At Best Startup Canada we track over 100,000 Canadian startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top British Columbia based President operating in the Consulting space. If you think a President is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.ca.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
R.Michael Jones
President and CEO, Director of Platinum Group Metals
R. Michael Jones brings over 25 years of experience as a professional geological engineer and has been involved with the raising of over $1 billion for exploration, mining development and production. In addition to co-founding Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Mr. Jones was a founder of Glimmer Resources Inc. and was responsible for the discovery of the Glimmer Gold mine, now Blackfox, in Ontario. During a six-year tenure as President of Cathedral Gold Corp., Mr. Jones ran a producing gold mining company and was involved in the review of a feasibility study and financing for the $1 billion Diavik Mine project during two years as Vice President with Aber Resources. Mr. Jones was a co-founder and director of West Timmins Mining that was purchased by producing company Lake Shore Gold Corp. in 2009 and was a co-founder and former director until 2012 of MAG Silver Corp. Mr. Jones is a Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Kirkland Mining Inc. and a director of Nextraction Energy Corp. Mr. Jones served on the Securities Policy Advisory Committee of the British Columbia Securities Commission for six years and holds a B.A.Sc. in geological engineering from the University of Toronto.
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About Nextraction, Platinum Group Metals: Platinum Group Metals is focused on the development of platinum mining operations with targeted production in the near term.
Simon Cmrlec
President of Ausenco
Simon manages the North America region having led Ausenco’s APAC/Africa region for the previous two years. Prior to this, he spent three years in the role of President, Program Management. Simon has 20 years’ experience in lead management roles on a variety of major projects and his career has taken him to China, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Peru, New Caledonia and the USA in roles with Vale Inco, Kvaerner and WMC.
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About Ausenco: We set high global standards for leading edge engineering and project management services in the resources and energy sectors.
Ed Meka
Executive Vice President of Ausenco
Ed has more than 29 years’ experience in senior management and operational roles in the global mining and minerals processing industry, and is one of Ausenco’s longest-serving executives. Ed is currently responsible for leading the pursuit of strategic opportunities, major projects and key client relationships across the organisation. Prior to this, Ed was accountable for all of Ausenco’s Americas operation, realising approximately 60% of the company’s revenue base through the delivery of consulting, engineering and project services across the resources and energy sectors. His previous roles within Ausenco have included running the Environment & Sustainability and Process Infrastructure business lines, as well as project delivery, study management and business development. Ed’s previous employers have included Mt Isa Mines Limited, BHP Ok Tedi (for BHP Engineering Limited), Pancontinental Mining Limited and BHP Coal.
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About Ausenco: We set high global standards for leading edge engineering and project management services in the resources and energy sectors.
Curtis Grad
Founding Partner, President & CEO of Modalis Infrastructure Partners
Curtis Grad is chief executive and founding partner of Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc., a strategic investment and professional advisory services company specializing in international transport infrastructure privatization, investment, development and operations. During his 25+ year career in the transport infrastructure sector, he has lead extensive change management and redevelopment programs for various international airport and port facilities worldwide, spanning Canada, Jamaica, Cyprus and Jordan.
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About Modalis Infrastructure Partners: Modalis is a strategic investment and professional services company specializing in international transport infrastructure.
