IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE
Staff List
Connect with us to learn more about applied research.
Alexis Lau
Research Resource CoordinatorAs Research Resource Coordinator, Alexis manages the on-boarding of research staff and project personnel. Throughout her career in business and human resources, Alexis has been committed to improving staff experiences and institutional effectiveness by streamlining processes, increasing efficiency and applying her person-focused soft skills. A lifelong learner, she graduated with Honours from the diploma program in Human Resources at George Brown College, will be graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Law and Business from Ryerson University in June 2020, and has taken a variety of continuing education courses – from industrial sewing to wine tasting – at George Brown.
Areas of Expertise:Human Resources | Risk and Compliance | Project Management
Email: arodziewicz@georgebrown.ca
Ana Cristina Gigli
Program Manager, Fashion ExchangeAna possesses a wealth of experience in risk management, project management, and data modelling and analysis, which she applies at the Fashion Exchange to track project progress and manage the project team to ensure successful delivery. Ana came to the research and innovation team from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, where she performed data analysis to optimize fundraising efforts. She has also served as an Enterprise Risk Consultant at Santander Bank in São Paulo, Brazil. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Statistics and an MBA from the University of São Paulo and is also a graduate of the George Brown Project Management Postgraduate program.
Areas of Expertise:Project management, Data analytics, Risk management, CRM expertise
Arbab Khan
Program ManagerArbab draws from his extensive project management and business development experience as well as his practical experience in the construction industry to provide expertise and guidance to partners seeking solutions to mechanical engineering and construction sector research and innovation challenges. Skilled in managing projects in the fields of advanced prototyping, robotics information technology, building automation, IoT, and software development, Arbab has helped multiple clients execute projects and achieve success in developing innovative processes and products. His background working for numerous organizations is complimented by his master’s degree in Project Management (NICMAR), his post-graduate certificates in Construction Management (Fanshawe College, President’s Honor Roll) and Building Information Modelling (George Brown College, Dean’s List), and his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering (Jamia Millia Islamia University).
Baaba Lewis
Administrative AssistantBaaba has over ten years of experience providing administrative support in and around the educational sector and has considerable familiarity with the college infrastructure. Since 2008, she has supported all research and innovation activities, helping streamline applied research across the college. As the front line of Research and Innovation, Baaba is essential to managing its relationships with external and internal clients and stakeholders, as well as the coordination of meetings, events, workshops, and training. In 2005, Baaba graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Also a community minded volunteer extraordinaire, Baaba was a George Brown College’s United Way Cabinet Members from 2010 to 2012 and has served as a volunteer at convocation ceremonies.
Areas of Expertise:Event Coordination | customer service focus | research ethics | administration | volunteer extraordinaire
Email:blewis@georgebrown.ca
Candace Rambert
Lab Operations ManagerFrom learning family recipes to working in hotels around the world, Candace’s passion for food has been her driving force. With over 16 years of culinary and foodservice experience, she has proven skills in recipe and product development. Candace values building strong client relationships at FIRSt and has a proven track record of meeting the demands of FIRSt’s diverse and dynamic clients, who are often at the cutting edge of the foodservice and the consumer package goods industry. By collaborating with food scientists and culinary students at FIRSt, she applies her culinary and sensory science experience to meet the needs of FIRSt’s diverse clients to produce best-selling products. Her product roaster includes ready to drink beverages, sauces, healthy snacks and nutrition focused recipes which help in the recovery of certain medical conditions. Since starting her career at FIRSt, she has seen first-hand how innovation continues to push the boundaries when developing unique products, and how food continues to bring people together. Candace holds a B.A from the University of Windsor and is an alumnus of both the George Brown College (GBC) Culinary Management and Italian postgraduate programs. Candace is a member of the Research Chef Association is also a past recipient of the prestigious Ontario Hostelry Institute’s ‘Top 30 Under 30’ award.
Email:CRambert@georgebrown.ca
Dan Reilly
Director, FIRStDan oversees all project management at FIRSt. Since beginning work at George Brown over a decade ago, his strategic thinking skills, commitment to process improvement, and leadership capabilities have made him integral to the effective planning, execution, and closing of countless projects. Previously, Dan managed projects of all kinds, from statistical studies for the federal government to small-town music festivals. Dan graduated from George Brown College with an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and was the recipient of the Project Management Award of Distinction. He now teaches in the School of Management, training the next generation of Project Managers. Outside of work, Dan has completed his Professional Fromager certification and can often be found at the Rogers Centre cheering on the Blue Jays.
