����ֱ��

“There is no better investment than in our future leaders,” says Greg Bavington. He should know. Greg was appointed Executive Director of the Queen’s Innovation Connector (now DDQIC) in November 2012 and also serves Special Advisor to the Provost on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. His latest innovation challenge follows five years as President and CEO of KN Rubber LLC and roles helping to design smelters in South Africa and GM’s modernized assembly plant in Oshawa. Greg was also exposed to several high-profile engineering projects, including the English Channel Tunnel and the SkyDome roof. He has served as an elected member of Queen’s University Council and on the Smith Engineering Society Board of Directors. Greg also serves on the board of several private companies, income trusts, trade associations and not-for-profit organizations.

Jim (Sc’81, PhD’90) is the Academic Director of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre, a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Smith Engineering and a co-founder of the Queen’s Innovation Centre Summer Initiative (formerly known as QSII). Prior to joining Queen’s in 1990, he worked for Petro-Canada as a control applications engineer. He is an active researcher and consultant in the fields of statistical model building and process control, working with major companies ranging from biomedical devices, to metals manufacturing and chemical manufacturing processes. Jim is committed to building innovation and entrepreneurship programming at Queen’s and to growing a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in the Kingston region, working with many groups in the Kingston entrepreneurship ecosystem. Jim is cross-appointed to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and to the Dan School of Drama and Music. He collaborates in teaching and research in innovation and pedagogy in the technology and creative arts fields.

Joanna is a community-oriented leader with a passion for supporting people and organizations by opening them to new ways of thinking. She has a multi-disciplinary background with an undergraduate degree in Psychology & Philosophy, a Master of Arts in legal, moral and political philosophy, and a Graduate Diploma in Business, all from ����ֱ��. Since joining DDQIC in 2017, Joanna has been instrumental in growing Kingston’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. She has extensive experience building out entrepreneurship ecosystems locally and globally, and supporting collaborations with post-secondary institutions, governments, NGOs, and industry. Her work has helped over 600 founders and 250 ventures across diverse industries across Canada. Joanna has also advanced globally impactful projects, including the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship supporting over 8,000 young African entrepreneurs in 49 countries. She is the Faculty Advisor for Enactus Queen’s, a member of the Principal’s Advisory Council on Community Engagement, and has championed innovative programming for groups ranging from high school students to incarcerated individuals at Collins Bay Institute.

Simon is a programs coordinator in the Kingston startup ecosystem, with 5 years of experience supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and ecosystem development. He has contributed to the launch and growth of over 60 early-stage ventures through customized programming, stakeholder coordination, and operational support within a university-anchored innovation environment.

Simon holds Bachelors degrees in Business Administration and International Management Sciences, with specializations in entrepreneurship and international policy from Brock University and NEOMA Business School, respectively. He brings a strong interest in practical entrepreneurship, venture scaling, and creating meaningful connections through education, opportunity-building, and networking.

With a background that blends analytical thinking, communication, and cross-sector collaboration, Simon is motivated by building environments where people and ideas can thrive. He is particularly passionate about supporting innovation that delivers lasting economic and social impact.

Megan is an International Programs Manager with over four years of experience in international development and project management. She specializes in creating impactful, cross-cultural programs that promote socioeconomic growth. Megan has managed initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, collaborating with over 40 institutions to support sustainable change.

She holds a Master’s in Development Management (Applied Economics) from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s in Global Development Studies and Political Science from Queen’s University. Her expertise includes project cycle management, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluation. Megan’s accomplishments include doubling annual applicants and increasing female retention by 30% in entrepreneurship programs, and fostering partnerships that expand opportunities in education, health, and economic development. Megan is passionate about working with others to drive meaningful initiatives and contribute to lasting impact in the field of international development.

Karen is a seasoned finance leader with over 13 years of experience in the non-profit and private sectors. She is the Financial and Budget Officer at Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre (DDQIC) and previously served as Finance Manager at LHC Heritage Planning and Archaeology, overseeing a $2M portfolio. At LHC, Karen enhanced operations by automating financial data, introducing dashboard reporting, and streamlining finance processes.

Karen has worked with international non-profits like the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Islamic Relief Kenya (IRK) and began her career as an auditor at Horwath Erastus CPA. She holds a CPA (Kenya) certification, an MBA in Finance, and an MA in Global Leadership from Royal Roads University. She is also a Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM).

Passionate about entrepreneurship, Karen focuses on fostering skills among young entrepreneurs and women. Her thesis examined economic development through entrepreneurial creativity. An avid reader, she explores personal finance, investments, and financial literacy to empower others.