Mina Demian
Calgary,Alberta
Summary
Strategic advisor and connection maker at Platform Calgary, driving growth in the startup ecosystem. With expertise in business development, coaching, and community building, I empower entrepreneurs by connecting them with essential resources and fostering robust partnerships. Proven track record in securing funding and cultivating strategic alliances, bridging innovation and market success. Committed to the Calgary startup community, I actively engage at events and welcome new visionaries. Let's connect to elevate your venture through strategic connections and impactful community engagement.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Startup Advisor
Platform Calgary
05.2022 - Current
- Supported over 300 entrepreneurs with resources and guidance in the startup and innovation community
- Facilitated four programs and coached entrepreneurs to develop their skills
- Connected entrepreneurs with community partners for resource optimization, resulting in net new business, investments, and connections
- Represented Platform Calgary at events as a panellist, promoting its mission as a speaker
- Welcomed new members to the startup and innovation community
- Planned, developed, and implemented program improvement strategies with program managers
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry trends and regulations, ensuring accurate advice was provided to clients at all times.
Startup Founder
Grant Assist
07.2023 - Current
- Created Grant Assist, an AI-powered tool, revolutionizes grant writing for startups and organizations
- Built a functional proof of concept after hundreds of user surveys
- Brought product to market with beta testers
- Increased company growth by developing and implementing innovative business strategies.
- Drove product development from concept to launch, ensuring alignment with customer needs.
- Served nonprofits, businesses, and consultants. Grant Assist helped streamline the grant writing process, making it easier, faster, and more successful
- We researched thetarget market to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Streamlined operations to reduce costs and improve overall efficiency.
Consultant and Sole Proprietor
Business Path
07.2019 - Current
- As the founder of a Business Path consulting firm, I am passionate about supporting and connecting businesses with the resources, capital and networks they need to succeed
- I specialize in social finance, business development, grant writing, and B2B sales
- With a proven track record of securing funding, including a $145K
- Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) grant and raising over $100K multiple times through a competitive RFP process, I have a deep understanding of how to secure funding and develop funding pipelines
- My expertise also includes researching global innovations and establishing best-practice benchmarks, developing long-lasting relationships with leading public and private sector investors, utilizing data to market and persuade investors to finance innovative projects, and assessing opportunities to accelerate customer acquisition and drive engagement
- Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
Director of Business Development
Technology Helps
03.2021 - 05.2022
- Helped the team successfully secure $1 million in annual reoccurring revenue and multiple new subscriptions
- Expertise in capacity building, technology adoption and integration, strategic partnerships, and nonprofit technology capacity building
- Strong background in business strategy, marketing, pricing strategy, community connections, and business development
- Ability to manage time, network, coordinate projects, and provide training and strategic leadership
- Knowledge of software as a service (SaaS), integration, enterprise software, pre-sales, and competitive analysis
- Experience with supply chain management, project management, and business planning
- Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, and customer service
- Passion for building community, and trust, and driving sales
- Developed customized solutions tailored specifically to individual client needs, leading to an increase in repeat business engagements.
- Increased client base by developing and implementing effective business development strategies.
Manager
Immigrant Services
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Oversaw the planning and execution of the Corporate & Community
- Engagement program for the not-for-profit that provides a wide range of settlement services to immigrants and refugees making their transition to Canada
- Hired, trained, and supervised a Communications Officer in the delivery of internal and external communications
- Cultivated and strengthened partnerships with key donors, corporate sponsors, and community organizations
- Facilitated focus groups with high profile newcomers to gather feedback, identify barriers, and secure funding
- Authored comprehensive policy and research reports that were tailored for senior staff and government officials
- Created briefing notes for the CEO on various topics such as housing, immigration, and accreditation recognition
- Key Achievements: Instigated a new social financing partnership with RBC to host pop-up banking booths at the Calgary office Grew sponsorship dollars for the annual gala by over 20% year-over-year through effective community outreach Co-wrote, designed, and published the 2019 Annual Report that is featured on the organization’s official website Partnered with Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Right Honorable Ahmed Hussein to publicly announce new federal policies regarding immigration and housing at the Immigrant Services office Spearheaded a project with the Member of Parliament (MP) Kent Hehr to raise awareness of systemic issues with hiring and housing policies and establish a network to improve funding accessibility for marginalized populations
Director of Development
The Alex Community Health Centre
11.2017 - 07.2018
- Directed a 4-member team in the development and execution of the fundraising strategy for the community health organization with three clinics and two housing programs to support vulnerable and underserved populations
- Enhanced donor relationships with personalized communication plans and regular updates on project progress.
- Provided insight to the Board of Directors and senior executive team to inform strategic planning and direction
- Deployed integrated outreach campaigns to attract prospective volunteers and drive yearly fundraising growth
- Managed the volunteer program with 300+ members and the Homebase program to house medium-acuity clients
- Generated internal and external communications to share program information and advertise upcoming events
- Maintained consistent communications to each level of government to ensure continued funding of key programs
- Evaluated the effectiveness of various funding streams and researched national and international housing trends
- Contributed to the reporting and administration of the Pathways to Housing program for high-acuity populations
- Key Achievements: Achieved over $2 million in funding in only nine months from various prominent streams such as Alberta Health & Wellness, Calgary Homeless Foundation, Child Family Services, and Family & Community Support
- Services Collaborated with the United Way of Calgary to raise over $500,000 and launch the Community Hub at The Alex Community Food Centre that offered high quality and nutritious meals to community members in need Negotiated and closed a landmark sponsorship deal with a major telecommunications firm worth over $1.3 million
- Developed comprehensive strategic plans to guide long-term growth and sustainability of the organization''s programs.
