Voting Committee
Presenting your 2025 Voting Committee Members
David Au-Yeung
TECH FOUNDER AND ADVISOR, ENTREPRENEUR, CO-FOUNDER OF FLIPP
David Au-Yeung is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. David co-founded Flipp, a retail technology company that works with some of the largest retail enterprises to automate, publish, and distribute digitally-native merchandising content, with distribution reach of over 100 million households. During his tenure at Flipp, he played a significant role spearheading the culture at Flipp. As a multi-faceted leader, he also oversaw the Engineering function where his expertise drove innovation in the retail industry to help millions of shoppers to save time and money everyday. Flipp was recently acquired by Truelink Capital in August, 2023. David now spends his time exploring the application of Generative AI in Automotive (Carity.ai), providing advisory for startups, and serves on nonprofit boards.
Keith Gillard
CEO, UPPERSTAGE.CAPITAL
Keith Gillard is co-founder and CEO of UpperStage.Capital Inc., an impact-focused private equity firm boosting profitable companies to their next level of success. An entrepreneur and investment professional, he has focused more than 20 years on impact investment. Keith is co-founder and chair of Foresight Canada, now Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator, with over 1,000 client companies. He is a board committee member of the Canadian Venture Capital Association and has served as chair of Vestaron Corporation, and director of Talius, Keela, Hazel Technologies, NewLeaf Symbiotics, and others. Keith served on the advisory boards of ARCH Venture Partners, Chrysalix Venture Capital, and NGEN Partners. He served as advisor to the World Economic Forum on sustainability and collaborative innovation in chemicals and materials, speaking at Davos in 2020.
Doug McDonald
TRUSTED STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Doug McDonald is a trusted strategic advisor with over 35 years of leadership in the Canadian and international M&A market. He held senior positions in Canada and the U.K., including 22 years as a partner at Deloitte, where he founded and led the Corporate Finance and Private Equity practices. Doug has advised management, boards, and shareholders on strategic growth and transformational transactions. He has deep expertise in the consumer industry, spanning retail and all food and beverage sectors. Doug was Board Chair of the McMichael Canadian Art Foundation for eight years and an officer of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association for eleven. He serves on advisory boards for MondouxRollins Partners Inc., Gray Inc., Buddha Brands, and Zulu Alpha Kilo.
Karen McKnight
EXECUTIVE COACH, ADVISOR AND LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT TO PRIVATE COMPANIES
For over 20 years, Karen McKnight has worked extensively with private companies and founders/entrepreneurs; coaching one-on-one, facilitating groups of CEOs and senior leaders, and creating leadership development programs. In 2002, Karen founded her executive coaching practice, “Transitions’ Edge Ltd.,” providing coaching and consulting to individuals and organizations. Her objectives are to support, challenge, and guide clients in achieving goals and navigating change in both their business and personal lives. In 2021, she wrote “And Just Like That – Using Life Jolts to Create the Next Best Version of Yourself in Leadership and Life.” Karen holds a Master of Education degree in Adult Learning from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
Robert Olsen
VICE CHAIR, PRIVATE CAPITAL, NICOLA WEALTH
Robert Olsen is Vice Chair of Nicola Wealth’s $3.5 BN Private Capital arm (“NPC”) which includes Private Equity, Infrastructure, Private Debt, Mortgages and Venture Capital. In this role, he helps develop and grow the Private Capital team, chairs NPC’s Investment Committee, builds new investing verticals and continues to grow its funding base. Prior to joining Nicola, Robert was Vice Chair of Deloitte and Leader of its Private Equity segment. He was also Chair of Deloitte’s Corporate Finance practice and a member of the Global Executive team for Corporate Finance. Robert has 20 years of investing experience and 15 years of advisory experience. He has acquired or invested equity and private debt in over 50 companies and advised over 50 corporates, government bodies, and real estate companies.
George Rossolatos
FOUNDING CEO, CANADIAN BUSINESS GROWTH FUND
George Rossolatos has over 20 years of experience as a private equity investor and entrepreneur. He is the founding CEO of the Canadian Business Growth Fund (CBGF), a C$545 million growth capital investment fund backed by Canada’s largest financial institutions. Prior to CBGF, George was CEO of Avante Logixx Inc. from 2010-2017, where he led the company’s strategic direction, operational turnaround, and growth strategy. Before Avante, he worked in private equity for 10 years. He was Partner and co-founder of TorQuest Partners Inc. from 2002-2010. As a Fellow of the Chartered Public Accountants, George holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.Com. (Honours) from Queen’s University. He was recognized in 2007 as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40.
