Meet Our Team

Altitude Accelerator team consists of more than 100 highly qualified business professionals focused on providing Altitude Accelerator companies with the fastest path to success.

Core Team

Offering dedicated administrative support to entrepreneurs seeking guidance, recommendations, and access to our services and programs.

Pam Banks

Position: Executive Director
Categories: Our Team

Altitude Accelerator came into existence under the visionary guidance of Pam Banks; now Altitude Accelerator’s Executive Director. With over 20 years of economic and business development experience in Ontario, Pam’s expertise is in developing and implementing entrepreneurial support programs by rallying collaboration from industry, educational institutions and government stakeholders. She strategically works to develop and grow the innovation capacity of emerging companies, assisting the innovation ecosystem in Peel Region to meet its full potential.

Pam Banks

Executive Director

Hessie Jones

Position: Innovations Manager
Categories: Our Team

HessieJones is a serial entrepreneur, strategist,venture partnerandwriter with more than20+ years in start-up technology: data targeting, behavioural and profile analytics, social media technology, privacy and security tech.Hessieis a strong advocate for AI readiness, education and ethical distribution of AIas well as the strong proponent for data self-determination: in the ownership and control of individual data. As the Innovations Manager, she provides theoperationalsupport for events and programs,to ultimately influence founder success.

Learn more about Hessie Jones

Hessie Jones

Innovations Manager

Rutuja Jori

Position: Venture Services Manager
Categories: Our Team

Rutuja holds two Masters degrees – an MBA in Marketing from Pune University, an MSc. in International Business from HEC Montreal and a Bachelors in Computer Science Engineering. She has 6+ years of experince working with B2B clients and entrepreneurs across North America, Europe, India and Japan in development of their strategic initiatives. Her expertise lies in building relationships, understanding clients’ business needs, recommending innovative solutions and successfully managing complex projects.

Rutuja Jori

Venture Services Manager

Mikaela Cunha

Position: Marketing Communications Lead
Categories: Our Team

Mikaela joined Altitude after completing her bachelor’s degree at Western University in 2023. She’s a candidate for the Master’s in Management of Innovation, a renowned program offered by the University of Toronto, Mississauga. Through her post-grad work as a health payment representative, Mikaela integrated medical data and modeled critical thinking to accomplish her goals.

On a more personal note, Mikaela is an out-of-the-box thinker, who enjoys discovering and ideating unique solutions to whatever challenges she may face (except solo travel).   She led the charge for a community-engaged project where she designed and implemented an innovative recycled art sculpture in the downtown core of St. Thomas, Ontario. Additionally, Mikaela also carries a strong interest in emerging innovations in the Cleantech and biotechnology fields.

 

Mikaela Cunha

Marketing Communications Lead

Anika Murray

Position: Finance Coordinator
Categories: Our Team

Anika Murray

Finance Coordinator

Board of Directors

Industry professionals, government, and academic representatives who ensure we are relevant and current for our Clients.

Andrew Opala

Position: Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc
Categories: Investor Network, Our Team 2

Andrew Opala

Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

Patrick McGuire

Position: Founder. Advisor. Podcaster. Marketing & Sales Strategist.
Categories: Our Team 2

Patrick McGuire

Founder. Advisor. Podcaster. Marketing & Sales Strategist.

Raymond Kingdon

Position: Managing Director, Kingdon Communication
Categories: Our Team 2

Financial Services; Finance; Operations; Sales; Technology

Raymond Kingdon

Managing Director, Kingdon Communication

Ben Roberts

Position: Manager, Business Development, Tourism and Culture at Town of Caledon
Categories: Our Team 2

Ben Roberts

Manager, Business Development, Tourism and Culture at Town of Caledon

Angelo Rizzo

Position: Co-founder, Systems With Intelligence
Categories: Our Team 2

Angelo Rizzo

Co-founder, Systems With Intelligence

Stephen Beney

Position: Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP
Categories: Our Team 2

Digital Media and ICT;Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Intellectual Property; Patents and trademarks), Litigation, Licensing, Corporate law

Stephen Beney

Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP

Donna Heslin

Position: Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, City of Mississauga
Categories: Our Team 2

