Built By CEOs, For CEOs

We’re a founder-led community built by CEOs, for CEOs, united by purpose, driven by strategy, and grounded in real-world experience.
We help tech CEOs in BC become better leaders.

Join Our Community

Two men are engaged in conversation at a conference reception. The man on the left is smiling, has a beard, and is wearing a name tag that says Christopher. The background shows other attendees seated at tables in a warmly lit room.

From Dinner Table
to Community

Our Story

Acetech began in the early 1990s when a small group of BC tech CEOs started meeting informally to solve problems and support each other’s growth. What began around a dinner table has evolved into BC’s most trusted leadership community, connecting founders through structured peer groups, strategic access, and shared ambition.

Our Mission

Helping Tech CEOs in BC Become Stronger Leaders

We help tech leaders scale faster in their own backyard. With high-trust peer groups, curated learning, and founder-first support, Acetech drives real leadership growth and business results.

Our Values

The Values That Drive Founders Forward

We partner with tech CEOs to build scalable, values-driven companies through strategic insight, peer learning, and real community. Everything we do is grounded in experience, not theory.

Curious

We ask thoughtful questions, challenge the status quo, and actively seek new perspectives and innovative ideas to grow ourselves and our community.

Committed

We are committed to learning and to continuous improvement for ourselves and our members.

Care

We care deeply about the success of our members, personally and professionally.

Our Team

The Brilliant Minds Powering Acetech

We're more than just a leadership organization; we're a team of passionate experts
dedicated to empowering tech CEOs and founders to scale with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Angela Robertson

CEO
Angela is a strategic growth leader with over 20 years of experience in scaling B2B companies. At Acetech, she champions bold leadership, peer learning, and clarity in decision-making guiding tech founders to navigate scale with confidence.
Alexandra Kutilin

Director of Operations
Alexandra brings operational leadership and a people-first approach to Acetech, leveraging deep experience optimizing business operations, scaling high-retention teams, and delivering measurable results. With a talent for turning strategy into action and a passion for empowered, values-driven workplaces, she ensures every aspect of our operations is thoughtfully aligned for growth and impact.
John Diack

Roundtable Facilitator

John is a seasoned executive and mentor with deep experience in scaling tech companies. He facilitates peer discussions that challenge assumptions, encourage accountability, and unlock leadership growth.
Paulin Laberge

Roundtable Facilitator
Paulin is an accomplished entrepreneur and former CEO who brings both empathy and sharp insight to every roundtable. He empowers founders to tackle complex challenges with confidence and clarity.
Barb Kinnaird

Roundtable Facilitator
Barb is a results-driven visionary leader with decades of experience driving life-science innovation. She served as CEO of Response Biomedical, leading operational excellence and global expansion in point-of-care diagnostics. Now she advises technology companies and health investment groups, bringing a rare combination of scientific precision, operational scale, and market insight.
Ken Lewis

Roundtable Facilitator
Ken is a veteran sales leader with a talent for driving performance and team alignment. He helps CEOs refine their go-to-market strategy, scale revenue, and lead with purpose.

Board of Directors

The Visionaries Guiding Acetech’s Mission

Our Board of Directors is made up of seasoned leaders, founders, and innovators who bring deep experience, sharp insight, and bold vision. They don’t just advise, they help shape the future of Acetech and the BC tech ecosystem. Together, they ensure we stay founder-first, values-aligned, and relentlessly focused on supporting tech CEOs and scaling companies across British Columbia.

Angela Robertson

CEO
Angela is a strategic growth leader with over 20 years of experience in scaling B2B companies. At Acetech, she champions bold leadership, peer learning, and clarity in decision-making guiding tech founders to navigate scale with confidence.
Udi Daon

Chair
Udi is a purpose-driven health tech entrepreneur and Chair of Acetech, committed to accelerating innovation across BC’s tech ecosystem. As founder and CEO of DAANAA, he blends scientific insight with bold, systems-level thinking championing visionary founders and building companies that create meaningful global impact.
Amin Yazdani

Vice Chair
Amin is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-founder & CEO of Craver, a fast-growing platform helping restaurants and franchises streamline mobile ordering and loyalty. With a background in computer engineering and a drive for customer-first innovation, he’s scaling solutions that power thousands of businesses across North America.
Barb Kinnaird

