2024 NextGen Speakers

Colby Delorme is one of the founding creators of Influence Mentoring Society and was appointed Chairperson of the IMS’ Board of Directors in December 2020.  With over 26 years of business experience and entrepreneurship experience, Mr. Delorme has built multiple businesses and is currently the Imagination Group of Companies president. Mr. Delorme’s experience has spanned the construction industry, brand development and marketing, a certification practice, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.  Mr. Delorme is also a celebrated industry leader; in 2010, he was inducted into the Calgary Top 40 Under 40 and won the Big Idea 2. In 2014, Mr. Delorme received the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award from the University of Calgary. Colby Delorme has a long and varied career in Not-For-Profit and Corporate governance, sitting on many boards over the past 15 years.

Mr. Delorme holds an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation from the Rotman School of Management and was recently awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee award in Alberta.  Colby is passionate about creating new and sustainable opportunities in business and for Indigenous peoples.

Influence Mentoring Description:

The Influence Mentoring Society, a charity based in Calgary, Alberta, is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization dedicated to creating career and capacity-building opportunities for Indigenous post-secondary students. This innovative society functions as a collaborative entity, with a mission to enhance awareness among mentors about Indigenous issues, culture, and history. Its core initiative, the Influence Mentoring program, is an online platform that facilitates a mentor-protégé relationship, accessible to Indigenous students across Canada.

The society's brand and mission are guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action, aiming to bridge educational and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The Influence Mentoring program epitomizes the spirit of reconciliation, enabling Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to engage in reciprocal mentoring, thereby strengthening relationships and enhancing cross-cultural understanding.

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, the program includes group learning activities and is characterized by its holistic approach, which values talent development, mutual respect, inclusivity, and partnership. The program's design and execution are reflective of traditional Indigenous ethics and ways of knowing, positioning it as a pivotal initiative in the landscape of Indigenous education and professional development in Canada.

The Influence Mentoring Society's partnership with the University of Lethbridge, supported by seed funding from actors Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, along with support from RBC, Cenovus, Sobeys, and a family foundation, has enabled the society to collaborate with various organizations, further expanding its reach and impact.

This brief overview highlights the charity's dedication to creating opportunities and building a more equitable and inclusive workforce, one relationship at a time, and sets the stage for Mr. Delorme's participation in the Global Energy Show's panel discussion on mentorship.