Team

Executive Team

Innovation Development

Programs

Marketing and Communications

Finance & Administration

	Dean Rockwell Dean Rockwell comes to the British Columbia Innovation Council with a proven track record as a dynamic and innovative leader of technology intensive organizations. He possesses a unique blend of technical and strategic business acumen gained from over 20 years of international leadership experience in the areas of; general management, strategic planning, research and development, product management, marketing, sales and operations. More
	Lisa Payne Lisa Payne has over 20 years of experience in senior roles at public and private companies, including her most recent position as the President of Aegis Mobility, a leader in the development of next generation Context Based Services for Mobile Networks. Prior to Aegis Mobility, she served as President of TeraSpan Networks Inc., a fiber optic micro-trench solution manufacturer. Lisa built her finance credentials as Director of Finance and Business Operations for Wavemakers Inc, a voice-enhancement software company where she was instrumental in raising two rounds of private financing and the eventual acquisition by Harman International in 2001. Lisa is a CGA and has developed extensive experience in sales, business development, operations, industry research, finance and human resources while at Scientific Atlanta Canada and Criterion Service Laboratory which she cofounded. Since 2005, she has served on the board of the Focus Foundation.
	Lin Kishore As Director of Marketing and Communications, Lin provides leadership for the development and implementation of integrated marketing, communications and public relations strategies to create visibility and understanding of the services and programs offered by BCIC. Her background includes strategic communications, traditional and digital marketing as well as product development. She has worked in the industries of technology, entertainment and finance and holds a commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.
	Sheena Zyp As Executive Assistant, Sheena provides support to the CEO and Board of Directors. She oversees and coordinates information regarding Council affairs and activities for BCIC’s executive office. Sheena’s past experience has been in the financial and real estate sectors.
	Richard Hallman As Director of Life Sciences, Richard leads initiatives focused on the commercialization of advanced technologies and innovations to grow the “Knowledge Bioeconomy” in British Columbia. Life Sciences includes biotechnology, health sciences, environmental sciences, agriculture, food and biorefining. Prior to joining BCIC, he spent 30 years working in various science and technology areas of agriculture, food, bioproducts and agroforestry and held positions in government, industry and not-for-profit organizations. Currently, Richard is an external advisor to the Canadian Biomass Innovation Network (CBIN) and a member of the Canadian National Bioproducts Program Advisory Body.
	Dean Prelazzi Dean brings a diverse range of early-stage technology company experience in sales, marketing, and product management to BCIC with former employers that include CrossKeys Systems (an affiliate of Newbridge Networks), ACL Services, and Vivonet Canada. Dean spent four years in the U.S. (Virginia and Silicon Valley) during the crest of the tech bubble and his technology background includes carrier-grade telecommunications networking, thin-client computing, data analysis, Internet performance, point of sale applications and hardware, bank card processing, and Web 2.0. He has an Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management specializing in high technology sales and marketing and is a volunteer mentor with several technology industry associations in B.C. Dean is also a part-time marketing instructor in the Bachelor of Technology Management Program at BCIT and a volunteer Board member with the Kids Up Front foundation.
	Sarah Albrecht Sarah provides leadership for delivery of BCIC projects whose goals are complementary and/or supportive of BCIC’s mandate to accelerate and expand science and technology-based economic development in the province. With many roles in both the private and public sectors, Sarah brings with her years of experience in project management, marketing, sponsorship, client relations and operations.
	Arlene Fernandez As Senior Projects Specialist, Arlene manages Life Sciences related projects and commercialization initiatives designed to grow the "Knowledge Bioeconomy" in BC in the areas of agriculture, food, biotechnology, bioprocessing, bioproducts, environment, health and medicine. She is also responsible for the design and management of Life Sciences related conferences and events that BCIC is involved in. Arlene is a graduate in Molecular Biology and holds a Certificate in Liberal Arts from Simon Fraser University.
	Jennifer Whelan As Life Sciences Sector Coordinator, Jenn organizes and manages various functions integral to BCIC’s Life Sciences focus. Responsibilities include updating internal and external event calendars, research support for client requests, and coordinating the BCIC Biorefining and Bioproducts Forum. Jenn completed her undergraduate studies in science from the University of Western Ontario and holds a Master's degree in neuroscience from the University of British Columbia.
	Dawn Wood As the Senior Programs Specialist, Dawn is responsible for management of BCIC’s post-secondary talent development and research innovation programs. She also coordinates institution and sector-based research funding programs managed by BCIC for its strategic partners. Dawn joined BCIC in 2001 and previously managed secondary school and graduate scholarship programs as well as a number of sector-based programs. She is an honours graduate in geography from the University of British Columbia.
	Amy Wakeford As Programs Specialist (Education), Amy coordinates and facilitates science and technology outreach initiatives and education programs that reach out to the province’s youth. These initiatives build innovation and entrepreneurship in elementary and secondary schools, encouraging students to pursue education and future careers in these areas. Amy is a graduate from the University of British Columbia and holds a Master’s degree in environmental science from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Amy has experience in educational programming and curriculum development, and was a teacher in Hong Kong prior to joining BCIC.
	Tera Moon Tera is a Programs Specialist coordinating BCIC programs for undergraduate students in science, technology and business entrepreneurship. She also promotes and facilitates science and technology outreach initiatives and educational programs that build innovation and entrepreneurship at the secondary and post-secondary level. Tera is a graduate in psychology from McMaster University and has spent four years teaching and managing language schools in Japan.
	Val Dipasupil In her role as Programs Specialist, Val oversees and coordinates the management and organizational systems for BCIC’s Programs Group. She has held a variety of administrative positions essential to organizational operations since joining BCIC in 2003. Val completed her undergraduate studies in communications in the Philippines and holds a computer applications program certificate from Vancouver Community College.
	Sarah Chee As Marketing and Design Specialist, Sarah provides technical expertise, development, maintenance, and support to BCIC’s online sites. She is also responsible for creating internal and external marketing and communication materials, coordinating and executing events, and developing and implementing effective marketing and branding strategies. Sarah’s professional experiences stem from previous positions in the public and private sectors involving graphic design, website maintenance, client services, marketing, and communications. She is a graduate from Simon Fraser University in communications and publishing.
	Irene Phan Irene provides support and coordination to BCIC’s Marketing and Communications department. Areas of responsibility include executing marketing strategies, event coordination, sponsorships, and adding a creative perspective to projects. As a graduate from Simon Fraser University in communication, Irene has extensive experience in project and event management.
	Lindsay Thom As Communications Specialist, Lindsay is responsible for the development and implementation of BCIC communication plans and activities including written communications, special events and media relations. Lindsay’s expertise working with various stakeholder groups including government and media come from previous work and volunteer roles in agency and not-for-profit. Prior to joining BCIC, Lindsay worked in PR & media relations at the Rick Hansen Foundation. She holds a Bachelors of Commerce degree in Marketing from the University of British Columbia.
	Fred Lam As a Financial Accountant, Fred provides support to the provision of accounting and financial services. His responsibilities also include financial control, accounting, and the financial and statutory reporting needs of the organization. Prior to joining BCIC, Fred worked in the information technology and the public practice sectors.