Futurpreneur Canada announces new ceo
Karen Greve Young, former MaRS executive, to steer the organization through the next iteration of growth and development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 28TH, 2018 – Futurpreneur Canada, a non-profit organization that provides resources, financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Greve Young, as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 18 2018.
This selection follows a strong fiscal year for the organization which has supported over 10,000 young entrepreneurs and helped launch more than 9,500 Canadian businesses since its inception in 1996.
“After years of partnering with Futurpreneur, I am honoured to become Futurpreneur’s next CEO,” said Greve Young. “This is a great time for us to define our core role in the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem and I look forward to bolstering our support for the young entrepreneurs who are creating the companies that are so critical to Canada’s future success.”
With a purpose of helping Canadian innovators change the world, Greve Young joined MaRS in June 2011 as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. Quickly growing and evolving within the organization, Greve Young was appointed Vice President, Corporate Development & Partnerships, overseeing strategic development at the organization, as well as continuing to build relationships with partners, government stakeholders and tenants.
“Karen is drawn to highly complex mission-based organizations,” said John Risley, Board Chair of Futurpreneur Canada. “As we move forward and evolve as an organization, we know Karen’s strengths of strategic insight, strong academic achievements and extensive knowledge of private and non-profit leadership roles will make her an effective leader.”
As an accomplished non-profit leader dedicated to fostering economic and social prosperity through new approaches and partnerships, Karen previously held finance, management and strategy roles in organizations in San Francisco, New York and London, UK, including Bain & Company, Gap Inc. and the UK’s Institute of Cancer Research. She earned her A.B. Cum Laude in Economics from Harvard, and later an M.B.A., from Stanford, graduating in the top 10% of her class.
“I am beyond thrilled that Futurpreneur Canada has appointed me to lead their team as we build on our strong foundation to take the organization to the next level,” said Greve Young.
Fiscal 2018 brought some exciting news to the Futurpreneur team. For the first time in the organizations 22 year history, young entrepreneurs were supported coast-to-coast, in every province and territory, including Nunavut. The organization is looking to capitalize on that achievement as we move forward into fiscal 2019 knowing that young Canadian entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39, have our support in bringing their business ideas to life.
The Board of Directors would like to thank Julia Deans, the former Futurpreneur President and CEO for her years of exemplary service to the organization, its partners and employees. Julia is assuming the role of President and CEO of the Children’s Literacy Foundation as of May 28th, 2018.
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About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of enterprising young Canadians since 1996. We’re the only national, non-profit organization that provides resources, financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of over 3,000 volunteer mentors.
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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For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact:
Zandra Miljan
Public Affairs and Media Relations
Futurpreneur Canada
Call or Text: 647-680-8165
Email: zmiljan@futurpreneur.ca
