New directors join as the organization thanks three outgoing board members for their years of service.
OTTAWA, ON – August 18, 2026. Startup Canada is pleased to welcome five new members to its Board of Directors, officially onboarded at the organization’s Annual General Meeting on August 13, 2026. Alison Carden, Ziyi Shi, Daniel Everall, Lan Tan and Lorraine Godwin join the board at a period of real growth for Startup Canada, bringing new leadership and perspective from across the country.
“We are thrilled to welcome the newest Directors to Startup Canada’s Board. What stands out about this group is the strength of governance and leadership experience each of them brings to the table,” said Ali Taiyeb, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Combined with their geographic diversity and a shared commitment to supporting Canadian founders, this board is well-positioned to guide Startup Canada with sound judgment and strategic direction. It sets us up for a period of significant growth, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead for Startup Canada”
Meet Our New Board Members
Alison Carden
Based in Kitchener, Ontario, Alison brings more than 20 years of experience building, scaling, and commercializing technology businesses, with deep expertise in product strategy, SaaS growth, and go-to-market execution. She is a committed advocate for Canada’s innovation ecosystem, known for mentoring emerging leaders and expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in tech. Alison’s track record of turning early-stage ideas into sustainable growth makes her a strong addition to the board’s work supporting founders at every stage.
Ziyi Shi
Based in Montréal, Ziyi is a corporate lawyer and venture capital advisor who serves as fractional general counsel to Front Row Ventures and director of ecosystem to BKR Capital. Her work centres on expanding access to capital for diverse founders and fund managers, building on earlier roles at Real Ventures and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt. Ziyi’s legal and investment background gives the board a sharper lens on the financing challenges founders face across the country.
Daniel Everall
Based in Vancouver, Daniel is a partner at Farris LLP, where he advises growth companies, founders, and investors on financing, governance, and strategic transactions. He is known for practical, business-focused counsel that helps innovative companies navigate critical stages of growth, from formation through acquisition. Daniel’s experience advising boards and management teams on governance and long-term value creation strengthens the board’s oversight as Startup Canada continues to scale.
Lan Tan
Lan brings 15 years of leadership in technology commercialization and ecosystem development, most recently as director of accelerators at Alberta Innovates, where she led the Alberta Scale-up and Growth Accelerator Program. Having worked across three continents and in four languages, she brings global connectivity and cross-cultural expertise to the board. Lan’s international perspective supports Startup Canada’s work connecting Canadian founders to partners and markets beyond our borders.
Lorraine Godwin
Lorraine is an executive advisor with more than 30 years of experience across the mining, civil, energy, and geoscience sectors, helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, and AI adoption. She is known for translating emerging technologies into real business outcomes and for building the foundations organizations need for sustainable success. Lorraine’s focus on developing the next generation of leaders through advisory and coaching work brings valuable depth to the board’s commitment to founders.
Thanking Our Outgoing Board Members
This transition also marks the end of service for three directors who have shaped Startup Canada in lasting ways. We are grateful for the time, judgment, and care each of them gave to this organization.
Brenda Halloran is the longest-standing director in Startup Canada’s history and a former Board Chair. Since the organization’s earliest days, she has lent her expertise in governance, strategy, and leadership, and her steady hand has helped guide Startup Canada through every stage of its growth. Her contribution to this organization runs deeper than any single term, and we are thankful for the years she has given to Canada’s entrepreneurs.
Paula Kwan served as chair of the Governance and Nominations Committee, where her attention to detail strengthened the board’s work at every turn. As a founder herself, Paula brought a first-hand understanding of the entrepreneurial journey that pushed Startup Canada to think differently about its impact. We are grateful for the depth she brought to this board.
Sergio Escobar served as Startup Canada’s global ambassador, representing the organization both domestically and internationally on startup policy. With a background in venture capital and investment, Sergio brought a first-hand understanding of VC-backed founders and the tech industry, along with a warmth and energy that shaped the board’s culture. We are grateful for the years Sergio gave to Canada’s entrepreneurs.
To learn more about the Startup Canada Board of Directors and how to get involved, visit Startup Canada: Meet the Team
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build successful businesses in Canada. Since 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 130,000 entrepreneurs annually and an ever-growing ecosystem support network from coast to coast to coast. Through flagship and digital programs, Startup Canada provides guidance, eliminates barriers, and champions entrepreneurs to private and public sector partners – helping make Canada the best place to start and build a business. For more information, visit https://www.startupcan.ca/.
Media Contact:
Olivia Jacobs
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, Startup Canada
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