Jennifer Mondoux
CHAIR OF THE VOTING COMMITTEE
CEO, MONDOUXROLLINS PARTNERS INC.
Jennifer Mondoux is a human capital advisor and talent solutions professional, with nearly two decades of experience working with private companies. She has helped dozens of founders and entrepreneurs of mid-market companies build out their senior leadership teams. She is also the founder of Canada’s Best Private Boards, a program that recognizes the impact of governance on the performance of private companies. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in political studies from Queen’s University, a post-graduate degree in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a directorship certification from NACD. She volunteers her time with The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health as a board director and as chair of the foundation’s compensation and succession committee. In 2023, she established The Valerie Feltham and Tammy Bekkers Memorial Bursary at Queen’s University in honour of the passing of two dear friends in 1993.
Jerry Bouma
ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR, THE LITTLE POTATO COMPANY (2024 WINNER – CANADA’S BEST PRIVATE BOARDS)
Jerry Bouma is the Advisory Board Chair at The Little Potato Company. He is also the founder of Toma & Bouma Management Consultants, where he provides strategic insights and operational support to agri-businesses, industry organizations, and government entities across Canada. His leadership in agriculture master planning, value chain management, and environmental issues is well recognized within the sector. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jerry has also contributed significantly to numerous boards and advisory councils. He serves as the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and has held leadership roles with organizations such as the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Olds College. Jerry’s strategic foresight and operational expertise drive growth and long-term solutions in the agriculture sector.
Kerry Gerber
BOARD CHAIR, MTE CONSULTANTS (2024 WINNER – CANADA’S BEST PRIVATE BOARDS)
Kerry Gerber is a corporate director and advisor. A former partner at PwC Canada, he served as Chief Auditor, leading professional practice, risk management, and regulatory mandates nationally and internationally. He currently chairs the boards of MTE Consultants Inc., recognized in 2024 as Canada’s Best Private Boards in the Best Fiduciary Board: Employee-Owned category, and CPCS Transcom Ltd., a global infrastructure advisory firm. Kerry has served on various boards including the PwC Canada Partnership Board, London Community Foundation, and Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Post-retirement from PwC, his advisory work spans private company transactions and project management training globally. He holds a B.Math (Hons) from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from Ivey Business School (Western University), and is an ICD.D holder and Fellow of CPA Ontario.
James Nguyen
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, QUANTROPI (2024 WINNER – CANADA’S BEST PRIVATE BOARDS)
James Nguyen was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Canadian SME Magazine in 2023 and a past top 40 under 40. He co-founded Quantropi, a deep-tech cybersecurity company dedicated to safeguarding digital communications and ensuring data integrity against emerging threats in Quantum and AI. Since its inception in 2018, Quantropi has earned global recognition, including being a 2025 NATO Innovator, a 2024 IDC innovator, a Deloitte’s Fast 50 company (Europe), Best Fiduciary Board for Canada’s Best Private Boards in 2024 and a 2023 Future In Review Company. Before delving into quantum technologies, James was focused on commercializing graphene technologies for clean water and prior to that was a career Banker at once of Canada’s largest financial institutions. His journey reflects his dynamic and bold personality with a strong commitment to advancing to cutting-edge technologies to address massive world problems.
Tristan Armstrong
CEO, ROCKY MOUNTAINEER (2024 WINNER – CANADA’S BEST PRIVATE BOARDS)
Tristan Armstrong is the Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Mountaineer and the President and CEO of Major Rock Corporation, the Armstrong family's corporate office. This includes the majority shares of the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer luxury train company; Invictus Properties, a real estate investment business; and Alder Bay Equity Partners, a private equity firm. Prior to his current roles, Tristan was President of Invictus Properties. Tristan joined Invictus in 2016 as the Director of Real Estate Development, and before this worked for Ferrero Canada, a global family-owned consumer packaged goods company, in various sales and marketing roles. Additionally, as part of Rocky Mountaineer's Guest Experience team, Tristan gained invaluable experience in guest relations, tourism, and hospitality.