Collab Space Family

Biography

Mandy is our social butterfly! She is in charge of all the goings on with our social media. Mandy has worked in customer service and loves helping others. She is quite adept at creating all kinds of great online content, and you may see her snapping away or recording videos from strategic vantage points. Mandy has big plans, and hopes to make Collab Space go viral!

Mandy Echlin

Head of Social Interactions

Biography

She goes by Casey and she’s the woman who can be counted on to come to the rescue! Casey has worked in a variety of different jobs and has a number of wonderful talents! Whether it’s a maintenance problem, an administration problem, or if your just looking for a chat, Casey is the one you need!

Lindsay Casey

Chaos Coordinator

Biography

Christina is the shining light of Collab Space. Everything fun and interesting that happens here goes through her first! She has 4 years of experience planning successful corporate events. She can plan anything from an Embassy event to a dance party. Come find out how Christina and Collab Space can make your next event a success!

Christina Pliatsika

Space/Time Agent

Biography

Soula has always been a forerunner in networking and connecting people in Ottawa, but now she spends her time bringing people together here. Her Greek heritage shines in the way she welcomes everyone into her life, so come spend a day the Greek way with Soula.

Soula Burrell

Creator of Opportunities

Biography

Pamela is the hive mind of Collab Space. She knows almost everything and if she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she won’t stop till she finds it. Pamela has worked in customer service for many years, and delights in helping people. She can be found at the front desk, working away with a smile.

Pamela Burke

Oracle of Organization

Biography

Emile is a Co-Founder of Collab Space and a Business Mentor. He has been in business since the age of 4 and is definitely the man to know. Collab Space engenders the philosophy that we are all stronger together and with Emile at the helm, that philosophy can be felt by all who enter our space. Head on over and have a chat with him about what our community can do for you.

Emile Salem

Co-Founder & Grand Poobah

Biography

Blair is a Co-Founder of Collab Space operating from behind the scenes taking care of the daily operations.
With a background in Technology Blair went on a journey to create unique spaces for business’ to connect and network.
Blair’s passion is to help the entrepreneurial community to expand their individual reaches and has accomplished this through his development of Collaborative co-working spaces.

Using his charismatic and enthusiastic approach to business, Blair has touched the lives of many entrepreneurs in the Ottawa area.
Blair brings his passion for success to those around him.

He may not be easy to find but he’s the one who steps in the save the day. He is a veritable fountain of knowledge who keeps our space looking new and fresh.

Blair Kilrea

Co-Founder, Problem Solver

Mentors

Biography

Emile is a Co-Founder of Collab Space and a Business Mentor. He has been in business since the age of 4 and is definitely the man to know. Collab Space engenders the philosophy that we are all stronger together and with Emile on the team, that philosophy can be felt by all who enter our space. Head on over and have a chat with him about what our community can do for you.

Emile Salem

Mentor

Biography

Karla Briones is an entrepreneur with retail, restaurant, and distribution enterprises. She is also passionate about coaching new immigrants to become successful entrepreneurs in their adopted country. Talk to Karla about the keys to success.

Karla Briones

Mentor

Biography

Jarrod Goldsmith is the founder of The Entrepreneur Social Advantage Experience known as eSAX. Jarrod is the man you need to know when it comes to networking. Not only is he the best at it, he can teach you all the secrets to being great yourself. Ask this powerhouse what he can do for you!

Jarrod Goldsmith

Mentor

Biography

Tony Ricard has almost 30 years of hands on leadership and management experience that is just waiting to be shared. As a senior non-commissioned member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he has a very unique understanding of the challenges associated with team leadership. Tony is the coach in your corner when it comes to all things leadership.

Tony Ricard

Mentor

Biography

Geoff Strotmann is an experienced and driven professional with over 30 years’ experience. Geoff spends a lot of his time consulting with others and sharing the wealth of his vast knowledge. He can also be found teaching courses on Supply Chain Management part-time at Algonquin College. Connect with Geoff and let him teach you what you need to know.

Geoff Strotmann

Mentor

Biography

Dave Urichuck is The Adventure Coach. He is an expert at guiding clients to a deeper understanding of their life goals, so they can live fulfilling lives. Upon joining Collab Space, Dave is the man we connect you with for your orientation. Meet with him and delve deeper into yourself and what you can accomplish!

Dave Urichuck

Mentor

Biography

Kerry Lehmann is a former RCMP officer who now works as an Executive in international sales. He is a leader and a mentor who strongly believes in the philosophy that the more you give, the more you will gain in return. He is the man to talk to about growing and developing your business. Set up a meeting with him today.

Kerry Lehmann

Mentor

Biography

Kumar Saha is an economist specializing in business and community economic envelopment. He has experience writing business proposals, business plans, and strategic plans for new and existing businesses. Make an appointment with him and put a plan in place for your business.

Kumar Saha

Mentor

Advisory Board

Biography

Karen Wilson has over 15 years of marketing and communications experience in tech, government, and as a consultant for small businesses. She’s the past WBN President (2015-18), actively involved in helping promote businesswomen in the Ottawa business community. When she’s not working or spending time with family, Karen is probably writing something. Connect with her through her website, Twitter, Facebook, and/or LinkedIn.

Karen Wilson

Advisor

Biography

Diana is a co-founding member and the CMO of Magnifi, a recently launched innovative iOS application that connects experts with knowledge seekers through paid, real-time audio and video consultation. She is a passionate advocate for customer service and takes on an agile, collaborative and data driven approach that inspires her lean startup methodology.  Diana has a BA in law and marketing, has worked in high-tech, IP law, co-founded a neuromarketing course and is a long time entrepreneur.

Diana is driven by her passion for mentorship and community building and is actively involved with not-for-profit initiatives. She is a mentor with Technovation and is on the board of trustees with Willis College for the Women in Technology Scholarship.

Diana Davies-Harju

Advisor

Biography

Kerry Lehmann is a former RCMP officer who now works as an Executive in international sales. He is a leader and a mentor who strongly believes in the philosophy that the more you give, the more you will gain in return. He is the man to talk to about growing and developing your business. Set up a meeting with him today.

Kerry Lehmann

Advisor

Biography

Geoff Strotmann is an experienced and driven professional with over 30 years’ experience. Geoff spends a lot of his time consulting with others and sharing the wealth of his vast knowledge. He can also be found teaching courses on Supply Chain Management part-time at Algonquin College. Connect with Geoff and let him teach you what you need to know.

Geoff Strotmann

Advisor

Biography

Over the past 30 years, Diana has built multiple 6-figure businesses. She now spends her time pointing small business owners in the right direction as The Entrepreneur’s G.P.S. She is a seasoned inspirational speaker and member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, as well as the author behind the Amazon best-selling book Shift Into Rich: Navigate the 9 Roadblocks to Small Business Success!

Diana Lidstone

Advisor

Biography

Janine Kivell is a career sales and training professional. She has worked in the high-tech sector and in publishing. She is now an entrepreneur herself. She is responsible for membership development for the West Ottawa Board of Trade and works on several fundraising and event planning committees throughout Ottawa.

Janine Kivell

Advisor