HELLO. MY NAME IS
CAROLYN
VAN
It's nice to meet you. I am relentlessly passionate about leading different levers at the intersection of innovation, design and technology to build a better future. My experience across ecosystems - directly with communities, technology startups, corporate institutions as well as not-for-profits - means that I address challenges systemically, holistically, deeply and sustainably.
I've spent my career designing, growing and leading initiatives and ventures that contribute to the how, what, by whom, for whom of innovation. This has led me to work and partner with national and global organizations in various industries including Education, Healthcare, Telecom and IoT and take part in shaping future ofs.
Common themes in my work have involved fostering and being a resource for startup founders and technical talent, leading programs and strategic initiatives from ideation to go-to-market, securing and managing strategic partnerships, leading expansion and scale-up and deepening organizational impact. I have been actively involved with Startup Ecosystems, identifying gaps and opportunities in the startup and fundraising ecosystem, leading events and programs for entrepreneurs, mentoring and advising with innovation centres and facilitating and designing workshops for founders.
I believe in putting intention behind constantly learning and adapting through our ever-evolving world and therefore selves, contributing to a future far beyond my time and that just as ecosystems are designed - prosperous, sustainable, meaningful and successful innovation will be a result of many. Experience working cross-functionally means that advisees, clients, mentees and collaborators of mine have included post secondary students, girls and women in STEAM and leadership, sales managers, software developers, CEOs, Executive Directors, HR professionals, K-12 educators, municipal government public servants and agile coaches.
I am known for being entrepreneurial, highly adaptable, systems and strategic thinking, having the "perfect blend of strategic and implementation skills", being a professional dot-connector and relationship builder, creatively solving problems and being one heck of an injection of organizational growth.
If you would like some power behind a particular milestone, objective, opportunity or initiative - let's connect.
I have been invited to advise and speak to audiences and teams from national and global organizations and outlets.
Topics have included the economic, business, social and global impact of diversity, equity and inclusion; leadership; startups and entrepreneurship; technology; tackling complex problems; innovation; systems design and future ofs.
SPEAKING & MEDIA
House of Commons, Parliament of Canada · City of Toronto ·
The University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy · Oxfam Canada · Historica Canada · Pearson Education · Canadian Film Centre (CFC) Medial Lab
Humber College · York University · Ryerson University ·
George Brown College · University of Guelph · Sheridan College
The Globe & Mail · The Toronto Star ·
Financial Post · The National Post ·
CTV News Technology Expert ·
Canada Business Review
Lean Startup Machine Conference
Ontario Library Association Superconference
Global Entrepreneurship Week Conference
Junior Achievement National Conference
Digital Odyssey Conference
Bridging The Gap Conference
SocialHR Camp Unconference
Social Media Week Conference
The Canadian Institute Conference
Discover Your Personal Brand Conference
Start Something Big Conference
Pod Camp Conference
Media Planet
She Does The City
Talent Egg
Sage Canada
TEACH Magazine
Mobile User Experience Group
Toronto Product Management Association
Tangerine (formerly ING Direct)
...and more.