(November 23, 2023) - For Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023, which fell from November 13th to 17th, The Foundry spotlighted one Laurentian University graduate entrepreneur each day of the week.
The Foundry is an initiative run by Laurentian to enable innovators within the university to ideate, create, and develop ideas that can go on to become startup companies or social enterprises. Housed near the Jim Fielding Innovation & Commercialization Space, The Foundry provides opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage with like minded fellows, explore new skills, and pursue opportunities that may have once been just an idea.
Entrepreneur Spotlights 2023:
Kielyn Marrone - Kielyn is a graduate of Laurentian’s Outdoor Adventure Leadership program (2009) and co-owner of Lure of the North, a wilderness expedition company launched in 2011, with her partner Dave. She teaches wilderness living skills courses and traditional hand crafting workshops. In 2019, Kielyn put her wilderness survival skills to the test while competing in the hit reality TV show “Alone”.
Kati McCartney - An LU alumna holding a Masters in Chemical Science and a Masters of Business Administration, Kati has combined her love of science, strategy, business, and the environment through FROSKR. As President of FROSKR, Kati has led the company to become an award-winning consulting firm in three short years. The company attracts top talent to support local and international clients in mining, steel, construction, and transportation to achieve their environmental goals.
Christina Visser - In 1999, Christina launched what is now known as Ionic Technology Group with her late husband Steve. Completing her MBA from Laurentian in 2002, Christina officially joined Ionic shortly after in 2005. The group of companies has grown to currently employ 140 engineering and automation professionals and proudly exports Canadian ingenuity across the globe. In addition, Christina volunteers as the Founding President of the Sudbury Chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).
David Anselmo - A Laurentian graduate (BA Hons. 1999), David has been in the entertainment industry for over 25 years and put Sudbury on the map in the Canadian film industry. He founded a production company called Hideaway Pictures in 2010. In 2012, David launched the Northern Ontario Film Studios, the first and only film studio in Northern Ontario providing a wide range of equipment and services to help grow the industry. The company was named Company of the Year for 2023 at the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
Karim Omri - Karim has a Bachelors of Engineering and a Masters of Applied Science from Laurentian University. With his education, Karim has become a Consulting Engineer and launched Komri Engineering in 2013, a company offering structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services as well as architectural design. In 2019, Karim was awarded a 40 Under Forty by Northern Ontario Business.
“I always look forward to celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week, I have the privilege of meeting some great entrepreneurs in my work and I'm incredibly proud of the achievements of our alumni. Congratulations to Kielyn Marrone, Kati McCartney, Christina Visser, David Anselmo and Karim Omri on your success,” said Gisele Roberts, Director of Research and Innovation at Laurentian.
For more information about the Foundry, visit their website, Twitter, Instagram, or email foundry@laurentian.ca.