Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program

Our entrepreneurs-in-residence provide valuable insight and thought leadership into their respective industries, helping to expand knowledge, connections and leadership practices to students.

Receive help from our residents on:

  • Business advice
  • Feedback on your business model or plan
  • Fleshing out ideas
  • Investment and funding
  • Networking
Entrepreneur in Residence Colin Christensen

2023/24 Colin Christensen

 

Colin  is an advocate for early-stage entrepreneurship. Having spent 30 years starting, funding, and growing businesses of his own, his current chapter is helping entrepreneurs around the world avoid needless failure. Among other endeavours, one of his favourites is a platform he co-founded alongside a world-renowned benevolent corporation helping entrepreneurs create equity for themselves with training and crowd-funded zero-interest micro-loans. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this has expanded into ten countries and four languages and continues to open economic alternatives away from high-risk options.

Howard Suissa

2020/21 Howard Suissa

Howard has run his own design consultancy for nearly 20 years, helping businesses convert innovative technology into marketable products and services while maximizing their budgets. His projects range from consumer audio electronics, medical devices, health and fitness products to mobile apps and strategic consulting. His current interests revolve around the use of design thinking, user experience, and augmented and virtual realities that enhance business value proposition.

Brad Smoliak

2020/21 Brad Smoliak

Brad is the Founder of KITCHEN by Brad Smoliak, a culinary studio in downtown Edmonton. The studio offers cooking classes, memorable food and wine events, and client parties or meetings. Brad developed his culinary business acumen through experience at Hardware Grill, the Royal Mayfair Golf & Country Club and Normand's Restaurant. Brad also worked as head chef for Alberta House at the 2010 London Olympics. On the side, Brad also conducts culinary research for companies like Nestle.

Garrett Fleck

2020/21 Garrett Fleck

Garrett is a Finance graduate from NAIT turned Marketer, who is passionate about the online reputations of businesses all over Canada.

As the owner of Reputed Marketing, he is responsible for the influencing and controlling online reputations of individuals and businesses within Reputed's portfolio.
When he isn't in the office or on his computer, you'll find Garrett at the cabin enjoying time away from the city or travelling around Alberta to enjoy our beautiful backyard.