Meet The Team
Since his initial entrance into SIFE, two years ago, Rohan’s role has shifted from General Member, to VP Project Management, to President. He has continually displayed his dedication to excellence in business and efforts to contribute to the community. He actively participated in developing $tart $mart, Canada’s number one financial literacy program, targeted toward at-risk youth. He was vital in developing the customizable educational model and five year plan that aspires to reach over fifty schools. As a founding member of the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute (REI) Rohan completed various milestones that were crucial to the development of the team. Recently in his role as VP, Project Management, he strategically implemented project management software and facilitated the development of SIFE Ryerson’s programs and projects. His work and passion in revamping the project initiation and execution stages led to a stronger and more efficient team that will continue this year, as he takes over the presidency of SIFE Ryerson.
Dr. Steven A. Gedeon, has recently been nominated by TVO for “The Best Lecturer of the Year, 2009”. He is the Chairman of NAO’s Education Committee, has led or started over a dozen companies, VC firms and non-profit organizations. He has sat on over 30 boards and technical committees including the CEO Fusion Center, Academy for Tech CEOs (AceTech) and the Ontario Partnership for Innovation and Commercialization (OPIC).
Dr. Gedeon has his PhD from MIT, MBA from University of Toronto and is a licensed professional engineer in the US and Canada with over 100 publications and patents.
Steve was recently CEO of 3DNA Corp., a new media technology company where he raised 5 rounds of financing and created the number one download in its product category with over 20 awards and 80 magazine articles, as well as many fan sites and over a million users.
Dr. Gedeon is a professor of entrepreneurship in the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University where he judges the $25,000 Standard Broadcasting Business Plan competition. He is faculty advisor to Students in Free Enterprise and teaches the final capstone courses in entrepreneurship, strategy and eBusiness.
Passionate about entrepreneurship, Steve is active in helping students start up over a dozen companies, working with entrepreneurs and lecturing on goal setting, motivation and personal greatness.
As Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute (REI), Brandon Corman has been able to put his Ryerson finance training to use. Some of his day-to-day responsibilities include managing a $500,000 budget, co-ordinating the work study program with Ryerson administration and creating pro forma budgets. Keeping track of cheque requisition forms, hiring for the work study program and administrating payroll for over 30 students has made Brandon into an organized and professional leader. Brandon received an honours diploma from Conestoga College and plans to graduate from Ryerson University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Commerce. In 2009 – 2010 Brandon plans to grow the Finance team to include three new members to help run the finances for the Ryerson Digital Media Zone. Though there have been many responsibilities placed on his shoulders, Brandon has never failed to invent effective strategies to overcome any situation.
Carson has been with SIFE Ryerson since October 2008. He began working with the team through $tart $mart, a program which teaches financial literacy to high school students. He was one of the leading project managers to develop StartMeUp Podcasts, a database of online videos. The collection inspires entrepreneurship and teaches post-secondary students lessons about starting up a company. Carson’s background in television production prepared him to produce videos for the series. Having developed a production process for the videos he has been able to expand the scope of the project which he currently oversees. Carson has now taken on the role of Vice President of Project Management, where he will monitor and facilitate growth in all of the projects throughout SIFE Ryerson.
In her first year at Ryerson, Sara started off as a general member in SIFE Ryerson’s Financial Literacy Program. Her passion for helping at-risk youth become financially stable led her to the role of Project Manager at Eastdale Collegiate, a high school with a 1% graduation rate. She has contributed to the development and growth of the Financial Literacy Program, $tart $mart, Canada’s #1 Financial Literacy Program for at-risk youth. She used her own financial experiences to motivate other students to start budgeting for their future and create a savings plan to help them achieve their financial goals. As a result, these students have been able to save money in order to plan for their future. As a result of the program, one of the students cut back on smoking and is now saving enough money to pay for her expenses. Currently, Sara is now the Program Director of $tart $mart and is responsible for developing and growing the program. She believes that financial literacy is crucial in everyone’s lives. Sara plans on expanding the $tart $mart program to more high schools through integrating it into their curriculum to help students to start thinking about their future financially and avoid getting into debt. She also plans to expand this program homeless youth and women.
Tracy is currently the Vice President, Marketing for SIFE Ryerson and Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute. She started her journey one year ago on the marketing team as a graphic designer creating posters, tickets and banners. Already owning her own graphic design business, it gave her the confidence in gearing the marketing team in a more creative and innovative direction. Aside from applying her technical skills, she has developed exceptional people skills though working with autistic children for the past 6 years. Tracy brings her life skills to SIFE Ryerson’s day to day activities. Her determination, enthusiasm, and dedication brought Tracy to where she is now. Being VP, Marketing she is responsible for marketing SIFE’s seven programs allowing her to apply the theories she learns in the classroom and gain hands on marketing experience.
After joining SIFE Ryerson in early 2008, Nadine’s commitment to the team has been demonstrated through her transformation from General Member to Project Manager to Office Manager to Vice President of Member Development. She developed a reputation for eagerness and dependability during her involvement with each SIFE project. Nadine created several policies, which were implemented by all members in SIFE Ryerson, such as an office etiquette policy. Her job experience in the retail condo market has increased her knowledge in the real estate industry and experience with diverse clientele. Her current role as Vice President of Member Development will give her the hands on experience she needs to become a valuable addition to any human resources department.
