Meet your instructors

The Innovation Governance Program is only made possible by the talented subject matter experts, instructors, and special guests that have our governance program a success.

Level 1

  • Jim Balsillie

    Retired Chairman and Co-CEO, BlackBerry

    Jim rounds off iGP level 1 by sharing his working knowledge of being a board director for technology companies.

  • Prashant Masand

    Partner, Risk and Governance
    Deloitte

    Prashant delivers training focused on the role of directors at high-growth firms.

  • Mike McLean

    Chief Executive Officer
    Innovation Asset Collective

    Mike is an expert involved in the delivery of iGP’s sessions on IP and data governance in the 21st-century economy.

  • Peggy Choi

    Director of IP Strategy
    Innovation Asset Collective

    Peggy leads the iGP week on data commercialization and governance.

  • Iain Paterson

    Chief Information Security Officer
    Well Health Technologies

    Iain provides expert insights on cybersecurity frameworks for board directors of technology companies.

  • Erin Pisko

    Vice President, Strategy
    Innovation Asset Collective

    Erin guides the iGP session’s on contextualizing key IP structures needed for governance.

Level 2

  • Chris Wormald

    Founder & Director
    Veramito Inc.

    Chris guides the iGP session on boardroom dynamics in the intangible economy.

  • Allison Christilaw

    Independent Consultant

    Allison leads the conversation on navigating boardroom dynamics in technology companies.

  • Ralf Riekers

    Chief Financial Officer
    Fractional Advisor

    Ralf provides expert training for board leadership in high-growth, venture-backed companies.

  • Mohit Talwar

    Partner, Investments
    Maverix Private Equity

    Mohit joins the iGP panel session on financing high-growth businesses.

  • Dani Lipkin

    Managing Director
    TMX Group

    Dani leads the panel conversation on financing high-growth businesses.

  • Jon Wokins

    Managing Director
    Deloitte Ventures

    Jon brings in his expert venture captial experience to the iGP panel on financing.

  • Probal Lala

    Founding Board Director
    Maple Leaf Angel Corporation

    Probal provides key insights for the iGP session on financing high-growth businesses.

  • Duncan Mundell

    Head of Invent
    AltaML

    Duncan ties in AI use for the iGP session on commercialization and business models.

  • Sanjay Dhawan

    Principal
    CFO Centre

    Sanjay delivers training on the financial aspects of commercialization for different businesses models.

  • Jennifer Wilson

    Founder & CEO
    RECO Insights

    Jennifer leads the iGP sessions on the importance of ESG in boardrooms and beyond.

  • Michelle Sinclair

    Start-up Advisor & Angel Investor

    Michelle joins us with her decades of experience to moderate the iGP panel on ESG.

  • Denise Carpenter

    Executive Coach and Board Director

    Denise brings her decades of governance experience to the iGP panel session on ESG.

  • Kristina MacDougall

    Founder & Managing Partner
    Artemis Canada

    Kristina provides expert training for the iGP session on the role of the board in talent.

  • Erin Schnore

    Partner
    Artemis Canada

    Erin delivers the iGP session on talent development, attraction and retention.

  • Susy Martins

    Chief Executive Officer
    Advise2Rise

    Susy leads the iGP week on the importance of talent in the company as the board director.

  • David Skok

    CEO & Editor-in-Chief
    The Logic

    With a career in business journalism, David provides unique insights on the relationship between the media and company boards.

Level 3

  • Gary Solway

    Senior Partner
    Bennett Jones LLP

    Gary expertly guides learners through iGP level 3, ensuring each and every one of them are well equipped to serve Canada's innovation economy.

  • Reid Irwin

    Senior Vice President
    HUB International

    Reid provides key insights for the iGP session on insurance regulations for board directors.

  • Michael Shakra

    Partner
    Bennett Jones LLP

    Mike leverages his experience as a lawyer to deliver the iGP session on director liabilities.

  • Vahe Akbarian

    Investment Banking Director
    BMO Capital Markets

    With a deep understanding of the capital markets, Vahe leads the iGP session on financing and exit-market overview.

  • Jesslyn Maurier

    Partner
    Bennett Jones LLP

    Jesslyn breaksdown the ins and outs of a term sheet for the iGP session on financing and funding.

  • Enza Ciciretto

    Partner
    Deloitte

    Enza provides an expert overview on common tax reporting issues faced by tech directors.

  • Naved Ali

    Director
    Deloitte

    Naveed delivers an iGP session on the risks and nuances of financial reporting.

  • Berk Sumen

    Managing Director
    Toronto Stock Exchange

    Berk brings his experience from the TSX to guide the iGP session on M&As and IPOs.

  • Jeilah Chan

    Partner
    Strikeman Elliot LLP

    Jeilah leads the iGP session on IP pitfalls and dealbreakers for board directors.

  • Alison Fitzgerlad

    Partner
    Bennett Jones LLP

    In her iGP session, Alison expertly contextualizes international trade issues to help inform global strategy.