Coaches and Mentors
Head Coach, District 3
JD Bégin is a venture capitalist turned entrepreneur and angel investor. As head coach at District 3, Bégin helps founders find product market-fit, grow their key metrics, and secure financing. Having previously worked as a growth advisor and mentor to firms such as VM6 Software Inc., Techstars and Traction Ventures, Bégin leverages more than 15 years experience to uniquely equip startups with the tools they need to grow into successful enterprises. Bégin holds an MBA from Concordia University, as well as a bachelors of Business Administration in accounting and finance from UQAM.
Senior Life Sciences & Medtech Coach, District 3
With a wealth of international experience in taking ideas to market and always at the dynamic intersection of where entrepreneurship and experiential learning meet, Edna Chosack, M.Sc., MBA, is a Senior Coach at District 3. Chosack co-founded Simbionix Inc. As co-founder and VP Strategic Marketing, she became internationally recognized as being one of a handful of experts who leverage medical-simulation experiential learning into business success stories–helping to transform Simbionix into an international surgical-simulation leader, acquired by 3D Systems. In Montreal, Edna established and served as Director of CAE’s surgical-simulation business line. She was a member of the advisory committee at McGill University’s Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning. She is also a strategic marketing and product management consultant, carrying over her experience in other markets.
Executive Director, District 3
Xavier-Henri Hervé has a 25 years track record for transforming strategic plans for innovations into business on an international scale. An engineer, Hervé leverages 20 years of experience in several technologies and engineering intensive domains such as aviation, information systems, simulation, and green tech, at Mechtronix, Oracle Corporation, CAE Electronics and Bombardier. Hervé enjoys a worldwide network built in over fifty countries. In 2011, Hervé was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Concordia University’s Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. He holds an MBA from INSEAD, as well as a bachelor of engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Concordia University.
Director, AI Commons
Gilles Fayad spent his entire career launching new products. His track record has been to move up the food chain to successfully solve one problem after the other, and in doing so he acquired a broad technical expertise, managerial acumen, and international exposure. He is deeply fascinated with the impact of technology on society, complex mathematical problems, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and the relationship between form and function in design. If you cannot find him sailing or diving, you can lure him with a coffee into a game of chess, Go, or simply in a discussion on reinventing the world.
CEO, BEEM
With over 15 years of racing experience, Kevin Ferah has developed an essential link between engineering theory and practice. Kevin cofounded BEEM, an automotive technology company, in 2014. He brings expertise in sales, commercialization, and product engineering. Along with his co-founder, they have successfully scaled their startup BEEM. BEEM is a data automation platform helping businesses unlock the power of their data. Their product Fleet, is a leading loaner car management software helping car dealerships across Canada eliminate expenses and generate revenue with our proven process and technology. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the École de technologie supérieur.
President, BEEM
Alexandre Lataille is driven by a true passion for automotive technologies that have always pushed him to innovate. As the CEO and Cofounder of BEEM, an auto tech company, he is focusing on reinventing the way we interact within the automotive ecosystem, starting with the customer, the vehicle, the dealership and the manufacturer.
Prior to founding BEEM, Alexandre specialized in data-driven automotive product development, business processes and analytics. He managed projects to the highest industry standards, with a tenacity that saw him rise swiftly in the ranks of Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), a leading recreational products manufacturer. Alexandre started his career as a testing engineer for the Volvo Group, where he realized his passion for a data-driven approach to problem solving and product development, which he applies to BEEM today.
Founder & President at Vectr Growth Advisory
Aaron Linden has more than 10 years of experience in management consulting and venture analysis, including assignments in Canada, the US, Asia, and across Europe. His professional experience includes business development, strategic planning, market strategy, business modeling, project management, and corporate development. He is also a guest lecturer at the John Molson School of Business.
Before joining the BDC, Aaron spent 5 years working in Corporate Strategy across two separate Fortune 500 companies, where he developed expertise in generating new business models, guiding executive-level business planning, and delivering data-driven recommendations to Senior executives. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree in Finance from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and an MBA from Concordia University in Montreal.
Global Managing Partner, Quadbridge
Ryan Peters is an experienced founder and managing partner with a demonstrated track record of entrepreneurship and an ability to scale companies for over 10 years. His company, Quadbridge Inc. is a leading-edge, full-service IT Solution partner that specializes in hardware and software supply to medium and large enterprise clients in both the U.S. and Canada. Ryan has strategic advisory and general operational expertise, and strong business development experience with an understanding of International Socio-Economic Development, including NAFTA, E.U., Mid-East, and Asia. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Program Director, District 3
Jane Somerville, MBA is the Director of Programs at Concordia University’s District 3. In this role, she is responsible for leading and developing the program offering targeted to entrepreneurs building startups. Jane is a passionate business professional with more than 25 years of experience working with Canadian entrepreneurs. Prior to joining D3, Jane worked at BDC where she helped small, medium and large companies across Canada, across all industry sectors, building and delivering innovative advisory services in strategic management, digital marketing and sales management. As an entrepreneur herself, Jane founded an online directory of furniture and furniture stores in major Canadian cities.
Co-Owner, DX Consultant
Daniel Stoll has always strived to design and develop products that bring delightful customer experiences, to have products sell themselves. He has a track record of galvanizing innovation and creating go-to-market strategies based on a product-led growth approach, providing value to customers by shortening time to value. His work has been recognized for shortening the sales cycle significantly in complex sales. Daniel holds a Master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the École d’ingénieurs du numérique.