OUR TEAM

John Wilson, PHD

President & CEO

John Wilson is responsible for managing Innovate Calgary’s technology transfer and commercialization activities, and to work...

William Szczepaniak, BSc

Director, Economic Development, Life Sciences Innovation Hub

As the Director, Economic Development, Life Sciences Innovation Hub, William is responsible for leading, establishing, and evolving...

Shannon Stahl, BSc

Senior Manager, Office Operations, Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Shannon Stahl directly supports Innovate Calgary's CEO, management team, stakeholders ...

Jessie Kubes, MBA, PhD, MSc

Director, Industry Liaison Office (ILO)

Jessie Kubes oversees the commercialization activities and industry partnerships for the University of Calgary. Expertise and background...

Stace Wills, BComm, CIM

Director, New Ventures

Stace Wills is responsible for supporting the commercialization activities of University of Calgary researchers that are creating new ventures ...

Tara Barnas, BA

Associate Director, Marketing & Communications

Tara Barnas leads Innovate Calgary's corporate marketing and communication activities. With over 15 years of diverse experience...

Sherry Wei, BComm., CGA

Associate Director, Finance

Sherry Wei is responsible for managing the financing and accounting functions for Innovate Calgary and its company formation portfolio of...

Tony Wigglesworth, PhD

Associate Director, Science & Engineering

Tony Wigglesworth is responsible for managing a portfolio of new technologies and discoveries in material sciences, clean...

Nima Najand, PhD

Associate Director, Business Development

Nima oversees the incubator space for the LSI Hub. He is the main point of contact for companies looking to access the shared labs and equipment available at the LSI Hub.

Venessa Manaloto

Senior Administrator, Intellectual Property Manager

Venessa Manaloto is responsible for providing support for Innovate Calgary’s contract and intellectual...

Shannon Stahl, BSc

Senior Manager, Office Operations, Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Shannon Stahl directly supports Innovate Calgary's CEO, management team, stakeholders ...

Andrei Edwards, MBA, J.D.

Associate Director, Corporate Counsel

Andrei Edwards works with Innovate Calgary’s senior management and business departments on a wide range of legal, operational...

Tara Barnas, BA

Associate Director, Marketing & Communications

Tara Barnas leads Innovate Calgary's corporate marketing and communication activities. With over 15 years of diverse experience...

Sherry Wei, BComm., CGA

Associate Director, Finance

Sherry Wei is responsible for managing the financing and accounting functions for Innovate Calgary and its company formation portfolio of...

Jenny Zhang

Administrator, Finance

Jenny Zhang supports the accounting functions, including accounts payable and receivable, for Innovate Calgary and its portfolio companies...

Venessa Manaloto

Senior Administrator, Intellectual Property Manager

Venessa Manaloto is responsible for providing support for Innovate Calgary’s contract and intellectual...

Kelly Markevich

Senior Administrator, IMPACT program & Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Kelly Markevich provides senior level administrative support for the IMPACT program and the Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Krista Nguyen, BA

Associate Administrator

Krista Nguyen acts as a key support to the Office Operations in managing the day-to-day activities within the Innovate Calgary office. Krista also...

Jessie Kubes, MBA, PhD, MSc

Director, Industry Liaison Office (ILO)

Jessie Kubes oversees the commercialization activities and industry partnerships for the University of Calgary. Expertise and background...

Erin Kulhawy, PhD

Senior Innovation Manager, Medical & Life Sciences

Erin Kulhawy is responsible for managing a portfolio of life sciences technologies and discoveries at the University of...

Morgan Guo, PhD

Innovation Manager, Medical & Life Sciences

Morgan Guo works with University of Calgary researchers to manage intellectual property and commercialization of new...

Lin Tang, PhD

Innovation Manager, Medical & Life Sciences, Industry Engagement

Lin Tang works with University of Calgary researchers and industry to develop, facilitate and manage...

Megha Bajaj, PhD, MSc

Innovation Manager, Medical & Life Sciences

As an Innovation Manager for Medical & Life Sciences, Megha works with University of Calgary researchers to manage intellectual property...

