About | Our Team
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You name it – industry leaders, engineers, business advisors, designers, marketers – we’re all here, ready to help.

Staff

Our highly-equipped and skilled staff works with resident startup companies to guide them through the building stages of their physical-product concept.

Clif Johnston
STAFF

Dr. Clif Johnston

Academic Director, Emera ideaHUB & IDEA Sandbox NSERC Chair in Design Engineering
gear@dal.ca

Experts in Residence

Our Experts in Residence have been in your shoes. They’ve gone through the innovation process more than once, and they are here to help! From Engineering design and review support, financial modelling, fundraising planning, team building, manufacturing planning, and more, our Experts and residents offer founders the “just-in-time” support they need to de-risk their ventures and succeed. 
EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Venture Coach and Facilitator, Emera ideaHUB

Dr. David C. Roach
david.roach@dal.ca
Dr. David C. Roach received his B.Eng. degree in 1983, MBA degree in 1992, and Ph.D. degree in 2011. He is an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Management at... Dr. David C. Roach received his B.Eng. degree in 1983, MBA degree in 1992, and Ph.D. degree in 2011. He is an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, where he teaches graduate courses in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the commercialization of biomedical technologies. He lectures internationally in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, product development, and marketing technology products. He has been instrumental in many early-stage companies ranging from aerospace to biotechnology and brings a hands-on approach to the innovation process. He sits on the Board of Directors and acts in an advisory capacity for several small and medium-size enterprises in Canada. He is co-founder, President and CEO of DFM Medical Incorporated, a MedTech company focused on making anesthesia safer. He has authored and co-authored several publications in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, and product management. His academic research interests include product management practices of SMEs and early-stage ventures. In his spare time, he is a passionate ice hockey player and an avid scale modeler of World War I aircraft. He can be contacted at david.roach@dal.ca.
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EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Franziska Bröl

Venture Coach, Emera ideaHUB
Fran, a scientist turned serial entrepreneur has a successful track record of launching venture-backed tech start-ups and over a decade experience in commercializing... Fran, a scientist turned serial entrepreneur has a successful track record of launching venture-backed tech start-ups and over a decade experience in commercializing research innovation in the biotechnology industry. Fran has actively engaged in the ever-evolving Atlantic start-up ecosystem, participating in a range of regional and international start-up programs. Her area of expertise is leveraging customer discovery to create commercial opportunities.
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Ben Bschaden
EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Ben Bschaden

Venture Coach, Emera ideaHUB
Ben Bschaden is a serial entrepreneur, founder of Dimetric design and co-founder & senior technical advisor of GiBLI Tech. GiBLI Tech is a company which helps to... Ben Bschaden is a serial entrepreneur, founder of Dimetric design and co-founder & senior technical advisor of GiBLI Tech. GiBLI Tech is a company which helps to develop a world class aerodynamic sensor to help athletes reach new levels of performance. His knowledge and experience for coaching new start-ups at the IdeaHUB is invaluable as he has been through it himself. As an alumnus to the Bridge program at the IdeaHUB, Ben is uniquely qualified to aid founders in grasping what it takes to navigate towards a successful venture. Ben provides experience in bringing products to market and the challenges specific to hardware companies including supply chain, funding requirements, and technical guidance.
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EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Hossein Salimian

Venture Coach, Emera ideaHUB
Hossein has a Ph.D. in computer science and is a holder of a Bachelor's degree in hardware engineering. He brings extensive expertise in artificial intelligence,... Hossein has a Ph.D. in computer science and is a holder of a Bachelor's degree in hardware engineering. He brings extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT. Beyond his roles as an educator at Dalhousie and Saint Mary's universities, he is a serial entrepreneur, co-founding three startups: Virtus Virtual Reality Solutions, ReelData.ai, and Innologic. Serving as CEO at Virtus Virtual Reality, he spearheaded the development of VR simulators for training firefighters and RCMP personnel. In his four-year tenure as Chief Technology Officer at ReelData, he played a pivotal role in driving company growth and the development of cutting-edge AI products. Hossein is looking forward to mentoring and coaching aspiring ventures.
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EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Rhodri Armour, PhD, P.Eng.

