Read Stephen's full biography here.

Mary Pat Barry
Vice President, Communications

Mary Pat Barry leads a team of communications professionals who, in partnership with the business, develop and deliver compelling narratives telling the story of AITF’s people, operations, achievements and results. Using mediums, tools and technologies effective for the audience, Communications works in support of the image, brand and reputation of the organization, building positive awareness of AITF and the value it contributes to Alberta, Canada and the world.

Previously, Mary Pat held roles as Branch Manager, Corporate Communications, City of Edmonton and Communications Director, TELUS Corporation. She has a Master of Arts degree in Communications and Technology from the University of Alberta, and an undergraduate degree from Queen’s University. Mary Pat's communications leadership, innovation and best practice approach has been recognized with numerous international, national and local awards for the quality and results her efforts achieve.

Active in the Edmonton community, Mary Pat holds positions in various organizations including: the Economic Diversification Task Force for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce; Vice President, Reputation & Messaging, University of Alberta Alumni Council; and, President, Foundation Board, Chrysalis – An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities.
 

Randy Goebel brings leadership and experience to his role as Chair of the new Alberta Innovates Academy, a system-wide initiative to build research capacity in Alberta by supporting those who contribute to increasing the critical mass of research in Alberta and those who are building enterprises that will help diversify the province’s economy. The Chair of the Academy provides strategic advice to Tech Futures' Management Team on post-secondary investments and collaborations with the provincial, national and international academic institutes.

Randy has held a variety of positions over his career which range from academic postings at Canadian and International universities, to research positions with International establishments and industrial experience with global technology companies.
Outside of his role at Tech Futures, Randy is a member of a number of Boards - both industrial and scientific – and has served as a technical advisor for a number of companies. He is also currently a professor in Computing Science at the University of Alberta and continues to supervise graduate and post-doctoral students.

Axel Meisen is Chair of Foresight, where he focuses on engaging pre-eminent thinkers from Canada and around the world to define issues where Tech Futures can strengthen its role as a strategic agent for innovation and economic development for the province. Responsible leaders need to think about several possible futures, not just one, and Tech Futures uses Foresight to look beyond normal planning horizons to anticipate different ways in which the future may unfold. In his role, Axel gathers forward-looking intelligence on the forces, factors and trends that shape the opportunities and challenges for Albertans in the coming decades. He then uses that intelligence to determine the actions that we should take now to position the province for growth and prosperity.

With diverse international experience, Axel was selected as one of the Top 50 Chief Executive Officers in Atlantic Canada for 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2008, Axel was honoured with the Order of Canada as well as the University of Waterloo’s Honorary Doctorate of Engineering. Axel served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1999 to 2007 before joining Tech Futures. 

Keith Salmon oversees and reports on the financial and legal affairs of Tech Futures and its subsidiaries. He ensures that Tech Futures’ participation in technology programs and projects, as well as its associations with customers and partners, is founded on a strong financial base. He is also responsible for the delivery of corporate services, and maintaining corporate infrastructure, including investments into state-of-the-art facilities, and equipment.
 

Rick Tofani
Vice President, New Ventures (Acting)

Rick Tofani is currently leading the New Ventures division of Tech Futures, which is focused on accelerating the adoption of technology and innovation, and the growth and investment readiness of businesses in Alberta. This division is helping develop a culture of collaboration and interdependence among Alberta’s publicly funded technology transfer, applied research, economic development agencies, industry associations and entrepreneurs, as well as facilitating the commercialization of technology belonging to Tech Futures and other partners and companies in Alberta. New Ventures is also responsible for pursuing strategic partnerships with industrial organizations through collaborations with the other Innovates Corporations and AET's Advanced Technologies Industry Division.