Tony Wigglesworth, PhD

Associate Director, Science & Engineering

Tony Wigglesworth is responsible for managing a portfolio of new technologies and discoveries in material sciences, clean...

Rishi Batra, M.Eng

Senior Innovation Manager, Science & Engineering

Rishi Batra is responsible for managing a portfolio of new technologies and discoveries in the fields of oil and gas...

Puneet Mannan, MBA, P.Eng.

Senior Innovation Manager, Science & Engineering, CFREF Commercialization Advisor

Puneet Mannan is a member of the Energy Technology Accelerator team that manages the...

Pej Ghanipour, B.Sc., MASc.

Senior Innovation Manager, Science & Engineering, CFREF Commercialization Advisor

Pej Ghanipour works with independent and University of Calgary researchers to manage...

Jelena Matic, BSc

Innovation Manager, Science & Engineering, CFREF Commercialization Advisor

Jelena is responsible for performing detailed assessments for patentability, technical...

Sahar Salimi, MSc, MBA

Innovation Manager, Engineering & Physical Sciences

Jordana Armstrong, BA

Senior Innovation Manager, Clinical & Social Innovation

Jordana Armstrong provides strategic direction for evidence-informed solutions to pressing challenges, which aim to...

Andrea Wall, BA

Innovation Manager, Clinical & Social Innovation

Andrea provides strategic guidance to researchers who are developing evidence-informed approaches to social change that ...

Himani Nailwal, PhD

Associate Innovation Manager, Clinical & Social Innovation

As an Associate Manager, Clinical & Social Innovation, Himani provides strategic guidance to researchers to translate evidence-informed approaches into solutions that aim to scale beyond research and achieve sustained impact in the community.

Stace Wills, BComm, CIM

Director, New Ventures

Stace Wills is responsible for supporting the commercialization activities of University of Calgary researchers that are creating new ventures ...

Jim Wilson, PhD

Senior Manager, Talent Development

Jim is responsible for building innovative learning experiences for the Life Sciences Start-up Fellows, New Ventures, and the broader University of Calgary campus community.

Gregory Mack, PhD, MBA

Senior Business Analyst

As the Senior Financial Analyst, Gregory manages Innovate Calgary's portfolio of...

Bradley King, B.Mgt.

Business Analyst

Bradley is responsible for managing a portfolio of life science startup companies, providing market, technology and in...

Chelsea Yu, BSc, MBA

Business Analyst

Chelsea is responsible for managing a portfolio of life science startup companies, providing market, technology and in...

William Szczepaniak, BSc

Director, Economic Development, Life Sciences Innovation Hub

As the Director, Economic Development, Life Sciences Innovation Hub, William is responsible for leading, establishing, and evolving...

Nima Najand, PhD

Associate Director, Business Development

Nima oversees the incubator space for the LSI Hub. He is the main point of contact for companies looking to access the shared labs and equipment available at the LSI Hub.

Bradley King, B.Mgt.

Business Analyst

Bradley is responsible for managing a portfolio of life science startup companies, providing market, technology and in...

Chelsea Yu, BSc, MBA

Business Analyst

Chelsea is responsible for managing a portfolio of life science startup companies, providing market, technology and in...

Alyssa Lam, BA

Community Engagement Specialist

Alyssa supports the broader life sciences community through the coordination of key activities to bring together Calgary’s life...

Silvana Dipalma

Senior Administrator, Client Relationship Manager

Silvana is responsible for the provision of client facing services at the LSI Hub. In a...

Kimberley Penney

Coordinator, Facilities and Building Services

As the Coordinator, Facilities & Building services for the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Kimberley is responsible for the provision of client facing services.

Alla Bondareva, MSc, PM

Lab Manager, Molecular Biology

Alla is responsible for managing the operations of the shared lab space while acting as the safety and compliance officer for ...

