Digital Alberta is proud to announce the formation of a new Board of Directors with a stronger focus on the province’s tech entrepreneurial base and digital innovation learning centres. Digital Alberta is a not-for-profit organization operating throughout Alberta to connect, grow, and promote the province’s world-class digital talent. Founded in 1999, the organization’s members work at the intersection of technology, art, and business to create amazing digital products, stories and experiences for audiences around the world. 

With the new injection of expertise from across the province in 2020, Digital Alberta looks forward to working with public and private stakeholders to create jobs, advance research on Alberta’s digital industry, celebrate successes at the annual Ember Awards, and make a positive contribution to the social and economic growth of our province.

Digital Alberta’s 2020 Board of Directors includes experts from across the digital space, including interactive digital media, video game development, VR/AR, web design, computing science, marketing, and technology law. The team includes:

• President: Kate Leadbeater, VP Digital, DDB Canada, Co-founder Testfire Labs
  
• Brian Stewart, Deputy CIO at the University of Alberta
  
• Chelsea Hallick, Business Development Manager, Interactive Digital Media, Calgary Economic Development
  
• Derek Czerkaski, Head of Production, New World Interactive
  
• James Kuehn, Faculty of Art & Design and Built Environment Engineering Technologies, Medicine Hat College
  
• Jo-Anne Yau, Business and Technologies Lawyer, DD West
  
• John Gardiner, VP Corporate Development & Strategy, Big Viking Games
  
• Katelyn Petersen, Executive Director, German-Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research (GCCIR)
  
• Kris Hodgson-Bright, Faculty, Digital Communications and Media, Lethbridge College
  
• Meagan Hampel, Director of Communications, Cybera
  
• Nick Facey, Senior Director of Innovation, Finger Food Advanced Technology Group
  
• Robert Andruchow, Chair, Department of Art and Design; Assistant Professor, Digital Experience Design, MacEwan University
  
• Sarah Classen, Director, Creative and Digital, City of Edmonton
  
• Scott Nye, Head of Game Studio Operations, Improbable

“We have developed a strong team representing the different sectors and geographies of Alberta’s innovation landscape,” says Digital Alberta’s board president, Kate Leadbeater. “I’m excited to work with this group as we pursue our goal of supporting and championing our province’s unique digital talent.”

For media interviews, contact:

Scott Nye, Board Member (Edmonton)
780-860-2627

Nick Facey, Board Member (Calgary)
250-202-8062

BACKGROUND

About Digital Alberta

Founded in 1999 as the Alberta New Media Association, Digital Alberta is a not-for-profit organization that operates across the province to connect, grow, and promote Alberta’s world-class digital talent. Our members work at the intersection of technology, art, and business to create amazing digital products, stories and experiences for audiences around the world. From video games and 3D animations, to artificial intelligence products, Alberta’s digital innovation output is truly inspiring in its scope.