Get to know... Gillian Thomson

This month, we’re excited to highlight Gillian Thomson, Real Estate Program Assistant at the Alberta School of Business, whose entrepreneurial spirit, passion for city building, and curiosity for how communities grow bring a thoughtful and creative perspective to her work.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I’m an inventor with patents to prove it! I invented a new kind of shower cap (Skipper shower caps) that’s more like a designer raincoat for your hair and solves all the problems that flimsy plastic shower caps have. If you use shower caps, you know exactly what I mean. There’s a better way now!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I have said “next year is the year we go to New York” for many years in a row now! One of these years I’ll actually get there to enjoy restaurants, museums, Broadway shows, bridges, and join a studio audience for one of the late night show tapings (fingers crossed for the SNL ticket lottery).

What’s a hobby or skill you’ve recently picked up (or would like to try)?

I’ve recently completed a running clinic through Startline Coaching that built up my running from zero to 5km! Now it’s a matter of keeping up the habit and maybe even building on it next.

What’s a book, movie or TV show you’re currently enjoying?

Memoirs are always page-turners for me. I just finished reading Patti Smith’s book called Just Kids. It’s a beautifully written account of her early days as a struggling artist in 1960s New York and living in the famous Chelsea Hotel. I wish the book was longer, I highly recommend it!

If you could have dinner with any historical or famous figure, who would it be and why?

Oprah Winfrey! Growing up, I would watch her show after school and loved learning about her guests or diving into wide ranging topics of the day. I heard someone recently refer to her show as “a daily town hall on human decency” which is something I think we’re collectively missing lately. Fun fact: I had my shower caps evaluated by her team for Oprah’s Favorite Things (twice!) but it wasn’t chosen (yet).

Can you share a bit about your role and what brought you to the Alberta School of Business?

My role as Real Estate Program Assistant is a part-time role that supports the day-to-day of the program and development of the new Master in Real Estate Development+. It draws on my previous experience within city building organizations like architecture/engineering firms, tourism, non-profit advocacy, and entrepreneurship.

Real estate and development is an industry that I’m interested in and was looking for an opportunity to join the University of Alberta/Alberta School of Business, so I see it as a great entry point to the team.

What’s something about your job that you wish more people knew?

The Real Estate Program is really beloved by industry! It’s a close knit community and you don’t have to look far to find alumni and industry partners that are deeply connected to the program and want to help it succeed. That’s been a really nice discovery in my early days here.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with a new colleague joining the school?

I’m still so new myself, but I would say give yourself time and grace to get a full understanding of the school and your team. Everyone has been really welcoming and open to sharing about their role which has been really appreciated as I orient myself in a big, complex organization!