This spring, Todd Burns got up on stage at one of RRC Polytech’s convocation ceremonies for the first time ever. Not to graduate – he did that more than 20 years ago in 2001. Back then, Burns didn’t attend his own convocation; this time though, the Business Administration alum and CEO of Cypher Environmental took to the stage, donned in cap and gown, and even invited his parents out to see him.

Why?

Because he loves sharing his story and encouraging young people to know that success is possible for them too, even—and especially—when “you have to dig deep to find the motivation to keep going.”

Today Cypher Environmental is an internationally recognized Cleantech leader selling in more than 50 countries, but it started as a one-man operation in a tiny house in the River Heights neighbourhood of Winnipeg where Burns grew up. His connection to preserving the world around him started with his exposure to the outdoors in Manitoba and Ontario as a child, so he channeled his passion into Cypher from day one. He refers to the company as his “first baby” before he had any kids of his own. He did everything himself in the beginning, and he said that’s where he really grew a passion for it.

“I’ve always been a salesman at heart. I love to tell stories. I didn’t gravitate towards the operational side of things, but as a one-man operation, I had to learn — and RRC Polytech was instrumental in teaching me those skills that didn’t come as naturally to me,” said Burns.

“The knowledge I gained in the Business Administration program is what enabled me to really survive on those initial days until I could bring people on that were specialists and more passionate about doing those roles in the business.”

He also noted that a presentation he did in the program is what made him more comfortable with public speaking – something integral to his role now as a CEO. “It gave me the confidence to go out and keep doing it.”

The RRC Polytech connection didn’t end the day Burns graduated. In fact, RRC Polytech has continued to be a part of his and Cypher’s story — from supporting product and Intellectual Property (IP) development, to bringing on students in work-integrated learning opportunities and hiring them to become a part of the Cypher team.

Burns recognized that he needed top-tier technical talent to continue to grow Cypher. Now in 2026, nearly all of the folks hired at Cypher are RRC Polytech grads, with some going into important senior roles like Dr. Teaghan Wellman, who is the Vice President of Research and Development and Executive Vice President at Cypher.

She started at Cypher in a short-term research role, and has now spent more than a decade leading the technical team in one of Manitoba’s most innovative environmental companies. But her story started in an RRC Polytech classroom.

“The hands-on training I received at RRC Polytech gave me a strong foundation in applied problem-solving. At Cypher, we are constantly taking ideas from the lab and trying to make them work in the real world, so having that practical, hands-on mindset has been invaluable,” she said. “Red River taught me not only the technical side of the work, but also how to troubleshoot, adapt, test, and keep working toward a solution when things don’t go exactly as planned.”

Burns said he loves taking on RRC Polytech grads because they are motivated and willing to “take the reins,” create solutions, and help solve problems in the business.

“We like that their knowledge isn’t just theoretical. They’ve learned from instructors who have done the same thing.”

The opportunity to work with students still in their programs provides benefits both ways: students gain hands-on experience working on real commercial projects, while Cypher benefits from students’ technical knowledge and fresh perspectives.

Cypher’s work with RRC Polytech extends into its Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) labs, too. RPI leads the applied research enterprise across RRC Polytech and is a gateway to a vast base of knowledge, capabilities, facilities, and industry networks. With access to these resources, Cypher has developed new products that are solving real-world challenges.

You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff on taking the ‘ick’ out of networking – how to meet people and find your next opportunity with Wavemakers. This free virtual event will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Networking can feel awkward, forced, or transactional, but it doesn’t have to be. Done right, it’s one of the best ways to meet interesting people, get curious, and learn new things, and those conversations often lead to a mentor, your next job, or a business opportunity.

We’re excited to invite you to an interactive Office Hour: Taking the “Ick” Out of Networking, featuring Jack Litchfield from Wavemakers.

In this dynamic session, we’ll be covering:

• Why networking feels uncomfortable, and how to move past the transactional approach
• Building relationships that last instead of collecting contacts
• Updating your LinkedIn presence so people can find you and remember you
• Live polls, plus your questions answered in the Q&A

Key takeaways you’ll leave with:

• Confidence: a new, more comfortable way to approach networking
• Practical Skills: hands-on practice applying relationship-building techniques in breakout rooms
• A Stronger LinkedIn: concrete updates to make your profile easier to find and remember

Jack Litchfield leads partnerships at Wavemakers, where he has worked for five years. His background spans entrepreneurship, sales, business development, project management, and EdTech. He is focused on the intersection of education, technology, and the future of work, and on how people can use these tools to prepare for what is coming, not just react to it.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend this interactive Office Hour.

Register now for this free Office Hour on Thursday, November 5 at 2 p.m. (Manitoba Standard Time/Central Daylight Time).

