Grande Conférence 2026 : What we learn from successful transitions with Alberto Padilla Rivera

To mark Francophonie Month and the 2026 Campus Saint-Jean Grand Conference, presented by the Dean, the university community and the general public are invited to engage in a fundamental reflection on life and career paths. Entitled "What successful transitions teach us," this conference will highlight the constants that enable periods of change to be transformed into levers for success.

A lever for a dynamic and bold Francophonie

Beyond technical expertise, Alberto Padilla Rivera's advice is part of a modern and proactive vision of Alberta's Francophone community. In a globalised market, the ability to manage transitions is not just a matter of career management, but is the driving force behind a dynamic Francophone community.

By sharing lessons learned from highly competitive environments such as venture capital, Alberto Padilla Rivera demonstrates that adaptability is a real springboard for innovation. His advice will provide concrete tools for boldly navigating a globalised market, transforming structural and economic challenges into opportunities for influence and growth.

A proud alumnus of Campus Saint-Jean, Alberto Padilla Rivera has successfully applied the values of excellence and multilingualism acquired at the University of Alberta on the global stage. His outlook, shaped by observing multiple growth trajectories, will offer a unique perspective to the student body, the community and entrepreneurs in the region.

True to its mission as a cultural and intellectual hub, Campus Saint-Jean offers an inclusive format for this event:

• Bilingualism: The lecture will be delivered in French, with simultaneous interpretation into English.
• Provincial reach: The event will be broadcast simultaneously at the Calgary Campus, thus uniting the two campuses of Campus Saint-Jean.

“Transitions are not just necessary steps, they are defining moments. For our student body and for the Francophone community, knowing how to navigate these changes by drawing on the strength of our bilingual Francophonie is an essential strategic asset for becoming the leaders of tomorrow.” Prof. Jason Carey, Dean of Campus Saint-Jean

Biographical note

Alberto Padilla is Executive Vice President at Insight Partners. He joined the firm in 2019 and has helped develop one of the most active corporate engagement functions in the industry. He now leads Insight's CIO Council, which brings together leading chief information officers (CIOs) for strategic discussions on technology. He also leads the Empower programme, which supports senior executives in building their post-operational career plans, particularly towards portfolio careers.

Before joining Insight, Alberto developed his expertise at Bain & Company and Monitor Deloitte, where he advised private companies on strategy, business model design, digital transformation and performance improvement. He also specialised in commercial due diligence and growth strategies within Bain's private equity division.

Deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, Alberto is a founding member of the board of directors of Out Investors, a global network of LGBTQ+ investment professionals, as well as EUROUT, Europe's leading LGBTQ+ conference for students and business professionals.

Alberto holds an MBA from London Business School and a BBCom in International Business and Finance from the University of Alberta. In his spare time, he follows Formula 1 and is a wine enthusiast; he has just founded HomeWood Vineyard, a small vineyard in Somerset, UK.