Engineer in Residence
Rhodri is Enginuity’s is one of Enginuity's Program Managers, and a driving force behind many of the region’s most innovative start-ups. With years of experience... Rhodri is Enginuity’s is one of Enginuity's Program Managers, and a driving force behind many of the region’s most innovative start-ups. With years of experience guiding early-stage companies from concept to commercialisation, he understands the unique pressures of scaling ideas into viable, investor-ready products. Whether you’re refining your prototype or preparing for market launch, Rhodri provides the technical leadership and strategic clarity start-ups need to stay on track, on budget, and ahead of the curve. Having an engineer like Rhodri in your corner also gives you access to the broader technical minds at Enginuity. He'll surround your challenge with the just the right set of skills to overcome any challenge. His work has accelerated breakthrough innovations across life sciences, food and nutrition, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, and wearable technology - a track record that speaks to both his technical depth and entrepreneurial insight. Fun fact: Rhodri is a mechanical engineer with a PhD in biomimicry. (Ask him about his doctoral research - it’s every bit as cool and inventive as the start-ups he supports.)
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Glen Hougan
EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Glen Hougan

Industrial Designer-in-Residence
Dr. Glen Hougan, Associate Professor of Design at NSCAD University is our Designer-in-Residence. In this role, he assists Dalhousie University’s Emera ideaHUB’s... Dr. Glen Hougan, Associate Professor of Design at NSCAD University is our Designer-in-Residence. In this role, he assists Dalhousie University’s Emera ideaHUB’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and start-ups to incorporate human centered design principles and industrial design expertise in the development of their products and technology. Specifically, Glen works with Emera ideaHub companies to support transforming their ideas and innovations for a wider impact. Support can include user research and evaluation, form exploration and prototype development, and design strategy and product development.
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Sean Williams
EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE

Sean Williams

Marketing Expert in Residence
With over 22 years of marketing experience in Canada, the US, the Middle East and Australia, Sean has a unique view of human behaviour, marketing trends, and brand... With over 22 years of marketing experience in Canada, the US, the Middle East and Australia, Sean has a unique view of human behaviour, marketing trends, and brand engagement. He has worked with some of Canada’s top brands including MolsonCoors, Nikon, Kraft, CIBC, Dare and Toyota. During the last 10 years, Sean developed a Marketing Management Service as a way to help clients manage and/or build their marketing department, build and market their brands, get through a busy business period, or have a dedicated resource to develop particular strategies or initiatives. Sean provides workshops and office hours to the Emera ideaHUB companies to help define their brand promise and support early-stage marketing initiatives.
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Operating Committee

The Emera ideaHUB utilizes an Operating Committee to provide oversight for the ongoing program evolution and financial sustainability. This committee ensures that Emera ideaHUB and the projects and activities undertaken within its umbrella are managed responsibly. The HUB is further governed by the Dalhousie Innovation & Entrepreneurship Steering Committee, which is chaired by the Vice President Research & Innovation.

Clif Johnston
OPERATING COMMITTEE

Dr. Clif Johnston

Academic Director, Emera ideaHUB & IDEA Sandbox NSERC Chair in Design Engineering
gear@dal.ca
Jeff Larsen
OPERATING COMMITTEE

Jeff Larsen

Executive Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Co-Lead & Executive Director, Creative Destruction Lab – Atlantic Member, Emera ideaHUB Operations Committee
John Newhook
OPERATING COMMITTEE

Dr. John Newhook

Dean, Faculty of Engineering Chair, Emera ideaHUB Operations Committee

Advisory Council

The role of the Advisory Council is to provide advice to the Emera ideaHUB Operating Committee in support of the development of a governance framework, strategic plans, fundraising strategies, growth targets, milestones, and key performance indicators. This includes the identification of current and future opportunities and the development of action plans to address these priorities, including supporting key partnerships and stakeholder relationships. The Advisory Council reviews progress against milestones and key performance indicators, with the primary purpose to ensure the long-term success, impact and sustainability of the HUB.

