Joe Deobald is a strategic growth and marketing leader with deep expertise in AI, brand positioning, and business innovation. As a board member, he helps organizations scale, navigate change, and leverage emerging technologies to drive long-term success.

With experience spanning travel, fintech, e-commerce, and automotive industries, Joe has led high-impact initiatives that accelerate revenue and optimize market positioning. His strategic insights and problem-solving approach make him a valuable asset in guiding businesses toward sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Joe is a seasoned entrepreneur and angel investor who has made a name for himself in the business world by driving growth for companies through innovative marketing strategies and growth processes. He has received several accolades for his contributions, including the BIV Forty Under 40 award, as well as numerous Culture and Marketing awards.

As an entrepreneur and investor, Joe is always looking for ways to innovate and create value. He is committed to using his skills and knowledge to help companies grow and achieve their goals, while making a positive impact on people’s lives.

Robbin McManne brings a wealth of entrepreneurial and financial expertise to her role as Treasurer at Build a Biz Kids. As the co-owner of Back in Black Bookkeeping, Robbin understands the critical role that financial literacy plays in building a successful business. Running a bookkeeping company alongside her husband has given her firsthand experience in helping businesses stay profitable by knowing their numbers.

Before stepping into the world of bookkeeping, Robbin launched Parenting for Connection in 2017 after becoming a certified Parent Coach. Inspired by her own parenting struggles, she dedicated years to helping families foster deeper relationships with their kids through social-emotional learning and growth mindset strategies. She is also the author of The Yelling Cure, host of the Parenting Our Future podcast, and has coached hundreds of parents worldwide.

While her own boys are nearly grown, Robbin continues to use her coaching skills as a mindset mentor, supporting new entrepreneurs as they launch and scale their bookkeeping businesses. Her passion for empowering children, families and the next generation of business leaders makes her a natural fit for Build a Biz Kids.

Geena is the Creator and Executive Producer of Bears’ Lair TV & Founder & President of Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc.

Geena is a devoted advocate for Indigenous rights and economic development, with 25+ years of experience serving First Nation communities across Canada. As a proud member of the Shishalh Nation (Sechelt), she is deeply committed to strengthening Indigenous communities through strategic partnerships with industry experts and government bodies.

Geena has helped over 800 Indigenous entrepreneurs grow their businesses and social enterprises, leading to the creation of the Bears’ Lair TV, an entrepreneurial competition show airing on APTN (Season 1 & 2) and CBC Gem (Season 1) where she joins each week as one of four core judges. Bears’ Lair Dream Camps was then created to invest in the future generations of entrepreneurs starting with Indigenous youth, ages 11-18, all over Canada.

Geena’s experience and entrepreneurial spirit has had a significant impact in the realm of Indigenous economic advancement. Through her various initiatives, she continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indigenous economies and future Indigenous leaders.

After more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, Paul Mon-Kau has gained extensive experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. He has worked in every role, including a decade in commercial restaurant equipment sales.

From designing, leasing, and building to operating four of his own restaurants, Paul has been deeply involved in every aspect of the business. He has also contributed to the success of some of Vancouver’s most popular restaurants by crafting their menus. His depth of knowledge and hands-on experience truly establish him as a hospitality industry veteran.

Beyond restaurant operations, Paul played a key role in the Provincial Government’s liquor policy reform. Holding both a Red Seal Chef certification and a Bachelor of Hospitality Management, he brings a well-rounded perspective to projects of any scale.

Now, as a Commercial Realtor specializing in Business Brokerage (Mergers and Acquisitions), Paul works across British Columbia and Alberta, helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses with confidence.

Additionally, he is a proud faculty member of the Business and Hospitality Management Department at Vancouver Community College, where he enjoys mentoring and shaping the next generation of industry leaders.

Keith is a serial impact entrepreneur and investor. Keith has co-founded five ventures including Spring Activator, a Vancouver based organization that exists to change the world.

To date, Spring has supported entrepreneurs in incubation, acceleration, and investment readiness in over 60 cities across 5 continents while its impact programs have helped over 3,000 entrepreneurs and 1,100 investors.

Keith also co-founded the Spring Investing Collective – Canada’s largest early stage impact investing network.

Most recently, Keith co-founded Spring Impact Capital Fund, a pre-seed to seed stage fund focused at the intersection of People and Planetary Health.

Tina is a passionate storyteller, social worker, and community builder who is deeply committed to empowering immigrant communities. Originally from India, Tina brings a diverse perspective, shaped by her experience as a media professional and her work in the social sector. With a master’s in political-Social Science and over 20 years of experience in television broadcasting, she has driven social change through impactful programming in India.

In Canada, Tina Manages the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), leading initiatives that support the integration of newcomers into the community. She is also the Co-Founder of the Immigrant Women Initiative (IWI), a thriving grassroots network focused on breaking barriers for immigrant women and advocating for economic equality, social inclusion, and access to professional opportunities.

Tina’s work is characterized by her strategic vision, empathy, and commitment to social justice. She has collaborated with organizations such as PIRS, MINERVA, and the Women Economic Council, amplifying immigrant women’s voices and fostering empowerment. Tina’s leadership in these initiatives reflects her deep commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and diversity.

Recently, Tina was nominated for the Darpan Magazine Breaking Barriers Award, recognizing her tireless efforts in creating opportunities and dismantling systemic barriers for immigrant women. Her work inspires change, celebrates diversity, and uplifts those who need it most.

Zoë has a over a decade of experience as a Port Moody City Councillor, Library Trustee and currently holds the seat of SD43 School Board Trustee.

In 2016 she took the leap, following a successful career of 22 years in healthcare, to open a commercial art gallery in Port Moody. She also founded and chaired KaBoom! the Port Moody Art Explosion and co-founded The Shuffle, Port Moody’s Art Walk.

She has Chaired and Vice-Chaired many of Port Moody’s civic committees; Arts and Culture, Community Advisory and Planning (CPAC), Community Care, Economic Development, Finance, Heritage Commission, Land Use, Senior’s Focus, and Transportation.

She was the City’s representative for Metro Vancouver’s Climate Action Committee, Coquitlam’s School District 43 Childcare, Port Moody Fire Department, and Affordable Housing task forces, as well as the Fraser Health Municipal Regional Committee, the Youth Focus Committee, Municipal Insurance Association of BC, TriCities Chamber of Commerce, Golden Spike Days Society, the Port Moody Arts Centre Society Board, Advisory Design Panel, E-COMM 9-1-1.

As a panelist for Young Women’s Civic Leaders, Canadian Women Voters Congress, and a supporter of the Tri-City Women’s Conference, Zoe shares her experience and expertise to mentor women into leadership roles and to actively participate in our democracy.​