Co-Creating Canada’s Future

Ella Wiggins is a Business Development Specialist for Communications Technology at Invest Ottawa, supporting growth in Ottawa’s telecom sector and advancing innovation in semiconductors, optics, and photonics. They collaborate with companies, government, and academia to foster partnerships that strengthen Canada’s innovation economy.

Ella has moderated youth-focused panels at Photonics North, co-organized TEDxMechanicsville 2024 celebrating Ottawa’s heritage and innovation, and contributed to advocacy initiatives such as Slay Stigma, promoting HIV/AIDS destigmatization. Their career also spans roles with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Elections Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Ella is passionate about democracy, public service, and empowering youth voices to help shape Canada’s future.

Drayton Mulindabigwi Jabo is a Rwandan-Canadian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the Novas Group, an Ottawa-based innovation firm he founded in 2021 (rebranded in 2023). Leading a diverse team of approximately 25, including many youth innovators, he drives interdisciplinary, socially impactful projects such as mental health QR sticker campaigns and AI-powered market insight tools for entrepreneurs. His leadership has earned him the RBC’s Spirit of the Capital Youth Award (2022) and Ottawa’s Youth Immigrant Entrepreneurship Award (2023). Driven by a passion for innovation and possibility, Drayton is helping shape Canada’s mission-driven future.

Dana Cramer is Canada’s leading young Internet leader. She is the founder, president, and CEO of the Young Digital Leaders of Canada, which is recognized by the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) as Canada’s national Youth IGF coordinator. She also founded and coordinated the World Summit on the Information Society Youth Caucus, which is advocating for youth recognition in future global technology governance agreements at the UN. Dana is completing her PhD at Toronto Metropolitan and York Universities, where she studies geopolitics in Internet governance.

Anthony is a pragmatic leader whose career is defined by dedication, passion, and a people-first philosophy. With extensive experience advising C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and political candidates, he brings expertise in brand strategy, strategic communications, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Anthony currently serves as Chairman and CEO of SVHL and is the Founder of The Valenti Corporation, while also contributing to several Boards of Directors, including as Chairperson of Centrepointe Childcare Services. A mentor and motivator, he is committed to fostering growth and driving impactful strategies

Alexander Zelenski is a policy professional with roots in both the Canadian and international innovation ecosystems. As an Innovation Analyst for ICI Canada, he champions mission-driven innovation in areas such as local ecosystems, economic resilience, and risk adaptation. Holding a BA in Economics and an MA in Sustainable Energy Policy, and having served as Program Coordinator at Carleton University’s Innovation Hub, Alexander brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping Canada’s innovation landscape. His experience at the intersection of policy and practice positions him to guide impactful conversations on how Canada can strengthen its role in a rapidly evolving global context.