Advisory Board

Dr. Wieden was appointed as Associate Vice-President (Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization, and Innovation) in May 2023 and is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. Within his portfolio he is responsible for the Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization office, the Office of Research Security, as well as Research Contracts. Currently, Dr. Wieden oversees the development of the IDEA START Innovation and entrepreneurship accelerator at the University of Manitoba.  He began his Canadian career in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge as Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in 2000 where he established the SynBridge Makers space, a primarily life sciences and synthetic biology ventures focused incubator. Dr. Wieden was the founding director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) and developed the Industry NSERC CREATE RNA Innovation program. Subsequently Dr. Wieden joined the University of Manitoba in 2021 as the Lead for Biosciences Entrepreneurship and Industry Partnerships (2021-2023) in the Faculty of Science.

As President of the Canadian Society for Molecular Bioscience (2022-2024) and as a founding member of RNA Canada/Canadian Consortium for RNA Research focuses on science policy and innovation mobilization. Dr. Wieden has developed a free access collection on the topic of Dual Use Research in the Life Sciences that deals with such topics as Synthetic Biology, next—generation sequencing, and personal genomics.

Dr. Wieden is committed to fostering collaboration between university researchers and external partners and to establishing self-sustaining initiatives.

Moe Levy is the inaugural Director of IDEA START with a distinguished career in non-profits, education, and entrepreneurship. As the former Executive Director of the Asper Foundation, he helped establish the National Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg. He has also worked in provincial government, academia, and as CEO of one of Canada’s largest retail catalog companies.

Rajeev comes with rich experience in managing large scale startup incubation programs. He led one of India’s largest incubation initiatives based out of Bangalore, incubating over 400 technology startups across physical, virtual and women-entrepreneurship programs. He has been an entrepreneur and startup founder in Education, HR Services and Technology sectors. He has previously worked in leadership roles within private corporations and not-for-profits in India and UAE. He has an MBA in Marketing.

With over a decade of experience in customer support and operations, Sylvie has a proven track record of enhancing processes and driving continuous improvement in fast-paced environments. At Slack Technologies, Sylvie was instrumental in creating the Live Support program, where she played a crucial role in implementing tooling, developing effective processes, and training the team. As the Director of Support at Poparide, she optimized support tools and processes ,facilitated strategic offsites, and led key initiatives. Sylvie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Manitoba and is currently pursuing a PMP Certification.

Crimson Capital has worked closely with governments and companies in
Eastern Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. The company grew
dynamically since 1991 when Mart led the privatization and restructuring of the major State Owned Enterprises in the Czech Republic and large banks in Poland. Since then Crimson has been involved in transactions with an asset value of over $18 Billion. Prior to forming Crimson, Mart practiced law in Winnipeg, then became a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Law School. He joined the Faculty of Harvard Business School, and later became a Partner at Drexel Burnham Lambert investment bank. He has run two Private Equity organizations in partnership with Citibank and CalPERS. He has been a Director of numerous public and private companies in Canada, United
States, Europe, and Asia.

Angie Bruce, Vice-President (Indigenous), University of Manitoba, is a proud Red River Métis woman tied to her home community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. Ms. Bruce grew up in the Métis culture and credits the strong maternal figures in her family for instilling a connection to the land,c ommunity, culture and spirit. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from UM’s Asper School of Business [MBA/09] and is currently a PhD Candidate at Nipissing University. 

An impactful and collaborative leader, Ms. Bruce brings experience and success working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and Nations, communities, local, regional and federal governments and organizations, and across the non-Indigenous public, private and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining the University of Manitoba on February 1, 2024, Ms. Bruce was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada's Nòkwewashk sector – the first Government of Canada departmental team to be gift edits name by Indigenous Elders. 

Ms. Bruce will advance UM’s policy, research and programming that bolsters Reconciliation and Indigenous self-determination, and continue the legacy of exemplary leadership for the Vice-President (Indigenous)portfolio.

Michelle Cameron is a proud treaty-status member of Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and a dedicated mother of five. Born and raised in Winnipeg, she has built a remarkable entrepreneurial career driven by her passion for Indigenous business and economic empowerment. In 2011, Michelle founded Dreamcatcher Embroidery as a home-based business, later rebranding it to Dreamcatcher Promotions in 2013 to better reflect its expanding range of promotional products and apparel. The early years were challenging, filled with financial strain, long hours, and personal sacrifices. However, through perseverance and a strong vision, Michelle grew Dreamcatcher Promotions into Canada’s largest Indigenous-owned promotional company. Today, the company employs over 50 staff members and serves high-profile clients, including government agencies such as Parks Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the RCMP. Dreamcatcher Promotions is proudly registered with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Government of Canada.

Michelle’s entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond Dreamcatcher Promotions. In 2021, she launched Indigenous Nations Apparel Company(INAC), the first Indigenous-owned store in CF Polo Park, Manitoba’s largest mall. INAC quickly gained recognition for its Indigenous-designed apparel and gifts, leading to a second location in Saskatoon in 2022. What began as a short-term pop-up has now become a permanent and growing business, with plans to expand across Canada, providing a platform for Indigenous artists and creators. 

