TEAM EDMONTON
Andrew MacIssac
CEO, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation
Andrew is the Director and CEO of API (Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation), a not-for-profit that helps turn life sciences research into real-world products and companies. With a background in economics and public sector management, he’s spent his career connecting academia, industry, philanthropy, and government to drive economic growth.
Before API, Andrew held leadership roles at the University of Alberta and UBC Sauder School of Business. His work has contributed to nearly $700 million in economic activity, and in 2022, he received the Edifier Award for his efforts with API.
He also contributes his time to a number of boards and committees focused on research, policy, and innovation in Alberta.
Cam Linke
CEO, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
From startups to AI research, Cam Linke brings deep experience to MIT REAP Team Edmonton.
Over the past decade, Cam has played a key role in shaping Canada’s tech community—as a CEO of Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), investor, community builder, product manager, academic, and developer.
He co-founded Startup Edmonton, launched Flightpath Ventures, and held leadership roles at Touch Metric and Nexopia. He’s also the founder of DemoCamp Edmonton, a longtime hub for connecting local innovators.
Cam holds a Master’s degree supervised by Dr. Richard Sutton and Dr. Adam White. His research on AI systems that adapt and improve their own learning has been featured at top conferences.
Catalina Vasquez
Founder and COO, Nanostics
Catalina Vasquez is the Co-Founder and COO of Nanostics, a commercial-stage company leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance healthcare decision-making. She has led the company from concept to the development and commercialization of a cutting-edge prostate cancer test now available across North America. She also serves as Lead of Clinical Development at Entos Pharmaceuticals, advancing clinical programs for genetic medicines targeting cancer, infectious diseases, and chronic conditions.
With over 18 years of experience across diagnostics, clinical trials, and health innovation, Catalina has held leadership roles in both startup and research settings, including directing the Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative and managing oncology trials at Lawson Health Research Institute. She actively supports the biotech ecosystem as a mentor, advisor, and contributor to innovation initiatives with Health Cities and the University of Alberta.
Catalina is a member of the MIT REAP (Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program), representing entrepreneurs in Edmonton and contributing to strategies that strengthen the region’s innovation-driven economy.
She was trained as a Microbiologist and Medical Laboratory Scientist in Colombia, completed a Master’s in Medical Biophysics at Western University in Canada, and pursued executive training through the University of Alberta and the adMare Academy.
Christiana Manzocco
Director of Investments, Alberta Enterprise Corporation
Christiana is the Director of Investments at Alberta Enterprise Corporation (AEC), where she invests in venture capital funds to help grow Alberta’s tech industry. She’s also known for leading the Start Alberta Deal Flow Platform and for her international work with Dealroom.co in Lisbon and Amsterdam.
With a career spanning management consulting, financial services, and international expansion—and experience across cities like London, Vienna, San Francisco, and Northern Italy—Christiana brings a truly global perspective to the team.
She holds an MBA from the University of Calgary and is active in a number of community and advisory roles, including the Art Gallery of Alberta Board and the Venture Mentoring Service Advisory Board.
Darren Fast
AVP - Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships, University of Alberta
As Associate Vice President (Innovation, Knowledge Mobilization & Partnerships) at the University of Alberta, Darren brings extensive experience in research commercialization, partnerships, and venture development. With a career spanning academia, biotech, and investment, he’s passionate about turning research into real-world solutions.
We’re excited to have Darren’s expertise on the team as we work to drive innovation and economic growth in Edmonton. Stay tuned as we introduce more members of MIT REAP Team Edmonton!
Darren Liviniuk
Partner, Deloitte Canada
Darren is a Partner at Deloitte, helping public and private sector leaders improve compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness. From 2014-2018 he lived in Hong Kong, working at an early-stage tech startup, co-founding a second venture, and eventually joining the digital transformation team of a multinational conglomerate. These roles gave him first-hand insight into barriers to scaling technology from the perspective of an employee, founder, corporate buyer, and angel investor. Darren supports MIT REAP Edmonton with his skill as an experienced facilitator for committee discussions. He is excited to find more opportunities to connect Edmonton’s business community with entrepreneurs to accelerate ecosystem growth!
Kristina Milke
General Partner, Sprout Fund
Kristina Milke brings a wealth of experience and mentorship to MIT REAP Team Edmonton.
She’s a General Partner at Sprout Fund, investing in early-stage Canadian B2B companies, and a market consultant with GrowthX, a U.S.-based revenue accelerator.
A longtime supporter of Alberta’s innovation space, Kristina is passionate about mentorship. She’s a founding mentor with the ThresholdImpact Venture Mentoring Service at the University of Alberta and actively supports initiatives like Edmonton Women in Finance and Women in Leadership.
Her thoughtful approach and community involvement make her a trusted voice in Alberta’s growing tech ecosystem.
Mark Summers
Vice President, Agriculture & Environment, and Interim Vice President, Investments, Alberta Innovates
Mark Summers is Vice President of Agriculture & Environment and Interim Vice President of Investments at Alberta Innovates. In this role, Mark leads the strategic development and oversight of initiatives in the areas of food and agriculture, bioindustry, environmental resilience, entrepreneurial capital, post-secondary support, data analytics, and information technology operations. This diverse role gives Mark a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors in the Edmonton area and across the province.
Paul Bakhmut
Senior Policy Advisor, Government of Alberta
Paul joined Technology and Innovation as Senior Policy Advisor to Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish in November 2022. He’s passionate about building Alberta’s capacity to modernize public services and growing the local startup ecosystem. Before that, he served as Digital Content Lead to Alberta’s 18th Premier, Jason Kenney.
Paul contributes to the local tech community as the founder of Edmonton Tech Wednesdays, a weekly social for anyone in or interested in tech. He was awarded Connector of the Year at the 2024 YEG Startup Community Awards.
He holds a philosophy degree from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Kyiv and has also studied at the University of Alberta, University of Warsaw, Ambrose University, and Harvard.
Stephanie Enders
Chief Delivery Officer, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
Meet Stephanie Enders, a member of MIT REAP Edmonton!
As the Chief Delivery Officer at Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), Stephanie is a recognized leader in AI adoption and commercialization. With a focus on responsible AI and open-source strategies, she drives the transformation of advanced AI research into practical, ethical applications across various industries.
Tim Lynn
Co-Founder and General Partner, Startup TNT & TNT Capital
Tim is an Edmontonian through and through. After university, he jumped into the startup world—living on air mattresses and helping build a company that went on to a successful exit. He’s since earned his CPA, CFA, and CBV, worked at Deloitte supporting business owners, and is now the Co-Founder and General Partner at Startup TNT where he has worked with hundreds of investors to invest over $15 million into more than 100 early-stage deals.
Tim also sponsors local private equity investments and stays active in Edmonton’s arts scene and downtown revitalization efforts.
Tom Viinikka
CEO, Edmonton Unlimited
Tom is an Edmonton-born entrepreneur and business executive who started his first business as an undergrad. Since then, he’s built, bought, and sold companies across industries—from construction and real estate to tech and retail.
He’s currently the CEO of Edmonton Unlimited, where he supports entrepreneurs in tech and innovation by helping grow the region’s startup ecosystem.
Tom holds an MBA from the University of Alberta, is involved in several community organizations, and shares life’s adventures with his wife and six kids.