earned numerous accolades including Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 under 30, Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40, and the CHFA John Holtman Leadership Award.
Ryan shared six lessons to the graduating class of School of Business + Media in Accounting, Finance, Insurance and Marketing Management during his speech:
- The climb is the point. “We spend the large majority of our lives climbing mountains, and spend very little time standing at the top. So when you summit – celebrate it.”
- Hard work is a gift. “Dreams become reality through hard work, grit, and perseverance.”
- Nobody has it all figured out. “Success is not a straight line for anyone. The people who look most certain from the outside are figuring it out on the inside, just like you.”
- The right people. “When you have the right people on the journey, anything is possible.”
- Run your own race. “Don’t compare your climb to anyone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy, and in business it is the thief of focus. Trust your path – even when it looks like nothing like you expected.”
- Find your purpose – and be the hope. “We are living in a pivotal moment. And moments like this don’t ask for perfect people. They ask for purposeful ones.”
Ceremony 2
Mark Hermans, Retired President, Microsoft Business Unit, Argano LLC
Mark Hermans is a business and technology leader and a proud BCIT alum of the BCIT Operations Management program. Throughout his career, Mark has held senior leadership roles across three continents. Since his partial retirement at the end of 2025, he remains deeply connected with post-secondary institutions, having taught various courses at BCIT and mentoring Master of Business Administration (MBA) students at the UBC Sauder School of Business.
Mark delivered his keynote to the graduates of School of Business + Media in Business Administration, Business Management and Operations Management. Addressing the rapid wave of artificial intelligence (AI), Mark emphasized that the world is changing quickly. “We live in a world of perpetual change. Embrace that, because it is where your relevance is the greatest – at the intersection of people and technology.” He spoke about the need for leadership, and resilience, and teamwork – skills that every BCIT student learned to master by the end of their program. At the end of his speech, Mark encourages graduands to be curious. He says, “Your education does not end here, this is the beginning of a lifetime of learning.”
Ceremony 3
Laurie Murdoch, Senior Vice President of People and Organizations, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Laurie oversees the development and implementation of HR strategies across Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Montreal studios.
With more than two decades of leadership in the visual effects and animation industry, Laurie serves as a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership, shaping people and organizational strategies that drive business transformation and long-term growth.
Laurie addressed the graduating class of School of Business + Media in Broadcast and Media Communications, Digital Arts, Media and Design, and Human Resource Management.
In reflecting on her own career journey, Laurie shared, “Life is not a straight path and it’s never too late to learn, grow, and reinvent yourself.” Even at a time when “fields are evolving faster than ever before,” the “one thing that has not changed is the power of people.” Laurie shared three pieces of advice for the graduating class to take with them:
- Relationships matter – “Your technical skills may open the first door, but your ability to build meaningful relationship will determine how far you go. Success is built on trust, respect, and collaboration.”
- Empathy is a superpower – “Empathy is ignited by curiosity. Those who are genuinely curious, ask questions, and want to know more.”
- Culture is created by each person – Culture is “shaped every single day by how you show up. The way you communicate, the way you handle pressure, and the way you treat others. Those small daily actions create environments where people either thrive or choose to leave.”
Ceremony 4
John McCarthy, Vice President, McCarthy Properties
John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from BCIT and is also an alum of the Marketing Management program. Throughout his career, he has received several recognitions, including the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Real Estate Institute of BC 2024 RI Medal of Excellence. John is actively involved in the community, serving on the Burnaby Hospital Foundation’s Fundraising Cabinet. He was previously the Chair of BC Cancer Foundation.
John reminded graduates of School of Health Sciences, the importance of doing their best. “Anyone that works and does their best is a person worthy of admiration and respect. So, respect and lift up those around you and do your job well.” John also encouraged graduates to be the change that they want to see in the healthcare system. “You have a duty to advocate for your patients and the communities you care for. Never forget this. Have the courage of your convictions in all that you do.”
[Keynote speech recording coming soon]
Ceremony 5
Nigel Bennett, Co-Founder, Aqua-Guard Spill Response Inc.
An environmental entrepreneur and author, Nigel’s mission behind Aqua-Guard is to protect our planet’s most precious resource—clean water.
A long-time member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization and MIT Gathering of Titans, Nigel collaborates with leaders around the globe to advance innovation and sustainability.
Nigel is also a BCIT Mechanical Engineering Technology program alumnus and recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award.
He delivered his address to graduates of School of Energy. Reflecting on his own journey, Nigel reminded graduates that every decision—good or bad, every risk taken, and every sacrifice made—shapes who we become. He encouraged them to think beyond the present moment, noting that the choices we make today will influence opportunities for generations to come.
He also encouraged graduates to find their own “why,” emphasizing that when work is connected to a purpose greater than oneself, it fuels the resilience, energy, and determination needed to overcome challenges.
He also spoke about the importance of growth, urging graduates not to remain in their comfort zones. “I am not saying to live in the danger zone,” he noted, “but don’t stay trapped in the comfort zone either. Growth and opportunity often happen just outside your comfort zone—so find your sweet spot.”
Closing his address, Nigel reminded graduates that their actions, both big and small, have the power to shape not only their own futures, but the world for generations to come.
[Keynote speech recording coming soon]
Ceremony 6
Trevor Clark, Chief Technology Officer, Industrio AI
Trevor Clark is Co-Founder and CTO of Industrio AI. Under Trevor’s leadership, Industrio AI is building a common operating platform for the FIFA World Cup for the City of Vancouver. With over 25 years of experience designing, building, and managing software and IT teams, Trevor’s career spans start-ups to global enterprises.
Prior to Industrio, Trevor led IT strategy for Microsoft in Western Canada and spent a decade in the video game industry.
As a proud BCIT Bachelor of Technology alum, Trevor comes from a family of BCIT alum. Trevor’s dad graduated in Metallurgy, his uncle in Mechanics, his cousin in Machining, and his stepdad in Civil Engineering. Trevor’s wife also graduated with a BCIT Nursing degree. Trevor’s dad returned to BCIT later in his career to teach part-time in Computing Studies, while his mom made a career change with the support of BCIT.
Throughout Trevor’s keynote speech, he shared lessons for graduates to take with them as they start the next chapter of their life:
- A story about assumption – “I do my best not to assume I know what’s right and also try not to assume someone else knows what’s right. Even better, I don’t assume they know how to communicate their ideas, and I try to support them with that. This helps me to embrace people’s opinion and ideas and appreciate their diversity of thinking. Not assuming means you will remain curious. And most importantly, don’t always assume that AI is right.”
- Your career isn’t always linear – “Remember that your career isn’t always linear – some weeks, months, years are good and some are great, while also some could be miserable. I’ve been laid off twice, by the same person. That same person is also now my business partner at Industrio. AI isn’t going to sort things out if they happen, that’s going to be on you.”
- Technology does and will change – “Keep in mind the world we live in now and adapt to new tech as best you can. BCIT as given you the tools to navigate this successfully. Also, be aware when new technologies provide opportunities, especially when you can adapt and learn things quicker, which is very relevant now.”
In closing, Trevor reminded students, “I’d hope you are thinking about the people sitting next to you that you partnered with and grew together during your time here.AI won’t do that and can’t do that, and I do strongly believe that BCIT has given you the ability to have long careers figuring out the next technology wave and how to help people make use of it.”
[Keynote speech recording coming soon]
Ceremony 7
Kim Haakstad, President and CEO, BC Council of Forest Industries
[Bio, keynote speech highlights, and recording coming soon]
READ MORE: BCIT celebrates Class of 2026 graduates