Anthony Blythe, MSc

Lab Manager, Engineering Workshop

Anthony is responsible for the operation and oversight of the prototype development and testing workshop at the Life Sciences...

Carlos Castillo, PhD

Lab Coordinator

Carlos will assist the Lab Manager in overseeing the operations of the shared lab space. In his role, he will support companies...

Paul Mintchev, MSc.

Equipment & Research Concierge

As the Equipment & Research Concierge, Paul is responsible for assisting tenant research initiatives at....

Derek Exner, MD, MPH, FRCPC, FACC, FHRS

Director, IMPACT

As the Director of the IMPACT program, Derek oversees the development, strategic planning, and governance for this program...

Karen Cowan, RN

Venture Navigator, IMPACT

As a Venture Navigator within the IMPACT program, Karen guides startup companies through the several processes required to start, execute, and complete a clinical trial ...

Michelle Nelson, PhD, CAPM

Venture Navigator, IMPACT

As a Venture Navigator within the IMPACT program, Michelle guides startup companies through the several processes required to start, execute, and complete a clinical trial ...

Kelly Markevich

Senior Administrator, IMPACT program & Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Kelly Markevich provides senior level administrative support for the IMPACT program and the Life Sciences Innovation Hub

Ali Ardakani

Founder & Managing Director, Novateur Venture Inc. Vancouver, BC

Areas of expertise: Therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, executive leadership, corporate partnerships, regulatory, board governance.

Alessandro Biglioli, MSc, PEng, MBA

Founder and CEO, Elsius Biomedical. Calgary, Alberta

Areas of Expertise: Startups, Strategy, Financing, Medical Devices, Business Development

Andreas Wissmann, PhD

Co-founder & Partner, FUEL Biomedical

Areas of Expertise: Startup team development, financial modelling, sales & revenue forecasting, business planning, fund raising, investor relations and presentations, negotiating partnerships and agreements with external partners, market research, competition & threat analysis, business development, grants and funding.

Andrew Murdin

President, Murdin Biotechnology Inc. Toronto, ON

Areas of expertise: Corporate partnering, strategic planning, therapeutics, vaccines, M&A, licensing, and R&D

Brad Thompson

CEO & Founder, Wyvern Pharmaceuticals and Kickshaw Ventures Ltd. Calgary, AB

Areas of Expertise: Immunotherapy, oncology, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, corporate partnering, strategic planning, M&A, capital raising

Dr. David Chalack

International Sales Manager, Alta Genetics Inc., Owner/Partner & President, Rocky Mountain Holsteins Ltd.

Areas of Expertise: Agri-tech, Agri-food, Animal Health, Corporate Strategy, Fundraising, Business Development, Pitch Coaching, Board Governance

Deborah Livneh

Entrepreneur-in-Residence, WEtech Alliance, Windsor, ON

Areas of Expertise: Startups, Finance, Angel Investors, Med-tech, Regulatory, Board Governance

Dennis Niebergal

Professional board director and consultant

Areas of Expertise: Digital health, eHealth, corporate strategy, board governance, coaching, business development, capital raising

Elliot Gatt

Advisor, PhonicsVR and Startup Strategist

Areas of Expertise: Traction, Branding, Marketing and Commercialization, Customer Acquisition, Partnerships, Product Development, Strategy, Medical Devices, SaaS, eCommerce, US Market Entry

Gary Bantle

Advisor

Areas of Expertise: Corporate finance, venture capital, fundraising, board governance, corporate strategy, life sciences, AgTech

Gerard Ruth

Food Safety Diagnostic Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Food testing diagnostics for quality and safety. Business development, product design, and strategic planning in the food testing field.