Areas of Expertise:project management, strategic thinking, process improvement, team leadership
Email:dreilly@georgebrown.ca
Daniel Caunter
Manager, Industry Liaison and Business DevelopmentDaniel brings over 8 years of scope development and project management experience to George Brown, where he assists industry partners in smart building and fashion technology with all phases of scoping and project development in preparation for implementation. He is passionate about applying his business and project-related expertise to foster collaborative partnerships and support effective project planning and delivery. Before joining George Brown, Daniel worked with green and tech firms on projects in solar PV construction, energy efficiency programs, consumer packaged goods waste recycling, and customized software deployments. Daniel holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business (York University), a Graduate Diploma in Business and Environment (York University), and a BCOMM (Concordia University). He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Areas of Expertise:Scope Development, Project Management, Collaborative Partnerships, Sustainable Business
Dr. Eva Aboagye
Senior Program ManagerWithin the Office of Research and Innovation, Eva provides guidance on and management of research methods and budgets for researchers applying to or holding external research or social innovation grants. She has over twenty years of management experience in the postsecondary sector, seventeen of which focused on strategic planning, research and teaching in the Ontario College system. Previously, she held several positions at Centennial College including Senior Researcher at the Institute for Global Citizenship and Equity, Director of Policies Pathways and Grants, and Manager of the Strategic Institutional Planning. Eva has a PhD and an M Ed in Higher Education from the University of Toronto and a BA from the University of Ghana.
Areas of Expertise:Research, Program Management, Strategic Planning, Policy development, Equity and diversity
Dr. Krista Holmes
Associate Vice President
Erin Jones
Information ArchitectAn expert in information management, Erin oversees the department’s information structures, ensuring that staff and stakeholders can easily store and use project-related data and information. In this capacity, she supervises data collection and reporting and is responsible for the design and maintenance of an IAGO custom project information database. Erin brings deep expertise in applied research, digital design, and information sciences to her work at George Brown College. She has a Masters of Information Studies, with a specialty in usability and human-computer interaction, from the University of Toronto. She also has 12 years of experience designing and executing research studies focused on online learning and 9 years of project management experience.
Areas of Expertise:Usability, and Human-Computer Interaction Information Management and Database Design; Interactive and User-Centred Design; Project Management; Research Study; Design and Execution
Email:ejones@georgebrown.ca
Jillian Butler
Knowledge Transfer CoordinatorAs Knowledge Transfer Coordinator, Jillian oversees all ongoing outreach for the ORI, including divisional messaging, media production, press releases, funding proposals and marketing materials. Her career to date has explored a diverse range of media, spanning traditional outlets like print, advertising and publishing as well as emerging sectors like film, design, digital and social media. Jillian received an M.A. in Media Studies from York University in 2012, a B.A. (Hons) in English Literature from Memorial University, and a certificate in Graphic Design at George Brown College.
Areas of Expertise:graphic design, strategic communications, media production, creative problem solving, storytelling
Email:jbutler12@georgebrown.ca
Lorenza Carandang
Finance and Admin Coordinator, FIRStLorenza brings extensive experience in administration and managing operations to her position as Finance and Admin Coordinator at FIRSt. Her diverse skill set ranges from client management to financial and wealth management to investor and shareholder communications and budgeting. Prior to joining FIRSt, she worked at Kingsdale Shareholder Services and AIG Philippines. Her considerable history of office management ensures that our partners and projects are supported by streamlined operations and an efficient infrastructure. Lorenza has a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines.
Areas of Expertise:Operations management and control, Financial management and budgeting, Administration and office management
Michelle Kienitz-Henderson
Manager, Industry Liaison & Business DevelopmentCurrently on parental leave.
Michelle brings a value-chain approach to FIRSt, where she has supported hundreds of food entrepreneurs throughout the product development process. Her academic and professional careers have focused on primary agriculture, agri-food, and agri-technology and she even occasionally assists on her parents’ cash crop farm. With a BA in Social Development (University of Waterloo) and a MA in Political Science and International Development (University of Guelph), she uses her interdisciplinary background to bring creative and holistic solutions to clients and partnerships. Michelle enjoys eating food as much as she enjoys working in the industry and is deeply committed to growing the food value chain in Ontario and Canada and increasing opportunities for Canadian food & agri-food companies.
