James is responsible for managing the vision and growth of Levven Electronics, developing and executing long-term corporate strategies, and building relationships with partners, stakeholders and investors. He is a life-long entrepreneur with a commitment to innovation, excellence and enhancing people’s lives. Prior to founding Levven, James and his partners founded Blue Falls Manufacturing, makers of Arctic Spas and expanded it’s footprint to over 30 countries. James is an active member and contributor to several entrepreneur organizations including Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the A100, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, and Rainforest Alberta.

As the Associate Vice-President Industry Solutions at NAIT, Olle is responsible for leading the vision, strategic priorities, and alignment across multiple teams that serve industry through applied research and skills development. He has spent the past 16 years working with companies and academics to advance research, innovation, partnerships and collaborations across Alberta, Canada, and internationally.  His favorite activity is to help build effective and collaborative teams.

With a background in non-profit leadership, corporate sponsorship, and partnerships, Jodi has developed a strong skill set in stakeholder relations, communication, and growth strategies. She is passionate about building genuine connections and creating value-driven collaborations that benefit both the public and private sectors. As a lifelong learner, Jodi has also enhanced her knowledge and credentials in project management, leadership, and entrepreneurship through various courses and certifications. She is always looking for new and creative ways to solve problems, innovate, and make a positive impact.

Deanna is the Director of Airline Partnerships at Informa Markets, with over a decade of experience in international business development. She holds an MBA and has a strong track record in driving growth, negotiating commercial agreements, and enhancing team performance.

Previously, Deanna expanded routes and secured multi-million-dollar agreements at Edmonton International Airport. At the University of Alberta, she led grant-winning projects for public sector training. Her global perspective, shaped by travels to over 35 countries, informs her commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the aviation industry.

Ahmad is an established member of the Alberta Tech community, having founded and expanded Intellimedia into a thriving corporation in the EdTech field focusing on Education Analytics and digitize form management.  Ahmad holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, Advanced Graduate Diploma as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration from Athabasca University and completed a Management Excellence program at Harvard Business School. Ahmad is a passionate community steward, committing both time and resources to supporting several not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations. Ahmad is on the board of Technology Alberta and a board member at the Computer Science Industry Advisory committee at University of Alberta, he strongly believes in supporting the innovation ecosystem in Alberta so that it is attractive to university graduates. 

Colin has spent 30 years in entrepreneurship and his current chapter is all about helping others navigate the tricky waters of starting and growing a business. As owner of several of his own businesses in diverse industries including building materials, renewable energies, social enterprise, and technology, he has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs around the world raise millions of dollars and, in many cases, create equity for their families and create better options for themselves, their communities, and changing the world at large. Including developing ecosystems internationally paired with microlending platforms, he currently serves on a few boards and as an Entrepreneur in Residence.

Deanna leverages networks to achieve strategic objectives. She approaches challenges from the perspective of increasing innovation. A project manager, networker, workshop presenter, and reviewer, Deanna works across and between organizations to seek and deliver projects that present a “win-win” for partner organizations. She holds a BA, and her role on science and engineering, small business, and funding teams serves to round out her ability to support businesses and non-profits alike.

Dipo is passionate about helping Black founders start and succeed in their technology business. As a result, he co-founded Black Business Ventures Association (BBVA) to support Black founders through their entrepreneurial journey. Dipo is currently the Executive Director of BBVA.

Before this role, he spent most of his career helping startups and established businesses raise equity capital to start and scale their business.

Reza is a seasoned expert in industrial automation, oil and gas, and electronics R&D. He specializes in microcontroller and microprocessor-based design, embedded firmware development, and power systems. Reza is proficient in real-time operating systems, various communication protocols, and full project lifecycle management. He holds expertise in product certification and regulatory frameworks and excels in client, vendor, and stakeholder relationship management. Reza’s extensive technical and managerial experience is complemented by his proficiency in policy and document writing.