Dawn Umlah

I am currently an investment manager at Innovacorp, where my focus is on identifying attractive seed and early-stage investment opportunities. I manage all aspects of the investment review, approval and closing cycle, and work hands-on with Innovacorp’s portfolio companies to assist them in building teams, accelerating their growth, achieving milestones and securing additional financing.

Prior to joining Innovacorp, I held various senior roles in finance, operations, strategic planning and corporate development. I was the first non-founding employee at DHX Media Ltd. and was an integral part of propelling the company through various growth transitions and corporate development activities including two private placements, an IPO on TSX & AIM, two secondary offerings, a reverse take-over bid and six acquisitions and integrations. While at Blackberry in Waterloo, Ontario, I was the finance business partner for senior management covering business development, strategic alliances and multimedia.

I have been involved in corporate development transactions and fundraising activities aggregating more than $350 million in value.

What I like to do outside of work:

• Anything start-up or technology related
• Showing children and adolescents what STEM really means and how exciting it is outside of the classroom
• Supporting and encouraging women in tech
• The outdoors - kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and gardening
• Continuous learning - directly or through others
• Getting lost in a book with a cup of tea
• Teaching my children to respect others, indulge their curiosities and the love of learning