I have been an industrial technology advisor (ITA) for 7 years with NRC IRAP where I have been a member, co-lead and lead for the Mining Sector team. I worked collaboratively on an ecosystem initiative to help develop mining 4.0. The sector team did a great job in helping address some of the key challenges faced by mining multinationals and we did this by employing innovative solutions developed by Canadian SMEs. NRC IRAP helped bridge that gap, fund the ideas, bring the solutions to fruition and commercialize them as quickly as possible.

I have seen many clients embrace the expertise offered by NRC IRAP, an  opportunity to connect, benefit from guidance, advice and a multitude of advisory services. I have watched small companies grow and corporations join forces to collectively tackle larger innovative projects; the result of which has led to one great innovative global reaching project after the next.

By supporting strong and innovative SMEs, NRC IRAP promotes growth not only to firms and their internal capacity to innovate, but also growth for Canada in terms of societal and economic benefits. The most satisfying part of my job as an ITA is watching a company succeed, a company where you tried to make a difference; you made useful connections, you saw a potential issue and provided the right advice at the right time. It is highly rewarding to see that company succeed.