FOUNDING TEAM
Helen Kontozopoulos
Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer
Helen is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of RED2i, a not-for-profit cooperative which integrates research, education, design, development and innovation to drive technological advancement in Canada and worldwide.
Helen co-founded ODAIA.ai, a customer journey analytics and prediction platform for enterprise companies. As Chief Growth Officer, She brings her understanding of artificial intelligence, customer segmentation, digital transformation, and the future of work to help companies become more resilient and creative using emerging technologies.
Helen is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, where she teach's product development, design, and entrepreneurship in the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. She co-founded the UofT's Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab, an incubator to support students and faculty to commercialize their innovations in emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence.
Executive Director, Secretary, Treasurer
Helen is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of RED2i, a not-for-profit cooperative which integrates research, education, design, development and innovation to drive technological advancement in Canada and worldwide.
Helen co-founded ODAIA.ai, a customer journey analytics and prediction platform for enterprise companies. As Chief Growth Officer, She brings her understanding of artificial intelligence, customer segmentation, digital transformation, and the future of work to help companies become more resilient and creative using emerging technologies.
Helen is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, where she teach's product development, design, and entrepreneurship in the Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. She co-founded the UofT's Department of Computer Science Innovation Lab, an incubator to support students and faculty to commercialize their innovations in emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence.
Charmalee Knox
President
Charmalee is a veteran entrepreneur who took the leap to become self-employed after a 10 year stint with Canada Revenue Agency. In 1988 she started her own tax business, as well as partnered in an eclectic vintage clothing store, in Toronto's Kensington Market.
While tax and accounting for small business have been her specialty for over 35 years, she also co-founded a music studio that was a worker co-operative, was in partnership with the TDSB as part of the co-op education program, was a partner in a publishing company plus set in motion a web design company.
Charmalee has experience with not-for profit organizations serving on the Board of Directors and is a passionate supporter of low income seniors. A University of Waterloo alumna, mother of four and a grandmother of four, she is dedicated to propelling innovation and serving the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
President
Charmalee is a veteran entrepreneur who took the leap to become self-employed after a 10 year stint with Canada Revenue Agency. In 1988 she started her own tax business, as well as partnered in an eclectic vintage clothing store, in Toronto's Kensington Market.
While tax and accounting for small business have been her specialty for over 35 years, she also co-founded a music studio that was a worker co-operative, was in partnership with the TDSB as part of the co-op education program, was a partner in a publishing company plus set in motion a web design company.
Charmalee has experience with not-for profit organizations serving on the Board of Directors and is a passionate supporter of low income seniors. A University of Waterloo alumna, mother of four and a grandmother of four, she is dedicated to propelling innovation and serving the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Jim Nelles
Vice President
Jim’s professional background is in the field of television and radio where he has spent almost 35 years managing various broadcast undertakings. Having held senior management positions within divisions of Selkirk Communications, Rogers Communications and Quebecor Media he now manages a consultancy specializing in addressing a wide range of operational needs for clients within the broadcast, program distribution and cable network industry.
In addition to having been a board member and chair of many broadcast industry associations Jim has also spent time in the nonprofit sector with particular emphasis on education and healthcare. He was Chair of The Country Day School in King City, Ontario and served on its Board for many years. He has also been a Governor of Rothesay Netherwood School in Rothesay, New Brunswick and currently is a member of its Board of Directors. Jim was also a Director of CESI and is currently a Board member of CAIS. With respect to healthcare Jim is currently Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Kensington Health Centre in Toronto and is also a Director of the Kensington Hospice Home. Jim holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from Bishops University as well as a M.Sc. from Boston University.
Vice President
Jim’s professional background is in the field of television and radio where he has spent almost 35 years managing various broadcast undertakings. Having held senior management positions within divisions of Selkirk Communications, Rogers Communications and Quebecor Media he now manages a consultancy specializing in addressing a wide range of operational needs for clients within the broadcast, program distribution and cable network industry.
In addition to having been a board member and chair of many broadcast industry associations Jim has also spent time in the nonprofit sector with particular emphasis on education and healthcare. He was Chair of The Country Day School in King City, Ontario and served on its Board for many years. He has also been a Governor of Rothesay Netherwood School in Rothesay, New Brunswick and currently is a member of its Board of Directors. Jim was also a Director of CESI and is currently a Board member of CAIS. With respect to healthcare Jim is currently Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Kensington Health Centre in Toronto and is also a Director of the Kensington Hospice Home. Jim holds a B.A. in Business and Economics from Bishops University as well as a M.Sc. from Boston University.