Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures. Through its world-leading Incubator, Skills Academy and investment fund, DMZ empowers founders to scale high-impact ventures, helps students develop entrepreneurial mindsets and equips professionals to thrive in today’s fast-moving economy.

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Committed to leveling the playing field for all entrepreneurs, Abdullah has championed several initiatives for underserved founders designed to meet them where they are. Through DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs, Women Innovation Programs and catered streams for Indigenous founders, DMZ offers curated support, ensuring everyone has a fair shot at success.

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Under Abdullah’s leadership, the global startup ecosystem has significantly expanded its impact by establishing global hubs across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia; broadening its support to serve upskilling professionals in tech and business foundations; and launching DMZ Ventures’ investment fund for pre-seed and seed-stage tech startups.

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Beyond his work at DMZ, Abdullah serves on the Board of Directors for the Rideau Hall Foundation, the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation, SPEC Labs and the Elevate Advisory Board. Recognized globally and nationally for his leadership in business and innovation, Abdullah is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and serves as a member of the Forbes Tech Council.  He has previously served as a Board Director for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation and held roles with the Canadian Armed Forces, Fairmont Hotels and Marriott Hotels & Resorts.

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Abdullah holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and MBA and BComm degrees from Toronto Metropolitan University.

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Favourite travel destination?

Havana.

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How do you relax?

Listen to Andrea Bocelli or Drake.

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What is your favourite movie of all time?

The Godfather.

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What is one item you never leave your house without?

A positive mindset.

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Best part about working at the DMZ?

The people and being in the best city in the world.

As the Manager of Partnerships at DMZ, Alex helps facilitate and implement strategic relationships between the founders, partners and the DMZ.

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Alex recently worked for the Career and Co-op & Student Success department at Toronto Metropolitan University. He collaborated with existing and new partners to gain insight into their early talent goals and employment strategies. Alex facilitated on-campus events such as career fairs, resume workshops, TED Talks, mock interview sessions, and off-campus events like hackathons, mentorship programs, and job shadowing. Alex’s expertise in partnership management and his ability to connect employers with students made him a valuable asset to the university.

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Before joining TMU, Alex spent over a decade working with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he played a crucial role in helping fans and corporate partners alike grow their businesses and passion for the team. Specifically, his exceptional relationship management skills fostered strong connections that contributed to the team’s revenue growth and overall performance. Alex built a reputation as a trusted partner and a valuable asset to the organization.

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Best elevator pitch line?

I’m terrified of elevators; I’ve been taking steps to avoid them.

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Cats or dogs?

Dogs - Proud Corgi Owner.

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What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

Farmer.

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Favourite book?

Racing in the Rain.

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If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza.

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As Sr. Manager of Global Programs, Alix oversees operations across 11 locations, fostering collaboration and efficiency within a diverse global network. With a focus on advisory services and business development, Alix works alongside governments, universities, and NGOs to design innovative programs that drive meaningful impact.
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Committed to helping startups scale globally, Alix connects businesses with the resources, mentorship, and ecosystems needed to thrive. By advancing strategic partnerships and global initiatives, Alix empowers organizations to navigate complex challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
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Outside of work, Alix is actively involved with a Lebanese dog rescue group where she met the love of her life Albi, a blind miniature poodle. Alix is also an avid traveler, with her favourite destinations being Greece and Morocco.

Most used app?

Uber

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What would your dream holiday be?

Giraffe Manor in Kenya

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What’s the first thing you’d buy if you won a million dollars?

A week at Giraffe Manor :)

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What's your true passion?

The environment and ecological restoration!

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Pick two celebrities to be your parents.

Posh and Becks

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Amin is the Global Business Development Lead at DMZ, where he focuses on outreach and qualifying mission-aligned partners to launch revenue-generating, founder-first programs leveraging DMZ’s offerings. Prior to joining DMZ, he worked with startups across MENA, Europe, and North America, specializing in outbound strategy, partnerships, and founder-led sales.

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A passionate traveller, Amin spent five years as a digital nomad and is fluent in both Arabic and English. He has also dedicated time to rescuing and fostering dogs in Lebanon, a reflection of his strong affinity with animals.

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Outside of work, Amin can often be found near the water, on the slopes, or tuning into podcasts. A dedicated coffee enthusiast and motorcycle fan, he spent two years rebuilding his father’s 1985 Suzuki bike—always with a cup of coffee in hand.

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Favourite quote?

"The only way out is through."

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If I could have any superpower, I would choose …

Make dogs live forever.

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Which person, living or dead, would you have dinner with?

Nikola Tesla.

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Favourite food?

Lebanese.

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Your first memory of the DMZ?

 The coffee machine!

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As a Programs Coordinator, Armin works closely with the Programs Manager to support founders within the DMZ’s programs while driving execution and operational efficiency across the team. Armin plays a key role in ensuring seamless coordination, follow-through, and impact within the DMZ programs team.