Donna Heslin

Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, City of Mississauga

Jeff Fallowfield

Position: President, Recovery Solutions
Categories: Our Team 2

Jeff Fallowfield

President, Recovery Solutions

Raquel De Souza

Position: Strategic Research Initiatives and Partnerships, University of Toronto Mississauga
Categories: Our Team 2

Raquel De Souza

Strategic Research Initiatives and Partnerships, University of Toronto Mississauga

Carolyn Moorlag

Position: Director – Centre of Advanced Manufacturing & Design Technologies (CAMDT), Sheridan College
Categories: Our Team 2

Carolyn has over 20 years of experience working on materials technologies. During her time in industry, she gained expertise in sensing and IOT, 3D printing and prototyping, and conducting collaborative projects with industry and government partners. As director of CAMDT at Sheridan, Carolyn develops the strategy and mandate of CAMDT as an advanced manufacturing centre. Her role focuses on applied research, particularly within highly relevant and advancing areas of manufacturing, such as automation, modelling and simulation, and cybersecurity.

Carolyn Moorlag

Director – Centre of Advanced Manufacturing & Design Technologies (CAMDT), Sheridan College

Alfredo C.M. Tan

Position: SVP & MD, Advanced powered by Loblaw
Categories: Our Team 2

Alfredo C.M. Tan

SVP & MD, Advanced powered by Loblaw

Devin Ramphal

Position: Innovation and Technology Sector Manager (Economic Development), City of Brampton
Categories: Our Team 2

Devin Ramphal

Innovation and Technology Sector Manager (Economic Development), City of Brampton

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence

Geoff Simonett

Position: Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Categories: Cleantech, Entrepreneurs-In-Residence

Geoff brings over two decades of experience in starting, operating and successfully exiting multiple companies acting as a principal, advisor, investor, board member, mentor and/or consultant. He is also President of Pinelands Capital, an investment management firm that invests in and advises early stage technology companies with the potential for rapid growth.

His specialties include: Long-term partnerships with high growth companies and dedicated entrepreneurs, and supporting the execution of strategic transitional events.

Learn more about Geoff and how he’s helped our startups reach success on our blog.

Geoff Simonett

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Bryan Duarte

Position: Entrepreneur-In-Residence
Categories: Cleantech, Entrepreneurs-In-Residence

Bryan Duarte, a seasoned social venturist, impact investor, entrepreneur, and licensed professional engineer. With over three decades of experience in the energy industry, Bryan sees energy as the driving force for individual and organizational growth.Bryan is the founder and CEO of Enliten, a company dedicated to sustainable solutions, and co-founder of BlackTech Capital, an innovative pre-seed fund emphasizing love, integrity, and transparency. Committed to equal opportunities, BlackTech Capital gained recognition from the World Economic Forum for its support of people and planet-focused entrepreneurs. Bryan believes in supporting those who will build solutions for a sustainable future.

Bryan Duarte

Entrepreneur-In-Residence

Giselle Melo

Position: Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Categories: Entrepreneurs-In-Residence

Giselle Melo

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Client Advisors

Dedicated industry and subject matter experts volunteer their time and skill to help our clients navigate challenges and achieve their goals.

James Sbrolla

Position: President & CEO, Cleantech Capital
Categories: Cleantech, Industry Advisors

James is an entrepreneur and veteran of the financial and environmental industries, bringing to the table over 25 years of experience from these sectors. He is Chairman of Environmental Business Consultants and serves on several boards including Actual Media, WE Communications and BlueZone Technologies. As an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Altitude Accelerator, he coaches business owners and technology developers through the process of commercialization. He is also on the Board of Directors for CHAR Technologies.

James Sbrolla

President & CEO, Cleantech Capital

Uzoma Erondu

Position: Senior Manager Impact Investing, The Atmospheric Fund
Categories: Industry Advisors

Uzoma Erondu

Senior Manager Impact Investing, The Atmospheric Fund

Urs Villiger

Position: Cleantech, ESG, Sustainability, and Renewable Energy
Categories: Industry Advisors

Cleantech, ESG, Sustainability, and Renewable Energy. Marketing and Sales.

