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 Alan Pelman
Alan Pelman recently retired as Vice President, Technology, Canada of Weyerhaeuser. Previously, he was Vice President of Research and Technology of MacMillan Bloedel. He holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from UBC, and began his career at Alcan Aluminum where he held a series of positions in technology management.
Prior to joining MacMillan Bloedel, Alan was President and CEO of Powertech Labs an applied technology company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of B.C. Hydro. He has served as Chair of the Canadian Advanced Industrial Materials Forum; Chair of the Innovation Management Association of Canada; on the board of PRECARN, a pre-competitive research consortium for artificial intelligence and robotics; as a member of NABST, the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology; and of the Ministers’ Advisory Committee for Science and Technology for Natural Resources Canada. Alan currently serves on the Boards of the National Research Council and of Genome BC. |
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 Basil Peters
Basil Peters is an active, early-stage investor and currently manages www.FundamentalTechnologiesII.com. He has a PhD in Electrical Engineering from UBC and has been a CEO here and in Silicon Valley.
As part of putting something back into the angel community, Basil is working on a blog at www.AngelBlog.net where he propagates best practices for angel investors and entrepreneurs. He is also a regular contributor to www.TheAngelJournal.com. Basil is currently the Chairman of Backbone.
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 Tanner Philp
Tanner Philp, is Chief Financial Officer and Partner of BC Advantage Funds, a venture fund focused on early stage life science, clean tech and technology companies.
Tanner is a Chartered Accountant who worked previously with KPMG. Tanner focuses his efforts on the fund’s technology and medical device investments. Tanner specializes in working with early stage public and private companies on all aspects of the financing process, including business plan development and evaluation, deal structuring, regulatory compliance, exchange listing, capital sourcing, M&A and corporate partnering. Tanner is a director of Vigil Health Solutions, Secretary of Urodynamix Technologies, Chairman of Conasys Consumer Assurance Systems, Secretary of RewardStream and an Observer at Zeugma Systems. Tanner was awarded the 2007 Early Achievement Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC.
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 Simon Pimstone M.D.
Simon Pimstone is a founder, director, and President & Chief Executive Officer at Xenon Pharmaceuticals. Xenon is a privately owned biotechnology company engaged in discovering and developing novel pharmaceuticals targeting genes and proteins that underlie human diseases. Xenon is one of Canada’s leading private biotechnology companies, having established itself as a leader in genetics-based drug discovery and development. Xenon’s track record includes the largest target and drug discovery deals in the history of biotechnology in Canada.
Simon received his MD from the University of Cape Town. He is an internal medicine specialist with an interest in cardiovascular disease. Simon is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and is also a regular guest speaker at international scientific meetings and healthcare conferences.
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 Brad Popovich MSc, Ph.D., FACMG
Brad Popovich is CEO and President of Sirius Genomics. Prior to joining Sirius, Brad was Vice President of Operations at Xenon Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that, he was a tenured professor at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) focusing on the characterization of the fragile X syndrome. Concurrently, he was also the Director for both the Clinical Genetic Laboratories and the DNA Diagnostic Laboratory in the University Hospital at OHSU where he was responsible for the development of molecular assays for a wide variety of genetic diseases.
Brad has been on the boards of Tm Bioscience and the American College of Medical Genetics, and he currently sits on the boards of the American College of Medical Genetics Foundation, DNA Direct, and Genome British Columbia. Dr. Popovich received his PhD from McGill University, and did his postdoctoral studies under Nobel Laureate, Dr. Oliver Smithies. He received his Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Clinical Training at the University of Wisconsin and the University of North Carolina Schools of Medicine.
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 Trent Punnett
Trent Punnett leads Marketing and Corporate Development for Sierra Wireless, with responsibility for global marketing and product management, business and product strategy and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Sierra Wireless, Trent spent 14 years in senior positions with Motorola in Vancouver, Chicago, and San Diego leading marketing, product management, business development and sales functions. During his career at Motorola, Trent worked with wireless data, cellular infrastructure, voice over IP, WiFi, broadband cable and DSL technologies, and he has significant experience in international markets and with major wireless and wireline telecom customers. Previous to Motorola, Trent was involved in the management consulting and commercial banking industries. Trent holds a Master of Science, Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.
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 David Raffa
David J. Raffa is a Partner and Chief Operating Officer and Partner of BC Advantage Funds, a venture fund focused on early stage life science, clean tech and technology companies. David focuses on the information and clean technology sectors.
David currently serves as a director, officer or advisory board member of a number of private and public technology companies including NxtGen Emission Controls, Mobidia, Voice Mobility, Contigo Systems and Rewardstream, among others. As Chairman of ActiveState, David led the successful sale of the company to Sophos PLC of the UK in September 2003. As co-founder of Amorfix Life Sciences, David helped grow the company from inception to the completion of an initial public offering in 2005. In 2007, David led the sale of Advantage portfolio company, Parasun Technologies, to Universe (TSX:USS). In 2004, David was named as one of BC's top 25 "New Elite" innovators in the technology industry by BC Business magazine.
