Kylie Heales

Kylie Heales is a PhD student in the Alberta School of Business’ Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Management Department at the University of Alberta. Prior to this, Kylie completed her MBA at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University where she interned at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She also co-founded a fintech firm during this time. 

Kylie’s vision for contributing to a better future globally is to explain why entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty struggle to scale, and how these entrepreneurs can overcome this growth challenge to move themselves, and their communities, out of poverty. To support this vision, Kylie is currently exploring the role of social norms related to innovation and entrepreneurship in Haiti and Tunisia. 

In addition to academics, Kylie has seven years of business experience helping non-profits, start-ups and Fortune 500 companies enhance operational performance. She has also worked directly with entrepreneurs in Kenya and Zambia to grow their ventures. 

Originally from Australia, Kylie enjoys being outdoors with her dog, and has recently discovered the joy of snowshoeing across the Great Plains and through the Canadian Rockies. She is also a competitive ballroom dancer having competed in Australia, the United States, and China. 

Kylie is the first recipient of the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green | Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.