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With a background in Electrical Engineering, Armin began his career in the engineering field before transitioning to his true passion, the startup world. He spent several years working as a Product Manager at a tech startup in the IT sector, where he honed his skills in product development, cross-functional collaboration, and project execution.

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During his master’s degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University, Armin explored a wide range of innovation projects and startup initiatives, further deepening his understanding of how to turn ideas into scalable ventures. He brings a balance of technical insight, operational discipline, and creative problem-solving to projects, helping founders and teams execute effectively and achieve results

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

F1 Driver.

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Favourite movie/TV show?

Mr. Robot.

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Coffee or tea?

Coffee

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Best advice you’ve been given?

Worrying will never fix anything.

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As the Marketing and Communications Assistant, Chasya plays an essential role in enhancing DMZ’s presence in the tech industry. Through collaborating with the marketing team to develop diverse marketing strategies and conducting market research, she also aids in content creation for social media management.

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Chasya’s journey in the industry began as a Digital Communications Assistant in her hometown of Scarborough, where she honed her skills in crafting written articles, designing promotional materials, and creating captivating social media content. Through her experience in curating communication and marketing materials, Chasya developed a strong commitment to being the creative voice that unites people through shared passions. She aspires to further enhance her communication skills, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Creative Director. She wishes to continue to be an integral part of creating compelling messages that engage diverse audiences and foster unity. Chasya has a passion for visual arts, and in her free time, she sketches, paints, and explores new artistic mediums.

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Chasya is a 2022 Toronto Metropolitan University alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication.

If I could have any superpower I would choose …?

Teleportation!

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Pick one song to be your non-stop background music?

Break from Toronto by PARTYNEXTDOOR.

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One item you don’t leave your house without?

My AirPods (because I always need to be listening to music)

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Favourite guilty pleasure reality TV show?

Love Island UK.

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Happiness is ______

Summer time in Toronto.

As the Black Innovation Program Assistant at DMZ, Chris Udoeyop plays a key role in supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of the Black Innovation Program. He manages events, communications, stakeholder engagement, and program operations, while also providing administrative, research, and community engagement support to ensure initiatives serving Black founders are delivered effectively and continuously improved.Prior to joining DMZ, Chris built experience as a publicist and digital marketer at various record labels before founding Perfect Math, a Black-owned marketing and communications agency in Toronto.

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He also worked as a music and culture journalist for outlets including Complex and Noisey by Vice, refining his editorial voice and storytelling skills.Chris is currently a third-year student in the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he returned last year as a mature student. Passionate about communication, technology, and law, he hopes to pursue a career as an intellectual property and transactional lawyer.

Favourite album?

Drake - Nothing Was The Same

Favourite sport?

Football. American Football, lol

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

What song best describes your work ethic?

21 Savage - Whole Lot

If you could be on any reality show, what would it be?

Big Brother

As the Programs Execution Lead, Delaram ensures the smooth execution of the Pre-Incubator and Incubator programs and oversees the programs administrative and logistical components. Along with the DMZ team, Delaram aims to foster an environment where startups can flourish and achieve their highest potential.

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Before moving to Canada, Delaram was deeply engaged in the vibrant world of marketing as she dedicated many years to the field. One of the peaks in her professional journey was working with the marketing team at Lufthansa Group, an aviation company with worldwide operations. She developed local yearly B2C marketing plans and managed integrated marketing campaigns in the Dubai Region.

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A pull toward entrepreneurship increased for Delaram, and her focus on entrepreneurship led her to move to Canada. She’s surrounded by a community alive with innovation and gets a thrill from guiding and supporting international entrepreneurs. By building on her previous experience and insights from her Master’s degree, she’s dedicated to nurturing and amplifying fresh ideas.

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Delaram earned a Master’s in Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology at the University of Waterloo.

Favourite animal?

I'm a huge fan of penguins! Their sociable nature just warms my heart.

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Describe your desk space.

Looking at my desk, it might seem chaotic, but I promise I've got a system and can help you pinpoint anything you need!

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What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear? Flying. It's a challenge every time!

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Coffee or tea?

Coffee all the way! It's my daily fuel.

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Favourite childhood book?

Anne of Green Gables.

As Manager of the Centre for Housing Innovation (CHI), Deniz leads government-funded programs to advance solutions in tackling the urgent issues in Canada’s housing industry. She built partnerships with leading organizations, supported CMHC’s Level Up Challenge, and leveraged municipal and government relations to adopt new technologies, materials, and construction approaches.

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With a decade of experience in corporate innovation and program leadership, she began her career at Turkiye’s industry giant, Sabanci Holding, building entrepreneurship programs and designing corporate innovation partnerships. This foundation informs her work at CHI, where she guides companies through multi-cohort accelerator and training programs, helping them navigate product development, commercialization, and industry partnerships.

