Cape Breton Accents
Season 2
Jack Graham Part 2
Jack Graham Part 1
Cynthia Vokey
David Mortimer
Tyler Mattheis
Megan Penney
Annette Verschuren
Madame Diana Fox Carney
Season 1
Ness Timmons
Ava Graham
1 of 3
by Cape Breton University
In Part Two of our conversation with CBU's Chancellor, Jack Graham, the focus shifts to the road ahead. Jack reflects on what it means to step into the role of Chancellor at a transformative moment in the University’s history. From student opportunity and community impact to the future of higher education and CBU’s growing global reputation, Jack shares his perspective on leadership, giving back and the responsibility of helping shape what comes next. Thoughtful, candid and deeply rooted in pride for Cape Breton, this episode offers an inspiring look at the future of CBU through the eyes of one of its newest champions. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
Cape Breton University President and Vice-Chancellor David Dingwall sits down with incoming Chancellor Jack Graham for a conversation about community, leadership, sport and the lifelong impact of education. Born in Antigonish and raised in Sydney, Jack reflects on growing up in a family of 10, his formative years at the College of Cape Breton, his journey into law and leadership at McInnes Cooper, and his decades-long involvement in shaping Canadian and international tennis. From Capers hockey and student life in the 1970s to helping transform Canada into a world-leading tennis nation, Jack shares the experiences that shaped his career and his commitment to Cape Breton. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
Cynthia Vokey – Leading Innovation in Graduate Business Education From the Master of Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, and the Master of Digital Marketing, to the Master of Healthcare Leadership and Innovation, this episode shares what makes these 16-month programs unique and how they’re designed to meet the evolving needs of industries and communities. Cynthia Vokey, Director of the MBA in Community Economic Development and Graduate Programs at the Shannon School of Business, joins President Dingwall to discuss Cape Breton University’s three newest master’s programs launching this fall. The conversation explores what sets CBU apart in graduate education, from passionate faculty with real-world experience to diverse student cohorts that bring different perspectives into the classroom. Cynthia discusses the decision-making process prospective graduate students face, the investment of time and money that comes with pursuing a master’s degree and why students are asking detailed questions about course content before committing to a program. With applications now open for September 2026, Cynthia provides practical guidance on how to learn more, what to expect from the application process and how CBU supports students from inquiry to graduation. Whether you’re considering a career shift, looking to advance in your field or exploring leadership opportunities in healthcare, digital marketing or AI-driven analytics, this episode offers valuable insights into what’s next in graduate business education at CBU. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
David Mortimer – From Glace Bay to Hollywood David Mortimer, a proud CBU alumnus from Glace Bay, joins President Dingwall to discuss his journey from studying environmental science at Cape Breton University to building an impressive career in film and television. From his first movie role during his first year at CBU to premiering two films at the Toronto International Film Festival, David’s story is one of determination, resilience and saying yes to opportunities. The conversation explores how David balanced his education with his lifelong dream of acting, why he pursued an environmental science degree alongside his creative ambitions and how his time at CBU taught him the discipline and habits that directly translated to memorizing scripts and handling rejection in the entertainment industry. From journaling and road trips inspired by Matthew McConaughey to offering advice and mentorship to young creatives in Cape Breton, David shares practical insights on pursuing a career in the arts while staying connected to home. His message is clear: take your creative goals seriously, post the cringe stuff, go all in and expand rather than abandon your roots. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next
Tyler Mattheis – Building a Stronger Cape Breton Tyler Mattheis, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership, joins President Dingwall to discuss the region’s economic future and the work being done to promote Cape Breton, grow a culture of entrepreneurship and connect people with the resources they need to succeed. The conversation explores emerging opportunities in green energy, defense and the creative economy, while tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing the region. Tyler shares his perspective on Cape Breton’s strategic advantages and why collaboration between post-secondary institutions like CBU, private sector partners and government is essential for building momentum. From workforce development to renewable energy potential, Tyler makes the case for why Cape Breton’s story is one of resilience, innovation and untapped potential. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
Megan Penney – Building Business, Building Community Cape Breton Accents welcomes Megan Penney, a three-time Cape Breton University graduate and Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce. From earning her Bachelor of Arts and Community Studies, Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development at CBU to leading one of the region’s most important business organizations, Megan shares how her experiences at CBU shaped her commitment to giving back to the community. Megan sits down with President Dingwall to discuss the Chamber’s role in advocating for local businesses, building stronger connections between government and the business community, and creating opportunities for networking and growth across the CBRM. With over 300 members and a renewed focus on advocacy, education and collaboration, Megan shares the Chamber's vision for 2026 and beyond. From strategic planning to empowerment conferences, Megan offers insight into what it takes to lead with confidence and build a stronger Cape Breton together. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
Annette Verschuren - A Legacy of Leadership After 20 years of service, Annette Verschuren, O.C., recently concluded her tenure as Chancellor of Cape Breton University, the longest-serving Chancellor in Canadian history. In this special episode, President Dingwall sits down with Annette to reflect on her remarkable journey, the mentorship she received from the late Purdy Crawford, and the moments that defined her two decades inspiring thousands of graduates. From her work with the Mars Discovery District to championing women's leadership and entrepreneurship, Annette discusses what drives her and why she remains deeply committed to Cape Breton's future.
Madame Diana Fox Carney – A New Era for Women’s Hockey Cape Breton Accents is back for Season 2, and we’re kicking things off with a historic moment for women’s hockey in Canada being made at Cape Breton University. President Dingwall welcomes Madame Diana Fox Carney, British-Canadian economist, former university hockey player and spouse of Prime Minister Mark Carney, to reflect on a groundbreaking milestone at Cape Breton University. Mme. Carney joins the conversation to discuss the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Kehoe Forum – the first arena in Canada dedicated to women’s, girls’ and para hockey. From her own experiences navigating ice-time inequality as a player to championing opportunities for the next generation, Mme Carney shares what this milestone means for the future of the sport and why CBU’s commitment to equity and accessibility matters on a national scale. Listen now on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast. Don’t forget to share the episode, leave a review and let us know who you’d love to hear from next!
In this episode of Cape Breton Accents, President David Dingwall sits down with legendary Capers coach, Ness Timmons. Ness is a three-time U SPORTS Coach of the Year and the driving force behind one of the most successful university soccer programs in the country. As Ness prepares to enter his 30th season with the CBU Women’s Soccer team, he reflects on building a culture that values character, attitude and purpose on and off the field. From fostering leadership in every player to instilling the belief that attitude is everything, his holistic coaching style has shaped generations of student-athletes. Listen to the end to learn about the National Championship win that brought Cape Breton Island together and discover why Ness believes great teams always see the bigger picture. Stream now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at cbu.ca/podcast
Episode 13 - Scholarships, Science and Stepping into New Opportunities with Ava Graham In this episode of Cape Breton Accents, President Dingwall sits down with Ava Graham, a standout student whose CBU experience is defined by curiosity, leadership and a few unexpected pivots along the way. Ava reflects on her journey from a spontaneous application to CBU to earning the prestigious Chancellor’s Scholarship, leading as Vice-President of the CBU Students’ Union and working in Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie’s research lab. She also shares how her love for science and policy led her to a new path of a dual degree in law and health administration at Dalhousie University. Tune in to hear why Ava believes showing up, asking questions and getting involved on campus can change everything. Listen now on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more at CBU.ca/Podcast.