Bruce Raber
Vice President of Stantec
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Bob Wood
Senior Vice President & Business Leader, Buildings of Stantec
In 35+ years of leading the functional programming and planning of maintenance, operations, and storage facilities; manufacturing plants; military aircraft hangars; and food and beverage facilities, Bob has developed a passion for integrated design. This approach has harnessed the creativity of Bob and the team to deliver the “right solution” at the “right price” to meet the needs of our clients, the community, and our design professionals. Our combined unique strengths and passion, in collaboration with our client, is what motivates Bob to develop buildings and facilities that are truly effective in the world we live and work in.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Ward Prystay
Senior Vice President of Stantec
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About Stantec, Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Reno Fiorante
Senior Vice President, Discipline Leader, Water of Stantec
If you have a significant water infrastructure project, Reno is the guy for the job. He specializes in the development and project management of major projects. Projects like the 315 mgd Tesla Water Treatment Facility in San Francisco, one of the largest ultraviolet disinfection drinking water facilities in the US; and the 1,800 ML/d Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant in Vancouver, the largest high-rate direct filtration plant in North America. Both were successfully delivered under Reno’s leadership. He is currently serving as Stantec’s senior principal on the $615 million design-build Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps project in New Orleans, one of the largest drainage pumping systems in the world; and as technical director for the $880 million Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program in Victoria. Reno has led the design of over 35 water and wastewater treatment plants, and is actively involved as a technical advisor and specialist on many of our other water related projects.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Brent North
Vice President & Discipline Leader, Architecture of Stantec
Brent’s primary role involves fulfilling Stantec’s commitment to client service and coordinating client priorities with effective design, the practicalities of consultants, codes, and construction. Since 1979, he has accumulated a broad range of experience, with emphasis on retail and airport projects, and has assumed key roles in the firm’s exposition and education work. In practice, Brent is known for his excellent organizational skills, technical ability, and as a skilled facilitator with clients, consultants and tenants. With a reputation for keeping the client informed, he consistently delivers projects within fiscal and scheduling constraints.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Ward Prystay
Senior Vice President of Stantec
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About Stantec, Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Brent North
Vice President & Discipline Leader, Architecture of Stantec
Brent’s primary role involves fulfilling Stantec’s commitment to client service and coordinating client priorities with effective design, the practicalities of consultants, codes, and construction. Since 1979, he has accumulated a broad range of experience, with emphasis on retail and airport projects, and has assumed key roles in the firm’s exposition and education work. In practice, Brent is known for his excellent organizational skills, technical ability, and as a skilled facilitator with clients, consultants and tenants. With a reputation for keeping the client informed, he consistently delivers projects within fiscal and scheduling constraints.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Reno Fiorante
Senior Vice President, Discipline Leader, Water of Stantec
If you have a significant water infrastructure project, Reno is the guy for the job. He specializes in the development and project management of major projects. Projects like the 315 mgd Tesla Water Treatment Facility in San Francisco, one of the largest ultraviolet disinfection drinking water facilities in the US; and the 1,800 ML/d Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant in Vancouver, the largest high-rate direct filtration plant in North America. Both were successfully delivered under Reno’s leadership. He is currently serving as Stantec’s senior principal on the $615 million design-build Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps project in New Orleans, one of the largest drainage pumping systems in the world; and as technical director for the $880 million Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program in Victoria. Reno has led the design of over 35 water and wastewater treatment plants, and is actively involved as a technical advisor and specialist on many of our other water related projects.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Darren Burns
Vice President & Sector Leader, Commerical of Stantec
Darren is drawn to projects that transform. He’s known for building strong rapport with his clients, based on understanding and serving client needs. He’s an architect, designer, and leader with over 20 years of experience specializing in the commercial sector, particularly in retail, mixed-use, and complex project delivery. He focuses on projects that require a high level of design and create meaningful urban places. With the Oakridge Development in Vancouver, Darren and his team are changing the fabric of the established neighborhood with a LEED Platinum micro-community. He’s also leading a multi-disciplinary team on our very own Stantec Tower in downtown Edmonton which is part of the larger ICE District urban development that combines office, retail, hospitality, and entertainment uses. As vice president and commercial sector leader, Darren delivers projects as a skilled project manager and team leader. Outside of the office, Darren is a competitive sailor and has competed in several world and North American championships in his class. He currently competes in the Farr30 international one design class and is the current World Council president of the international class.
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About Stantec: Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture,
Arpy Dragffy
President, Director of Strategy & UX of PH1
A customer experience strategist and UX architect who has spent 15 years innovating the strategies of startups and global brands like Bodog, Hootsuite, Sage Software, Red Bull, Benson & Hedges. Today he primarily works with tourism, entertainment, and gaming industry clients to design exceptional digital experiences across marketing, mobile applications, and online communities. Over the past year he has led design thinking and experience strategy workshops around the world, including in Rio De Janeiro, Bogota, Sao Paulo, Miami.
