Board Chair
Jennifer is a technology mentor, advisor and angel investor. She is a former executive in the information technology and services industry, with experience in Enterprise Software, SaaS, Go-to-market Strategy, Strategic Partnerships. Advocate for girls and women in STEM. Jennifer holds board positions with Invest Ottawa & the Wabano Centre. She is also a Co-Founder of the SheBoot bootcamp program.
Board Secretary & Selection Chair
Former high tech executive, now focussed on angel investing and advising early stage companies. Founder of the Capital Angel Network
Board Treasurer
Jim was instrumental in establishing Cliffbrake Corporation as a family office in January 2021 where he is responsible for financial and tax strategy.
Together with Steve and Nina, he reviews all potential new investments. Prior to moving to Cliffbrake, Jim spent the previous 12 years as CFO of affiliated company The Regional Group of Companies Inc., a period of dramatic growth in revenue, profitability and employment – all of which grew by more than 500%.
Prior to joining Regional Group, Jim acted as CFO of software company Eedo Knowledgeware, where he successfully negotiated a profitable sale for the founders.Jim has a strong commitment to the community, currently acting as a volunteer board member for the Capital Angel Network.
Board Member & Chair EdCom
As co-founder of a consulting firm catering to the public sector, Marisa helped build, grow, and ultimately sell the firm. As Ametrine 360 principal, she lends her expertise to strategic projects. Marisa is a SheBoot champion, coach, and investor and angel investor with the Capital Angel Network
Board Member
A seasoned global technology investor, executive and leader in multiple technologies and Life Science markets. He sits on several charities, NFP and business boards. He brings an astute eye as to how to be successful with innovation and transformation.
Experience in 43 countries and 37 Start-Ups including his own: OctaPoint, Zivex, Inter-Security, Green Water, Haggle Now. David has worked as a mentor and consultant with many successful exits and has raised over $45 Million USD. Previous roles include Global Vice President Corel, CEO of D-Tech, Shatter, Haggle Now, Inter-Sec, UltraPreneur. His mission is to mentor entrepreneurs for rapid growth. BSc. MBA-ITM, Governor General Award recipient.
Board Member
Vaibhav Luthra is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur and impact investor. In his current role as Chief Revenue Officer at Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc., Vaibhav is leading the global commercialization strategy for an AI-powered platform transforming Maritime defense, security and supply chains.
He is an active member of the startup and non-profit ecosystem in Ottawa serving on the Board of Directors of the Capital Angel Network and Mindtrust Leadership, with a particular passion for helping the next generation of leaders cultivate the soft skills needed to thrive in an increasingly volatile world.
As an impact investor, he brings a strong track record in developing business solutions capable of harmonizing growth, profit and impact. With a 20+ year career - supporting over 100+ deep-tech companies in developing successful capital raising, commercialization and organizational development strategies – he is proud to share the breadth and depth of his global experience with new generations of leaders and entrepreneurs.
Board Member
Sandra, VP at Tesceleration Investments Inc., and SheBoot champion and investor, is passionate about adding value and advocating for Ottawa's startup ecosystem. With extensive experience in business development and strategic planning, Sandra brings her expertise and leadership skills to the Capital Angel Network team.
Board Member
Passionate about building and launching new companies, Mathieu is actively involved in the Ottawa startup community. Mathieu sits on multiple boards and is Managing Director at Ventured Synergy, a private investment firm focused on early-stage companies. Mathieu has a strong inclination for startups with deep technology roots but also works with any exceptional team with disruptive business models, regardless of the industry. His latest venture, Northern Nanopore Instruments, develops deep tech that will lead to disruptive applications in digital diagnostics, next-generation information storage, genomics, and proteomics.
Board Member
Naomi became an entrepreneur over ten years ago when she formed a law firm focused on advising entrepreneurs and knowledge-based businesses during both good and challenging times, starting from launch, to financing, growth, pivot/change, and ultimately exit.Naomi Morisawa De Koven is the managing lawyer of MDK. Naomi is an active charter member of TiE Ottawa, a past recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Forty under 40, and a volunteer director of several not-for-profit organizations. Prior to moving to Ottawa, she was a Toronto-based partner at a national law firm.Naomi earned a B.A. from McGill University, an LL.B. at the University of Toronto, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995.
Executive Director
Suzanne’s mission at Capital Angel Network is to demystify and open access to early stage investment.
She joined CAN on a fractional basis following 15 years in CEO roles, from tech non-profit, med-tech startup and a bootstrapped strategic communications agency and publishing house she founded in Qatar.
Suzanne is a dealmaker, leading and closing $30M in commercial sales and financing for her ventures. She has advised hundreds of founders on their positioning, path to market and investment strategies.
Suzanne is a Facilitator and EIR for the SPRING Elevate Program, and serves on two founding Boards - Veteran Business Institute Network and The Canadian - Qatar Business Council. She is currently onboarding as fund advisor with emerging venture funds.
In 2023 Suzanne volunteered to develop CANLABS inspired by investment decision insights. The program supports accelerator grads sharpening their investment round and closing strategies.
Suzanne’s career origins are as an engineering officer in the Canadian Airforce and Army, where she led a pilot bringing Technoclogy leadership into the Canadian NORAD Command Centre and was officer commanding of the Electronic Warfare Squadron Intelligence School
She advocates and lives by peace and equitable opportunity.
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