Meet the Innovation Factory team

Through our unique and diverse backgrounds, the Innovation Factory team brings together extensive experience and knowledge, a passion for entrepreneurship, and a commitment to helping companies advance to market, and become successful.
Innovation Factory Team

3,000+ businesses supported

Every week, we welcome new client applications and this experienced team is here to support your business with advisory services, mentorship, training and strategic connections so you can scale your business and be successful.

Meet our team

Teams
Alek Tirpan
Alek Tirpan
Program Manager, Life Science
Biography
Alex Muggah
Alex Muggah
VP, Life Sciences
Biography
Andrea Guest
Andrea Guest
Innovation Advisor
Biography
Annie Horton
Annie Horton
Marketing Lead
Biography
Headshot of Bernard Lim
Bernard Lim
Expert Advisor
Biography
Brandon McIntyre
Brandon McIntyre
Program Coordinator, Life Sciences
Biography
Brent Downey
Brent Downey
Program Manager
Biography
Headshot of Bruce Inwood
Bruce Inwood
Expert Advisor
Biography
Carla Silva
Carla Silva
Human Resources Specialist
Biography
David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory
David Carter
CEO, Innovation Factory
Biography
Headshot of David Wright
David W. Wright
Expert Advisor
Biography
Evan Macdonald
Evan MacDonald
Innovation Advisor
Biography
Gagan Kaur
Gagan Kaur
Communications Coordinator
Biography
Headshot of Gail Martin
Gail Martin
Expert Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Gordon Wehner
Gordon Wehner
Expert Advisor
Biography
Greta Black
Greta Black
Client Care Coordinator
Biography
Humera Saud
Humera Saud
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Biography
Headshot of Ian Levitt
Ian Levitt
Expert Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Ing Goping
Ing Goping
Expert Advisor
Biography
Team Member
Inge Christensen
Expert Advisor
Biography
Jennifer Gauvreau
Jennifer Gauvreau
Director, Marketing
Biography
Team Member
Jessica Terryberry
Digital Experience Specialist
Biography
Jiayi Deng
Jiayi Deng
Business & Data Analyst
Biography
Team Member
Jisun Hahn
Expert Advisor
Biography
Joey Sitwell
Joey Sitwell
Service Coordinator, Acceleration+
Biography
Headshot of John Hollend
John Holland
Expert Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Julie Ellis
Julie Ellis
Expert Advisor
Biography
Kailtyn Spivak
Kaitlyn Spivak
Events Coordinator
Biography
Karen Linseman
Karen Linseman
Vice President, Operations
Biography
Katherine Noble
Katherine Noble
Innovation Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Mark Elliot
Mark Elliot
Biography
Headshot of Mark Evans
Mark Evans
Expert Advisor
Biography
Team Member
Megan Coombes
Expert Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Michael Bolt
Michael Bolt
Expert Advisor
Biography
Mohamed Mohammad
Mohamed Mohammad
Program Coordinator
Biography
Team Member
Onosetale Aigbomian
Office Administration Assistant
Biography
Team Member
Oren Chervinsky
Expert Advisor
Biography
Richard Brownsdon
Richard Brownsdon
Program Manager
Biography
Richard Dunda
Richard Dunda
Director, CITM
Biography
Team Member
Rick McCutcheon
Expert Advisor
Biography
Ryan Moran
Ryan Moran
Manager, Partnerships & Programming
Biography
Sanjay Dhir
Sanjay Dhir
Expert Advisor
Biography
Shannon Graszat
Shannon Graszat
Team Lead, Venture Growth & Innovation Advisor
Biography
Headshot of Stephanie McLarty
Stephanie McLarty
Expert Advisor
Biography
Tom Turchet
Expert Advisor
Biography

Mentor Moments on Academy

Need a quick boost of advice? Check out Academy at Innovation Factory and meet our community of experts as they each share their top 3 business tips on everything from funding, hiring, and goalsetting to sales, business strategy and sustainable development. Get inspired with Academy’s Mentor Moments.

Meet our Board of Directors

Dominic Talalla

Partner, Trellis Capital

Director & Board Chairperson
Chantel Broten

President and CEO, Jan Kelley

Director & Board Vice-Chairperson
Azam Foda

Finance and Operations Chief, iBlum Learning Company

Director
Chris Thoma

Strategic Consultant

Director
Gay Yuyitung

Executive Director, McMaster's Industry Liaison Office

Director
Kelly Dore

Co-Founder & VP Growth at Acuity Insights

Director
Norm Schleehahn

Director of Business Development, Hamilton Economic Development

Director
Ruth Todd

Regional Managing Partner, Regions East at KPMG Canada

Director
Sam Saad

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Gatik

Director
Sarah Howe

Executive Director, Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton

Director
Marita Zaffiro

President, Marchese Health Care, Ozco Investments Inc.

Strategic Advisor

Partner with us

Become a valued partner in our thriving start-up and innovation ecosystem, and let’s collectively forge the future of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business in the Greater Hamilton Area.

We are eager to collaborate with forward-thinking and passionate companies. Whether you offer vital resources and services, or your organization is aiming for a significant impact, we welcome you to join us.

Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition

Get tickets for the 2024 Synapse Competition!

Innovation Factory’s Synapse Competition is Ontario’s premier life science pitch competition, dedicated to fostering innovation in the life science sector.

Why you should attend:

  • Meet the finalists at the 11th annual Synapse Competition showcase!
  • Discover emerging life science innovations
  • Network with industry leaders and a thriving life science ecosystem.

March 20, 2024 | 4:00pm – 8:00pm EDT