Ray DePaul

Executive Director

Ray DePaul is the inaugural Executive Director of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. Ray has launched many innovative products in his 35-year career. He has been a successful entrepreneur, selling his company to Intel, and was also a key member of the team that brought the iconic BlackBerry to the world. He is currently a volunteer on the board of Platform Calgary and is a member of the prestigious A100. He is also on several private sector advisory boards and is proud to be a mentor to many young entrepreneurs. Ray holds a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and a Masters of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

rdepaul@mtroyal.ca

Tracy Pfeifer

Administrative Assistant

Tracy has dedicated over 17 years to Mount Royal University. She provides administrative support to both the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Institute for Community Prosperity. Tracy plays a critical role of being the interface between the Institute’s team of impatient entrepreneurs and the university’s many policies and procedures.

tpfeifer@mtroyal.ca

Melissa Martin

Director, Student Programs

mmartin@mtroyal.ca

Melissa is an entrepreneur, educator, and innovation leader with more than 18 years of experience building businesses and supporting entrepreneurs. She founded Wean Green in 2008, growing the sustainable consumer brand into an international company. Melissa brings her experience as a founder and entrepreneurship leader to Mount Royal University's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where she supports students in turning ideas into action.

She has built and led entrepreneurship hubs and programs in post-secondary institutions, supported scale-up initiatives, and worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs across Canada and the United States. She is currently completing her MBA at Dalhousie University. Passionate about entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community building, Melissa enjoys connecting students, industry, academia, and the broader innovation ecosystem, and catching a wave whenever she gets the chance.

Peter Fenwick

Director, Scaleup and Growth Programs, Growth Catalyst

With his magnetic presence and innovative thinking, Peter creates an exceptional experience for our participants. With his unique approach, he inspires the team to push boundaries and embrace creativity. A disruptor by nature, Pete drives impactful change wherever he goes. He joined the Institute in the Fall of 2022.

Dr. Simon Raby

Associate Director, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Director, Growth Compass

Academic Director, Growth Catalyst

Dr. Simon Raby is a “pracademic” working as an Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University Bissett School of Business and co-founder of Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) Associates Ltd. BIG identifies the drivers of growth, challenges convention and offers practical ways for ambitious business owners and their organizations to achieve sustained growth and performance.

Simon’s research program is focused on uncovering the strategies, practices and methods of support that enable business growth, leadership transitions and people’s performance. Most recently, Simon delivered a program of research on the growth of Alberta’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand the drivers of growth, innovation and diversification for these firms. This research has since led to the creation of The Leader’s Growth Mindset.

Simon is a trustee and board member for the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, a large, well-established network that enables excellence in small business and entrepreneurship, and builds bridges between research, policy and practice. Simon serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research.

sraby@mtroyal.ca