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Holding a master’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa, Deniz applies her understanding of governance, policy, and regulatory environments to advance housing innovation. Design Thinking training at the Hasso Plattner Institut in Potsdam complements her approach, enabling human-centred solutions to complex sector challenges.

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Originally from Ankara, Türkiye, she moved to Canada in 2021 and now calls Toronto home.

Alternative career choice?

Journalism. To whet my appetite, I write for a Turkish news outlet as a political columnist from time to time.

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Favourite shop:

Indigo. If I’m not taking your calls, you can find me in the coffee table books section.

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If she could learn anything:

I would love to be a hyperpolyglot and achieve fluency in multiple languages.

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Dream dinner guest:

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the modern Turkiye.

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Favourite childhood book:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. [Spoiler] I always knew that Snape was a true gem.

Leaning on 10-years of experience working in government, Dove will work with the DMZ team as well as portfolio companies to navigate the Canadian political and regulatory landscape. Dove will also find ways to bridge policy gaps as well as work to source funding and grant opportunities for our portfolio companies.

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Dove is an experienced public relations and government affairs professional with a background in community outreach, stakeholder management, program development, project management, social procurement, and communications. After graduating from Toronto Metropolitan University with a bachelor’s degree in human resources from the Ted Rogers School of Management, Dove worked as a senior advisor for the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, where he focused on operations as well as policy development and implementation.

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Dove played an integral role on the team that secured 2.7 billion pieces of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also assisted with accelerating COVID-19 vaccine dose availability by two quarters from the original forecasted timeline. Prior to these positions, he was an entrepreneur for his start-up, The Player Project, a fantasy sports platform where he oversaw product and business development.

Favourite superhero?

Batman

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When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?  

Some people want to be firefighters, some people want to walk on the moon. I wanted to be the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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Favourite food?

I make a pretty awesome tandoori chicken mac and cheese. Bring tums though….

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Coffee or tea?

Tea, always in all ways.

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Favourite vacation spot?

Nashville

Emily manages DMZ’s marketing, communications, and public relations strategies, helping position the organization as a world-leading startup ecosystem. She oversees initiatives that strengthen DMZ’s profile globally – from launching international programs and building corporate partnerships to amplifying the voices of founders through media, brand storytelling, and thought leadership.

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Before joining DMZ in 2020, Emily built her career across tech, education, and tourism – experiences that cemented her passion for supporting students, entrepreneurs, and Canada’s thriving startup communities.

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Emily holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Professional Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Favourite travel destination?

Cappadocia in Turkey. Hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky every sunrise. It was the most magical place I've been, hands down.

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What is one item you never leave your house without?

My emotional support water bottle.

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Favourite pizza topping?

Not just for pizza, but for every food - Okazu miso chili oil, if you haven't tried it, you're missing out.

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What is your hometown?

St. John’s, Newfoundland. East coast best coast :)

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

Learning from many brilliant minds - founders and staff both!

Eva is leader and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience building teams, launching ventures, and driving strategic growth. Known for her decisiveness, charisma, and results-driven mindset, she has successfully led complex programs and business initiatives across the startup and hospitality sectors. She currently works within the startup ecosystem, supporting founders as they build and scale their ventures through mentorship, programming, and strategic guidance. Eva comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, most of her family and extended family are all founders.

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Before transitioning into higher education and innovation, Eva co-founded and operated Leave it to us Inc., a pioneering staffing agency in Toronto that grew to more than 1,000 contractors and a full-time team, and created a SaaS software to streamline operations. Her entrepreneurial background gives her a practical, hands-on understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a business.

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Outside of work, Eva is passionate about wellness, fitness, and creating meaningful experiences with the people she loves. She enjoys Pilates, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones. She also has a deep love for dogs, especially her golden doodle; Haloumi!

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Favourite movie/TV show?

Shameless

Favourite vacation spot?

Lebanon in the Summer

Advice for a new entrepreneur?

The way you do anything is the way you do everything! Be intentional with every step, every decision.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hard boiled eggs with peanut butter and flakey salt

Favourite part about being an entrepreneur/working for yourself?

Watching an idea evolve into a full-scale business, one that supports people financially and creates meaningful opportunities for growth is incredibly rewarding. Entrepreneurship comes with significant sacrifice, but the impact and fulfillment it brings far outweigh the challenges. The payoff goes far beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

Evan works as part of the operations team to support the finance function of DMZ, working under the Manager of Finance and Business Analytics.

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He is from Portlaoise, Ireland, where he graduated from the University of Limerick with a Bachelor of Business Studies. Evan’s experience spans across accounting, purchasing and audit roles. He previously lived in the north of Spain for a few months as part of an exchange program in college. Outside of work, he enjoys playing music and golf. Evan is also a member of a Gaelic Football (Irish Football!) club based in Toronto.

