Couple find reward in working for a purpose
Their occupations are very different, but Callie Dundas and her husband Ian are trying to make a difference in their own unique ways.
Callie Dundas, a family doctor, has been involved in medical issues that impact society in general and specifically their four kids, aged five to 11.
“I have three boys in hockey, the twins just started their first year of pee wee, which is when checking has historically started in Calgary,” she said. “Hockey Calgary formed a subcommittee to look at safety in hockey but really the question was body checking and concussions. I got involved and I was very glad I did; it was a very interesting process. We were not successful in taking it out of Calgary at that time but we did submit our proposals to Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada. I think the move was afoot with all the attention to concussions.”
She’s now looking for a new bone to chew on.
“A lot of it is driven by what I see in my kids,” Dundas said. “Right now, I’m probably more interested in maybe moving down an adolescent sexual health avenue ... an opportunity to get involved in a non-traditional medical way. It keeps it changing and challenging for me.”
Ian Dundas, named president and CEO of Enerplus in 2013, is spearheading that company back into a prominent role in the oil and gas industry.
“I think we are a classic turnaround,” he said. “If you go back about two years ago, we were completely written off by investors, by the market. Aside from being ticked off, it was pretty motivating. We’ve now come through that and the markets are rewarding our performance of late. That sense of accomplishment, where we’ve proven people wrong, is really satisfying.”
The Calgarian, a graduate of both “the original” Ernest Manning and the University of Calgary, has been with Enerplus since 2002. He has embraced his new role as leader of the North American crude oil and natural gas exploration and development company.
“There are elements I really like,” he admitted. “It’s peoplecentric and I like being part of the team.
“I think ‘excited’ is a really good word,” he added, looking ahead to 2014. “It’s a very exciting time for our company. Next year, expectations are higher for us and I think that’s awesome. It’s really about taking our performance to that next level.”