Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
Kristel Manes is a Change Management Specialist; having spent the last 13 years coaching entrepreneurs as they start and grow businesses. Kristel has an extensive history in communication and negotiation amongst such prominent groups as boards of directors, sponsors, core funding partners, senior management, peers, and aspiring business owners.
Expertise
Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Angela Poirier is an experienced Program Manager and Digital Advisor. She has a background helping a wide variety of industries streamlining their business to be the most efficient possible, from trucking, to retail, to food production. Her primary focus is helping businesses learn to build consistency through out all aspects of their business ventures.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: [email protected]
Olga George-Cosh is an accomplished professional and an entrepreneurial thinker with extensive experience in management of non-profit organizations and social entrepreneurship. Her career spans a diverse range of business accomplishments, from being a partner in the family’s businesses, to consistently achieving superior results as an executive, and guiding non-profits in creating and sustaining positive community change.
Expertise
Business Advisor
Email: [email protected]
Tony Morris is an experienced professional with a passion for Canada's agriculture sector and small business. His varied career includes work within financial institutions, business consulting, government, and governance of not-for-profit organizations. With years of hands-on experience owning and operating small businesses and a farm operation, he strives to help people answer the question: "what is it you do better than anyone else, that adds value to the lives of people, that makes you unique?"
Expertise
Alex is a Senior Manager at RLB where he utilizes his diverse skillset and expertise in tax to constantly develop and build relationships with new and established small business owners to become their trusted advisor. As the current Chair of the Board, Alex works diligently to ensure the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington continues to be a leading community resource for small businesses and start-ups.
Bob is experienced in the corporate, startup, academic and NPO sectors. He has mentored startup companies and is a partner in a startup. Certified in project management (PMP) and business process management (6 Sigma). Bob previously sat as a member of the Innovation Guelph board of directors. Presently he is consulting for the University of Guelph's student entrepreneurship center.
Representing the City of Guelph, Christine brings seventeen years of municipal experience in developing and executing award winning economic development programs and strategies. As Manager for the Economic Development Department for the City of Guelph she has been both project lead and support for high level strategic economic development initiatives as well as ground level program development.
Mayor Shawn Watters, Centre Wellington Mayor. Shawn has chaired numerous committees at both local and county levels including planning, land division, information, heritage and seniors committees. He has served on boards including Groves Memorial Hospital, and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. Shawn's business career has provided him the opportunity to design communities and build parks, streetscapes, restaurants, golf courses and music festivals.
Heather MacDougall is a lawyer in Guelph with Nelson, Watson PC, specializing in employment matters and general litigation. She helps both employees and employers navigate the complex world that is employment law. Heather is excited to volunteer to be a part of an organization that fosters and supports local entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.
Joleen is the Owner of, and Principal Designer, at Volumes of Space Inc. With a passion for colour, architecture and design, and 20+ years of experience in the industry, she is committed to helping bring your design vision to life.With an endless energy and enthusiasm for design, Joleen pushed herself to venture into her own business roughly 15 years ago, and incorporated Volumes of Space Inc. over five years ago. With strong attention to detail, endless creativity and a highly-skilled team of craftspeople and contractors, Joleen has proudly developed a reputation for going above and beyond the expectations of each and every client.
Gillian Cuthbert is the Co-Owner/Director of Operations for Malamar Construction, a family owned and run business with 14 employees, offering a superior full service complete renovation and construction service, with years of experience in renovating/restoring and building. Prior to working with Malamar, Gillian worked within the finance & banking space supporting business owners, small/medium and large, in many facets. Gillian believes in following your dreams to create a life that you love every day.
Harold is an accomplished business leader with extensive sales and marketing experience in local and international markets. His career highlights progressive management roles, showcasing expertise in business development, market expansion, and successful turnarounds in both B2B and B2C sectors. Notably, his leadership played a key role in the turnaround of Family Services of Peel during his five-year term on its Board of Directors. Harold is presently a local business owner and an active member of the community