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What is your hometown?

Portlaoise, Ireland.

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Favourite travel destination?

Northern Spain.

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How do you relax?

Playing guitar, Gaelic football, golf.

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Favorite album?

‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory’ by Oasis.

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Favorite TV Show?

Suits.

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Freeman Chow joined DMZ in 2017 as the Finance & Business Analytics Manager. In this role, he oversees all of DMZ’s finances and budgets.

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Freeman’s experience includes nine years working in the healthcare and university sector. Throughout his career, he’s worked at The Hospital for Sick Children, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Community Services where he oversaw project and operating budgets while working closely with the program faculty and key university stakeholders.

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Most recently he was awarded the Larissa Allen Employee Experience Award, which recognizes outstanding work by TMU staff, and completed an MBA with a focus on management and international business.

Cats or dogs?

Yes

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Describe your desk space:

Method to my madness

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Coffee or tea?

Coffee

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What's your go to karaoke song?

Don't rain on my parade - Barbra Streisand

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How do you relax?

Meditate

Heer is currently a Bachelor of Commerce candidate specializing in Business Technology Management, with a proven track record in event planning and development within academic settings. She is passionate about crafting engaging experiences that connect communities and drive conversation. She is building a unique career path at the intersection of law and artificial intelligence, aiming to leverage her strategic and analytical skills in these innovative fields. Outside of her professional pursuits, she channels her creativity into design and is dedicated to fostering professional development for aspiring students.

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Favourite animal?

Sea Otters.
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Favourite joke/a joke to share with the DMZ?

What's a ghosts favourite type of spreadsheet?

A BOO-lean.
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Favourite movie/TV show?

Good Will Hunting

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Favourite guilty pleasure reality TV show?

Selling Sunset.

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Favourite sport?

Hockey.

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Ishaa will be working as an Operations and Administrative Assistant at the DMZ. Her role aims to provide front-line support to multiple departments, keeping up to date with new information, providing customer service to internal and external stakeholders, and assisting with events at the DMZ. Ishaa is a second-year sociology student at TMU, as well as Co-President of TMU UX. UX, which stands for User Experience, is all about user-centric design and finding ways to develop ideas that are in the best interest of the consumer. These ideas can be applied to products, systems, or services, and include strategies for continuous improvement. Ishaa hopes to use what she's learned to one day have a company and design her own unique products. In her spare time, Ishaa loves to engage in thrill-seeking activities with friends, compete in design competitions, and shoot 4k videos for her social media.

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One item you don’t leave your house without?

My glasses ( I can't see )

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Alternative career choice?

I would've loved to become an Industrial Engineer!
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Favourite viral YouTube video?

I met ronaldo.

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Coffee or Tea? ‍

None. Hot water with a spoon of honey

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Proudest accomplishment?

Getting to work at the DMZ!

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As Senior Programs Lead for DMZ, Jamelia helps founders turn ideas into scalable businesses. In her role she creates and delivers programming designed to help entrepreneurs move through key growth milestones, from early-stage validation to customer acquisition and scaling. By working alongside founders as a trusted partner, she provides strategic advice, operational support, and connections to mentors, workshops, and resources that enable meaningful progress.

Prior to joining DMZ in 2022, Jamelia had been working to support Ontario’s economic growth through her role at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; advocating for small and medium-sized businesses in the province.

Graduating from York University with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and English, Jamelia had the desire to study internationally and broaden her understanding of social policy programs across the globe, completing a Master’s degree in International Social Policy.

She has a diversity of work experience, having worked in education, for small businesses, NGOs and the city of Toronto. She is looking to apply the skills gained from her background to her role at DMZ.

Favourite superhero?

Batman!

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Favourite quote?

“Do or do not, there is no try.” - Yoda

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What would your dream holiday be?

Maldives.

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First job?

Figure Skating Instructor.

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Who or what inspires you?

My mother.

As the Social Media Coordinator, Joe coordinates all aspects of DMZ’s social media channels, digital brand awareness, content strategy, video, graphic and photo content development.

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Joe is passionate about fostering growth on social channels through emerging content trends and data-driven strategy. Before joining DMZ, Joe worked in the sports social media space for five years with teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Canadian Football League. His work in sports has allowed him to tell stories for audiences across Canada. At DMZ, Joe is looking to tell stories globally while promoting the TMU community. Joe is a proud alumnus of TMU’s RTA School of Media with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production.

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Favourite sport

Hockey

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A digital invention you can't wait to see come true:

Electric planes

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Favourite movie or TV character:  

Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker

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Which person, living or dead, would you have dinner with?

Anthony Bourdain

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One piece of fashion advice?

Buy more used clothing

Jose joined DMZ in July 2018. As the Space & Tech Coordinator, Jose maintains and inspects the DMZ office to ensure the space is functional, which includes troubleshooting, organizing equipment and supporting special projects. He also provides technical support to all DMZ members and staff.