You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff for all aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners. This free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

When you run a business, you end up being the person responsible for the money, whether or not accounting was ever your strength.

We’re excited to invite you to an interactive Office Hour: How to Be the CFO of Your Business, featuring Megan Tong, CPA, CA.

In this dynamic session, we’ll be covering:

• How the money side of a business works, and what to pay attention to
• Bookkeeping basics, and how to keep your records in good shape
• The essential tax knowledge every business owner should have
• Your questions answered live in the Q&A with an expert CPA who has built and sold her own business

You’ll take away a clear and practical understanding of how money moves through your business, and confidence knowing the basics of bookkeeping and taxes without the overwhelm.

Megan Tong, CPA, CA and Certified Life Coach, helps entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners get out of money overwhelm and build their rich life. She co-founded Kanga, Toronto’s first Australian-style meat pie company, growing it to three locations and $1M+ in revenue before selling it in 2018. She has spent the last six years helping other entrepreneurs build the mindset and money skills that create wealth and freedom.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend this interactive Office Hour.

Register now for this free Office Hour on Wednesday, November 4 at 2 p.m. (Manitoba Standard Time/Central Daylight Time).

Alumni are warmly invited to join RRC Polytech on Monday, November 30 to celebrate a milestone achievement: thanks to the extraordinary generosity, vision, and partnership of our community, RRC Polytech’s In Front of What’s Ahead campaign raised more than $130 million, making it the largest fundraising campaign in the Polytech’s history.

Many alumni contributed to this campaign and we are so grateful. Your contributions are more than just financial, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. From advising us on curriculum to being guest speakers in class, and from mentoring students at your workplaces to hiring them on full-time when they graduate, your constant and steady support for RRC Polytech is something we hold dear.

Thanks to this historic campaign, your support is already creating lasting impact by opening new buildings, expanding programs and faculties, and helping countless students pursue their career dreams. Together, we’re transforming the future.

Join us for a special evening as we celebrate this remarkable milestone and the people who made it possible. This fun event will feature delicious refreshments, fantastic entertainment, a chance to network with fellow alumni, and stories of impact. We look forward to seeing you!

Event Details

📅 Date: Monday, November 30
🕕 Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Manitou a bi Bii daziigae (RRC Polytech Exchange District Campus, 319 Elgin Ave.)

The RRC Polytech Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes the outstanding personal and professional achievements of RRC Polytech’s most accomplished alumni.

This year’s recipient is graduate Sean Rayland-Boubar, who completed his studies in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship in 2021.

Rayland-Boubar is the founder of Indigenous-led streetwear brand Red Rebel Armour, a social enterprise rooted in culture, community, and purpose. Rayland-Boubar has deliberately used Red Rebel Armour to create opportunities for people facing barriers to employment, including people transitioning out of incarceration, while creating a culturally-safe environment where people can develop skills, confidence, and stability. Red Rebel Armour reinvests profits to maximize its social mission, while grounding its business practices in traditional Indigenous ways of knowing.

At the heart of Red Rebel Armour is Rayland-Boubar, whose vision goes far beyond apparel. He has worked hard to build a self-sustaining business that not only supports his own community but also helps uplift others. One of the ways he does this is by collaborating with and showcasing the work of other Indigenous artists, incorporating their art and stories into products and helping amplify Indigenous voices through fashion and design.

Rayland-Boubar’s own journey is equally powerful – he has transformed difficult lived experiences into a platform for entrepreneurship, mentorship, healing, and community empowerment. An ex-gang member and recovering addict, he started Red Rebel Armour after learning graphic design, screen printing, and basic business skills through YouTube tutorials. But he knew he wanted to take Red Rebel Armour further – so he enrolled in RRC Polytech’s Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship program to learn how to grow his brand and business.

“Everything I was learning in school and ceremony became merged with the business – this gave birth to Red Rebel Armour. Everything I’ve experienced, lived, and been through…that’s Red Rebel Armour. It’s a reflection of me,” Rayland-Boubar shared during the keynote at a CreativeMornings Winnipeg event in February 2022.

Driven by a desire to help people, Rayland-Boubar turned a course lesson on social enterprise models into a business plan.

“The social purpose I was passionate about was helping my brothers and sisters find their way after being released from prison. I knew having access to Indigenous ways of knowing could transform a person’s life if they decided to practice it,” he said.

By removing barriers, Red Rebel Armour provides people with the chance to gain meaningful employment, learn new skills, rebuild confidence, and work toward a brighter future. For many, it becomes more than a job — it becomes a place where they feel respected, valued, and supported.