Urs Villiger

Cleantech, ESG, Sustainability, and Renewable Energy

TJ Machado

Position: Partner, Dimensional Strategies Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors

TJ Machado

Partner, Dimensional Strategies Inc.

Stephen Beney

Position: Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP
Categories: Industry Advisors

Digital Media and ICT;Mergers and acquisitions, IP (Intellectual Property; Patents and trademarks), Litigation, Licensing, Corporate law

Stephen Beney

Partner, Bereskin & Parr LLP

Rick Findlay

Position: CEO, LINCit
Categories: Cleantech, Industry Advisors

Rick is a highly experienced and successful entrepreneur who has been mentoring early stage companies for over 20 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to assist the early stage entrepreneurs with the challenges of scaling up cleantech innovations. His expertise covers strategy, operations, finance/funding, and marketing/sales, and has a large network to also assist in these areas.

Rick Findlay

CEO, LINCit

Qhalisa Khan

Position: Associate at Active Impact Investments
Categories: Industry Advisors

Cleantech; B2B, Business development, HR, SaaS

Qhalisa Khan

Associate at Active Impact Investments

Peter Jones

Position: Senior Business Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth
Categories: Industry Advisors

Financial Services; Operations

Peter Jones

Senior Business Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Growth

Nick Kuryluk

Position: Principal, Virtus Insights Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors

Life Science and Advanced Health; Life Sciences; Manufacturing; Technology

Nick Kuryluk

Principal, Virtus Insights Inc.

Nick Iozzo

Position: President, DPM Energy Inc
Categories: Cleantech, Industry Advisors

Nick Iozzo

President, DPM Energy Inc

Neil D’Cruz

Position: VP of Business Development Innovation and Client Solutions, Dynacare
Categories: Industry Advisors

Life Science and Advanced Health; Life Sciences; Marketing; Sales

Neil D’Cruz

VP of Business Development Innovation and Client Solutions, Dynacare

Mandeep Singh Rehal

Position: Business Development Manager, Ontario Centre of Innovation
Categories: Industry Advisors

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; Education; Technology

Mandeep Singh Rehal

Business Development Manager, Ontario Centre of Innovation

Lyle Clarke

Position: President & C.E.O, Lyle Clarke & Associates Inc.
Categories: Cleantech, Industry Advisors

Main Industries:  Clean technologies

Areas of Expertise:  Sustainability, Commercialization,
Strategic alliances
,

Bio:

Lyle Clarke is a “clean tech” specialist focusing on recycling, waste recovery, resource conservation and management. He also advises product manufacturers, retailers and others with an interest in recycling, sustainability, and product stewardship.

The consumer products business has undergone profound change. Government-mandated recycling and product stewardship programs that reached Canada almost fifteen years ago continue to grow, doubling costs every few years. At the same time, intense competition is restricting margins and market share, necessitating diligent cost control throughout the supply chain.

The pressure to improve environmental performance will continue to intensify, and precipitate continual change. Success will flow to those that understand where change is leading, what impact it will have, and how best to respond. Lyle Clarke is uniquely capable of helping his clients understand how pressures for environmental change impact business, to craft and execute effective strategies to manage risk and control costs, and to leverage innovation to exploit new opportunities.

Lyle has extensive knowledge accumulated over many years in the retail sector, as a Board Director for Waste Diversion Ontario and Stewardship Ontario, and most recently as the head of Stewardship Ontario, one of Canada’s leading product stewardship organizations. Lyle has spearheaded many innovative changes that generated new opportunities for companies that collect, recycle and manage resources; he has attracted substantial new investment to the sector, and he has saved Canadian and global retailers and packaged goods companies many millions of dollars.

Lyle Clarke

President & C.E.O, Lyle Clarke & Associates Inc.

Kulpreet Khanuja

Position: Founder of Amrik Advisory Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors

Finance; B2B, Business development, Fintech, Product management, Project management, Raising capital, Renewable energy

Kulpreet Khanuja

Founder of Amrik Advisory Inc.

