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'Best is yet to come,' says new Georgian College executive

Dr. Jamie Doran has 18 years of experience; clients have included City of Barrie, Sandbox Centre, public school board
Georgian ED
Dr. James Doran is the new executive director of research, innovation and entrepreneurship at Georgian College. Supplied photo

NEWS RELEASE
GEORGIAN COLLEGE
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Georgian College will welcome Dr. James (Jamie) Doran as Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on July 1.

As Principal Consultant and President of Doran Strategic Consulting, Doran offers innovation strategy, management consulting, program design and financing solutions to colleges, universities, municipalities and private companies.

His clients have included Georgian College, St. Lawrence College, Conestoga College, University of Guelph, the Sandbox Centre, Simcoe County Board of Education, City of Guelph, City of Barrie, and NEEB Engineering.

“Jamie has been an active contributor to Ontario's innovation and entrepreneurship sector for 18 years,” said Georgian College President and CEO MaryLynn West-Moynes. “He has provided astute business advice and mentorship to thousands of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. He has also mentored hundreds of students. His extensive experience, leadership, creative vision and the success of his own start-ups is exactly the combination we were looking for.”

In his consulting role, Doran worked closely with the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre to advance key initiatives – including a business scale up program and program to address gaps in the support of regional women entrepreneurs.

He also partnered with Georgian’s Research and Innovation department, helping to advance its competitive smart manufacturing agenda and realize a larger vision to form a research and innovation cluster in Central Ontario.

“Having worked for or studied most applied research programs at colleges in Ontario, Jamie will play a critical part in advancing Georgian’s culture of innovation in the communities we serve,” added West-Moynes.

“His leadership will be integral as we realize our vision to bring together industry, faculty and students to turn ideas into products and grow the regional economy through our new Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre at the Barrie Campus.”

Doran was Chief Operating Officer, Director of Client Services and Chief Executive Officer for Innovation Guelph between 2012 and 2016. He was instrumental in the design, launch and financing of Innovation Guelph’s signature programs, including Rhyze (supporting women entrepreneurs) and B-Corp Bootcamp (promoting the establishment of benefit corporations).

He also worked for Ontario’s Centres of Excellence Inc., as a business development manager, talent program manager and member of its Expert Review Panel.

Doran has formed two successful startups, including Kyfak, a toy and game development company, and Freaky Wizard, an enterprise that sells toys, collectibles and wizardry supplies through an online and retail store.

He holds a PhD from the University of Guelph (Plant Physiology); a master’s certificate from the University of South Australia (Space Studies); an H.BSc. from Trent University (Biochemistry); a B.Ed. from Queen’s University; and a diploma in Visual Art from Sheridan College.

“I am delighted to be joining the Georgian team,” Doran said. “I consider myself privileged to have already gotten to know so many outstanding people at the college and in key positions around the community through my consulting work.

"Together, we conceived great visions, executed some incredible projects – and I truly believe, collaborating together, the best is yet to come.”

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