Speakers – Entrepreneurial Skill Set
What mindset does one need to have to be an entrepreneur? What essential skills should one have or develop to tackle entrepreneurship? Learn the answers and many other top-secret tips these entrepreneurs believe are needed to succeed.
Ean Jackson
Managing Director, Analytics Marketing Inc.
Ean has invested the past 20+ years of his professional career in management, technical and business development roles in the technology industry. Before assuming his current role as President of Analytics Marketing Inc., he was employed by businesses ranging from technology start-ups to major multinational corporations, including Sprint International, Oracle Corporation and IBM.
Ean is a well-known speaker in the Vancouver business community. His directorships have included the International Internet Marketing Association, Science World Foundation, the University of British Columbia Executive Mentor Program, BC Internet Association and Vancouver Board of Trade Leaders of Tomorrow program. He is also an award-winning business coach in the New Ventures BC competition.
Ean has an undergraduate degree in Arts (University of Western Ontario), a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering (Southern Methodist University), a certificate in Internet Marketing (the University of British Columbia), and is fluent in four languages. He currently serves on the faculty of Simon Fraser University, where he teaches courses in entrepreneurship.
When not helping early stage businesses raise money or generate sales, Jackson can be found climbing remote mountain peaks, running ultramarathons or skiing deep powder.
Jonathan Bixby
Co-Founder and Chairman, IronPoint Technology Inc.
Jonathan has a wealth of experience in starting, leading and mentoring technology start-ups. As co-founder and Chairman of the Board of IronPoint Technology Inc., the market leader in public-sector content and collaboration, Jonathan led the company from start-up to successful acquisition by The Active Network in thirty months. Jonathan sits on the board of the Vancouver Enterprise Forum, is a founding member of VEF Momentum and sits on the final jury for the New Ventures BC competition. He is a Business in Vancouver Top 40 under 40 award recipient.
Peter Johnston
Managing Director, NAI Limited
Peter is an internationally-recognized negotiation expert, as well as a bestselling author, Harvard MBA and former corporate and investment banker. He is currently the Managing Director of NAI, a boutique consulting firm that aims to provide its clients with the world’s most thorough, rigorous and memorable negotiation training.
Peter is the author of Negotiating with Giants and a leading thinker and practitioner in the realm of negotiation. He has advised CEOs on critical transactions, guided senior government officials in the face of national conflicts, and helped entire industries initiate and manage change. He has worked with clients around the globe including many of the world’s largest corporations such as HSBC, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, and Johnson and Johnson.
Christina Anthony
Founder and President, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
Christina is currently the President of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs of BC, a non-profit organization she founded that helps women start, build and develop high-growth businesses in a “hands-on” way through educational and mentoring programs. She currently sits on the Board of the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation. Christina received the University of British Columbia’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award in 2008, and was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40™ in 2007.
Christina grew up in Richmond and currently lives with her husband Matthew and three children in Vancouver. She enjoys spending time with her family, singing and playing piano. Christina is also a Portfolio Manager and Director at Odlum Brown Limited where she helps clients meet financial goals through Portfolio Managed Accounts, offering fee-based discretionary management for high net-worth individuals, corporations, foundations and trusts.