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 Bob Rieder
Bob Rieder has been President & CEO of Cardiome Pharma since April 1998. In that time, Cardiome has raised more than $90 million, and has moved first to the TSX, then to NASDAQ. Under his leadership, Cardiome has completed a successful M&A transaction, executed a marketing partnership with Fujisawa Healthcare, and taken the Company’s lead molecule into phase III clinical studies.
Bob has extensive experience in venture capital investing and in operational management. He was previously Vice-President at MDS Ventures Pacific, the Vancouver-based affiliate of MDS Capital, and has served as a director for nine public and private technology companies. Bob was Chief Operating Officer for DBA Telecom, and CEO for Synapse Technologies. He currently serves as a director of Micrologix, Cardiome, Venta and Inovio Biomedical.
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 Bruce Ripley Ph.D.
Bruce Ripley has over 25 years of engineering experience in the hydroelectric industry, including 16 years with BC Hydro where he was Vice President, Engineering from 2004 through 2006. In this role he was responsible for delivery of engineering and construction projects for the generation, transmission and distribution systems of BC Hydro, with annual value of greater than $400 million.
Bruce has worked on projects in Canada, USA, China, Philippines and Australia. He is a former President of the Tunnelling Association of Canada, has sat on the Boards of Powertech and Science World, and has been a member of the Electric Power Research Institute's Research Advisory Committee. Bruce has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Civil) from the University of British Columbia, and Master and Doctor of Engineering degrees (Civil) from the University of California. |
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 Rick Rolston
Rick Rolston is cofounder and CTO of Ingenium Technologies. Ingenium provides integrated, web-based sales management/CRM services to the construction vertical market. Before Ingenium, Rick founded ConFax Publishing, providing construction sales leads to the Canadian building products/construction industry. Rick has also held senior positions with STP - Specialty Technical Publishers, Oxford Research and Meyer Systems/Rolston Controls. Rick has a BSc in Agricultural Economics from UBC.
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Patrick Rooney
Patrick Rooney is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Navarik, a privately held company that designs, develops, deploys and maintains web-based software systems for the maritime shipping industry. Prior to Navarik, Patrick was CEO and President of Kelsan Technologies, a company with technology and products designed to control friction between the wheel and rail for the global rail industry. Patrick turned that company around and then sold it to Portec Rail for $20 million in cash.
Prior to joining Kelsan, Patrick was Director of Supply and Distribution at Viridian, a publicly traded fertilizer company where he managed supply and distribution activities and facilities in Canada and the U.S. He has extensive business and legal experience in joint ventures, technology transfers and mergers and acquisitions, including several years with McCarthy Tetreault in Toronto. Patrick has a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics & Political Science in England.
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 David Shore
David Shore is a partner of Stirling Mercantile, a Vancouver based investment bank established in 1998. David’s background combines the establishment of IT-related entrepreneurial ventures with consulting for early stage financing and mergers and acquisitions. David’s M&A activity, most recently with CIBC Investment Banking in Vancouver, included non-asset backed debt and equity financings and M&A intermediary services to mid-market firms. Today, David focuses on helping early stage IT companies prepare and execute financing plans.
David is a director of BC Advantage Funds, a member of the Advanced Systems Institute Business Advisory Board, has been a mentor for Telus New Ventures BC since it’s inception in 2001. David also sits on the advisory board of several local start-ups.
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 Derek Spratt
Derek Spratt is President & CEO of Mobidia. He is also a director of Alt Software, and a director of Shelby Ventures. Derek was the founder and past CEO of Intrinsyc Software, and currently serves as an advisor to the Company on an adhoc basis. In the past, Derek was a co-founder and CEO of Consequent Technologies, a co-founder and past President/EVP of PCS Wireless, a VP and Business Unit Manager of Nexus Engineering, and a Product Development Manager in Motorola's Wireless Data Division. He also been involved with a number of other technology companies including ERNEX/CSI Credit Systems, Integra Systems, Canysco Industries, DBA Telecom, Cambian, Image Power, and Icron Technologies.
In the non-profit sector Derek has served as a board member and Vice Chair of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum, a board member and sponsorship Chair of AceTech, a member of the Toronto Stock Exchange Advisory Committee, a member of the BC Securities Commission NEAT committee, and a board member and Program Chair for Softworld.
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 Arran Stephens
Arran Stephens has been at the leading edge of the organic food and sustainable movements for most of his life. During 1971 to 1981, Arran opened Canada’s first whole foods restaurant, followed by two LifeStream natural supermarkets. He and wife Ratana, COO, began Nature's Path Foods in 1985. Today, Nature's Path is North America’s largest certified organic breakfast foods company, employing over 300 people, operating out of 440,000 sq. ft. of certified organic facilities in British Columbia, Ontario and Washington State.
