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Dr. Lincoln Smith is an experienced academic and industrial researcher with a broad scientific and business background.  In addition to being the ED at KIC, Lincoln is also the Director of Executive Research Partnerships and Enterprise Creation at TRU. His unique combined role at both TRU and Kamloops Innovation gives him the ability to provide leadership, expertise, and direction to the vibrant startup community in Kamloops.  

Hamed has spent most of his professional life working with tech companies in marketing positions and has helped build startup communities in the Middle East by creating and distributing relevant content and organizing events. In 2015 he co-founded TechRasa, a leading tech and startup media and consulting company focusing on the Middle Eastern market.

Shubham is passionate about pursuing entrepreneurship. He is currently studying Marketing and has a background in Hospitality and Hotel Administration. He has worked with startups and has helped build coworking communities in India. Shubham has also worked with Bennett Coleman and Co. Ltd. (Times Group), which is India’s largest media conglomerate.

John is a professional with strong achievements in both traditional business operations and digital-projects. His authority on the subject comes from over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur with ventures including founding a successful chain of stores and taking the lead on one of the first store automation projects in the country. John’s areas of expertise include Sales and Business Operations, Communication Strategy, Business Technology Implementation Team Building.

Stacey is the CEO of Pepper - Your Badass Business BFF inc., a local creative agency, and the founder of Conference + Chill: The Virtual Photo Gathering, one of the industry's first international virtual photography conferences. Her background in running a successful photography business and her passion for creativity and entrepreneurship make her an asset to those starting their business ventures.

Jonathan leads Two Story Robot, a software agency, and Path and Focus, a climate response startup.  He has been active in the Kamloops tech community for more than a decade. As an EIR he brings a wealth of experience in the cross section of technology and business. Outside of work he is an avid endurance athlete having finished 2 Ironman triathlons.

As Dean of Thompson Rivers University, Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, Mike helps people see possibilities, make connections, and build value for business and society. Drawing on his experience of 15 years as a senior academic leader, his political action work as an organizer and elected member of the legislature, his work in the private sector, his time leading non-profit health care, and his extensive community organization experience, Mike leads change and innovation.

John’s an Associate Teaching Professor of Business Law at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). A member in good standing with the Law Society of BC since 1988, he left private legal practice in 2011 to become CEO of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (Kamloops Indian Band). In this multi-faceted role John led a team of over 200 employees responsible for a wide variety of enterprises ranging from a working cattle ranch and retail gas station to providing social programs and operating an elementary school.

Kuldeep has over 30 years of enterprise IT experience in both the public and private sector. Early in his career at BCLC, he had multiple technical and management roles ranging from software development to infrastructure management to project/program management. In 2012, he co-founded a local software development company, beginning at KIC before moving to their own offices.  Kuldeep is currently the IT Manager at the City of Kamloops.

Fiona retired from her role as Assistant VP, Credit Risk Management of Business Development Bank of Canada for Western Canada in 2018. Currently she is a member of the Board of Directors of BC Lottery, Board member and Finance Chair for TRU Community Trust, Board Member and Treasurer of Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society. Fiona was a former Director and Treasurer with the Kamloops Symphony Society and has great interest in fostering music education for the young.

Pat is the VP of Business Technology and Chief Information Officer at BCLC. From the purchase and validation of lottery tickets at our over 3700 retailers, to sports betting or online casino on Playnow.com, to managing a complex network of 14,000 slot machines at 36 casino properties across the province, Pat is responsible for the technology that serves as the backbone for the business.