August 18, 2020
On August 17, 2020, Edmonton City Council endorsed the board member candidates for the soon to be created innovation entity. Fifteen shortlisted candidates, out of approximately 160 applicants, were interviewed for the seven available board positions. The following individuals were selected for the positions:
- Joanne Fedeyko, Founder and CEO at Connection Silicon Valley
- Shaheel Hooda, Managing Partner at Sprout Fund
- Ashlyn Bernier, COO at SAM (Social Asset Management)
- Farzad Haider Alvi, Assistant Professor of Innovation Finance at Athabasca University
- Aaryn Flynn, Studio Founder and General Manager, North America at Improbable
- Nicole Janssen, COO and Co-Founder at Altaml Inc.
- Sheetal Metha Walsh, Founder and Board Member at Shanti Life
“The new board is made up of individuals who are passionate about Edmonton. The diverse experience and mix of entrepreneurs and governance experts will grow and articulate the vision of Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “This work is vital to a more resilient economy—especially as a key pillar in leading our city’s economic recovery.”
The Chair and new board will form and finalize the direction, strategy and values of the new innovation entity. One of their first initiatives will be to select a new Chief Executive Officer. The City of Edmonton will be the shareholder of the new entity and City Council is the representative of the shareholder.
About Edmonton’s new innovation entity
On May 11, 2020, Edmonton’s City Council approved the formation of a new entity that will focus on championing innovation in Edmonton. With our city being one of the youngest and fastest growing cities in Canada, innovation plays a crucial role in building a diverse, resilient, and creative economy. The future of Edmonton’s economy will benefit from creative entrepreneurs and this new non-profit entity has an opportunity to support and guide these entrepreneurs to succeed and grow here.
