Will Cadell

Board Chair

Will is the CEO of Sparkgeo, a geospatial technology company, and the Chair of the Northern Innovation Network’s Board of Directors. Compelled to create mapping experiences on the web, Will founded Sparkgeo, a geospatial consulting firm, in 2010, and the company has grown into a leader in the geospatial world.

In 2021, Sparkgeo opened an international office in the United Kingdom to pursue opportunities in the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East across the finance, sustainability, and technology sectors. The company also launched the MERMAID (Marine Ecological Research Management AID) Project with the Wildlife Conservation Society, an open-source platform for coral reef data that creates transparency around reef health and gives institutions the data they need to take action. Will is an advocate and a leading force in the push to use geospatial data to help us make better, more sustainable decisions.

John Kason

Vice-Chair

John is a Portfolio Manager and Certified Financial Planner at Fieldhouse Capital Management Inc., serving the Prince George region, the Okanagan, and the Greater Vancouver area. He is an active member of the community as a mentor and educator. John is a regular contributor to CBC Radio, CBC Online, and CKPG TV/Radio, and has provided financial training for School District 57, retirement preparation seminars for Canfor, and investment planning and entrepreneurship development seminars for the College of New Caledonia. John is an active Rotarian and has served as a Director of the Downtown Prince George Business Improvement Association.

John is a passionate advocate for harnessing the power of financial instruments to advance the needs and priorities of Northern BC. He launched the Fieldhouse Enhanced Pension Plus Fund, the first mutual fund launched from Prince George, which has grown to more than $50 million in assets.

Dr. Michel Beaulieu

Director-at-Large

Dr. Michel S. Beaulieu is Provost and Vice-President, Academic at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he leads academic planning, research, and student success initiatives that support the social and economic development of Northern British Columbia. An accomplished historian and university leader, he has served in senior academic, governance, and community leadership roles across Canada.

Throughout his career, Michel has built strong partnerships among universities, Indigenous communities, governments, industry, and non-profit organizations to advance innovation, workforce development, and community well-being. He is recognized for fostering collaborative initiatives that connect research and education to regional priorities and create lasting community impact. His contributions to higher education, public service, and community engagement have been recognized through several honours, including serving as the Honorary Colonel of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, the Cruikshank Gold Medal, the City of Thunder Bay’s Spirit of Thunder Bay Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Chris Cameron

Director-at-Large

Chris Cameron is an accomplished IT leader with over two decades of experience in driving digital transformation and managing cross-functional teams. His expertise spans a wide range of IT domains, including business intelligence, database management, cloud computing, systems integration, and project management. With a track record of successfully implementing innovative solutions, he has built strong relationships with business leaders and effectively collaborated with remote teams, ensuring technology aligns with and supports business objectives. Chris’s career highlights include introducing business intelligence tools, implementing inventory management solutions, and guiding major system migrations. He holds a diploma in both Accounting and Computer Science from Thompson Rivers University and currently serves as the Director of IT – Wood Products at Canfor, building upon a rich career history at West Fraser Timber and Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Dan Davies

Director-at-Large

Dan Davies is the founder and principal of Davies North & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in government relations, lobbying and communications, public policy, public relations, and Indigenous engagement. With over two decades of experience in public service and community leadership, Dan helps clients navigate complex policy environments and build effective strategies to influence decision-makers.

A former MLA for Peace River North (2017–2024) and Fort St. John City Councillor for 12 years, with many years working in industry and education, Dan combines political insight with practical experience in government, industry, and education. He has worked extensively with Indigenous communities, industry leaders, and local organizations to advance projects that balance economic opportunity with cultural and community priorities.

Recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the King Charles III Medal, and the Canadian Forces Decoration, Dan brings credibility, integrity, and results-driven leadership to every project.

Cindy Heitman

Director-at-Large

Cindy Heitman serves as the ninth President and CEO of the College of New Caledonia, making history as the first female to hold this permanent leadership position. With a rich background in education spanning over three decades, Cindy brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational excellence and community development.

As a former CNC university studies student, Cindy brings a unique perspective to her leadership role. Her professional journey includes eight years as a school-based educator, 15 years in school and district leadership, and five years in senior leadership positions. She holds a Master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of General Studies in Education with a minor in Learning Disabilities.

Dean Mason

Director-at-Large

Dean Mason, FCPA, FCA, B.Com., is an accomplished financial executive, corporate director, and venture champion with extensive leadership in capital allocation and governance. In 1987, Dean founded a prominent regional accounting firm, serving as its principal for 26 years until his retirement in 2013. Concurrently, he established a strong track record in the innovation ecosystem, participating in numerous start-ups as an investor, principal, and strategic advisor.

Following his corporate retirement, Dean transitioned his executive expertise toward public infrastructure and sovereign fund oversight. He has served as Board Chair and Director of Finance for the Prince George Airport Authority, and as Director of Finance for both the BC Immigrant Investment Fund (BCIIF) and the BC Renaissance Capital Fund (BCRCF).

Dean currently serves as an external member of the UNBC Investment Advisory Committee.

Dr. Kafui Monu

Director-at-Large

Dr. Kafui Monu is an Associate Professor and Chair of the School of Business at the University of Northern British Columbia. He researches and teaches how information systems can be used in business to make work more efficient and effective. He is working to incorporate sustainability into the School of Business curriculum and to build even stronger ties between the business community and the School’s programs.

Saransh Tiku

Director-at-Large

Saransh Tiku is the General Manager for BC Interior at Western Gasco, a Canadian industrial gas company serving mining, forestry, welding, fabrication, manufacturing, and other heavy industries.

He brings more than 11 years of experience across the industrial gas, automotive, and financial sectors in Canada, the United Kingdom, and India. His background also includes founding and growing a successful oil and gas business, which he later exited, giving him firsthand experience in entrepreneurship and scaling a company.

Today, Saransh maintains extensive business networks and commercial relationships with mines, contractors, and heavy industrial customers across Northern British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Alaska.

He holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science. As a Northern Innovation Network board member, Saransh is particularly interested in entrepreneurship, regional economic development, and helping Northern businesses connect with industry and grow.