The impact of Red Rebel Armour has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the organization received the Canada Post Tales of Triumph Doing Good Award, recognizing the company’s outstanding commitment to community, social impact, and positive change.

Since graduating, Rayland-Boubar has become a role model for Indigenous entrepreneurs and young people, including in northern and remote communities, and continues to share his story to show others what can be possible. His honesty, resilience, and willingness to speak openly about overcoming adversity has inspired many people who may be facing barriers and challenges in their own lives. Through these conversations, he encourages others to believe that change and growth are possible, while also helping build greater understanding and reconciliation within the broader community.

Rayland-Boubar was nominated for the Distinguished Graduate Award by fellow RRC Polytech graduate Shaun Vincent (Advanced Graphic Design, 2003), founder of Vincent Design, an Indigenous-led marketing company in Winnipeg.

“Sean has always had a remarkable ability to bring people together, and it is inspiring to see him surrounded by so many genuine, caring, and supportive people. Watching Red Rebel Armour evolve into something that positively impacts so many lives has been both inspiring and deeply meaningful to me,” Vincent shared in the nomination.

We are thrilled to honour Rayland-Boubar’s leadership as an entrepreneur and community builder at the Auntie Awards at the 2026 Manito Ahbee Festival on Friday, October 30 at Canada Life Centre. RRC Polytech alumni and supporters are warmly invited to attend.

On Friday, October 30, RRC Polytech grad Tessa Potter is taking the stage at CreativeMornings Winnipeg’s free event to talk about her exhilarating career in sports broadcasting. All RRC Polytech alumni and community members are warmly invited to attend!

More than a decade ago, CreativeMornings was launched out of a desire for ongoing, accessible events for creative communities to connect. Today, these communities gather in 247 cities across more than 60 countries — including right here in Winnipeg.

Founded six years ago, the Winnipeg chapter of CreativeMornings not only celebrates our city’s creative talent, but also promotes an open space to connect with like-minded individuals. From marketing legends to hometown heroes, speakers are selected by each chapter based on a global theme. CreativeMornings Winnipeg has also been host to many powerhouse RRC Polytech alumni, providing a platform for homegrown artists, creators, and innovators to share their insights, struggles, and successes.

This month’s theme is ALTITUDE: Big ideas are often described as elevated. A flight of fancy. A lofty goal. A bird’s-eye view. Blue-sky thinking. Turns out, it’s not just a figure of speech — psychologists have found that being physically higher up actually shifts how the mind works. People in elevated spaces generate more abstract, creative ideas than those at ground level. Altitude doesn’t just change the view. It changes how you think.

Join the CreativeMornings Winnipeg community at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 30th at The Forks (2nd Floor, Event Space) to explore what it means to rise above the noise, gain a new perspective, and come back down with something worth the climb.

Electronic Engineering Technology grad Tessa Potter has spent more than 20 years working in media and entertainment technology — and her career has literally taken her around the world. The 2025 recipient of RRC Polytech’s Distinguished Graduate Award, Tessa’s the person pulling cables at international sporting events, troubleshooting on hockey game days, and coordinating broadcast crews across continents. Her work with NBC on the Paris and Beijing Olympics earned her two Emmy Awards. Most recently, she spent the summer in Miami coordinating crews across 16 cities for Telemundo’s FIFA World Cup coverage — all 104 games.

When she’s not on the world stage, Tessa volunteers with the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE), where she served five years on the executive, including as President. After a big summer, she’s happy to be home in Winnipeg — and CreativeMornings Winnipeg is happy to have her.

Join CreativeMornings Winnipeg on October 30 at The Forks Event Space for an inspiring morning!

You’re invited! In partnership with Ten Thousand Coffees, we’re excited to offer a virtual ‘Office Hour’ to RRC Polytech alumni, students, and staff on decoding the hiring landscape in the era of AI. This free virtual event will take place on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m. CDT.

AI is rewriting the rules of hiring — how resumes get screened, how interviews go, and what actually gets you noticed.

We encourage you to listen in on an engaging fireside chat with industry pros Piyush Bhatnagar (Senior Managing Director, Accenture) and Ilona Dougherty (Managing Director, Youth & Innovation Project, University of Waterloo) who will share insights on how to navigate this ever-changing (and ever-challenging) landscape with confidence.

In this dynamic session, we’ll be covering:

• How AI is changing hiring, and where the resume-vs-real-person gap is showing up in interviews
• The human skills AI can’t replace – and what employers are actually screening for
• Career-building through networking and mentorship, straight from Piyush’s and Ilona’s own paths
• Concrete steps you can take this week that go beyond ‘applying online’

Your Panelists

Piyush Bhatnagar is a Senior Managing Director in Accenture’s Financial Services practice, with 30 years leading technology, data and AI transformation work for major banking clients, and Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship Lead for Canada. Ilona Dougherty is Co-creator and Managing Director of the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo, an award-winning social innovator, and co-founder of Apathy is Boring. And session host Erynn Gauld is Head of Social Impact & Strategic Partnerships at Ten Thousand Coffees.

