Allyson Hewitt
Allyson leads the MaRS social innovation practice. Her team works on a broad range of projects—from not-for-profits interested in revenue generation to entrepreneurs committed to social transformation. She brings considerable expertise in the public sector—including the introduction of 211 and several award-winning innovations—to her role. “MaRS integrates social entrepreneurs into our mission—which makes us unique …
Don Duval
Prior to joining MaRS, Don worked with clients in life science, health care and consumer business sectors for a global management consulting firm. He was also part of a successful start-up company and is on the board of the Queen’s Players Toronto Theatre Company and JUMP Math. “Some clients come in—well, to use an academic …
Jim Meenan
Jim has held senior executive roles in finance and operations, including CFO of every major division of AT&T. He served as a consultant and board member of Joint Venture companies in North America, England, France, Japan, and Korea. At MaRS, he mentors technology and life science companies, working with them on everything from business planning …
John Buckingham
John’s been building health care businesses for over 30 years. He spent most of his career working at the interface of research and commercial functions in innovative health care manufacturing organizations–now he brings his experiences assessing new technologies, leading negotiations and designing partnership to MaRS. John uses his extensive background in pharma licensing and global …
John McCulloch
To help MaRS build great companies from Canadian technology and ingenuity, John advises clients with therapeutic innovations. He leads the MaRS Future of Medicine™ conferences and discussion series and contributes to commercial development by working closely with aligned organizations such as MaRs Innovation. For more than 15 years, John has advised life sciences investors and …
Jon Dogterom
Jonathan has been active in innovation and commercialization of renewable energy technologies as both an entrepreneur and in publicly-traded companies. Jonathan utilizes his experience in corporate strategic planning, product management and channel development to help early-stage clients in MaRS’ cleantech practice. “I relish the excitement involved with early stage start-ups—the passion, the enthusiasm. At MaRS, …
Krista Jones
As both a practice lead and advisor in the information technologies, communications and entertainment practice, Krista ensures that the full spectrum of her capabilities is at work for clients. She has a unique combination of technical, operational and marketing expertise in technology-based businesses. Known both for her comprehensive knowledge of existing and emerging ICE services …
Lance Laking
Lance applies his expertise in finance, management and marketing in the IT, communications and cleantech industries. He understands that young companies make potentially game-changing decisions and ensures that his clients tap the full horsepower of the MaRS advisory group so that they can make informed choices. “I deeply respect the science and technology side of …
Mark Zimmerman
Mark’s been working in the information and communication technology industry for more than 15 years. He’s worked with some of the biggest companies in the industry, but he’s also worked with very early stage start-ups—so he knows what it’s like to be in an entrepreneur’s shoes. Mark uses his experience to help MaRS clients in …
Peter Evans
With experience working in early-stage venture-backed technology start-ups and publicly-traded companies in the software, Internet services, online media and telecom sectors, Peter brings an integrated approach to his role in advising MaRS clients. He is also an angel investor and board member with numerous start-ups and has been an active speaker at technology and marketing …
Robert Quance
Robert assists start-up companies with their launch strategies, including financing, sales, channels, product segmentation, market research and IP protection. He describes his role as assessing what a new venture needs, providing guidance and making sure his clients make use of the full range of MaRS resources. He emphasizes the advisory aspect—that is, rather than doing …
Roger Davis
Roger’s career spanned the info and tech sectors, with extensive experience in financial management, analysis, operations, negotiations and change management. Now a consultant and investor, he helps young companies commercialize their ideas at MaRS. “These entrepreneurs are the innovators that will build Canada’s future. They lay it all on the line each day and I’m …
Ron Close
Ron helps start-ups find their path to success. He describes his role as listening to an entrepreneur’s story and discovering barriers to success—such as the lack of a compelling value proposition or the inability to articulate the idea clearly. His career has given him deep expertise in innovation, transformation and growth management, as well as …
Ryan Poissant
Ryan has spent the majority of his career working in startup, turnaround and growth-phase organizations and brings a cross-functional approach to his work with entrepreneurs. His experience as a founder helps him connect to not only the business challenges, but also the personal trials and triumphs that are part of each startup’s journey. He advises …
Sonia Sanhueza
Sonia advises entrepreneurs who are working to commercialize medical devices, therapeutics and health care information and communications technologies. She has experience with the entire lifecycle of health care start-ups, from early stage research to taking products to market, having led the research, development, regulatory strategies and global plans for vaccines and products in the areas …
Sue McGill
Sue McGill leads MaRS’ effort in the consumer digital and mobile marketplace. Drawing on her experience working in technology and media, both as an entrepreneur and builder of brands, Sue lends a global point of view on the challenges and opportunities facing MaRS’ entrepreneurs in the digital media space – media fragmentation, the pervasiveness of …
Tom Rand
Tom has been active in the cleantech sector both as a venture capitalist and from a policy perspective, so he understands the challenges entrepreneurs face. His focus at MaRS is on new ventures based on low-carbon technologies and the supporting infrastructure, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. “In my family, we’ve had table pounding discussions …
Tony Redpath
Tony mentors entrepreneurs at MaRS, with a particular emphasis on environmental, advanced materials and manufacturing markets. His primary role is to ensure that MaRS has the right programs in place to help companies take their ideas to market and that these programs are working together; for instance, MaRS Innovation, a commercialization initiative of 14 major …
Veronika Litinski
Veronika works with a portfolio of life science and health-care entrepreneurs at MaRS, with a particular focus on financing and corporate development. Veronika has had an interesting career—from a research scientist to corporate finance. She was also instrumental in the launch of Cogniciti, the brain fitness company created through a partnership between MaRS and Baycrest. …