Beyond her businesses, Michelle is deeply involved in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship. She serves as Chair of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and sits on various boards, including Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, the Manitoba Business Council, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and the RBC Convention Centre. As the Auntie in Residence for the SEE Enclave Program, she also mentors and guides aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of building a successful business.

Joining Price in 2004, Joe was involved in all facets of the business, including strategy development, product direction and development, software and marketing, acquisitions, and operations. He served as President of Price Industries Limited for 20 years. In his time with Price, the company grew tenfold to approximately $1.4 billion in sales, and over 4,600 employees in Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand. 

Joe started his career in Sales and Marketing with Hewlett Packard in the early eighties. He then spent 10 years with Magna International, now the third largest automative parts company in the world. After holding the position of Director of Business Systems and Continuous Improvement at Magna, he became the General Manager of a manufacturing Division. 

He has been a Management Consultant in the Toronto area specializing in Operations Improvement, working with leading international companies such as Lever Brothers and the Royal Bank. He was also an Executive Vice President at Inscape Corporation, a leading manufacturer of office furniture. 

Joe holds a Bachelors degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and an MBA completed at York University and is Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM). 

Joe has deep roots and connections with the University of Manitoba. He started his MBA at the U of M before completing it elsewhere due to career related moves. He was elected Vice President of the University of Manitoba Student Union in 1978, was Sports Editor of The Manitoban. Having played four years of varsity of hockey at Colgate he completed his collegiate hockey career as a member of the Bisons in 1977-78. Joe was the Chair of The Associates in 2013 -14. Most recently, Joe was Co Chair of the $3.5 million fundraising effort to create the Price Student Managed Investment Fund. 

Joe is married with three sons and five wonderful grandsons. He enjoys tennis and time at the lake with his family and friends.

Rick is the Chairman and owner of The Duha Group, a fourth-generation family business based in Winnipeg, Canada. He was the Managing Director from 1991 to 2020. The Duha Group manufactures colour trend forecasts and innovative printed products for colour industries, with locations in eight countries and customers in more than 130 countries. The Duha Group employs over 300 in Manitoba and over 500 worldwide. 

Rick is a black belt in lean management and an energetic supporter of leading lean transformations, family business, and Canadian success internationally. He is also the Vice Chair of the Manitoba Business Council. He is passionate about education and has served on school boards. He currently serves on the advisory committee to the President of the University of Manitoba. 

Under his leadership, the Duha Group has developed a variety of techniques and tools focused on allowing continuous improvement methodologies to be employed at all organizational levels. Through the Duha Center of Excellence, these methodologies and tools are used worldwide by other organizations interested in developing their continuous improvement management programs. 

Rick is an active member of the YPO, having served on its International Board from 2015 to 2018, including service on the HR & compensation, finance and governance committees. From 2020 to 2022, Rick was the Global Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all member-facing products and services. Additionally, Rick served as the acting Chief Technology Officer, overseeing a host of IT initiatives designed to better serve YPO’s 34000 members. Rick led the successful project of launching YPO’s global concierge member service. The Duha family has invested time and resources in several Manitoba Startup companies and continues to support entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship across all platforms it touches. 

Rick travels extensively and likes to spend his “free time” skiing and cycling with his wife Karen, their adult children, and their grandchild. They spend summer months at their cottage on the East shore of Lake Winnipeg.

Mike co-founded Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 1998. From 1998 to 2016, he ran all aspects of the company as Chairman of the Board and CEO. In February 2019 Mike helped guide the strategic sale of Manitoba Harvest to Tilray for $419 million dollars. Mike has dedicated over 25 years studying and practicing natural health, starting in 1995 when he made the life changing decision to lose over 100lbs, and go from 300lbs to his current 200Lbs. He has gained an excellent knowledge of human anatomy, diet, nutrition and natural health lifestyle. Mike is a best-selling author, a keynote speaker, and has been featured on various media countless times regarding natural health, nutrition, hemp foods, organic agriculture, sustainable business, entrepreneurship and mentorship.

Mike has won numerous awards; Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2004), Socially Responsible Business Award (2006), The Lorax Award (2006), Top 40 under 40 (2008), Company of the Year (2010), CHFA Organic Achievement Award (2010), Spirit of Winnipeg Award (2014), Nutrition Business Journal Education Award (2014), CME Emerging Business Award (2014), EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2014), MFPA Presidents Award (2016), OTA Organic Rising Star Award (2016), Top 100 Health Influencers (2017), John Holtmann Leadership Award (2021).

In February of 2022, as Chairman of the Board Mike completed his third nine figure exit deal with the acquisition of Sol Cuisine by Plant Plus Foods for $125mm cash.

Mike is currently Chief Executive Officer of Fata & Associates, Chairman of the Board of Nuts For Cheese, Global Growth Advisor for Mid-Day Squares, Lifetime Member (Past Chairman) of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), Lifetime Member (Past Chairman) of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and investor/advisor to a portfolio of companies.