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About Level5 Travel, PH1: Customer Experience Strategy & UX Innovation Studio: Solving complex business problems with beautiful digital products & CX strategies.
Sherborne Pao
Executive Vice President, Global People & Culture & Operations of Appnovation
Sherborne Pao is the Executive Vice President, Global People & Culture and Operations at Appnovation.
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About Appnovation: Appnovation is a global Digital Solutions and Managed Services provider, delivering strategy, app development and enterprise integrations.
Pieter Dorsman
President of Redpeaks Management Inc.
Pieter Dorsman is a seasoned advisor, investor and mentor who is President & CEO of Redpeaks Management Inc., a consulting firm focused on advising technology companies on capital raising, M&A and restructuring activities. He has also taken on interim management roles at a number of Canadian tech companies. Pieter is director and CFO at E-Fund, a Vancouver-based angel investment fund. He is also chairman of Lambda Solutions Inc., a cloud-based learning company. Previously, he co-founded and invested in Actenum Corporation and structured the start, financing and exit of ClearVision Technologies. Since 2018 he is a director of Vancouver’s Angel Forum. Prior to relocating to Vancouver, Pieter held a number of senior positions in the project and corporate finance divisions of UBS in Hong Kong where he was responsible for financial advisory, arranging and restructuring mandates in Asia. Prior to joining UBS, he worked for Barclays Bank in Hong Kong and London. Pieter lives in West Vancouver, British Columbia where he is an active community member and where he served as a Trustee to the West Vancouver School Board from 2014 to 2018. Pieter holds a Master’s degree in Economic and Social History from the Erasmus Universiteit in The Netherlands where he also studied law.
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About Actenum, E-Fund, Redpeaks Management Inc.: Capital advisory services and investment
Nicole Adshead-Bell
President & Director of Cupel Advisory
Nicole Adshead-Bell is a geologist with over 20 years experience in the mining sector and capital markets. She has worked for exploration, development and mining companies in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada and previously served as a director on the boards of two publicly traded mining sector companies and on the board of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia. For the last 13 years Adshead-Bell has focused on evaluating and advising mining sector companies, most recently as Director of Mining Research at Sun Valley Gold LLC (an SEC-registered investment advisor), prior to that as Managing Director Investment Banking at Haywood Securities, and as a sell-side Mining Analyst at Dundee Securities. Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Geology and Archaeology, in 1993, a First Class Honours Degree in Geology in 1994, and a Ph.D. in Geology in 2000, all from James Cook University in North Queensland, Australia.
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About Cupel Advisory: Cupel Advisory provides research and consultation services for companies from the mining industry.
Michal Peliwo
Vice President of Business Solutions of ZE PowerGroup
As VP of the Business Solutions team at ZE, Michal spearheads ZEMA implementations. Michal brings many years of software development and client management experience to the company. He also provides a unique understanding of the industry’s market solution requirements. Michal’s capabilities are matched only by the intensity of his desire to exceed client expectations.
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About ZE PowerGroup: ZE PowerGroup is an experienced software development and strategic consulting firm.
Thorsten Gutsche
Vice-President, Operations of ZE PowerGroup
Thorsten is an experienced executive who has built his international career through positions with European and Canadian based companies. He has a mix of large company, entrepreneurial and start-up company experience covering a variety of domains including ISP – telecommunications, IT (e.g. Cloud computing), systems hardware and enterprise software. Thorsten has benefited from the training and environment of Colt Telecom (Multi-Billion Dollar European Service Provider) and has taken the skills developed and implemented the best practices and choice processes in a number of ISP and start up’s. He has earned an international reputation as an operational focused executive that gets the job done and is able to build an excellent operation structure which is customer oriented and cost efficient.
