MindFuel recently welcomed new board members and team leaders to its management team.
Founded as the Science Alberta Foundation, MindFuel is a registered charitable organization dedicated to fostering youth innovation talent.
Since its establishment in 1990, MindFuel has invested over $130 million in Canada’s innovation ecosystem across more than 1,600 communities, supporting what it considers to be the country’s most valuable resource: young, skilled talent.
Developing innovation and entrepreneurial talent “is essential to Canada’s economy,” posits Cassy Weber, chief executive officer of MindFuel. “This is an exceptional opportunity to recognize and support the need for innovation talent, as Canada scales its infrastructure and technology ambitions.”
Not just locally, but globally.
Expanding Canada’s innovation capacity “is critical for our nation to compete globally,” believes Dan Semmens, Chairman of MindFuel’s board.
The directors were appointed during a recent Annual General Meeting to help steward MindFuel’s product delivery across areas including Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, innovative problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.
The new directors include Shazia Sobani, who serves as vice president of fibre networks for Telus; Amit Anand, senior vice president of product for Sonar Systems; Nannette Ho-Covernton, executive director of the Energy Transition Centre; and Calgary entrepreneur Avnish Mehta.
“These new leaders will help us meet growing demand for programs that equip Canada’s next generation of innovators,” Semmens stated.
MindFuel also hired Ben Nakaska as Chief Technology Officer, Brent Bawel as Chief Operating Officer, and Lisa Kindree as director of partner engagement.
“Ben, Brent, and Lisa bring indispensable expertise as we continue to expand our programs in Canada,” remarked Cassy Weber, chief executive officer of MindFuel. “With Ben, Brent, and Lisa on the team, we strengthen our ability to meet ever-increasing demand for our programs across Canada.”
One of MindFuel’s offerings is Canada Tech Futures, which the organization launched in Alberta in 2013 to engage youth in emerging technologies, applied learning, and leadership mentoring.
Since then the program has expanded to BC, Ontario, Manitoba, and Yukon.
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