Pat Ryan
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Pat Ryan

Pat is the Founder and President of Neocon International, a multi-million-dollar automotive OEM design and lean manufacturing company which he conceptualized in 1993.... Pat is the Founder and President of Neocon International, a multi-million-dollar automotive OEM design and lean manufacturing company which he conceptualized in 1993. From its start-up he was the strategic architect responsible for raising capital, assembling and directing a team of R&D engineers and establishing niche and disruptive product opportunities to service such "Grade A" customers as Toyota, General Motors, Subaru, Nissan and Hyundai. Under Pat's leadership joint venture relationships were also developed to augment manufacturing capability in both the USA and Mexico ensuring full service to many OEM manufacturing plants. Most recently he was appointed Chairman of the Board for core Rare Metals a publicly traded company where he plays a role in developing a sustainable North American supply stream for critical minerals that will fuel the "green technology" revolution including Li-ion battery storage, wind energy and vehicle electrification. Prior to founding Neocon, he held positions as V.P. Operations for Plastics Maritime Ltd. and Design Engineer for T.S. Simms and Company. Pat mentors many upcoming entrepreneurs and graduating design engineers from Dalhousie University from which he holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
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John Newhook
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Dr. John Newhook

John is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Dalhousie University as well as a Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Centre for Innovation in... John is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Dalhousie University as well as a Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Centre for Innovation in Infrastructure within the Faculty of Engineering. He has previously held various leadership roles including serving as Head of the Department of Civil & Resource Engineering, the Associate Vice- President Research for Dalhousie, and as the Acting Vice-President Research. John received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering (1989) and his Master of Applied Science (1993) from the Technical University of Nova Scotia and his Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering from Dalhousie University in 1997. He has retained a strong connection to engineering practice and innovation through developing research partnerships with and providing expert advice to various Atlantic Canadian companies, projects and provincial departments of transportation. The Emera ideaHUB is overseen by the Faculty of Engineering under John's leadership.
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Malanie Nadeau
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Malanie Nadeau

Melanie is the newly appointed CEO of the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship - COVE. Previous positions have included the Director, Strategic Initiatives for... Melanie is the newly appointed CEO of the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship - COVE. Previous positions have included the Director, Strategic Initiatives for EMERA, and Project Director, Strategy and Director, Fuels, Energy and Risk Management with Nova Scotia Power. She served in the Royal Canada Navy and led technology programs in Ottawa for Natural Resources Canada. Her board appointments have included positions for international marine energy businesses and as Director and Vice-Chair of a national industry association. Melanie has earned multiple awards including Canada's Clean16 Award for her outstanding contribution towards clean Capitalism. She has been an invited speaker to numerous events, including TEDGlobal. Committed to the global community she has been chairing the UNICEF Canada's Water for Life Gala for five years running and is a business mentor with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. She is an accredited professional engineer graduating from the University of Waterloo, Canada and has an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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Mike Morris
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mike Morris

Mike has over 25 years of senior management experience in the Telecom, IT Services and Electrical/Electronics Manufacturing sectors. As the Former Chief Operating Officer... Mike has over 25 years of senior management experience in the Telecom, IT Services and Electrical/Electronics Manufacturing sectors. As the Former Chief Operating Officer at Nautel, he led all aspects of the company's broadcasting equipment and navigation-aid businesses and played a key role in the development and execution of strategies to grow the business into new sectors. Prior to joining Nautel Mike held leadership roles at Seaforth Energy, Cobham Tracking & Locating, Aliant, and Andersen Consulting. At Seaforth Energy Mike was President & CEO having led the development of the business to pursue local opportunities in renewable energy and ultimately to the sale of the company to its largest competitor. Within the Cobham organization Mike was initially the President of Orion Electronics which was the North American leader in covert tracking solutions for law enforcement. That role evolved over time, becoming responsible for all of Cobham's business units in the law enforcement surveillance sector. Mike holds a Certificate of Applied Science from Acadia University, an Electrical Engineering Degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (Dalhousie University), as well as an MBA from Dalhousie.
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Chris Huskilson
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Chris Huskilson

