Chris Carder

Worth knowing

He has taken a digital company from a standing start in 1995 to an acquisition by a national media group, and he now sits at the centre of Schulich's founder network, mentoring students and matching them to ventures. Through Kinetic Café he works on strategic foresight, experience design and consumer engagement for companies rethinking how customers meet their products.

Story

Chris studied at Toronto Metropolitan University and spent more than 25 years in Canada's digital and technology sector, building ThinData into a platform used by Aeroplan, Scotiabank, TSN and Delta Hotels before it went to TC Media/Transcontinental. He came to Schulich in January 2014 as its first entrepreneur-in-residence, went on to co-direct the Entrepreneurial Studies Program, and now leads the school's newly established innovation and entrepreneurship office. Alongside teaching he is Managing Partner of the innovation agency Kinetic Café, and he was a founding investor in AdvisorStream and special advisor to its CEO. He also co-chaired the International White Ribbon Campaign.

In Chris's words

Grew up in Scarborough, Ontario. Started by first company in 1995, that became the largest email marketing platform in Canada (acquired in 2008). These days leading entprepreneurship at the Schulich School of Business.

Highlights

• Co-founder and Past President, ThinData (acquired by TC Media/Transcontinental, 2008)
• Schulich School of Business's first entrepreneur-in-residence, 2014
• Award-winning Adjunct Professor, Schulich School of Business
• Past Co-Chair, International White Ribbon Campaign