Spark Centre Call For Board of Directors Nominations 2022

Spark Centre is looking for dynamic leaders with unique expertise to join our Board!

Spark Centre is looking for energetic business professionals to fill open positions who can provide strategic guidance and other specific skill sets while working with other members of the Board and its Committees to contribute to the success of the Spark Centre.

Individuals are to be elected by the Spark Board of Directors at the 2022 Annual Meeting in July 2022.

Spark Centre is a non-profit business incubator dedicated to building and scaling sustainable, globally competitive companies and giving early-stage and rapidly growing innovation and technology companies the highest probability of long-term success. Located in Durham Region, the Spark Centre provides advisory services, office space, and day-to-day operational support.

Under strong leadership, we are excited to execute Spark Centre’s Vision. We are looking to add new Board members to help Spark Centre move ahead in this exciting new chapter. 

These are unique volunteer positions that provide an opportunity to represent a fast-growing organization in an innovation-backed community and impact the economic health of the Durham Region, the Eastern Corridor, and beyond.

Spark Centre is looking for individuals of diverse backgrounds who want to be actively involved and engaged in this growing organization. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual passionate about Spark’s Vision to expand the tech ecosystem in Durham Region, Ontario, and beyond.

Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in global entrepreneurship in technology & innovation, IP strategy and commercialization, and government or private agency experience and demonstrate a commitment to Spark’s stakeholders and members.

Board Members will have strong strategic and decision-making skills, excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and building consensus among diverse individuals. They also possess personal qualities of integrity, dependability, accountability, a strong work ethic, and a passion for supporting the non-profit sector. They will be willing to devote the time and energy to the Board and management team as needed.

The current Spark Centre Board consists of:

Gary Jarosz, Chair

John Russell, Secretary, and Treasurer

Nicolena Stone, HR Committee

Hari Sambsivam, Audit Risk Committee

John Dynes, Director at Large

Chris Aleong, Director at Large

Dror Nir, Director at Large
 

The Nominating Committee is currently recruiting a slate of qualified candidates for election that can fill one or more of the following positions:

Director at Large – Global Entrepreneurship Technology & Innovation Expertise with any combination of one or more of the following attributes or demonstrated competencies:

• Current or former CEO and entrepreneur in the tech industry.
• International Entrepreneur that successfully set up their business or expanded into Canada.
• Understands the opportunities and challenges of setting up a Canadian-based organization that has global roots.
• Active role in tech industry, mentoring or advising other Entrepreneurs internationally or domestically.
• Senior-level contacts within the following industries: Engineering, Energy, Environment, Automotive, MedTech, Digital ICT (Robotics, 4.0, AI, Blockchain), Cleantech, ICT.

Director at Large – IP Strategy & Commercialization Expertise– with any combination of one or more of the following attributes or demonstrated competencies:

• Current or former venture capitalist.
• Proven knowledge of evaluating or developing IP strategy and commercializing IP.
• Solid understanding of how to value IP, the challenges of the monetization of IP, and what attracts VC investment for IP development or commercialization.
• Active role in the tech industry as an advisor to or investor in entrepreneurial ventures in Canada.
• Senior-level contacts within the following industries: Engineering, Energy, Environment, Automotive, MedTech, Digital ICT (Robotics, 4.0, AI, Blockchain), Cleantech, ICT.

Director at Large – Government Agency or International Agency Expertise– with any combination of one or more of the following attributes or demonstrated competencies:

• Current or former role in a government or private agency &/or IRCC or FedDev.
• Solid understanding of government programs, grants, funding availability to SMEs and pathways for international entrepreneurs.
• Proven knowledge of government program development, key stakeholders, processes.
• Policy development expertise.

Meetings and Roles:
Spark Centre Board Members will initially meet monthly to integrate new members and then move to meetings every two months. Meetings will be held virtually or in person, as set out by the Chair.  Board Members may also volunteer to serve as leaders or members of Spark Centre Board Committees on an ongoing basis.

Term of Office:
The Board of Directors is elected to a three-year term that will commence immediately after the adjournment of the 2022 Annual Meeting. 

If you meet these requirements and are interested in contributing your expertise to our innovative organization, please send a resume and statement of interest no later than March 31st, 2022, to Gary Jarosz, Chair Spark Centre Board Nominating Committee at the address below.

Gary Jarosz, Chair

Spark Centre Board Nominating Committee

Email address: [email protected]

Inquiries for additional information about the Spark Centre Board of Directors should also be directed to the Chair of the Nominating Committee, as noted above.

Spark Centre Nominating Committee:

Gary Jarosz, Chair

John Russell, Secretary, and Treasurer

Sherry Colbourne, Member at Large