Mount Allison welcomes Chris Waddy (’01) as the 2026-27 Entrepreneur in Residence. Waddy is the Founder and President of Loopy Wool, a vertically integrated manufacturing and omni-channel retail business based in Salisbury, NB. In this role, she oversees all strategic planning, financial management, inventory optimization, and operational workflows across e-commerce platforms and brick-and-mortar retail. 

Waddy is excited to return to Mount Allison in this role.  

“I have a special place in my heart for Mount A,” she says. “I am honoured to be the Entrepreneur in Residence and to give something back to the University. The education and friendships I gained here have shaped so many aspects of my life. I'm looking forward to meeting students, seeing how the campus has changed, and connecting with a new group of Allisonians.” 

Prior to Loopy Wool, Waddy spent 15 years with Narrative Research, an Atlantic Canadian Market Research firm. There, she drove strategic growth, managed key senior stakeholder relationships, and moderated qualitative research sessions globally to inform major business decisions.  

Her advice for student entrepreneurs is to believe in yourself and your vision. 

“Entrepreneurship is a challenge unlike any other,” she says. “Many people will offer opinions on your venture and there will be many reasons not to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Persistence and hard work are much of the battle, but having a sounding board, whether it's a mentor, a peer group, or a trusted friend can help guide you and provide an outside perspective.” 

Waddy holds a Master of Business Administration with specializations in International Business and Marketing from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing from Mount Allison. She is also an active community volunteer, currently serving on several volunteer boards in New Brunswick. 

She will be holding her first workshop for aspiring student entrepreneurs on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4-6 p.m. in Tweedie Hall called Felting Under Pressure. Students will get hands on with entrepreneurship, creativity, and the realities of doing business in New Brunswick. They will learn about how tariffs and trade wars are impacting Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs — while doing a fun needle-felting craft — “Tariffied Terry” wool ghost, inspired by Loopy Wool’s needle-felting kit. Space is limited. Register on Experience MtA.

Students can also book a 1:1 to discuss their entrepreneurial questions.