Growing Innovators in Alberta
Join us for a conversation about nurturing innovative talent in Alberta! Young people are going to change the world, and it is on all of us to ensure that they are well equipped to deliver good outcomes. Threshold UAV founder Mac Hunik will discuss his innovation journey and talk about the progress Threshold has made recently. He will be joined by Lorna Baird of Olds College Centre for Innovation to highlight the milestones that Threshold has passed with the ongoing support from Olds College. To end the session, they will have a discussion about how everybody can support the next generation of entrepreneurs, drawing on insights from Mac and Lorna’s work in the innovation space.
Mac Hunik, Threshold UAV
Mac’s journey into innovation began at 14 when he joined a robotics team. His experiences have provided him with perspective on the importance of supporting young innovators in Alberta. As a company founder himself, he is currently working through the innovation ecosystem and has seen the need for education on innovation frameworks.
Lorna Baird, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology
Lorna Baird is the Manager of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) where she helps people with new business ideas and small to medium-sized businesses access networks of people, organizations and programs that can help them develop their entrepreneurship journey. Lorna also supports Business Development for the Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production at the College where she continues to help those same individuals and businesses develop, validate and demonstrate new technologies or innovative techniques.
Lorna finds it rewarding to support the development of new and innovative ideas, and her aim is to ensure current and prospective clients and partners are aware of the exciting ongoing work and potential opportunities with Olds College. In continuation of her passion for entrepreneurship, she also co-chairs the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN) which is one of eight Regional Innovation Networks, or RINs, across the province that are supported by Alberta Innovates. The networks work collaboratively and share ideas and good practices. Within Olds College, Lorna is also a member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee and the OCCI in the Community Committee.