Founder Panel: Building a Global Startup

During this panel you will learn how two founders built long-term relationships, tackled growth challenges, and pursued the unknown by launching a new business venture with the help of ecosystem supporters.

Join us for a networking session after the panel to learn more about how to join the extensive Silicon Valley network giving Canadian female founders access to the expertise and experience needed to build a successful global startup.

Learn more about CWN here!

The panel discussion will be from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (MST) and the networking event will take place after from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (MST).

Meet Your Presenters:

Vicki Knott, CEO & Co-Founder of CruxOCM

Vicki is the CEO and Co-Founder of CruxOCM. Vicki is a well of knowledge when it comes to heavy industry and energy, with a background in chemical engineering and extensive work experience. Starting out in a pulp and paper mill to gauge how things work before engineering solutions, Vicki then moved on to train as a control room operator for a major pipeline company, which led her to soon-to-be co-founder, Roger Shirt. During her time there, analyzing the ways in which control operators worked, Vicki quickly realized the rigid, archaic methods in place could not only be more sustainable but needed to be safer and saw an opportunity to make this process more efficient using automation.

Despite being in a line of work made up of just 15% women, Vicki set out to change the oil and gas industry by bringing diverse perspectives and better, safer standards to the field through automation. As a result, CruxOCM was born to close the loop in heavy industrial control rooms to deliver tools to control room operators that have a meaningful impact on heavy industrial operations. Through its trademarked technology RIPA (robotic industrial process automation), CruxOCM is future-proofing oil and gas control room operations to run efficiently and safely, achieving a 99% reduction in control room operator workload when applied to oil pipeline gathering systems. This ensures that the front-line people (control room operators) can operate energy sector assets in the safest, most profitable way.

Shelvie Fernan, CEO & Co-Founder of Fly & Fetch

Shelvie is the CEO and Co-founder of Fly and Fetch, a modern shipping startup company. She is aiming to disrupt international shipping worldwide by providing an alternative solution that is faster and cheaper with superb delivery services via her startup company, Fly and Fetch. Currently, Fly and Fetch is providing 80% cheaper, 2x faster, and 5 star rated (friendlier) shipping service by hiring travelers to transport packages. It is currently shipping in 5 different countries and will expand its services to other regions in the upcoming months.

Before she started her start-up, she worked in business development for a tech program in Edmonton and had multiple years of sales experience. She was also a community leader serving as the President for Filipino-Canadian student group for three years and she also used to be a beauty queen and competed in various regional and national beauty pageants in Canada and Philippines. In her personal time, Shelvie defines herself as an artist, foodie, and fashion junkie and shares her adventures in social media.

IMPORTANT: Please note these are live events that will be delivered during the dates and times indicated.

Guidelines for Creating a Safe Space:

• We welcome and respect everyone.
• We respect others’ physical and emotional boundaries.
• We acknowledge that our actions and words may have unintended effects on other people and that their feelings are valid, regardless of your intentions.
• We appreciate diversity and value everyone’s voice.
• We respect people’s opinions, beliefs, differing states of being and differing points of view.
• We respect others’ identities and backgrounds, including pronouns and names.
• We treat and care for everyone equally.
• Whenever we are in doubt, we will start by being kind.
• We value confidentiality.
• We encourage everyone to care of their own safety. If you need to step out, feel free to do so. If you feel unsafe, let the facilitator know.

WESTEM programming is mandated to support Canadian women.