Email:Michelle.KienitzHenderson@georgebrown.ca
Areas of Expertise:Food systems, Food Entrepreneurship, Relationship Management
Morgan Kierinkiewicz
Business Development Manager, DCSESince 2013, Morgan has been managing projects focused in Digital Design, Healthcare, Food & Beverage, and Green Technology projects with the Office of Research and Innovation. Her current role is managing the Innovation Exchange within the School of Design, where she uses insights gained from these diverse industries to promote and support the exchange and its clients in achieving product dreams, improving the access and adoption of state of the art technology, and supporting community relationships. With expertise in strategic planning, grant management, and innovative thinking, she provides tailored solutions and practical support throughout all stages of a project’s life cycle. Morgan is a graduate of George Brown’s Business Administration Program, where she specialized in project management, and came to this role with seven years of project management experience spanning the sports entertainment, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.
Areas of Expertise:Project Management, Strategic Planning, Grant Management, Innovative Thinking
Nuvi Dhaliwal
Project Manager, FIRStNuvi has been managing projects and grants within the Healthcare and Food and Beverage Industry for 7+ years. Before joining George Brown, Nuvi managed medical research grants for the Physicians’ Services Incorporated (PSI) Foundation, and worked for the Greenbelt Fund supporting and promoting increased demand for and access to local food in Ontario. Nuvi uses project management skills heavily at FIRSt to meet business objectives while upholding exceptional customer service in order to run the best operations possible and continuously engage in projects. Nuvi has a BA from University of Guelph. She continues to nurture her passion for food and beverage by taking classes in George Brown’s Wine, Culinary and Baking Arts program.
Areas of Expertise:Project management Grant management in healthcare, agriculture, agri-food, and product development Relationship management
Pere Ramel
Lead Food Scientist, FIRStAreas of Expertise:Food Product Development; Dairy Science and Technology; Lipids and Emulsions; Food Structure (Microscopy/Rheology); Cosmetics and Topical Natural Health Products Formulation
Richard Derham
Senior Business Development ManagerRichard is a creative leader who is passionate about education and has spent most of his career helping barriered populations gain more equitable access to employment. As the Senior Business Development Manager, he leverages new and existing relationships to grow high-impact Research & Innovation programs. Before coming to the college, Richard’s most recent role was with Opportunity For All Youth, a not for profit national coalition of Canada’s leading companies working together with community employment agencies and governments to connect youth with meaningful employment. Prior to working at O4AY, Richard was the Founder and President of TurnAround Couriers, a social purpose business in Toronto focussed on helping youth successfully enter the workforce. Richard worked as a commercial lawyer in England and France for six years, before receiving his MBA from INSEAD (France) in 1999. He is a licensed lawyer in Ontario and is bilingual in English and French.
Rosalina Declaro
Operations and Budget ManagerRosalina has more than 10 years of experience in office administration, finance, accounting, and bookkeeping. She is a CPA from the Philippines, holds a B.Sc in Commerce, with a focus on accounting, from the University of Santo Tomas, and completed a Certificate in Computer Programming and Systems Analysis and Design from CICC-Japan. Since 2012, she has been the Budget and Operations Manager for the Office of Research and Innovation, where she oversees all departmental and research project budgets. Prior to joining the research and innovation team, Rosalina was a Controller at Traction Heavy Duty Truck Parts and a Managing Director at Rouge Hill Informatics.
Email:rdeclaro@georgebrown.ca
Victoria Trang
Finance and Administrative AssistantAs finance and administrative assistant, Victoria supports the Office of Research and Innovation through activities such as processing payables and receivables, creating purchase orders, and generating financial reports. She also provides support to program managers, assisting with specific project-related financial inquiries. Previously, as a project analyst and administrative assistant, Victoria supervised and trained junior project analysts, performed market research, and served as a key liaison between software developers and clients. She is a graduate of George Brown College’s School of Management, where she obtained a diploma in Business.
Areas of Expertise:Microsoft Office, Communication, Organization, Critical Thinking, Attention to detail
Email:vtrang@georgebrown.ca
Yuchen Sun
Senior Program ManagerYuchen Sun oversees the operations and growth of the GBC research programs. Since starting with the Office of Research and Innovation in 2013, Yuchen has established a track record of delivering successful applied research projects and programs in the Building Information Modeling, Building Science, and Mechanical Engineering fields. She provides expert support to industry partners and research staff, whether they are engaging in initial project scoping conversations, applying for funding, or executing a funded research project. Yuchen is a certified Project Management Professional and a MA Candidate in Education with the University of Central Michigan.
Areas of Expertise:Program Management, Project Management, Risk Management, Process Improvement, Grant Development & Administration
Email:ysun20@georgebrown.ca
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