Crystal Phillips, former Olympic-level speed skater and co-founder of the Branch Out Foundation, joins Collisions YYC as the newly minted Senior Director at the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). In this candid and future-forward episode, Crystal and host Tyler Chisholm explore how OCIF is fueling Calgary’s transformation through strategic investments in high-potential sectors—from life sciences to agtech to creative industries. Crystal unpacks how OCIF evaluates projects for impact, fosters ecosystem “collisions,” and balances long-term vision with short-term execution. She also shares personal insights on leadership, navigating imposter syndrome, and why Calgary’s culture of collaboration remains its greatest asset. This episode is a masterclass in economic development meets emotional intelligence. A must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders alike.

Topics Covered:

• What OCIF is and how it works
• Sector-focused economic development (Life Sciences, Agtech, Aerospace, etc.)
• Creating and funding hubs, nodes, and platforms
• The balance of curiosity vs. decision-making in leadership
• Why creative industries are crucial to ecosystem storytelling
• Navigating imposter syndrome in new roles
• Calgary’s innovation ecosystem and its unique strengths

For the extra curious

Links & Mentions:

Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) 

Branch Out Neurological Foundation 

Platform Calgary

The Knowledge Society

Creative Destruction Lab

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This episode is brought to you by clearmotive marketing. When it comes to marketing that truly matters to your business, clearmotive is your go-to partner. With a proven track record of more than 15 years, they understand what makes your business tick. Learn more at https://www.clearmotive.ca and discover how clearmotive can help your marketing thrive.

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Host links:

Tyler’s website: https://www.tylerchisholm.com

Tyler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerchisholm

Guest links:

Crystal Phillips’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-phillips-7296b932

OCIF’s Website: https://www.opportunitycalgary.com/

Collisions YYC is a Tyler Chisholm original production // Brought to you by clearmotive marketing