Propel Announces Özge Yeloğlu as New Board Chair

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Organization Also Adds Three New Directors

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HALIFAX, NS – March 27, 2024 – Atlantic Canada’s Virtual Accelerator, Propel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Özge Yeloğlu as Board Chair. She replaces outgoing Board Chair, Jeff White. 

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This transition coincides with the addition of three new board members, Jennifer LaPlante, Chief Growth and Investment Officer, Ocean Supercluster; Sreejata Chatterjee, Director, Product at Foundry and Sean Power, CEO and Co-founder, SOMMS.AI. Director Jeff Thompson will conclude his term.  

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“We are thrilled to have Özge move into the role as Chair. Özge is a celebrated leader across Canadian innovation landscape, particularly in the area of data analytics and AI and we will continue to benefit from her commitment to governance and charting strong pathways for founders,” comments Propel CEO, Kathryn Lockhart. “We are grateful for the contributions of Jeff White and Jeff Thompson who have played a key role in Propel’s growth and success to date.”

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Propel’s Board of Directors also includes:
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• Craig Haney, Head of Ventures, AltaML
• Cathy Bennett, Co-founder Sandpiper Ventures and Volunteer Lead, TaskforceNL
• Gerry Lawless, VP Business Development, PayTic
• Dave Grebenc, CEO, Innovatia\
• Gerry Pond, Chairman and Co-founder Mariner Partners\
• Mark Dobbin, Founder and President, Killick Capital
• Nicole LeBlanc, Partner, Woven Capital 
• Robert Cowan, Partner, McInnes Cooper
• Ted Graham, Head of Open Innovation, General Motors

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Propel offers tailored programming and coaching for pre-revenue and revenue generating companies. Last year the program celebrated its 20^th year of supporting startups and playing a lead role in fostering the tech ecosystem in Atlantic Canada. In 2023, the organization admitted 94 companies into their programs. 

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If your company could benefit from guided accountability, expert coaching and tailored advice for scaling your business, founders are encouraged to apply here.

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Özge Yeloğlu, Vice President, Advanced Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, CIBC - Bio:

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Özge Yeloğlu is the Vice President, Advanced Analytics & AI at CIBC, where she leads the enablement and delivery of analytics solutions and advances the use of AI across the bank. Previously, Ozge led data and artificial intelligence technical team for Microsoft Canada. 

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She has a diverse background, ranging from academia to startups and she enjoys bringing these different perspectives to her everyday work life. Outside of the office, Ozge puts her skills and knowledge to use as a mentor for start-up founders through Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) in Toronto and Halifax. She’s also a founding member of the Atlantic Women’s Investment Fund focusing on female led startups across Canada while also increasing the number of female investors in the investment ecosystem.

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About Propel

As Atlantic Canada’s Virtual Accelerator, Propel has helped more than one thousand startups validate product/market fit, find repeatable customers and raise financing. Propel’s dedicated virtual coaching approach means you access great coaching, great content and mentors from around the world without the time and expense of traveling. To learn more about their cohorts, coaches and programming, visit the Propel website. 

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Media contact:

Tara Wickwire

902.403.6391

tara@propelict.com