Kevin Smith

Position: Chief Story Architect, Impact Assured Business Services –> The Story Architect
Categories: Industry Advisors

Main Industries:  Digital Media and ICT

Areas of Expertise:  Digital marketing, Content marketing, Analytics marketing, Sales training, Business development

Kevin Smith

Chief Story Architect, Impact Assured Business Services –> The Story Architect

Jonathan Loudon

Position: Partner, Swave Studios
Categories: Industry Advisors

Digital Media and ICT; Medical devices, Product management; Life Sciences; Operations

Jonathan Loudon

Partner, Swave Studios

John Lacey

Position: President & Founder, Hydraulic Marketing Group Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors

Digital Media and ICT; Marketing

John Lacey

President & Founder, Hydraulic Marketing Group Inc.

Johan De Greef

Position: Advisory Board Member
Categories: Industry Advisors

Consumer Goods; Food and Beverage; Manufacturing; Marketing; Operations; Sales

Johan De Greef

Advisory Board Member

Joanna Ma

Position: Associate, Bereskin & Parr LLP
Categories: Industry Advisors

IP; Intellectual Property; Law; Legal Services; Digital Media and ICT

Joanna Ma

Associate, Bereskin & Parr LLP

James Alden

Position: VP Strategy, Brickworks Communication
Categories: Cleantech, Industry Advisors

Main Technologies:  Clean Technologies

Areas of Expertise:  Energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Strategic Planning

James Alden

VP Strategy, Brickworks Communication

Harry Kim

Position: Environmental Business Executive, Corporate Growth Accelerator
Categories: Industry Advisors

Harold (Harry) H. Kim is Senior Executive with more than 30 years of environmental consulting and contracting experience in various market sectors including mining, energy and infrastructure. A proven team leader investing in people and delivering desired results collaboratively. Client focused team builder promoting collaborations to maximize profitability. A people focused executive with a proven track record of delivering outstanding results. Special strength in growth acceleration in turnaround situations. Broad functional foundation including M&A, Business Development, and Operations in both large multinational company and entrepreneurial experience in a diverse set of industries. Extensive global experience, including USA, APAC, and South America.

Competencies: Top line growth strategies, team building, mentoring, operations, M&A, government liaison, expert witness and legal technical support, environmental engineering, cleantech, climate change mitigation, environmental site assessments, site remediation, and renewable energy.

Harry Kim

Environmental Business Executive, Corporate Growth Accelerator

Greg Stewart

Position: Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Corporate Finance

Greg Stewart

Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

Graham McBride

Position: FundThrough, Individual
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic planning, Executive management, corporate finance

Graham McBride

FundThrough, Individual

Drew Fraser

Position: President, Westbrook Greenhouses
Categories: Industry Advisors

Drew Fraser

President, Westbrook Greenhouses

Doug Metcalfe

Position: Account Executive, Kinaxis
Categories: Industry Advisors

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing; Sales; Technology

Doug Metcalfe

Account Executive, Kinaxis

Doug Dagworthy

Position: CTO, Soluno
Categories: Industry Advisors

Technology; Cloud; Software;

Doug Dagworthy

CTO, Soluno

Don Hilton

Position: Founder and Managing Partner, Distinct Capital Partners Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors

Financial Services; Finance; Sales; Raising capital

Don Hilton

Founder and Managing Partner, Distinct Capital Partners Inc.

David Peterson

Position: CEO and Founder, Optimization Coach
Categories: Industry Advisors

Digital Media and ICT; Financial Services; Life Science; Advanced Health; Finance; Marketing; Operations; Technology

David Peterson

CEO and Founder, Optimization Coach

David Penton

Position: Director, Southern Ontario Fund for Innovation and Investment (SOFII)
Categories: Industry Advisors

Financial Services; Corporate finance, Raising capital; Sales

David Penton

Director, Southern Ontario Fund for Innovation and Investment (SOFII)

Craig Leonard

Position: Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Digital Media, Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Digital marketing, Cloud (software), SaaS, CRM, e-Commerce

