Education

University of Alberta
Bachelor of Education (Specialization in Learning Resources and Technology), 1999

Work & Volunteer Experience

CIE: Seek Your Own Proof
Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director, 2006-Present

RED The Agency
Associate Creative Director, Interactive, 2008-Present

Hotrocket
Founder, CEO & Creative Director, 2001-2008

artsScene Edmonton
Co-Chair, Organizing Committee, 2008-Present

Startup Edmonton
Co-Chair, Organizing Committee, 2009-Present

TEDx Edmonton
Chair, Organizing Committee, 2009-Present

Digital Alberta
President and Board Chair, 2007-2008

Testimonials & Recommendations

Kevin Swan, Seed Fund Manager, Cardinal Venture Partners
“I have a lot of respect for Ken as an entrepreneur. He possesses all of the traits that you would look for in getting a vision and company off the ground; energetic, creative, charismatic, smart, strategic and one of the hardest workers I have seen. I have not seen many entrepreneurs in the tech space with as much creative talent as Ken.”

Lynda Brown-Ganzert, Former President, New Media BC
“Ken is a national treasure, highly valued for his creativity, business acumen and passion for community-building. I have repeatedly appreciated his strategic approach to industry building and project development. Ken’s brain is one of the first I tap when I need new insight on a complex problem.”

Nichole Anderson, President & CEO, Business for the Arts
“Ken has shown incredible leadership in taking our artsScene program to new heights in Alberta. He has gone above and beyond as a volunteer to create an artsScene network that now includes hundreds of business professionals and creative professionals who are interested in becoming more engaged in the Alberta arts scene. He is exceptionally dedicated, passionate about what he does and extremely talented as a leader. He has also leant web-based strategic support that has helped us create broad awareness for our programming through social media. A true gem.”

Shaheel Hooda, Executive In Residence, TEC Edmonton
“It has been a pleasure working with/mentoring Ken over the past year and solidifying the CIE business plan/model. Ken is always extremely energetic/creative and responds well to feedback that can impact the business he’s trying to create. Excellent follow through on commitments he makes. Strong business sense and good attention to detail.”

Trent Smith, Former New Media Manager, Telefilm Canada
“Ken stands apart in his knowledge and expertise gained through his humility, combined with his patience and perseverance in sticking to an original idea, yet adaptable enough to change his mind to suit reality. His open and forthright nature is always engaged in finding what works, yet consistently aligned with his integrity and sense of personal mission. I wholeheartedly recommend Ken and his efforts within the CIE universe.”

Sean Embury, Senior Producer, CBC Television
“I’ve watched Ken’s boundless creativity and endless energy bring a number of innovative, award winning, ideas to life. His greatest strength, however, may be his incredible ability to bring people together and get them excited about what’s possible. Any chance you get to work with Ken, or even just hang out with him, take it.”

Rene Smid, Executive Director, Digital Alberta
“I had the pleasure of working under Ken’s leadership for approximately 1 year. I have worked for non-profits for 10 years so have gained a vast amount of experience working with a group of diverse Presidents in that time. I learned so much from Ken and continue to do so. His mind is so quick – outside of the box thinking, exponential, creative and he makes all of the pieces connect with purpose and passion. He created the momentum that has built and sustained the current vision of Digital Alberta. He is innovative and dynamic. He pushes the boundaries and creates positive and impactful change. He has his finger on the pulse of the digital media ecosystem and consistently identifies cohesive and collaborative solutions to meet the challenges the industry is facing. He is a true visionary, leader and innovator.”

Awards & Recognition

40 Under 40, Avenue Magazine (Edmonton)
Grand Prize Winner, TEC VenturePrize (Edmonton)
Next Up, Alberta Venture Magazine
Best of Show, Fusion Digital Media Venture Forum (Vancouver)
Winner, Pitch It!, KidScreen Summit (New York)
Marketing Award of Distinction, Alberta Business Awards
Most Promising Company, Canadian New Media Awards
Young Entrepreneur Award, Small Business Awards (St. Albert)
30 Under 30, Edmonton Journal

Speaking & Committees

Industry Advisory Committee, nextMEDIA
Council Member, Alberta Film Advisory Council
Council Member, Alberta ICT Council
Board Member, Canadian Interactive Alliance
Advisory Committee, Canadian Heritage Trade Team for New Media
Jury Member, Canadian New Media Awards
Jury Member, Business for the Arts Arnold Awards
Jury Member, Alberta Motion Picture Industry Awards
Speaker, Banff New Media Institute Interactive Screen
Speaker, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum
Speaker, Banff World Television Festival
Speaker, nextMEDIA
Speaker, Venture Prize Seminar Series, University of Alberta School of Business
Speaker, Canadian Arts Summit
Speaker, Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association
Speaker, Digital Alberta Industry Development Series
Speaker, Calgary International Film Festival
Speaker, Vancouver International Digital Festival
Speaker, GameExpo 2009
Speaker, Canadian Association of Business Incubators Conference
Speaker, Canadian Public Relations Society Edmonton
Mentor, Digital Content Creator Entrepreneurs Network