Chris is recognized for his leadership, technical acumen, and extensive experience in many aspects of the energy sector. He has held the positions of Superintendent of... Chris is recognized for his leadership, technical acumen, and extensive experience in many aspects of the energy sector. He has held the positions of Superintendent of Hydro Production at the Mersey Hydro System, Senior Operations Planner at the Energy Control Centre, Plant Manager of both Lingan and Glace Bay Generating Stations, Vice President of Transmission & Distribution, and Executive Vice President of Operations. He was made COO of Emera and Nova Scotia Power in 2003 and President and CEO of Emera in 2004. Chris serves on many for-profit and not-for-profit boards. He holds a BSc and MSc in Engineering and Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa from the University of New Brunswick. Chris also serves on the Dalhousie Board of Governors, the Volta Board of Directors, and is a Founding Partner of CDL-Atlantic.
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Chuck Hartlen
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Chuck Hartlen

Chuck is currently working with several technology startup firms and national health care organizations in an advisory capacity or board role. He recently held the role... Chuck is currently working with several technology startup firms and national health care organizations in an advisory capacity or board role. He recently held the role of Executive Vice President, Customer Experience with Nova Scotia Power and prior to that was Senior Vice President of Customer Care for Bell Aliant. Chuck is passionate about improving service for customers, giving back to the community, and helping technology startup firms with technology, operations, and business strategy. Chuck began his career with Canadian National Railways and then joined the former Maritime Telephone and Telegraph (MTT) where he held various proles of increasing responsibility. Chuck's prior roles include Chief Operating Officer, Aliant Mobility: Vice President, Marketing, Aliant; and Chief Engineer, Wireless Network Development, MTT. He graduated from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now Dalhousie University) with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and has earned his Professional Engineering designation. Chuck has also participated in the Queen's Executive Program. In addition to his role on the National MS Society Board, Chuck is Vice Chair of BoomersPlus. He is also a past member of the Atlantic MS Society Board, the United Way of Halifax Board, and the Greater Halifax Partnership Board.
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Rhiannon Davies
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Rhiannon Davies

Rhiannon's business leadership spans Europe, Asia, and South and North America. As Managing Director, she led the S2B revenue G.V.S.C. B.V a subsidiary of... Rhiannon's business leadership spans Europe, Asia, and South and North America. As Managing Director, she led the S2B revenue G.V.S.C. B.V a subsidiary of GrandVision N.V. She sat on the Board of Directors that took GrandVision, a CADS 5.5 billion revenue retailer with businesses in 45 countries, through 44% growth in SWS, expansion into 20 new markets through multiple acquisitions and organic growth, to a successful IPO on the ASE. The GrandVision IPO ranked in the global top ten IPOs in 2015. This was her second exit where she held equity ownership, following the $23B CAD acquisition of Royal Numico N.V.by Groupe Danone in 2007. At Royal Numico she oversaw the global supply chain, oversaw manufacturing and built the manufacturing and procurement strategy to integrate 25 manufacturing sites following the acquisition. Rhiannon serves/has served on multiple private and public company and NGO boards. Rhiannon's industry expertise spans medtech, CPG, retail, Al/ML, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain. Rhiannon is a Founding and Managing Partner at Sandpiper Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in early-stage women-led technology companies.
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Rick Janega
ADVISORY COUNCIL

Rick Jenega

Chair
Rick is the Chair of the Emera ideaHUB Advisory Council. He was appointed Interim President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power in June 2020, and since March 2018, he has held... Rick is the Chair of the Emera ideaHUB Advisory Council. He was appointed Interim President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power in June 2020, and since March 2018, he has held the position of COO, Electric Utilities, Canada, US Northeast and Caribbean at Emera Inc. Over his 30-year career with Emera and Nova Scotia Power, Rick has held a variety of senior leadership roles including CEO of Emera Newfoundland & Labrador (ENL) leading the team that delivered the $1.57 billion Maritime Link transmission project, on time and on budget. At Nova Scotia Power, he previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Operations, General Manager of Power Production and Senior Plant Manager at the Trenton and Point Tupper generating stations. Since 2018, he also has served on the Board of Directors of Nova Scotia Power and is a past board member of the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC). Rick began his career in construction management, manufacturing and the pulp and paper industry. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and the Technical University of Nova Scotia (Dalhousie University), Rick is a professional engineer and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia. He is an alumnus of the Governor General's Leadership Conference.
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