Craig Leonard

Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund

Bruno Solby

Position: VP Commercial, Selected Food Products
Categories: Industry Advisors

Food and Beverage, Sales

Bruno Solby

VP Commercial, Selected Food Products

Brenda Hogan

Position: Ontario Capital Growth Corporation
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance

Brenda Hogan

Ontario Capital Growth Corporation

Angella Kurczyk

Position: Senior Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade
Categories: Industry Advisors

Finance; Financial Services; Management; Operations; Technology

Angella Kurczyk

Senior Business Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade

Andrew Opala

Position: Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc
Categories: Industry Advisors

Andrew Opala

Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

Adam Bierylo

Position: Associate, Bereskin & Parr
Categories: Industry Advisors

Digital Media and ICT; Legal Services; Patents; Intellectual Property

Adam Bierylo

Associate, Bereskin & Parr

Sidhant Sakhuja

Position: Business Development and Commercialization Manager, Ontario Centre of Innovation
Categories: Industry Advisors

Sidhant Sakhuja

Business Development and Commercialization Manager, Ontario Centre of Innovation

Mujir Muneeruddin

Position: Partner, Pallett Valo LLP, Corporate Securities Lawyer & Real Estate Entrepreneur
Categories: Industry Advisors

Mujir Muneeruddin

Partner, Pallett Valo LLP, Corporate Securities Lawyer & Real Estate Entrepreneur

Jasmeet Singh

Position: Physical AI: Emerging VC, Founder @ JMoon, Startup Alchemist
Categories: Industry Advisors

Jasmeet Singh

Physical AI: Emerging VC, Founder @ JMoon, Startup Alchemist

Jude Sacramenthas

Position: VC @ Graphite, Ecosystem Builder
Categories: Industry Advisors

Jude Sacramenthas

VC @ Graphite, Ecosystem Builder

Quinn Richardson

Position: Corporate Director, Tundra Oil & Gas, Entrepreneur, Investor
Categories: Industry Advisors

Quinn Richardson

Corporate Director, Tundra Oil & Gas, Entrepreneur, Investor

Investor Network

Leading investors from across Canada in all sectors work closely with our core team to help Altitude clients achieve fundraising goals.

Andrew Opala

Position: Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc
Categories: Investor Network, Our Team 2

Andrew Opala

Chair, Altitude Accelerator & Chief Technology Officer, Simmons Sharpe Inc

Greg Stewart

Position: Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Corporate Finance

Greg Stewart

Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

Graham McBride

Position: FundThrough, Individual
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Strategic planning, Executive management, corporate finance

Graham McBride

FundThrough, Individual

Craig Leonard

Position: Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Digital Media, Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Raising capital, Digital marketing, Cloud (software), SaaS, CRM, e-Commerce

Craig Leonard

Investment Director, Investment Accelerator Fund

Brenda Hogan

Position: Ontario Capital Growth Corporation
Categories: Industry Advisors, Investor Network

Main Industries:  Financial Services

Areas of Expertise:  Corporate finance

Brenda Hogan

Ontario Capital Growth Corporation

Neil Peet

Position: Senior Associate, GreenSky Capital Inc.
Categories: Cleantech, Investor Network

Neil Peet

Senior Associate, GreenSky Capital Inc.

David Harris Kolada

Position: Managing Partner, Greensoil PropTech Ventures
Categories: Investor Network

David Harris Kolada

Managing Partner, Greensoil PropTech Ventures

Mike Boyd

Position: Owner, Argosy Bridge Management
Categories: Investor Network

Mike Boyd

Owner, Argosy Bridge Management

Mauro Lollo

Position: Managing Partner, L2
Categories: Investor Network

Mauro Lollo

Managing Partner, L2

Alan Lysne

Position: VC Investor at Fastbreak Ventures
Categories: Investor Network

Alan Lysne

VC Investor at Fastbreak Ventures

Sarah Willson

Position: VC at Panache Ventures
Categories: Investor Network

Sarah Willson

VC at Panache Ventures

Michael List

Position: Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.
Categories: Investor Network

Michael List

Principal, Greensky Capital Inc.

Matan Hazanov

Position: Managing Director, Verstra Ventures
Categories: Investor Network

Matan Hazanov

Managing Director, Verstra Ventures