Futurpreneur appoints montreal-based finance executive to its board

February 24, 2021

Tania Clarke joins Canada’s only national, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs

Toronto, ON (February 24, 2021) – Futurpreneur Canada today announced the appointment of Tania Clarke to its board of directors. A seasoned, bilingual senior executive, she brings finance and business expertise that will help strengthen Futurpreneur’s mission to support young entrepreneurs across Canada.

“Tania’s years of experience in senior-level finance positions at companies spanning multiple sectors—from restaurants and hospitality to toys and eyewear—directly aligns with the work we do to support the thousands of diverse, young entrepreneurs whose businesses breathe life into Canada’s main streets,” said Karen Greve Young, CEO, Futurpreneur Canada. “We look forward to drawing upon Tania’s considerable knowledge and expertise as we support aspiring young entrepreneurs with the vital financing, mentorship and resources they need in the most financially responsible way.”

“We enthusiastically welcome Tania to the Futurpreneur Board of Directors,” said David Aisenstat, Futurpreneur board chair. “With extensive knowledge of diverse business sectors, deep Montreal roots, and years of experience in senior finance roles, she brings critical insights to the board.“

Throughout her career, Clarke has held senior finance roles at a range of public and private companies, including Imvescor Restaurant Group (now owned by MTY Group), Keurig Dr Pepper, Vision 2000 (now Direct Travel) and Grand Toys International. In 2018, she joined New Look Vision Group Inc. as senior vice-president and chief financial officer, where she leads a 70-person team to help drive and support the company’s strategic initiatives. In her role, she is responsible for all of the company’s financial functions, including financial planning & analysis, controllership, financial reporting, tax, external audit, treasury, real estate, legal and investor relations. She has held board positions with The Games for Hope Foundation and The West Island Black Community Group over the years. A native of Montreal, Clarke holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from Concordia University and is a Canadian CPA and CA, and a US CPA.

As Clarke joins the board, Futurpreneur extends its deep appreciation to outgoing director Elizabeth Roscoe, senior vice president and national practice leader, public affairs, Hill & Knowlton Strategies Canada. During Elizabeth’s nine years of dedicated service as a director and former vice chair, she contributed valuable expertise in areas including non-profit governance and strategic partnerships, and is a committed advocate of Futurpreneur’s mentorship program.

The Futurpreneur Board of Directors includes:

  • David Aisenstat (chair), CEO, Keg Restaurants Ltd.
  • David Sharpe (vice chair), CEO, Bridging Finance Inc.
  • Paula Cruickshank (treasurer), senior vice president, Ontario & Virtual Bank, BDC
  • Valerie Fox (secretary), chief innovation consultant, The Pivotal Point
  • John Risley, O.C. (founding chair), president, Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
  • Michel Bergeron, chief strategy officer, BDC
  • Devon Brooks, founder and CEO, Sphere
  • Tania Clarke, senior vice-president and CFO, New Look Vision Group Inc.
  • Mike Dobbins, chief strategy and corporate development officer, RBC
  • Cindy Goertzen, co-founder and president, Maira Group Inc.
  • Joanna Griffiths, CEO, Knix and Knixteen
  • Janelle Hinds, founder, Helping Hands
  • Derrick Hunter, president, Bluesky Equities Ltd.
  • Thor Richardson, director of marketing, Richardson International
  • Catherine Roche, chief marketing officer and head of social impact, Bank of Montreal

Futurpreneur board members are diverse leaders across a broad variety of sectors. To read more about our Board of Directors and its demographic makeup, please visit our website.

About Futurpreneur Canada

Futurpreneur Canada has been fuelling the entrepreneurial passions of enterprising young Canadians since 1996. We’re the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentorship and resources to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. More than 13,000 young Canadian entrepreneurs, spanning every province and territory, have successfully launched their business with Futurpreneur’s support. Their main street businesses help drive Canada’s inclusive economic prosperity in communities from coast to coast to coast.

Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

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