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Jose has worked in the production industry setting up stages and organizing several events. Jose is a McMaster University graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering and Management in Mechatronics Engineering and he enjoys a variety of activities in his spare time including playing soccer, watching musical theatre, playing video games, and reading books.

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Where is your hometown?

Lima, Peru

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What is your favourite book of all time?

The Battle of the Labyrinth

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Favourite travel destination?

Punta Cana

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What is a crazy, but true, fact about yourself?

I have produced a musical.

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

The people and the food.

As DMZ’s Product Development Manager, Justin manages and maintains all information systems for DMZ. He also builds web applications and implements new technology where it is needed to support staff and startups. Justin joined DMZ’s team in July, 2017.

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Justin is a proud Toronto Metropolitan University, Mathematics with Computer Science graduate who graduated with several co-op placements under his belt, including Deloitte’s Chief Technology Office working on database analytics. Justin embodies the qualities of an exemplar TMU Alumnus: natural entrepreneurial tendencies, an asset to this role.

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Beyond work, Justin is a soccer, squash and ping-pong player and enjoys the outdoors.

What’s your favourite travel destination?

Thailand

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What is a crazy, but true, fact about yourself?

I was a top chess player in Toronto in elementary school.

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

My coworkers are good-hearted, smart, passionate, kind and fun.

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What is your favourite movie of all time?

Interstellar

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If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

To fly.

As a Service and Events Assistant, Linh ensures the smooth execution of events while delivering exceptional support to clients and team members. Born and raised in Vietnam, Linh graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce – International Business from Seneca College. Moving to Canada was driven by her desire to experience life in a multicultural environment and embrace new perspectives.

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For the past two years, Linh has been working in the customer relations industry, where she has learned that people are at the heart of everything. She loves creating positive experiences, making sure every detail is just right, and connecting with others in a way that makes them feel valued. It’s what motivates her to keep growing and take on new challenges.

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When Linh’s not busy at work, you’ll likely find her swimming, painting, or indulging in a little retail therapy—especially when it comes to skincare! Taking care of herself and finding ways to recharge keeps her inspired and ready to tackle new challenges.

As the Public Relations Manager, Luvy acts as the primary media contact for the DMZ, promoting the success stories of DMZ founders, and special DMZ initiatives and activities. Luvy also assists the Marketing and Communications team with communications and promotional materials for campaigns.

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Born and raised in Ottawa, Luvy has a love for public policy and worked for the federal government in the capital for over three years. Before joining DMZ, Luvy was at a boutique communications agency, specializing in impact and community building. This marked the beginning of her work in Toronto’s innovation ecosystem, which left her inspired to continue her career amplifying powerful entrepreneurial stories.

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She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from a conjoint program offered by the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College.

Alternative career choice?

Professional Taste Tester

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When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An Astronaut

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Favourite animal?

Giraffes

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What is your biggest fear?

Frogs

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Best concert you’ve been to?

Beyoncé's Formation Tour in 2016

Marwan moved to Canada from Egypt five years ago and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He hosts the NATO Association of Canada’s podcast and writes analytical articles on global security and geopolitics. He also created an online course on geopolitical analysis. In his free time, he enjoys reading, meeting new people, playing sports and listening to music.

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Favourite movie/TV show?

Game of Thrones.

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Favourite vacation spot?  

Mexico.

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Proudest accomplishment?

Winning Egypt's boxing national championship.

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Happiness is ______

Quality time with friends and family.

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What would your dream holiday be?

Bag-pack for a few months.

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As the Event Marketing Assistant, Merziya supports DMZ’s Marketing & Communications team in coordinating and executing event logistics, developing marketing materials, and managing communications to ensure successful event outcomes and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

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With over four years of experience in the digital media industry, Merziya has worked on social media coordination, creative direction and marketing projects with brands like Adobe, Discovery Inc, Ford and The Ottawa Senators.

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Born and raised in Dubai, Merziya moved to Canada at the age of 12 and has a unique appreciation for various cultures and backgrounds. Her experience in digital marketing has helped her create successful campaigns and engaging content that resonates with vast audiences. When Merziya isn’t at work, she’s either shopping, travelling or watching trashy reality TV (she’s a sucker for Love is Blind). To balance it out, she is also an avid reader and loves a good suspense-filled novel (her current read is The Stranger by Albert Camus).

Favourite movie/TV show?

Coraline

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Favourite guilty pleasure reality tv show?

...Jersey Shore

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Favourite childhood game?

Guitar Hero (1,2 & 3)

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What do you miss about being a kid?

The lack of responsibility

As the Special Programs Manager, Mostafa manages and oversees special programs related to the priorities of the DMZ, from the development to the implementation stage.