Whether you’re just starting out, looking for new opportunities, or shifting your career, RRC Polytech alumni at any stage of their career journeys are warmly invited to attend this interactive Office Hour.

Register now for this free discussion on Wednesday, October 7 at 1 p.m. CDT.

It’s a familiar story: student becomes graduate, graduate becomes industry professional, industry professional comes back to teach. At least, it’s a familiar story at RRC Polytech – in fact, more than 900 current staff are RRC Polytech graduates.

And there’s no mystery why alumni make the career transition from industry to classroom: as students, they loved learning from instructors with real-world experience; after working in industry and gaining expertise, they want to pay it forward by teaching the next generation of graduates. Talk about coming full circle!

From Industry to Classroom: Become a Skilled Trades Instructor

Grads of RRC Polytech’s Skilled Trades programs – particularly Welding and Construction Trades – are warmly encouraged to attend RRC Polytech’s Industry to Classroom event on October 29 to discover the rewards and impact of teaching the next generation at RRC Polytech.

Visit our Notre Dame and South Winnipeg Campuses to learn more about the power of combining your professional career with teaching. Discover the flexibility and competitive compensation offered at the Polytech, as well as the opportunity to shape the future workforce.

The event features a panel discussion where you’ll hear directly from alumni, staff, and students, tour of lab spaces, and the opportunity to connect directly with the Dean, Associate Deans, Chairs, and Instructors who have made the transition from industry to classroom. Light refreshments will be served.

RRC Polytech grads have invaluable expertise and experience that can help shape the future of trades in Manitoba. If you have considered teaching as part of your career journey (or are simply curious about how that might look), please join us!

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) is looking for individuals to help select board members for the 2026-2027 term. The Appointment Panel will be made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including alumni, RRCSA staff, past executives and board members, and current students.

The Appointment Panel plays a key role in selecting the newest members of the RRC Polytech Students’ Association Board (SAB), which guides major decisions and governs the RRCSA. Panelists will review board member applications and select new members that will uphold the SAB’s mission, vision, and values, ensure that the SAB operates with openness & transparency, and provide diverse perspectives.

All alumni interested in lending their expertise and wisdom as members of the Appointment Panel are invited to apply starting September 1, 2026. Applications close September 11, 2026 and selected members will receive detailed instructions by September 25, 2026. 

Time Commitment: Appointment panelists must be available the weeks of September 29 – October 5, 2026 and March 24 – March 31, 2027
Tasks: Review and grade SAB nominations
Honorarium: Provided upon completion (per term)

Learn more about the role of the Appointment Panel on the RRCSA website.

Be a part of something impactful — apply now!

Stay connected, give back, and mentor current students.

The RRC Polytech Students’ Association (RRCSA) is currently accepting applications to fill its opening for an ex-officio alumni position on it’s board – and they’re looking for a passionate graduate like you! All proud RRC Polytech alumni are warmly invited to apply.

This volunteer opportunity allows alumni to share their professional experience and insights with a dynamic, student-led board of directors. The alumni representative on the Students’ Association Board (SAB) brings industry knowledge and provides direction and mentorship to the team.

“The presence of an alumni representative on the SAB helps steer and shape our future. It’s a great opportunity to share new ideas, wisdom, and experience gained since graduating,” said Mohammad Butt, President of the Students’ Association for the 2026-2027 academic year.

“We also appreciate how the alumni representative lends perspective that will help us make sound judgments regarding student decisions. This is just a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, connect with the community, and truly make a difference.”

The SAB oversees a $3 million budget, which funds student initiatives and trust funds, and supports donation requests and capital projects. Your voice will help shape the decisions that directly impact the student experience and the broader RRC Polytech community.

“Being the alumni member on the SAB allowed me to give back to RRC Polytech and share some of my work and board experiences with student members since graduating many years ago,” said Colin Tirschmann (Business Administration, 1992), who served on the SAB for the 2024-2025 term.

“The SA Board is one of my favourite boards – the students bring a lot of energy and take their roles seriously. The bonus is that you meet a lot of nice people.”

The alumni representative will contribute to the development of the RRCSA’s Strategic Plan and serve on the Building Trust Fund Committee, which guides key campus infrastructure and improvement projects. They will also have the opportunity to provide invaluable mentorship to emerging student leaders who are committed to making a difference on campus.