Genesis first introduced the Client Success Committee with the aim of establishing a network of industry experts to support ventures in the Enterprise program. The committee meets periodically to evaluate the ventures’ progress, help identify opportunities and offer advice for overcoming challenges. They’ve been a massive benefit to the organization, and today we’re saying goodbye - and hello - to a few members!

After being a crucial long-standing Chair, Ron Ellsworth will be stepping down from the Committee. Born in Carmanville, Ron has lived in St. John’s since the 1980s. Together with his wife Paula, he has four children and a grandson. He studied business administration at Keyin College before beginning a career as an entrepreneur and real estate agent. Beyond his professional career, he spends much of his time working with many community groups and organizations to advance causes that are dear to his heart. Ron’s impact on our organization has been immeasurable, and we wish him luck in his future adventures!

Filling in as CSC Chair will be Jason Quann, Chief Revenue Officer at Verafin. As CRO, Jason oversees the entire Sales and Marketing team at Verafin. Since 2011, he has brought energy, dedication and enthusiasm to several leadership roles, including Director of Professional Services and Vice President of Sales. With his expertise in leadership, marketing, branding, sales enablement and lead development, Jason has successfully led their Sales and Marketing teams through multiple projects and initiatives. Dedicated to customer engagement, Jason brings a wealth of valuable insight to his team including a thorough understanding of customer needs and the implementation process. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University.

And that’s not all! We have three brand new experts joining our Committee to add their unique experience to an already impressive lineup. Jacqueline Lee is an alumna of MUN, holding a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a CPA designation. She has over 20 years experience in finance and business development with a diverse career spanning hospitality, property management, construction and technology.  Jacqueline has extensive experience in establishing effective reporting and tracking systems that support the success of existing and accelerated growth business models.  As CFO of SkyHawk Telematics, she managed the sale of the local NL tech firm to the largest telecom in Canada. She also served on the board of TaskForceNL and now serves on the board of techNL as Vice-Chair.  She has recently joined PolyUnity as their COO and is excited about the transformation additive manufacturing can bring to our healthcare system.  She is passionate about fostering an eco-system in NL that our kids will choose to stay and thrive in when they graduate.  She is also a strong advocate for women in STEM fields and improving equitable opportunities for Indigenous peoples. 

Mimi Sheriff lives between worlds and calls Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and St. John’s home. She began her career working with international non-profit organizations before joining the St. John’s tech industry with Bluedrop ISM. As the Director of Strategic Accounts and Social Impact, her role intersects between clients, people and culture, and the community at large. Certified as a Sustainability Associate by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, Mimi is an advocate of socially responsible business operations and leads Community Investment initiatives at Bluedrop. With a passion for diverse foods, she is the owner of Gursha, the first caterer of authentic Ethiopian food in Newfoundland and sits on the Board of Directors for the St. John’s Farmers Market. Mimi has a Bachelors of Law (LL.B) from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She has a Master’s in Gender Studies from Memorial University and a Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability from the University of Toronto. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Genesis, YWCA and the St. John’s Farmers Market.

Sue Stanfield is a classic serial entrepreneur. Since founding a retail company in 2012, she has purchased the local competition, expanded from one store to six and founded a tech company. Sue now operates the retail locations part time while developing various new divisions and growing the technology software startup called Checkmate Experience. Her personal values (adventure, nature & growth) have been the pillars of the business which has led the team through continuous advancement. Always looking for a new challenge and a way to give back, she is excited to begin sharing knowledge through Confessions of a Small Retailer - an online resource for small  business owners. Sue is currently living in Nova Scotia with her husband, two children and two puppies. Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, & travel. Always up for an adventure & happiest by the water, Sue thrives on authentic connections and avoids discussing the weather when possible!

As you can see, our Client Success Committee is going to be an incredible well of knowledge to draw from, and we can’t wait to see their impact on our community! As always, stay tuned as Genesis keeps building amazing companies.