Meet the Team
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.
Social Innovation Coach, District 3
Julie Hamel (MBA) is a senior business advisor with over 25 years of experience. She began her career as an entrepreneur before becoming a social economy advisor in 2006. She successfully managed many fast-food franchises through the 90s before becoming the general manager of a major private non-profit golf course. Her range of expertise includes among others, marketing, operations, and business development. For the past ten years, her social preoccupation has led her to invest most of her time and energy in the field of social economy, including helping dozens of non-profit organizations. Julie has been involved with Concordia’s District 3 since 2015 as the Social Entrepreneurship Coach.
Co-Founder, Lean for Flourishing
Combining experience with her strong entrepreneurial skills and ability to build successful enterprises in emerging markets, Ondine has always aimed to affect positive change within her community and industry through business. She is a highly creative and innovative business developer and strategist, having started six successful organizations over two decades. Ondine can turn ideas into revenue generating socially focused businesses and has successfully managed this process from creation to established entity.
Ondine is the co-founder of Lean4Flourishing, a social enterprise focused on designing Flourishing Business Model Innovation accelerators, incubators, and startup programs. She is a social impact coach at District 3, Concordia University, providing specialized coaching, mentorship and development of social enterprises. In addition to District 3, Ondine in heavily involved in the startup ecosystem, providing coaching and mentoring for several notable organizations such as: Innoweave Social Enterprise Coach, LEF Business Mentor, Futrepreneur Mentor, Startup Weekend mentor, McGill Dobson Cup judge Mentor, SLASA mentor, InnoCite MTL Mentor, Startup Day Canada Mentor, YES Montreal Mentor.
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.
Co-director of 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.
Venture Associate, Healthcare Stream
With extensive experience in strategic marketing and sales management for several market-leading medical device brands, Philippe assists early-stage startups, develops meaningful relationships with clinical key opinion leaders, health systems, and industry partners operating in the healthcare ecosystem.
Prior to joining District 3, Phillippe co-founded a food tech startup working in various marketing and sales roles at Covidien (now part of Medtronic) and AMG Medical. He launched multiple national products for Class II & III medical devices sold to hospitals and is well acquainted with developing effective value propositions that improve patient care.