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Mostafa likes to label himself as a jack of all trades / loopholes finder. Mostafa’s career spans several industries. He started off as a humanitarian worker for UN WFP and ICRC and moved to the cement industry. He then worked in heritage real estate before settling in the entrepreneurship and innovation sector.

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In his last role as Partners Success Manager for Plug and Play Egypt, Mostafa orchestrated a 5 countries wide Sustainability and GreenTech hackathon for PepsiCo Middle East covering Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates. He was also supporting accelerated startups in Business Development.

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Mostafa received the Chevening award to do his masters in Creative Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmith’s College, University of London in 2017-2018 and he is passionate about improving organizations and facilitating a sense of community.

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Favourite movie/TV show?

Gladiator, Dark Knight trilogy

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How do you relax?

Washing the dishes, playing with my daughter, and snacking

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Describe your desk space

Chaos

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What’s one thing people know you best for?

I love to connect people

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Favourite restaurant?

Dishoom in London, UK

Olivia is DMZ’s Administrative Support Specialist, where she provides admin support to the Office of the Executive Director. Olivia is a University of Toronto graduate from the Book and Media Studies program (with minors in Sociology and Anthropology). Before joining DMZ in October 2017 as a Scheduling Assistant, she spent seven years working in the hospitality industry as a Reservations Agent and PBX Operator at The Hazelton Hotel and Front Desk Agent at Le Germain Hotel.

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Olivia is also an avid reader, enjoys classic films, pilates and being outdoors. As a Cuban expat she speaks fluent Spanish and is a real whiz in the kitchen.

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What is your favourite book of all time?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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What is a crazy, but true, fact about yourself?

My relatives founded a small town in Ciego de Avila province in Cuba! When registering the town's name, it went unnoticed that there was typo and still to this day the "Fraxeda" town lives on!

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What is your favourite movie of all time?

Anything by Alfred Hitchcock.

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Which person, living or dead, would you have dinner with?

Catching up with all my grandparents. Enjoying a feast!

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Best concert you’ve been to?

The Rolling Stones (June 2019). My dad, nephew and I had a blast!

As Programs Director, Olivia is responsible for the development, implementation, management and evaluation of entrepreneurship programs tailored to propel tech startup founders towards success. Prior to joining the DMZ, Olivia dedicated 4 years at NEXT Canada, contributing to the success of the Next 36 and Next Founders Programs. Most recently, she spent 2 years in corporate venture capital at Compass Digital Ventures, where she honed her strategic insights into the startup landscape by managing a startup pilot portfolio. Passionate about fostering innovation ecosystems, Olivia is committed to equipping founders with essential tools to reach their goals.

Favourite sport?

Tennis

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Favourite Animal?

Dogs. They bring so much happiness to the world!

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Favourite childhood book?

The Giving Tree

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Alternative career choice?

Architect / Interior Design

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Favourite vacation spot?

Italy. Nothing beats the food

As the Skills Academy Programs Specialist at DMZ, Pouria collaborates with the Skills Academy team and other DMZ teams to assist students, aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders. Through programs and workshops, he and connects participants to skilled professionals and helps them enhance their skills and networks. In all, Pouria supports startups on their path to sustainable growth.

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Despite Pouria’s background in engineering, he’s always had a passion for tech startups. From a young age, he’s been fascinated with the complexities of technology and gained valuable experience in various areas such as product management, marketing, and business development. Pouria’s diverse background has given him a deep understanding of the business landscape and helped support his passion.

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Pouria co-founded teslakala.com, an e-commerce platform specializing in electrical and industrial equipment that achieved impressive growth with an annual expansion rate of over 200% for five years. From seeking further growth and learning opportunities, he moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree at Toronto Metropolitan University and is excited to use his skills and experience to contribute to DMZ’s success in innovative and dynamic environments.

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Pouria has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and dual master’s degrees– one in Industrial Systems and Productivity Management and the other in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An astronaut

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Favourite movie/TV show?

Friends

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If I could have any superpower I would choose …

Seeing the Future through Time Travel

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Favourite childhood book?

Robinson Crusoe

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Best advice you’ve been given?

Money doesn't bring happiness, focus on what brings you true joy in life

As Programs Lead, Rob designs, implements, and evaluates DMZ programming to optimize startup success, directly supporting founders through their journeys with the goal of helping them scale.

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Rob’s passion for education and innovation has been evident throughout his career. He previously taught business at Western University and was able to instruct hundreds of aspiring students and future leaders. As a lecturer he became a published author and responded to plenty of questions (the answer to most of which were, of course, in the syllabus). Rob also has experience in the startup ecosystem, having previously worked with a small team to organize and execute corporate hackathons, conferences, and design thinking workshops. Over the past few years, Rob has dedicated himself to supporting both domestic and international startups, helping to unlock their potential and set themselves up for success.

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Away from work, he often spends his time reading or checking out a new game—recommendations are always welcome!

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If you could be on any reality show, what would it be?