In September 2002 the CHFA bestowed its first-ever Organic Award of Excellence for Arran’s outstanding commitment to organic and sustainable food production. In October 2002 he received Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of The Year award and a further Special Citation for Product Development and Marketing Excellence. In recognition of its progressive HR practices, MacLean’s Magazine and MediaCorp included Nature’s Path Foods in “Canada’s Top 100 Employers” for the past three years in a row.
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 Karole Sutherland
Karole Sutherland’s 30-year career in healthcare encompasses roles in hospitals, healthcare education, prehospital care, and biotechology. Karole joined QLT in 1987 and was the first member of the clinical research department. She was a member of the oncology, ocular and urology clinical project teams as well as on the joint development teams with Novartis, Lederle, Sanofi and Beaufor-Ipsen. As a core-team member she participated in three successful FDA approvals. Most recently she served as Director of Clinical Operations at QLT with responsibility for all aspects of clinical trial management, outsourcing, financial reporting and management and optimization of business processes.
In 2005, Karole established a consulting practice providing services in clinical trial planning and management, project team organization and development, process and workflow optimization, budget and resource planning and outsource provider management. In addition she serves as VP, Clinical Operations for Allon Therapeutics.
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 David Turner
David Turner has substantial international business experience in the life sciences industry, having lived and worked in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. He is a UK trained Chartered Accountant by profession.
David is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lignol Energy, a biofuels company. He has held senior executive positions with a number of large public and private corporations, has led several public financings involving foreign issuers on international stock exchanges and has managed an organization with over $1 billion in revenues and 1,000 employees.
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 Mike Volker
Mike Volker serves as the Director of the Industry Liaison Office of Simon Fraser University. In 1973, he founded Volker-Craig, a computer terminals company that was acquired in 1981. In 1988, he accepted the role of Executive Director of the BC Advanced Systems Institute, an organization dedicated to technology development and technology transfer. From 1991 to 1996, Mike was Chairman & CEO of RDM Corporation (formerly Mindflight). From 1996 to 2001 he was Chairman of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum and continues as an active director of that organization, including managing the Vancouver Technology Angel Network.
Mike serves on the Board of Visiphor and has taught courses in engineering, economics, design and management at the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, and Kansas University. Mike obtained his Bachelor of Science (1972) and Masters of Science (1973) degrees from the University of Waterloo. Mike also served a maximum term as a Governor of the University of Waterloo (1987 - 1993).
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 Chris Wagner
Chris Wagner joined Sirius Genomics with 15 years of experience in marketing, sales and business development. Sirius is a private biotechnology company that is focused on developing DNA-based diagnostic and pharmacogenetic tests for critical care. Sirius' first product is a pharmaco-genomic test for sepsis, a systemic blood infection.
Previously, Chris was with Aspreva Pharmaceuticals as the Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Business Development and Vice President of Alliance Management. During his four year tenure there, Chris directed and oversaw all aspects of Aspreva's marketing policies, objectives and initiatives for all markets worldwide. Prior to Aspreva, Chris was with Eli Lilly as an international service employee working in Europe, North American and Asia with positions based in Toronto, Indianapolis and Boston. He has worked on the marketing plans for 15 product launches, including biologics and small molecules, with annual sales ranging from tens of millions to over $4 billion dollars per year.
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 Sean Wise
According to Canadian Business magazine, Sean Wise is one of Canada’s leading experts on raising venture capital. Sean has trained over 500 CEOs in venture capital fundraising over the last several years. He has five years of professional services and over 15 years of entrepreneurial services. To date, Sean has founded or co-founded five venture companies.
Sean helped found Ernst & Young’s Venture Capital Advisory Group in Canada and now works with young technology companies looking for strategic guidance on capital raising and growth through Wise Mentor Capital. Sean sits on the boards of several young technology companies, as well as the University of Toronto’s eXcelerator, the MIT Enterprise Forum and the Toronto Venture Group.
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 Jack Wood
Jack Wood has had an extensive career in the pharmaceutical and health care industry, most recently as President of CSL Bioplasma, an Australian based provider of health care products. He served as a Director for its US based subsidiaries CSL (USA), and ZLB Behring. He has held senior executive positions with companies including Baxter Healthcare, Bayer and BioResponse.
A business graduate from the University of Saskatchewan, Jack was an officer in the Canadian military retiring with the rank of Major. Jack currently sits on the Board of Directors for QLT and enGene. |
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 Leonard Zapalowski
Len Zapalowski has held leadership positions with some of Vancouver’s most successful companies including Nexus Engineering, Creo Products, NCompass Labs and Simba Technologies. He is currently Senior Vice President, Product Strategy at Pivotal where he initiated and leads its innovative vertical solutions programme. Additionally, he was Chairman of the Advanced Systems Institute, and director of Brightwave Technologies.
Len has extensive experience in both start-up environments and large multinational organizations. He has broad global leadership experience, having led Sales, Marketing and Business Development initiatives in North America, Asia and Europe. His interests are currently focused on investment opportunities in energy technology and enterprise software.
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