e@UBCO Team
Need to get in touch?
Please reach out to innovation.ok@ubc.ca
Sandra Spencer
Innovation Manager, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
Cell 780-722-6663 | sandra.spencer@ubc.ca | UBC Okanagan Campus | ADM006 – 1138 Alumni Avenue
Sandra Spencer has worked in the entrepreneur & innovation ecosystem for the past 10+ years, most recently within the Okanagan following a move from Alberta in 2021. Sandra joined UBC Okanagan as Innovation Manager in June of 2022, supporting industry partnerships, commercialization and entrepreneurship for the campus community.
Prior to that, Sandra was a Sr. Innovation Advisor with Innovation Canada supporting companies of all sectors and sizes across BC and Yukon in identifying resources and supports to grow their companies – she worked with well over 100 companies and dozens of service providers to build out her network in BC. In addition to this work, Sandra incorporated her company Nimble Strategizing in 2017 to provide additional opportunities to work directly with startups and support organizations in areas of raising capital, commercialization, and business modelling through coaching and program delivery.
Prior to her move to BC, she spent 2 years building and running the University of Alberta Health Hub & Accelerator supporting 30+ researchers, faculty and students in validating their business models and getting their health technologies to market – a program that has now evolved into Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation. Sandra is passionate about coaching entrepreneurs toward viable business models and developing long-term growth strategies, as well as working with organizations to develop and deliver programming for entrepreneurs and investors.
Kayla Cartlidge
Program Manager, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
kayla.cartlidge@ubc.ca | UBC Okanagan Campus | ADM006 – 1138 Alumni Avenue
Kayla Cartlidge joined e@UBCO as the new Program Manager in January of 2023. She is responsible for developing and managing both new and existing initiatives of e@UBCO, developing operational policies internally for the organization, and the overall day-to-day operations. Kayla oversees the data analytics needs of the unit, regular analysis and reporting to multiple stakeholders, and the organization and administration of software systems to support venture success.
Kayla holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa in Second Language Teaching and completed her minor in Gender Studies at the University of Alberta. Paired with a post-grad diploma in HR Business Management from McMaster University, she is also a designated Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP).
Kayla leverages over 6 years of Operational and Leadership experience in various sectors. Passionate about entrepreneurship, operations, human resources, social and environmental sustainability, and equity diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace.
Darnel St Pierre
Community Coordinator, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
darnel.stpierre@ubc.ca | UBC Okanagan Campus | ADM006 – 1138 Alumni Avenue
Darnel St Pierre started as the Community Coordinator in April 2023. Darnel is responsible for supporting the e@UBCO programs through a community-focused lens to help build and sustain the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This includes the implementation of an engagement strategy across the complex stakeholders community, including researchers, students, industry mentors and faculty/staff on campus that support entrepreneurial initiatives. He oversees the e@UBCO brands and user experience and executes the program’s marketing, communications and events.
Darnel completed an undergraduate degree in Communications with a minor in Digital Publishing at Simon Fraser University. Five years of marketing experience in the tourism industry and a couple of years as a freelance video producer has afforded Darnel multimedia expertise and adept project management skill. During the height of the pandemic, Darnel supported tourism stakeholders in British Columbia to integrate sustainability into their operations, strategy, and storytelling. Elevating progressive ideas and voices and finding ways to promote sustainability and social equity are among Darnel’s passions. He also highly values storytelling, community building, innovation and creativity.
Rick Cooper
Entrepreneur in Residence, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
rick.cooper@ubc.ca
Rick is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, strategist, and angel investor with leadership experience in eight start-ups. He has been working in senior management positions, including CEO, COO, CFO, and VP in start-ups since 1996.
Rick worked in a joint venture and other collaborative relationships with most of the world’s leading companies in the auto and consumer electronics sectors. Rick is a former Treasurer and Board Member of Tech Coast Angels, a southern California-based angel investment network. He is also an EIR for the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at UC San Diego and is a Board Member at South 8 Technologies.
He is passionate about passing on the lessons learned from his 40+ year career to first-time entrepreneurs. He loves learning new things and believes there’s always something to learn from mentoring start-up teams.
Rick has honors degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry.
Gelly Gnissios
Entrepreneur in Residence, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
gelly.gnissios@ubc.ca
Before moving into the corporate world, Gelly grew up in the restaurant business and eventually owned and operated an award-winning restaurant. An entrepreneur and business coach with 25+ year’s experience in business, he’s held multiple roles in public, private and not-for-profit companies, including: Chair of the Board, CEO, CFO and Company Secretary, developing and delivering his expertise in strategy, finance, governance, and negotiations. His primary focus is supporting startups and early-stage ventures with a focus on idea interrogation, market validation, and commercializing strategy, supporting the evaluation of competition, and testing competitive advantage. Through his consulting company, Enstrati Consulting, Gelly has worked with numerous startups from early-stage to investment and into acquisition, and he manages his family’s investment company.
He is currently part of the leadership team for UCalgary’s Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking. He previously led the University of Oxford’s Startup Incubator, and prior to that, supported early and growth stage ventures through Innovate UK. Gelly is an associate instructor and guest lecturer at Said Business School at the University of Oxford. He believes in social capital and the building of mentorship and advisory relationships, where he has engaged with new ventures relating to: Real Estate, ClimateTech, AgriTech, ESG, Aerospace, Biotech, Mining, Food and Health.
Melissa Loerke
Entrepreneur in Residence, Entrepreneurship, UBC Okanagan (e@UBCO)
melissa.loerke@ubc.ca
With a passion for building healthy, safe, and thriving communities, Melissa spends her time coaching local entrepreneurs and purpose-driven start-ups. She brings extensive experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, with a focus on developing and leading high-performing teams. As an executive, she was part of the successful acquisition of Kelowna-based startup Two Hat, by Microsoft (2021), and is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Trellis, a fundraising platform focused on helping non-profits disrupt for social good.