Mike is a full time single father of two teenagers, a certified holistic health coach and avid backyard organic farmer. In his free time he enjoys coaching and mentoring natural products industry entrepreneurs. In 2021 Mike launched www.fatafleishman.org a free mass mentorship toolbox for CPG entrepreneurs.

Mike hosts the Founder to Mentor podcast (a top 5% global podcast), connecting you with world class founders to inspire your personal and professional growth. https://www.mikefata.ca/podcast

Mike’s best selling book Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming and Unstoppable Entrepreneur released in March 2023.

As founder and CEO of Tactica Interactive, Kevin leads the conceptualization, design, and development of mobile apps, games, websites and other unique interactive user experiences. Tactica is an award-winning digital media studio that delivers user-centered products for healthcare, social innovation, arts and culture, and ag companies. Kevin is a veteran product owner and user experience designer with expertise in innovation, app development, and behaviour design. Over the past 20 years he has worked on hundreds of digital media products for client’s across North America including: Mount Sinai Hospital, Oprah Winfrey Network, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, CBC, Sick Kids(Toronto), Canadian Museum for Human Rights, University of Texas, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, and most of the top universities in Canada. 

Kevin’s passions include technology, biohacking, psychology, fitness, and design. In the community, Kevin is a New Media of Manitoba board member, United Way of Winnipeg Marketing Committee member, and a North Forge mentor. At home, Kevin’s the proud dad of three amazing girls who find him extremely embarrassing.

Dr. Andrea Kraj, P.Eng., is a seasoned leader in sustainable energy, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship. As a Technology Transfer Manager in the Partnerships Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation office at the University of Manitoba, she facilitates the commercialization of cutting-edge research and fosters industry partnerships. 

As CEO and President of CORE Renewable Energy, Dr. Kraj founded and built and multi-award-winning company that has revolutionized the development of virtual power plants using microgrid renewable energy and storage systems globally. 

She completed her Ph.D, M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Engineering and is a pioneering leader in developing advanced energy systems for the built environment. She is a Fulbright Scholar in energy transition infrastructure, and a practicing professional engineer specialized in Intelligent Energy Systems and Microgrids for Smart Cities. She has served on the board of directors of CanREA representing BTM (behind the meter) systems and as Vice President of the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), and is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind TCP Task 41, and consults for IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency. 

With more than 20 years of experience, her work has enabled enhancements in electrification and energy independence. Dr. Kraj's work has supported those in remote areas such as in Northern communities, First Nations, and Small Island Developing States. She is an accomplished author and speaker (TEDx), having published several articles on smart cities, energy policy, community energy development, and remote power systems. She hosts two podcasts, the Energy Exchange , and Fempowerthat celebrates women in the fields of Technology, Trades, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Arts, Athletics, Mathematics, and Science to empower and inspire others. Dr. Kraj brings a wealth of expertise in clean energy, strategic innovation, and policy development.

Johanna is a co-founder and managing partner of 5468796 Architecture in Winnipeg, Canada. Over the past seventeen years the firm has focused on housing in all its forms and ownership models, urban design, walkable communities and the public domain. 546’s work has been awarded with numerous recognitions nationally and internationally, and published in over 200 books and publications. In 2012 5468796 represented Canada at the Venice Biennale in Architecture, and in 2013 they were selected as recipient of the 2013 Professional Prix de Rome Award in Architecture for Canada by the Canada Council for the Arts. 

In addition to practice Johanna is an activist and an advocate, having initiated and co-created spearheaded number of design related events and programs, including Table for 12 + 1200, Chair Your Idea, Design Quarter Winnipeg, and Walk-Winnipeg. She is past Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, currently on the Executive Board of RAIC IArchitecture Canada and a member of the International Council of the New-York based Van Alen Institute. She has taught design at the University of Manitoba, Toronto, Montreal and in 2019 she was named visitin gProfessor-Morgenstern Chair at the College of Architecture, IIT, Chicago. Most recently she was invited to teach at the Cornell University starting January 2022. Johanna lectures extensively and is co-author of ‘Innovative Solutions for Creating Sustainable Cities’ (2018), and 'platform:MIDDLE',Housing for the 99%, published in fall of 2023.

Chris launched his first business at the age of ten, protecting Winnipeg's trees from Dutch Elm Disease. After 21 years, he sold that company. Upon completing a B.Sc. at the University of Manitoba, he decided not to follow in his family's footsteps and pursue medicine. Instead, he founded Geofilter Studio, the world's first Snapchat filter company. 

In its first year, Geofilter Studio's revenue grew by 24,000% and expanded to 85 employees, becoming Canada's fastest-growing company. The company created over 100,000 filters that generated ten billion views worldwide. Later, Chris established EveryStudio, which included GeofilterStudio, EveryStudio AR for augmented reality, and EveryStudio Stickers for iOS sticker packs. EveryStudio was acquired in 2019.

In 2018, Chris founded Pluto Ventures, an AI company with a highly skilled team supported by a strong group of investors. They are building Parallel, a social shopping platform used by millions worldwide. When not working, Chris enjoys helping others with their business journeys and has spoken at over 200 events.