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About Uniserve Communications, ZE PowerGroup: ZE PowerGroup is an experienced software development and strategic consulting firm.
Zak El-Ramly
President & CEO of ZE PowerGroup
Zak El-Ramly, a renowned industry expert and successful executive with over 40 years of experience, is the founder of the ZE family of companies with offices globally that provide software development, consulting services, and engineering design. Dr. Zak El-Ramly formed ZE in 1995 in response to progressive changes towards competition in electric power. This new Zak’s venture supported his continued involvement in market transformation and building tools to facilitate competitive market operation. ZE was initially formed to transfer competitive market principals and implement trade and risk policies and operations; the company soon transitioned to developing software products required to meet the growing needs of participants in energy and commodities markets. Dr. El-Ramly leads a diverse group of more than 250 professionals in his quest to continue delivering innovation and value to an impressive list of multinational clients. His vision and ambition drive the success the ZE family of companies enjoys today.
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About ZE PowerGroup: ZE PowerGroup is an experienced software development and strategic consulting firm.
Michelle Blake
Vice President & Resources Business Group Director, Canada of HDR Inc.
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About HDR Inc.: HDR Inc are specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services.
Alan Albert
President of MarketFit
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About MarketFit: MarketFit offers strategic advisory services, business coaching to CEOs, executives and product leaders worldwide.
David Farrell
President of Davisa Consulting
David is President of Davisa Consulting, a private consulting firm working with junior to mid-tier global mining companies. He has twenty years of corporate and mining experience, and has negotiated, structured and closed more than US$25 billion worth of M&A and structured financing transactions for junior and mid-tier natural resource companies. Prior to founding Davisa, he was Managing Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Endeavour Financial. Prior to Endeavour Financial, David was a lawyer at Stikeman Elliott, working in Vancouver, Budapest and London. David also serves as a director of Northern Vertex Mining (TSXV:NEE) where he sits on the audit and compensation committees. Farrell graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.Comm. (Honours, Finance) and an LL.B. and is called to the bar in both British Columbia and England. David also serves (since 2004) as a board and finance committee member of Yaletown House, a non-profit, critical-care seniors’ residence in downtown Vancouver.
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About Davisa Consulting: A private consulting firm working with junior to mid-tier global mining companies.
Michael Gililland
President, Business Development of AutoHouse Technologies
Mike first started out in the collision repair industry as an auto body technician and subsequently excelled in a variety of repair, insurance, and supply roles prior to founding AutoHouse. His early recognition of the critical role data and analytics would play in the industry has established a foundation from which to build and first mover advantage. Education ACETECH – Growth Strategy Program Certificate, Growth Strategy 2009 – 2010 Graduated from an extensive 2 year CEO mentoring and training program engaging in all aspects of the business operations. The ACETECH Growth Strategy Program (GSP) is a CEO mentoring and training organization that helps achieve higher performance, faster results with less risk. www.acetech.org University of British Columbia Honors Certificate – E-Business Management 2000 – 2001 Graduated with honors. Wilfrid Laurier University Business Administration 1995 – 1996″
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About AutoHouse Technologies: AutoHouse has developed proprietary, revolutionary post-consumer-sales software for this market on a SaaS.
Frederick W. Davidson
President, CEO and Director of Energold Drilling Corp
Fred Davidson is the President & CEO of Energold Drilling Corp. He attended The University of British Columbia.
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About Energold Drilling Corp: Canadian specialty drilling company.
