Our Team
Karen J. Hand, PhD
Founder, CEO
Dr. Karen Hand has invested many years as a visionary consultant and researcher in the application of data science as applied to the Canadian Agri-Food Industry. With a focus on digital transformation strategies in agri-food and complex data ecosystems, Karen seeks to enable farm driven data architectures for trustworthy data sharing and interoperability with standards such as GS1, enabling farmers and their trusted organizations partnership opportunities in the digitization of food systems. Karen is a member of the Trust over IP Foundation and Chair of the Ecosystem Foundry White Paper Task Force.
Tyler Whale, MBA, PhD
Founder, Industry Relations
Dr. Tyler Whale has deep experience in the agriculture sector, academia, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and network development. Being raised on a seventh generation dairy Tyler is passionate about the Canadian ag sector and has served as President of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, to optimize the potential of innovative ventures in food and agri-tech and launch new initiatives to benefit the sector overall. sector. Tyler is a catalyst for change.
Kevin Dean
Lead Architect
Kevin Dean is a technology strategist and supply chain consultant with experience in logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, and more. Currently working as Special Projects Consultant at GS1 Canada, he is responsible for development of GS1 standards, design and development of standards-based innovative systems, and market implementation strategies. He represents GS1 Canada in the GS1 Architecture Group, which is responsible for the technical oversight of the GS1 system. Kevin is a member of the Trust over IP Foundation.
Nolan Evans
Technology Strategy
Nolan Evans brings over 30 years of innovation and leadership in Information Technology to his current position as General Manager, Ontario at Long View Systems. Part of the founding team for Long View’s Eastern Canada business in 2013, Nolan is responsible for leading the business growth and strategy in this highly competitive marketplace. Nolan’s passion is innovation of existing business models by taking a dispassionate view of an existing business and applying current generation platform strategies to disrupt it and prepare it for the new reality.
Don McCabe
Producer Relations
Don McCabe is a fifth generation farmer involved in development of policies impacting supply chains. He is current chair of Biological Carbon Canada and vice chair Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. Don is a leading advocate for environmental farm stewardship in the areas of air, water, biodiversity and climate change. Don has served as President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and represented members for the counties of Lambton and Middlesex. He has been an active member of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance.
Steve Magennis
Business Development
Steve is a skilled technology leader who has held senior positions at some of the world’s largest technology companies. He has worked closely with Fortune 100 clients to help them transform their business through digital modernization initiatives involving cloud, AI and distributed architectures. He has built a reputation for successful development and execution of critical projects in the technology, healthcare and financial sectors. He is also deeply connected to the advancement of digital trust, cryptographic identity and decentralized business models that enable previously intractable business problems to be solved. Steve is a member of the Trust over IP Foundation.
Joel Sotomayor
Lead Developer
Joel is CEO and Founder of VirtualStudio, a Canadian software development company in operation for almost two decades, developing software and creating rich web applications and specializing in data driven applications. JRS VirtualStudio is the recipient of multiple Ontario Agriculture Innovation Awards for patented innovative technology solutions including Transport Genie, Be Seen Be Safe, Farm Health Monitor, Trespass Trackers and mPowered.
Darrell O’Donnell
Advisor
Darrell is an entrepreneur, founding member of the Trust over IP Foundation, and Founder and President of Continuum Loop Inc. – a boutique consultancy that is laser-focused on helping business leasers manage the technology that is the lifeblood of the companies they own. Darrell focuses on building the self sovereign identity ecosystem. He works with leaders to implement solutions that change what digital identity means for people, businesses, and other organizations.