Allan Najum
Consul General of Chile in Vancouver and Western Canada, Allan Najum is a Chilean career diplomat with 27 years of service. He has served abroad at the Chilean embassies in Israel and Finland concurrently accredited to Estonia and fulfilled studies in the US and Malaysia. Holds an MA in government with a specialization in cybersecurity. […]
Nancy Wingham (Moderator)
Nancy Wingham is the co-founder and CEO of Nuez Acres, a women-led company based in British Columbia that specialises in sustainable “seed-to-skin” beauty products utilising pecan oil grown on her family’s orchards in Mexico. With her Mexican roots and a deep commitment to cultural and environmental stewardship, Nancy has helped build Nuez Acres into an […]
Lino Coria
An Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences in Vancouver. With two decades of experience in academia and industry, he specializes in image processing and computer vision. Passionate about mentoring newcomers and building community, he also serves as a trustee at the Port Moody Public Library.
Fernanda Ave (Moderator)
Fernanda Ave is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience helping startups and small businesses grow through smart, data-driven marketing. For the last 4 years, she has been the CMO at I2A2, an Artificial Intelligence Institute, where she leads initiatives to educate and empower people with AI knowledge. Fernanda is also a […]
Adnan Sarwar
Adnan Sarwar is an Investment Banker from London, U.K., who is now a Full Time Term Faculty at University Canada West and also an AI and FinTech Entrepreneur mentoring many StartUp CEO’s in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Adina Gray
Adina Gray is an educator, speaker, and founder of PurpleOwl AI, a training and consulting firm that helps educators and business professionals harness the power of generative AI. She also serves as AI Initiatives Lead at Thompson Rivers University’s Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics and Advisor for AI & Digital Strategy with the […]
Ernesto Peña
A designer, educator, and researcher, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to exploring how information, language, and design influence human understanding. With a Master’s in Information Design and a PhD in Language and Literacy Education from the University of British Columbia, he bridges creativity and analytical rigor. Currently an Associate Teaching Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator […]
Tony Botelho
Tony Botelho is the Managing Director of the UBC Career Centre, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience in post-secondary career development. Under his guidance, teams have earned national recognition for innovation and service excellence. Tony is a respected voice in the Canadian career development community and has received multiple awards for his contributions, including […]
Alexa Blain
Alexa Blain is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Deetken Impact, a Canadian impact asset manager focused on climate finance, women’s empowerment, and impact-driven enterprises across Latin America and the Caribbean. She leads finance, operations, and strategic growth initiatives, working with a multicultural, gender-balanced team that provides both capital and technical assistance to strengthen business […]
Jill Earthy
A purpose-driven business leader, she is dedicated to building inclusive and innovation-driven economies. With extensive experience in strategic investment, program management, and sustainable business growth, she champions initiatives that bridge entrepreneurship, technology, and community impact. Her leadership integrates financial strategy with social and environmental responsibility, ensuring measurable value across all sectors she serves. Recognized for […]