Survivor!

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Favourite cereal?

Multigrain Cheerios

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Best concert you’ve been to?

Black Country, New Road in Toronto

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Best advice you’ve been given?

“Dig in!” - My dad

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Favourite movie?

Tim Burton’s Big Fish

As the Program Specialist for DMZ’s Black Innovation Programs, Rotimi gets to be the ultimate sidekick for brilliant founders, helping them turn their bold ideas into thriving startups! From designing innovative programs to giving real-time advice, Rotimi is all about unlocking potential and guiding entrepreneurs through their epic growth journey.

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Rotimi is a startup enthusiast whose journey has taken him from launching e-commerce ventures in Nigeria to supporting founders across North America. He has worn many hats, from scaling beauty products on Amazon to helping student founders develop business models and take their startups to market. As the Programs Lead for Black Innovation Programs at DMZ, Rotimi is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and guiding them through their growth journeys. With experience in venture capital and startup ecosystems, he brings a unique blend of operational expertise and mentorship to the table, always eager to help founders succeed. Lifelong learning and innovation drive his work.

Scout takes his role as the Head of Social Committee at DMZ very seriously. This pooch has one mission: to spread endless cheer and create a tail-waggingly amazing work environment.

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With his infectious charm and an uncanny ability to sense when someone needs a little extra love, our startups and staff can always count on Scout to warmly greet them at DMZ. When it comes to team morale, Scout is always on duty. He organizes regular office celebrations, from barkday parties to pupcake bake-offs, ensuring that the smiles never fade.

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With his unwavering dedication to making everyone feel loved and welcomed, Scout is the epitome of what makes DMZ a truly special place to be.

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Shane oversees Alumni and Special Programs at DMZ. The department engages DMZ’s growing alumni network to give back to DMZ’s community, along with providing opportunities for them to benefit from DMZ’s ever-expanding global network. In addition, Shane also leads initiatives which exist outside of standard procedure at DMZ.

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Joining DMZ in the Fall of 2012 as a student staff, Shane graduated into a full-time role holding a variety of positions from front desk assistant to an operational coordinator, and ultimately landing on the programs team. Shane has led various programs, including the Validator/Incubator, developing DMZ’s first Accelerator, Playbook, and implementing the programming when DMZ moved from a membership fee model to an equity-based program over the pandemic.

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Shane holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Stephen King's Dark Tower Series

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Favourite travel destination?

San Fran

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

The view *swoon*

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How do you relax?

Music concerts, the Raptors, and video games

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What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Can't Hold Us by MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS

As a Sr. Programs Lead, Stephen works directly with startups across DMZ to support them on their journey. He also works on planning and executing a wide range of programming aimed at helping founders reach their goals.

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Ever since his university days, Stephen has had a strong passion for the startup space. Whether that be hosting events for fellow students interested in entrepreneurship or joining a seed-stage startup right after completing his Bachelors of Commerce at Queen’s University.

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Having been an avid gamer his whole life, Stephen then moved on to work with different gaming and e-sports startups in the Toronto ecosystem. This eventually led him to join The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation where he helped launch and manage Quest to Conquer Cancer, a brand new charity program working with the gaming community to raise funds for cancer research.

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Other than playing games on his PC, you can find Stephen doing too much research for fantasy basketball, or scrolling through Reddit at the nearest bubble tea shop.

Favourite vacation spot?

For somewhere relatively close, San Diego. But for an extended vacation Bali for sure.

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Coffee or Tea?

Coffee for sure, unless we're talking about bubble tea...

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Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Jimmy O. Yang.

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Last great movie you saw?

Spider-Man: No Way Home was mind blowing.

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If you could be on any reality show, what would it be?

Jeopardy.

As a Startup Legal Strategist, Tanya supports DMZ and its portfolio of startups by providing guidance and support for legal needs, problem solving, and strategic legal solutions.

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Tanya is co-founder of Openly, a certified B-Corp designed to support changemakers achieve social and environmental good. She has more than 20 years experience working across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, where her core contributions have included strategy, applied research and organizational development. She is founding partner of Rhyze, a program designed for and by women entrepreneurs.

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As an entrepreneur and business owner herself, Tanya brings direct insight into what it takes to navigate the complexities and demands of a start-up. Tanya shifted her career in 2022, when she brought her drive and passion for supporting entrepreneurs and the start up ecosystem to the study of law. Tanya holds a Masters Degree in Applied Social Psychology from the University of Guelph. She has a certificate in Impact Investing from Oxford – Saïd Business School and is currently a J.D candidate at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.

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When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A cross between Robin Hood and Sherlock Holmes.

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Favourite movie?

Bladerunner

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Favourite quote?

"We're all stories in the end. Just make it a good one."

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What’s the first thing you’d buy if you won a million dollars?

Another pair of Fluevogs.

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First record you bought?

Disintegration, The Cure.