Jaspreet Grewal

Founder & CEO, Venn Consulting. Calgary, Alberta

Areas of Expertise: Regulatory, clinical research, business development, capital referrals, ophthalmic science, medical cannabis, drug discovery, medical devices

Dr. Jehangir Appoo

Research Associate Professor, Healthcare Consulting, Angel Investor

Areas of Expertise: Clinical & Academic Medicine, Health Care Innovation, Education, Cardiovascular Science, Surgery, Imaging, Exponential Technology in Healthcare (AI, IoT, Digital Medicine, VR/AR), Connecting spaces/people

Joe Elliot

Principal, Biopharm Management Inc. (BMI), provider of short and long-term management services to the biopharmaceutical industry

Areas of Expertise: Startups, Strategic, Financing, Therapeutics, Oncology, Pitch Coaching

John Person, MASc, PEng

Co-founder & Partner, FUEL Biomedical and Founder, Principal Engineer, Box 13 Engineering

Areas of Expertise: Mechanical design engineering, mechanical system simulations, new product development (especially biomedical devices), patent filing, technology commercialization, project planning and execution, regulatory clearance, lecturing and public speaking, and securing grant funding.

John Simon, BSc., RAC, CQA, RQAP-GLP

Co-founder & Partner, FUEL Biomedical

Areas of Expertise: Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, FDA and Health Canada Submissions, Medical Device and Drug Manufacturing Audits, Cannabis Cultivation and Processing

Dr. Lauren Killip

Director, Business Development, Harmonic Medical Inc.

Areas of Expertise: Startups, Strategic Planning, Operations, Business Development, Fundraising, Medical Devices, Medical Imaging

Marvin Cervantes

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Design & Development, Production, Clinical Studies, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Marketing & Commercialization, Post-market Remediation

Michael S. McGee

Partner, Avrio Capital Inc.

Areas of Expertise: Ag-tech, Corporate Finance, Venture Capital, Fundraising, Board Governance, Corporate Strategy

Mike Spear

Director of Corporate Communications, Genome Alberta. Calgary, Alberta

Areas of Expertise: Marketing, communications, public relations, branding, media relations, social media

Peter Zyla

Founder and Chief Strategist, Ventrek

Areas of Expertise: Corporate Strategy, Business Planning, Coaching, Mentoring, Executive Development

Robert Verhagen

CEO, Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics (CCAB)

Areas of Expertise: Corporate leadership, Fundraising, Board Governance, Strategic Planning, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Regulatory, Clinical, Business Development

Robin Boschman, MBA, CMP

Communications Consultant, Instructor & Facilitator

Areas of Expertise: Corporate communications, strategies and tactics.

Stephen Urquhart

Executive in Residence, Canadian Academic Accelerators and Incubators

Areas of Interest: Diagnostics, medical devices, not-for-profit organizations, foundations.

Yvon Bastien

Independent Director and Chair of the Governance and Compensation Committee, HLS Therapeutics Inc.

Areas of Expertise: Pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, executive leadership, board governance.

Dr. Paul Addo, PhD, Chemistry

GreenSTEM Fellow, Co-founder, President/CEO & Director, See02 Energy

See02 Energy aims to develop a symmetrical solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology...

Dr. Roger Mah, PhD, Chemistry

GreenSTEM Fellow, Founder, ZoraMat Solutions Inc.

ZoraMat Solutions aims to prototype and scale Zoralite, a solid sorbent for carbon dioxide capture from large industrial emitters, natural...

Dr. Beatriz Molero, PhD, Chemistry

GreenSTEM Fellow, Co-founder, CTO & Director, See02 Energy

See02 Energy aims to develop a symmetrical solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology that efficiently converts carbon dioxide...

Aseem Pandey, Masters, Chemical Engineering

GreenSTEM Fellow, Founder, InnVTek Inc.

InnVTek Inc. is developing a prototype technology that enables the transport of bitumen in the form of an emulsion, reducing or...

Shahrukh Shamim, Masters, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

GreenSTEM Fellow, Founder, Envicore Inc.

EnviCore Inc. is developing a novel nanoparticle/biopolymer treatment for sustainable tailings treatment. The technology has applications in...

Dr. Mina Zarabian, PhD, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

GreenSTEM Fellow, Founder, Carbonova.

Carbonova, is an engineering company developing a technology to produce massive, pure carbon nanofibers (CNF) from...