About Me
The Entrepreneur
Founded Horizon Media Group
Creative Agency
merged in Dec, 2002
My entrepreneurial journey began in 1994 when I recognized the transformative potential of the web. After registering my employer’s first domain and launching my first website, I was instantly captivated. I left my job, with my former employer becoming my first client, and founded Horizon Media Group. The agency focused on branding, design, and web development, marking the start of my career as an industry innovator and disruptor. I merged Horizon Media Group with another company in 2002 and joined their leadership team as Business Development and Solutions Manager, steering my career in a new direction
The Innovator
Co-founded Borealis
Co-working and Collaboration Space
closed in Dec, 2002
In the early 2000s, I co-founded Borealis, Ottawa’s first creative co-working space and high-tech startup incubator, offering fully serviced studio space for 20 startups. Despite early promise, we had to close in the second year due to lack of funding, which became a pivotal learning experience in my entrepreneurial journey. During the challenges of Borealis’ shutdown.
The Artist
Founded The Other Side Studios
Production Studio
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
In 2004, driven by a passion for new ideas, I founded The Other Side Studios, a creative think tank and production studio offering entertainment services and interactive digital media products. Projects included Clickathon (stock photography events), City Hunters (urban photography scavenger hunts), and Tikiosk (an online event ticketing platform). That same year, I spearheaded digitalOttawa, an initiative supported by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (now Invest Ottawa), connecting the local digital media community through monthly events and an online portal.
The Investor
Joined Codency as Director
Incubator for various start-ups
– Jan, 2007
In 2006, I expanded my reach to Montreal, joining Codency as a Director. During my tenure, I successfully built a world-class team and played a key role in managing and advising the development of several projects and startups, including Pixilis, Diamancy, Gigasize, and Needen. By the end of my assignment, I had helped shape the growth and strategic direction of these ventures.
The Strategist
Founded digitalOttawa
Digital Agency
merged with Uniforge Jun, 2012
Upon returning to Ottawa, I transformed the digitalOttawa initiative into a full-fledged consulting agency. With a talented team of associates, we pioneered social media and mobile strategies for the Government of Canada, collaborating with agencies such as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Global Affairs Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), and the Canadian Armed Forces, among others. Our work helped shape the digital landscape within these organizations
The Tabletop Gamer
Founded Games for All
Game Lounge, Events & Online Store
closed Dec, 2014
As a child, I loved playing board games with family and friends, but my interest waned until I noticed a resurgence of the trend around 2004. Inspired to reintroduce board games as a viable social activity, my friend and I launched the first Game Summit and Toy & Game Expo in 2008, which evolved into Canada’s largest annual tabletop gaming event. In 2011, I started Games for All, an online store and rental service, later upgrading to a full retail store and lounge in Westboro in 2014. We also became the first Canadians to publish two board games through successful Kickstarter campaigns in 2011 (FrankenDie) and 2012 (Top This!).
The Partner
Merged The Other Side & digitalOttawa
to form Uniforge
Digital Agency
closed Nov, 2015
In 2012, The Other Side Studios and digitalOttawa merged to form UniForge, focusing on innovative solutions for digital media, communications, and marketing challenges through gamification. We successfully addressed the needs of over 20 Government of Canada departments and agencies, along with more than 100 private and public sector organizations, driving thriving new initiatives under the UniForge brand.
The Executive Leader
Joined Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum
Career
– present
In April 2015, I embraced a new challenge as a Digital Leader at the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Children’s Museum, and the Canadian War Museum. This exciting period in the museum sector is marked by the immense potential of digital technologies to enhance storytelling and visitor experiences. My team is responsible for innovating, designing, developing, and deploying both online and in-museum digital experiences, including audio, video, and interactive installations.
The Owner
Co-founded The Odd Spot
in an 1837 renovated hotel
Board Game Shop & Café
– present
We decided to pursue our dream of relocating to a small town and opening a unique shop featuring a variety of curated products for entertaining, along with a cozy deli-café that serves coffee, specialty drinks, and a menu of shareable foods. Our customers can also enjoy our extensive library of over 500 popular board games, allowing them to stay and play in a welcoming atmosphere.
The Community Leader
Board Director Spencerville BIA
Board Director Spencerville Mill & Museum
– present
Moving to Spencerville, Ontario, a small town near the 416 and 401, has been a dream as I approach retirement. At this stage in my life, I’m eager to engage with the community to help it grow and flourish. I take pride in my involvement and in witnessing tangible positive changes in the community.
The Advisor
Co-founded Airow
Digital Strategy & Coaching
– present
At Airow, we help businesses scale by optimizing operations and reducing costs through AI and automation systems. As a partner and advisor, I focus on leadership coaching and driving business growth, ensuring that organizations can efficiently harness technology to enhance their performance.
Looking back
I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember, driven by a passion for innovation and brand-building. From founding and growing creative agencies to establishing one of Ottawa’s first digital co-working spaces, my journey has been marked by pioneering new ideas. I’ve hosted major stock photography and scavenger hunt events, launched premium tabletop gaming venues, and experimented with crowdfunding, product design, manufacturing, and global distribution. With over 300 digital projects successfully delivered, I’m now focused on transforming the museum space by creating digitally enhanced, immersive experiences.
What do I really care about today
- Work-Life Balance: As a self-identified workaholic, achieving balance is a challenge, but it’s a priority I’m actively working on. I strive to properly prioritize between career ambitions and personal well-being, which includes health, leisure, family, and spiritual development. It’s about finding harmony between professional and personal fulfillment.
- Minimalist Lifestyle: I embrace minimalism as a way of life, focusing on simplicity and mindful consumption. By making intentional choices, I seek less—less material possessions, stress, and distractions—while valuing what truly matters. Minimalism reminds me that anything beyond necessity can create unnecessary clutter and disharmony in life, relationships, and society.
- Making a Sustainable Impact: I follow the Six Rs of sustainability—rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and replace—to minimize waste and promote conscious consumption. I aim to reduce packaged goods and stay mindful of a product’s entire lifecycle, from production and marketing to its end-of-life and potential for rebirth. I’m particularly focused on reducing plastic use.
- Building a Sustainable Home: My goal is to create a fully sustainable home, guided by principles like optimizing solar energy, improving indoor air quality, using land responsibly, and conserving natural resources. I aim for a home that’s energy-efficient, high-performing, and moisture-resistant for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
- Supporting Local Businesses: I’m committed to supporting local businesses by choosing locally-produced goods and services whenever possible. It’s about fostering growth in our community and helping small businesses thrive, contributing to a stronger local economy.
- Supporting Open Movements: I believe in the power of sharing and collaboration, which is why I actively support “open” movements such as open data, open source, open hardware, open content, and open access. These ideologies align with my values, and I consider myself a socialist at heart.
- Experiencing New Cultures: The best way to understand and appreciate different cultures is by immersing oneself in them. My long-term goal is to travel the world and experience diverse cultures firsthand, making it a cornerstone of my retirement plan.