Tess MacDougall joins the DMZ as the new Events & Operations Coordinator. She has over a decade of experience in administration, communications, and project management across Indigenous governance, non-profit organizations, and leadership consulting. She has helped organize a variety of multi-stakeholder events, including community consultation sessions, leadership off-sites and town halls, and ceremonial salmon releases. Tess’ work style blends creative problem-solving with collaboration, helping keep complex initiatives and people moving smoothly. She’s excited to bring both a strong work ethic and a good-humoured approach to the team to support the DMZ’s entrepreneurs, founders, and innovators. Tess holds a Master’s degree in Classics from Queen’s University and a postgraduate diploma in Museum & Cultural Management from Centennial College. Born and raised in Toronto’s east end, Tess has a love for reading literary fiction and magical realism, baking bread, and doing karaoke as frequently as she can.

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Last book you read?

‍Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher.

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Best advice you’ve been given?

Get out of your own way, and do it scared.

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A crazy but true fact about yourself:

‍ I helped dig up a 3000 year old human skeleton on an archaeological expedition.
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What’s your go to karaoke song?

Rasputin by Boney M.
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If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Salad King’s Siam Noodles (4 chilis).

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As the Strategic Projects & Administration Manager, Vanessa leads HR initiatives and administrative functions to support the operational capacity of DMZ. She manages special projects and resources that contribute to DMZ’s strategic goals and priorities.

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Vanessa joined DMZ in 2017 leading the operations team and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives as the Manager, Administration, Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to joining DMZ, she worked in social services and the non-profit sector, where she managed employment programs that supported newcomers and marginalized women with their workforce integration and career development. Additionally, Vanessa has led a public health pilot project to build awareness about Hepatitis B for newcomers.

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With her hometown being Vancouver, Vanessa graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Gender Studies.

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Coffee or tea?

Coffee is always the correct answer.

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If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Teleporting - I can be anywhere at any time.

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If you could learn how to do anything, what would it be?

To learn how to speak any language quickly.

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

The people. It's always inspiring to see the impact they are making in the world.

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Have you ever gotten starstruck?

In the middle of a Vancouver street, John Cho and Karl Urban approached me and my friend asking for recommendations to grab a drink. Unfortunately, we were too slow (or starstruck?) to pinpoint who they were until after they left.

Wendy is responsible for the design and development of business-critical databases, web and mobile applications that provide information and statistics reporting relevant to the monitoring of DMZ’s key performance indicators.

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Prior to joining DMZ, Wendy worked at a company where she was responsible for the management and development of web applications. She worked with clients to understand their needs and implemented customized solutions for them.

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Wendy holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Psychology from the University of Toronto.

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Favourite vacation spot?

Santorini, Greece

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Favourite movie/ TV show?

Lord of the Rings

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Best concert you've ever been to?

The Piano Guys

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A digital invention you can't wait to see come true?

A Holodeck - an immersive technology that can simulate realistic interactive environments

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How do you relax?

Gardening or creating instagrammable dishes

As the Chief of Staff, Weronika is the Executive Director’s right hand in driving DMZ’s long-term strategy forward and ensuring operations run smoothly across all functions. In her role, Weronika connects the dots between all of DMZ’s stakeholders – from staff to university leaders, partners, board members and founders, fostering synergies and ensuring key initiatives are on track for success. She’s all about getting projects to click and turning the ED’s vision into real-deal plans that keep DMZ growing.

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Before joining DMZ Weronika worked as an Elementary School Teacher, where her passion ignited for sparking young leaders’ fire through innovation. Prior to teaching, she worked at a prominent corporate immigration law firm providing executive support to the firm’s managing partner. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa. Born in Koszalin, Poland, Weronika’s global perspective is complemented by fluency in both Spanish and Polish. Weronika is DMZ’s ultimate foodie – she’s a big fan of Peruvian ceviche and never says no to a potato chip.

Favourite travel destination?

Lima, Peru

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What is a crazy, but true, fact about yourself?

Taught myself to speak Spanish by listening to a lot of Spanish music.

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How do you relax?

Reading.

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What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Celine Dion - River Deep, Mountain High

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What’s the best part about working at the DMZ?

Meeting so many new people!!!

Zizi is a trilingual MBA grad with over a decade of startup experience and working with international organizations. A true global citizen, Zizi has lived on three continents and worked in different industries like IoT, Finance, Telecom, and Gaming. Not one to sit still, she co-founded a game accelerator, started two businesses and consulted so many startups. In 2020, right before the world went to topsy-turvy with Covid, she moved to Canada to pursue her adventure

Crazy, true fact about me:

I've watched "Friends" countless times since 2010

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Fave quote:

Failure will never overtake one if the determination to succeed is strong enough.

What is one item you never leave your house without?

My shoes :)

What's the best part about working at the DMZ?

Surrounded by bright founders and staff.