Past Chair
Barb is a visionary biotech leader and Past Chair of Acetech, with decades of experience driving innovation in life sciences. She served as CEO of Response Biomedical, leading operational excellence and global expansion in point-of-care diagnostics. She now advises technology companies and health investment groups, bringing a rare combination of scientific precision, operational scale, and market insight.
Rudolph Korompis

Treasurer
Rudolph is a finance and product leader dedicated to making business simpler and more human. With a foundation in accounting and over 15 years of experience in investing, operations, and systems design, he’s refined a long-term approach centered on patience, clarity, and fundamentals. As co-founder of Fingarde, the company behind the AI-powered accounting platform Spendifique, he helps small businesses save time and make smarter financial decisions.
Darren Gibbons

Board Member
Darren is the co-founder and President of ThoughtFarmer, a leading digital workplace platform used by organizations worldwide. With deep experience in building and scaling enterprise software, he brings strong product, technical, and operational insight to Acetech’s Board. Darren offers a grounded founder perspective, helping guide strategy and strengthen Acetech’s mission of supporting CEOs through peer learning and community.
Mehrsa Raeiszadeh

Board Member
Mehrsa is a dynamic tech operator and community builder, bringing deep experience in scaling startups and empowering founders. As Co-Founder of MintList and an active voice in BC’s innovation ecosystem, she combines operational excellence with a passion for inclusive growth—driving meaningful change as a board member at Acetech.
Chris Tumpach

Board Member

Chris Tumpach is the Founder and CEO of Rainforest Automation, a leader in energy-management software and grid optimization. With more than two decades of experience building technology for electrification and utility innovation, he brings strong product, technical, and operational expertise. Chris adds valuable perspective on scaling software in complex industries, supporting Acetech’s mission to help CEOs grow with clarity and impact.
Tiffany Scarlett

Board Member

Tiffany is a former Public Legal Investigator turned legal-tech founder, and the CEO and Founder of MissTiffanyScarlett. With a background in complex investigations and a sharp understanding of legal systems, she brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and entrepreneurial drive. Tiffany’s work focuses on modernizing how people engage with legal information through accessible, tech-forward solutions. She contributes a fresh founder perspective, strong problem-solving instincts, and a deep commitment to empowering others through clarity and innovation.
Geoff Dittrich

Board Member

Geoff is the Founder and Managing Partner of Ink LLP, a boutique business law firm advising high-growth and enterprise companies on venture capital, M&A, and complex commercial matters. With deep experience guiding founders through scaling, financings, and major transactions, Geoff brings sharp strategic insight and practical legal expertise. As an Acetech Board member, he adds a strong founder perspective and a clear understanding of the challenges CEOs face as they grow, raise capital, and navigate pivotal decisions.

Acetech Fellows

Celebrating the Leaders Who’ve Shaped BC’s Tech Future

Acetech Fellows are a select group of respected leaders and trailblazers who’ve made significant contributions to BC’s tech community and the growth of Acetech. They bring decades of experience, bold vision, and
an unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of tech founders.

Shannon Byrne Susko

She is a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and leadership coach known for helping CEOs scale with clarity through her Metronomics growth system.
Tom O'Flaherty

Veteran technology executive, investor, and trusted advisor in growth-stage strategy.
Phil Dubois

Visionary leader and former CEO with a passion for scaling SaaS businesses and guiding founders.
Paulin Laberge

Tech executive and investor with deep expertise in product, operations, and leadership.
David Yoffie

Harvard Business School professor, renowned author, and global expert in strategy and innovation.
Kathy Troupe

Longtime advocate and connector in the BC tech ecosystem, known for her work supporting founders and scaling companies.
Morgan Sturdy

Accomplished entrepreneur, board member, and active mentor in the Canadian tech landscape.
David Sutcliffe

Former CEO of Sierra Wireless, board director, and advisor to high-growth tech companies.
Ralph Turfus

Founder of Class Software, investor, and champion of entrepreneurship and innovation at SFU and beyond.
Ken Spencer

BC tech pioneer, co-founder of Creo, and a dedicated philanthropist supporting education and youth initiatives.
Derek Mather

Derek was instrumental in shaping Acetech’s early years, helping launch the first Symposium in 1993 and later serving as Executive Director until 1999.