Grants & Proposal Manager
Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS)
09.2014 - 11.2017
- Guided four team members in the production of grants and proposals for the charity and community health clinic
- Drafted persuasive grant applications that addressed the unique requirements and standards of the funding body
- Devised and delivered training programs to educate team members on company policies and best practices
- Represented CUPS during public interactions with government Ministers, individual donors, and business leaders
- Submitted updates and reports to donors to illustrate program success with qualitative and quantitative data
- Key Achievements: Acquired over $2 million to fund three strategic housing and community development programs that were instrumental in increasing engagement levels between clients and their community members and organizations Page 5 of 7 Improved the success rate from 30% to over 70% for grant submissions by reviewing previously unsuccessful applications, gaining feedback from funding bodies, and adapting approach to reflect specific qualifications Enhanced the reporting quality and consistency for the Graduated Rent
- Subsidy program and Crisis Intervention Fund by designing new reporting tools to improve knowledge translation and information dissemination Expanded the services and reach of a homelessness prevention program by obtaining $200,000 in new funding
- Developed customized templates for various foundations, allowing faster response times while maintaining quality standards.
- Wrote grants to meet requirements, enabling tailored responses that addressed specific needs.
Gift Compliance Manager
University of Calgary
05.2013 - 09.2014
- Led four team members in assessing grant submissions and maintaining compliance with gift reporting standards
- Served as the primary contact between the development office and faculty budget officers to allocate resources
- Examined funding agreements, monitored contract execution, and reported program results to donors
- Key Achievements: Simplified the agreement reporting procedures by automating the tracking and allocation of donations Saved $25,000+ per year by transitioning various duties to the in-house team rather than paying external vendors
- Gift Compliance
Donor Stewardship Analyst
01.2007 - 01.2014
University of Ottawa
06.2007 - 05.2013
09.2005 - 04.2007
Education
MBA - Specialty Stream in Social Enterprise Leadership
University of Fredericton
04.2021
Open Studies - Master's Program in Political Science -
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB01.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Honours Political Science
University of Ottawa / Université D'Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario01.2007
Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Delegation and Empowerment
- Data-driven decision-making
- Early-Stage Startups
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Visionary leadership
- Business Networking
- Industry Expertise
- Growth Hacking
- Business Administration
- Business Planning
Accomplishments
- Supported over 300 early stage startups through Alberta Catalyzer's pre-accelerator program through online and in person coaching and program facilitation
- Supported startup founders reach over $30K MRR through innovative sales techniques and partnership channels
- Helped clients connect to investors, family offices and venture capitalists through warm introductions that have led to millions in investments
- Advised founders, and liaised with Federal and Provincial grantor's like Alberta Innovates and IRAP helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars
Certification
- Futures Literacy Training, co-design implementation of Futures Literacy Lab
- The Practice of Coaching: An Introduction to Positioning Others
- Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
- Entrepreneurship 1 & 2: Developing the Opportunity, Launching your MVP
- Google Project Management Certificate
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Arabic
Elementary
Timeline
Startup Founder
Grant Assist
07.2023 - Current
Startup Advisor
Platform Calgary
05.2022 - Current
Director of Business Development
Technology Helps
03.2021 - 05.2022
Consultant and Sole Proprietor
Business Path
07.2019 - Current
Manager
Immigrant Services
06.2018 - 07.2019
Director of Development
The Alex Community Health Centre
11.2017 - 07.2018
Grants & Proposal Manager
Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS)
09.2014 - 11.2017
Gift Compliance Manager
University of Calgary
05.2013 - 09.2014
University of Ottawa
06.2007 - 05.2013
Donor Stewardship Analyst
01.2007 - 01.2014
09.2005 - 04.2007
MBA - Specialty Stream in Social Enterprise Leadership
University of Fredericton
Open Studies - Master's Program in Political Science -
University of Calgary
Bachelor of Arts - Honours Political Science
University of Ottawa / Université D'Ottawa
Similar Profiles
Alexander LawrenceAlexander Lawrence
Compliance Specialist at City of Calgary - Calgary Police ServiceCompliance Specialist at City of Calgary - Calgary Police Service
ARUN THULASEEDHARAN NAIRARUN THULASEEDHARAN NAIR
Research Associate at University of Calgary, Calgary, AlbertaResearch Associate at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Afrida FaizaAfrida Faiza
Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Calgary, Calgary, AlbertaGraduate Teaching Assistant at University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Deidre MyersDeidre Myers
MANAGING DIRECTOR at Alberta Holdings LtdMANAGING DIRECTOR at Alberta Holdings Ltd
Nadine ParkNadine Park
Volunteer Event Helper at The Association of Korean-Canadian Scientists and EngineersVolunteer Event Helper at The Association of Korean-Canadian Scientists and Engineers