Since joining SIFE Ryerson in 2008, Jeffrey has grown tremendously. He began at SIFE Ryerson as a project manager for initatives such as RYE Market, the $25,000 Slaight Communication Business Plan Competition, and the OPIC Business Plan Competition. Currently, Jeffrey is the Program Director of StartMeUp. Utilizing academic knowledge and real life experience, Jeffrey has bettered his skills as a Program Director, and as an individual. Jeffrey believes that the Entrepreneural spirit is critical to any economy and He hopes to develop and further the StartMeUp program into one that is globally recognized as the number one entrepreneural community for developing and established entrepreneurs.
Through his 3 years at SIFE Ryerson, George Emmanuvel has become SIFE Ryerson’s resident tech wiz. He has developed from a Media Director whose responsibilities included graphic design and video editing to the Vice President of Technology. Due to the array of experience he has gained both from the IT industry as well as other organizations, he has been able to bring that knowledge into SIFE and continually work hard to improve SIFE and its program. Managing all of SIFE’s IT infrastructure and websites, he has been an vital component to having a strong online presence. Although George has an impact on all 34 projects he’s transfered his real world leadership qualities into developing teams, managing projects and developing new processes. George has received recognition from industry leaders such as IBM, where he spent 1 year working in the highly competitive TD Bank Account department managing the IT Infrastructure. George has brought an entrepreneurial spirit to SIFE Ryerson by running his own web development firm combined various freelance work. Expanding his knowledge from scholastics achievements George plays an integral part in the tamil community of Toronto working with organization such as CanTYD, a youth development program. Furthermore he has ongoing work with Kalaikal Creative Arts where he is a Director of Technology. George has been part of Ryerson`s community through the student United Way initiative and contributed towards the Ryerson`s Master Plan (Development Program). George is building the foundation upon which future incoming SIFE students can utilize to continue the technology advancement of the program.
Gavin Roy Seal came into the role of VP, Media Production to create a videography team which could support the video needs of a large network of programs and operations. Gavin currently holds post-secondary degrees in Commerce as well as Cinema, Video & Communications from Marianopolis College and Dawson College, respectively. The Ryerson University Radio and Television Arts program, one of Canada’s most renowned broadcasting curriculums, has refined his skills as a professional within the idustry. Developing a self-sustaining communications department within REI has given Gavin the real world experience that no educational institution could provide. In the next year Gavin will be refining a streamlined production workflow, while expanding the scope of the team’s videography services to include live event broadcasts, photography, web streaming, and providing services to other organizations and departments within Ryerson University.
Dan Goldstein is currently the Vice President of the Ryerson Angel Network (RAN), his duties include the managingement of the groups’ operations, attracting deal flow, working to prepare applicants to receive funding and assisting members throughout the proposal and due diligence process. He graduated from Fleming College’s Marketing program, and was accepted into Ryerson as a direct-entry student. While at Fleming, Dan completed every semester on the Dean’s list and upon graduation, he was presented with a number of awards for leadership, academic excellence and personal growth. Professionally speaking, Dan has worked with various aspects of the IT industry, from computer networking to more recently search engine marketing. He has worked in positions ranging from entry level technician, to project manager, to management. Thanks to his time at Ryerson and involvement with RAN, Dan has also had the privilege of working with and learning from some of the most affluent investors and business people within Toronto.
Andrea is the former President of SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Ryerson and the Founder and President of SAGE (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship) Canada. Andrea was part of the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute’s (REI) founding team and her involvement with SIFE Ryerson and REI provided her with the experience and skill development to found SAGE Canada. Andrea is involved in other facets of Ryerson University including being a member of the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute Steering Committee and she was a member of the Local Faculty Awards Selection Committee. Andrea’s involvement within Ryerson won her an Award of Merit for contribution to student life and nominations for “Student Leader of the Year”. During her term as SIFE Ryerson President, Andrea led her team to win two national championships, three regional championships and additional awards including “Campus Administration of the Year” for Ryerson University. Andrea is passionate about entrepreneurship and team development and continues to be actively involved within and outside of Ryerson University. “SIFE is an amazing experience – it’s more than just a student group. SIFE is about providing the opportunity to do more than just dream, and gaining hands-on experience that leads to success.”
David is in his final year at Ryerson University, completing a double major in Entrepreneurship and Strategy and Global Management Studies. His leadership and creative ability have enabled him to excel at all of the projects and programs he has been involved in. Within SIFE Ryerson, David has grown from a Project Manager to become the Director of Digital Media Projects and the SIFE Director for the Ryerson Digital Media Zone. David was an integral part of Start Smart’s National award winning presentation team in 2009. As the Director of Digital Media Projects, David was directly involved in the development of Ryerson Mobile and he led the formation of the Ryerson Digital Media Zone. His involvement in both of these projects enabled him to significantly improve his leadership, interpersonal and management skills. David has future plans to successfully create and lead his own business, possibly in the Digital Media field.
After joining SIFE Ryerson in September 2008, Michelle’s commitment to the team has been demonstrated through her transformation from General Member to Manager of the Faculty Development Program to Director of the Faculty Development Program. Through her involvement with the Faculty Development Program, she gets to promote SIFE Ryerson’s programs as well as mold and shape them helping make them relevant to non-business students. Michelle, majoring in Radio and Television Arts, has firsthand experience with the needs of her faculty. She runs a team of students from other faculties working together to form partnerships throughout the University, co-sponsor events, and create synergies. She also is a Program Manager for $tart $mart which allows her to teach customized financial literacy seminars to high school students.
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