Dr. Arvind Gupta is the CEO & Scientific Director of Mitacs and a professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia.

From 2010 to 2011, Dr. Gupta sat on the six-member Research & Development Review Expert Panel struck by the Government of Canada to conduct a comprehensive review of all existing federal support for business R&D to see how this support could be enhanced to make sure federal investments are effective and delivering maximum results for Canadians.

Prior to joining Mitacs, he helped to found the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences and the Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery. He obtained a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Toronto in 1991 and is currently a Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Gupta is the editor of two book series on industrial mathematics and was the President of the 2011 International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics which brought over 3,000 delegates to Vancouver. 

Karen Booth joined Mitacs in 2003. As Executive Vice-President, Programs, she is responsible for the management, planning and oversight of the Mitacs suite of programs including Mitacs-Accelerate, Globalink, Elevate, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship program (Step), Networking and Outreach initiatives. Previously, she held the position of Vice-President, External Relations and was responsible for the development of government, business and academic collaborative initiatives.

Karen’s experience in management, business development, marketing and operations during the last 25 years has been in both the private and non-profit sectors. As VP Operations for the UK office of Rare Medium, a global Internet services company, she developed new markets, established state-of-the-art facilities for user research, and recruited specialized technical personnel. As partner and COO for UK Communications Company, Carlyle Media Group, Karen co-founded the Internet professional services division and created the expansion strategy which put Carlyle into the top ten corporate communications companies in the UK.

In the non-profit sector, as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Royal Albert Hall (UK), she significantly increased event revenue and developed highly successful co-promotions with organizations including the Bolshoi Ballet and Cirque du Soleil. For both the Royal Albert Hall and as Marketing Manager at the National Museum of Science & Industry (UK), she introduced profitable commercial programs including retail and corporate events, and raised profile through national and international PR campaigns.

Karen has a BA from the University of Winnipeg and a Diploma of Public History from Simon Fraser University.

Based in Quebec, Eric works closely with government, academia and industry to promote Mitacs programs and bring together academia and industry for mutually-beneficial partnerships. A born entrepreneur, Eric has 20 years of experience in business development and marketing. Prior to joining Mitacs, he founded Xyz Imaging, a technology start-up company where he raised $25M in capital, managed employees, purchased technology, negotiated business agreements, developed the company’s technology and ultimately introduced the product to market. Eric was also the director of a not-for-profit holography laboratory. The laboratory was used for teaching holography to CEGEP students in Quebec, conducting scientific outreach and by academics for research. He also worked on the science staff of the Tokamac de Varennes, Canada’s experimental nuclear fusion reactor, where he participated in the development of a sub-millimeter interferometer. Eric’s combination of for-profit and not-for-profit experience in both the business and university communities provides him with the ideal skill-set to connect Quebec companies and academics through internships.

Daniel Fontaine joined Mitacs in August 2008. As Chief Public Affairs Officer, he is responsible for the communications, stakeholder relations and event planning activities within the organization.

Prior to joining Mitacs, Daniel worked as the Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Vancouver. He has also worked as the Director of Communications for 2010 Legacies Now; Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the National Brewers Association – Western Canada; and assistant to the Hon. Colin Hansen, former Minister of Finance for British Columbia.

In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Manitoba, Daniel has obtained a Media Writing and Public Relations certificate from Langara College. Daniel is on the Board of Directors for Douglas College and served on the BC College of Psychologists from 2004-2010. He also regularly appeared on the civic affairs panel for the top-rated Bill Good Show on CKNW and the CBC’s Early Edition. Daniel also founded Canada’s most popular civic affairs blog in 2008 which produced the 2010 Olympics “Where to Be for Free Guide”.

Dr. Aftab Mufti is a Professor of Civil Engineering, at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, as well as being the Program Leader and President of ISIS Canada, and first President of ISHMII (International Society for SHM of Intelligent Infrastructures). He was one of the key persons to initiate interest in the uses of Advanced Composite Materials (ACM) for Civil Engineering structures in Canada through his founding work as Chair of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Technical Committee on the use of ACM in Bridges and Structures.

Dr. Mufti coined the new term “Civionics” as an explanation of the need to bring together the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, and photonics to expand the envelope of civil engineering in the future design of civil infrastructure.  It is now a rapidly emerging technology that is replacing visual inspection as a means of monitoring bridges and structures for safety and longevity. Dr. Mufti is also the author or co-author of nine books and more than 200 publications in Bridge Engineering, Finite Element Analysis and Computer Graphics, and several Technical Reports.

Most recently, Dr. Mufti was named to the Order of Canada for his contributions to and leadership in the field of civil engineering, notably for researching the use of advanced composite materials and fibre optic sensors in the construction and monitoring of bridges and other infrastructures. 

Olga joined Mitacs in October 2000 and plays a key role in the network's success. As Chief Operating Officer, her responsibilities include oversight of the overall operations and management, responsibility for delivery strategy for all Mitacs programs, their implementation, ongoing evaluation and monitoring, as well as allocation of Mitacs resources, human resources management and oversight of budgetary expenditures.

Olga has a Master’s Degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Constantin Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia. Prior to emigrating to Canada, she was Senior Project Manager at Management Partners, the leading company in the Slovak HR market. She was highly successful in her role of recruiting personnel for international organizations opening subsidiaries in Slovakia.

Olga is the recipient of the 2009 Business in Vancouver Forty under 40 Award

Jennifer joined Mitacs in September 2008 as Chief Financial Officer. Her role includes oversight of Mitacs financial planning, budget management and financial strategy.

Prior to joining Mitacs Jennifer worked as Corporate Planner for the City of Coquitlam. She has also worked at KPMG in various offices across the country. In addition to her CA, Jennifer has her BBA from SFU.