Will Cadell

Board Chair

Will is the CEO of Sparkgeo, a geospatial technology company, and the Chair of ICS-Northern Innovation Network’s Board of Directors. Compelled to create mapping experiences on the web, Will founded Sparkgeo, a geospatial consulting firm, in 2010 and his company has grown to be a leader in the geospatial world.

In the past year, Will’s business has expanded rapidly and taken on a number of new projects. In May of 2021, they opened an international office in the United Kingdom to take advantage of opportunities arising in the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in the Finance, Sustainability, and Technology sectors. They launched the MERMAID (Marine Ecological Research Management AID) Project with the Wildlife Conservation Society, an open-source platform for coral reef data. This tool will create transparency around coral reef health and empower institutions with the data they need to take action on reef health. Will is an advocate and a leading force in the push for the use of geospatial data to help us make better, more sustainable decisions.

John Kason

Vice-Chair

John is a Portfolio Manager and Certified Financial Planner at Fieldhouse Capital Management Inc. servicing the Prince George Region, the Okanagan, and the Greater Vancouver Area. He is an active member of the community as a mentor and educator. Over the years, John has become a regular contributor to CBC Radio, CBC Online, and CKPG TV/Radio, and has been asked to provide financial training for School District 57, retirement preparation seminars for Canfor and investment planning and entrepreneurship development seminars for the College of New Caledonia. John is an active Rotarian and has been a Director on the Board of the Downtown Prince George Business Improvement Association for several years.

John is a passionate advocate for harnessing the power of financial instruments to advance the needs and priorities of Northern BC. Three years ago he launched the Fieldhouse Enhanced Pension Plus Fund and this year hit $50 million in assets. This is the first mutual fund launched from Prince George.

Dr. Paula Wood-Adams

Director-at-Large

Dr. Wood-Adams brings exceptional skills and significant experience to the role of Vice President of Research and Innovation at UNBC. Wood-Adams earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and M.Eng in Chemical Engineering from McGill University. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Alberta and is a well-known scientist and expert in applied polymer science. Before she accepted her role at UNBC she was at Concordia University, where she served in roles such as Interim Vice President Research and Graduate Studies, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Graduate Program Director of mechanical and industrial engineering. In 2022, she helped lead the institution to an all-time high in institutional research grant funding.

Cindy Heitman

Director-at-Large

Cindy Heitman serves as the ninth President and CEO of the College of New Caledonia, making history as the first female to hold this permanent leadership position. With a rich background in education spanning over three decades, Cindy brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence and community development.

As a former CNC university studies student, Cindy brings a unique perspective to her leadership role. Her professional journey includes eight years as a school-based educator, 15 years in school and district leadership, and five years in senior leadership positions. She holds a Master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of General Studies in Education with a minor in Learning Disabilities.

Chris Cameron

Director-at-Large

Chris Cameron is an accomplished IT leader with over two decades of experience in driving digital transformation and managing cross-functional teams. His expertise spans a wide range of IT domains, including business intelligence, database management, cloud computing, systems integration, and project management. With a track record of successfully implementing innovative solutions, he has built strong relationships with business leaders and effectively collaborated with remote teams, ensuring technology aligns with and supports business objectives. Chris’s career highlights include introducing business intelligence tools, implementing inventory management solutions, and guiding major system migrations. He holds a diploma in both Accounting and Computer Science from Thompson Rivers University and currently serves as the Director of IT – Wood Products at Canfor, building upon a rich career history at West Fraser Timber and Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Dr. Kafui Monu

Director-at-Large

Dr. Kafui Monu is a recently tenured Associate Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia. He does research and teaches about how information systems can be used in business to make work more efficient and effective. He is currently working on incorporating sustainability into the curriculum for the School of Business and to form even stronger ties between the business community and the School’s programs.