Phillip Djwa
President and CEO of Agentic Communications Inc
Phillip Djwa has been working for more than 25 years in the high-technology industry. During this time, Phillip has worked on a wide range of technology and digital media projects in senior positions from Fortune 500 (AT&T), high-tech start-ups (Adcritic), to not-for-profit organizations (First Nations Education). He is an accomplished presenter and knowledgeable speaker on information and communications technology (ICT), especially as it applies in First Nations in BC. He has worked extensively with Aboriginal organizations on technology, including capacity building, connectivity to remote and rural communities, and elearning. He has sat on national Assembly of First Nations committees as well as the First Nations Technology Council, whom he continues to advise, as well as the Information Technology Council in Ottawa. Since 2000, Phillip has led strategy, and completed innovative web projects, as part of his company Agentic Communications Inc. Phillip’s credentials as a creative technologist offer a unique blend of technologist, creative lead and social scientist. His clients include Yale University, Global Zero, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Industry Canada, the Province of BC, Canadian Tourism Commission, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada Mortgage and Housing (Granville Island) and many other organizations. Lastly, as a career-long social entrepreneur, Phillip has volunteered for many worthwhile community initiatives, including Openmedia, the Western Front, the Vancouver Crisis Centre, the BC Community Connectivity Cooperative, the First People’s Heritage Council, and the Friends of Chamber Music.
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About Agentic Communications Inc: Agentic is a web development agency that provides core website design, strategy, and transformational digital media solutions.
Roger Burlton
President of Process Renewal Group
Roger T Burlton is the co-founder of BPTrends Associates, founder of Process Renewal Group and the author of ‘Business Process Management: Profiting from Process’. He is considered an industry leader in the introduction of innovative approaches for organizational change. He is recognized internationally for his contributions in Business Process Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Strategic Architecture Alignment, Prototyping and people based Project Management Methodologies. He is regarded as a realistic practitioner, who delivers pragmatic solutions for his clients. An exceptional speaker, he has chaired several high profile conferences on Advanced Business and Information Management around the world, including the IRM’s annual BPM Europe event. To date, he has conducted over six hundred seminars and has presented to over forty thousand professionals. His seminars have been translated for diverse audiences around the globe.
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About BPTrends Associates, Process Renewal Group: We are a consulting organization committed to helping our clients successfully manage business change.
Chris Goward
Founder and President of WiderFunnel
When companies like Google, IBM, Magento, and 1-800 Flowers want to improve their marketing results, they call Chris Goward. Chris founded WiderFunnel with the belief that marketing agencies should prove their value. He is the brain behind the LIFT Model® and Infinity Optimization Process™, conversion optimization strategies that consistently lift results for leading companies. He wrote the book, “You Should Test That!,” which redefined conversion rate optimization and has spoken at 300+ events globally, showing how to create dramatic business improvements.
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About WiderFunnel: At WiderFunnel, we create profitable ‘A-ha!’ moments for our clients every day.
Stephen Hughes
President, Manager of Proactive Business Solutions
I am the owner and general manager of Proactive Business Solutions – (www.pro-active-business-solutions.com) – a full service online Marketing & Communications Company. Over the past 12-months I have built the company from scratch, designed the website, acquired the technology, established a substantial business network across major platforms and negotiated reciprocal referral associations with other services companies. Most recently I have added additional services by entering into these Reciprocal Referral Associations with Company principals and I now offer a full suite of business development services. These include Business Planning, Mobile App’s, Web Design, S.E.O., Reputation Video Marketing, Legal Services and Identity Theft Protection and most recently Crowd Funding. I am now in a position where in order to launch I require a modest investment to cover my expenses for the first 6-months until I can establish a profitable and growing company.
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About Proactive Business Solutions: Our Company has been structured to function as an multi-faceted International Marketing and Business Development Consultancy.
David Gustin
Founder & President of Global Business Intelligence
David has served as the founder and president of Global Business Intelligence (GBI) since 1996 and has been running a global research and advisory practice centered on helping financial institutions, vendors and corporations with trade services, trade credit and financial supply chain matters. His formal education includes an Information Systems and Economics degree from Carnegie-Mellon University, an MBA from Purdue, and a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Along with Jason Busch and the Spend Matters Network, he is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Trade Financing Matters. David also established the first undergraduate FinTech course in Canada at Simon Fraser University and advises FinTech companies, Financial Institutions, and Specialty Lenders, with a focus on the B2B space, to help them with business models, partnering, talent, strategy, etc.
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About Global Business Intelligence: Global Business Intelligence
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