Springboard honours NS Industry Engagement Professionals

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Springboard honours NS Industry Engagement Professionals

Springboard Industry Engagement Professionals from Nova Scotia from left: Kevin Buchan, Sarah Conrod, Leigh Huestis and Andrew Kendall.

From the Springboard Content Lab

Springboard Atlantic celebrated two decades of collaboration, innovation and economic impact of our Network during our 20th Anniversary showcase at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax in September.

Over the years, our Industry Engagement Professionals (IEPs) have worked the hallways of our 19 Network member institutions, making relationships with students and researchers who have promising ideas that can be turned into commercial collaborations, startups and spinouts. 

They have connected with industry, businesses and their communities to understand challenges and identify researchers who can help solve real-world problems that improve economy and make lives better in Atlantic Canada.

Springboard honours NS Industry Engagement Professionals

We honoured four Springboard veteran IEPs from Nova Scotia who have served their institutions and the Springboard Network for a combined total of almost 80 years!

With their deep knowledge of research commercialization and rich experience with industry engagement, these individuals have championed the mission of Springboard and our funding partner the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Congratulations and thank you to the following Springboard IEPs:

Leigh Huestis Director of the Office of Industry and Community Engagement at Acadia University

Leigh is one the Springboard originals. She came to Network in its earliest days with a background in tech-based start-ups where she specialized in commercializing  IP.  

She has been instrumental in guiding Springboard and Acadia University activities beyond tech transfer and towards a broader spectrum of industry and community engagement in the Valley business ecosystem and across Atlantic Canada.   

Leigh has supported advancements in the wine industry’s state-of-the-art food and beverage testing facilities. This has enabled local businesses to export their products.  She has been instrumental in helping Springboard with renewal of funding from ACOA. 

Kevin Buchan Director of the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement at Saint Mary’s University, Mount Saint Vincent University and NSCAD

Kevin is another seasoned Springboard veteran. He comes from a background in environmental science and business technology and IP. 

He has helped industry solve problems and through the years he has recognized the most successful collaborations are initiated by industry.  

Kevin started a course on IP and knowledge mobilization which is a requirement of a PhD and Applied Science program at Saint Mary’s University. 

Kevin has been an important member in the Springboard Innovation Mobilization committee, reviewing countless applications that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards to Network institutions. He also contributed to ACOA funding renewal applications.  

Sarah Conrod Manager of Industry Partnerships and Commercialization in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at Cape Breton University

Sarah is Cape Breton University’s first full-time and only Springboard representative on that campus.  

With a background in technology and international marketing, she engages students and researchers across all disciplines to understand their work and assess its potential.  

She also makes it part of her job to go out into the community to get to know the business community and seek out opportunities for collaborations across Cape Breton.  

Sarah has also contributed her time and knowledge to Springboard Innovation Mobilization files, reviewing applications which have resulted in awards. 

Andrew Kendall – Manager of the Industry Liaison and Knowledge Transfer Office at St.FX

Andrew has also been with the Springboard Network since its beginnings 20 years ago.

With a background in a geology, he worked in oil and gas exploration sites around the world and as a policy analyst.

Andrew works in all aspects of research and industry collaborations at St. Francis Xavier University and in the communities of Northern Nova Scotia.

He is best known for his support of the FluxLab and its successful spinoffs in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions. 

Springboard Atlantic is a network of 19 colleges and universities specializing in research commercialization and industry-led research in Atlantic Canada. It is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency , Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and member institutions