Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
January 4th, 2024
Lynn Johannson, President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration
In a care[...]
Category Archives: NCFA Press Releases
Lynn Johannson, President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration Joins the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada’s Advisory Group
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | January 4, 2024
Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
TORONTO, JAN 4, 2023 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that Lynn Johannson President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration, has joined the Association`s Advisory Group to advise on the areas of Sustainability and ESG.
In a career that spans over 3 decades and 4 continents, Lynn has chalked up many firsts as an environmental entrepreneur and maverick. She is passionate about connecting the dots between the power of nature’s genius and the opportunity to enhance better business by greening productivity. She was the first woman to be invited into the Advanced Technology Think Tank (ATTT). She was elected to the Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce for innovating a bridge between the world of Environmental Management and the accounting profession.
In addition to her work leading a niche consulting firm, she is the Catalyst for a cross industry group, THE Collaboration, whose common bond is ISO 14001. The group leverages international standards to demonstrate how better environmental management can be used to enhance the value proposition for their companies.
Lynn’s first exposure to NCFA was at a conference where Craig Asano was presenting on crowdfunding. He hooked her interest as she was exploring opportunities for on-bill financing for small businesses as a mechanism to fund green productivity.
Lynn Johannson President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration:
“Craig’s explanation of the opportunities in Fintech triggered an explosion in my head of the potential for a more effective means of financing capital for sustainability for small business. Subsequent encounters with the innovative thinkers who are part of the NCFA community were addictive. I value NCFA as a tireless promoter of finding the right balance between controls to ensure trust and the maverick, entrepreneurial spirit that the sector needs to accelerate the greening of finance. So honoured to be part of the NCFA advisory team!”
Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA Canada:
"I am thrilled to welcome Lynn Johannson to NCFA’s advisory team, a forward-thinking and long standing member of our community. Lynn's remarkable journey, spanning over three decades across four continents, is a testament to her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability. Lynn's perspective will be invaluable as we advocate for a balance between trust and the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to accelerate the greening of finance."
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About National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada
NCFA Canada is a non-profit financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners, and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO
NCFA Canada
casano@ncfacanada.org
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Mahi Sall, Founder and CEO of FinXpair Joins the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada’s Advisory Group
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | January 25, 2023
Mahi Sall, NCFA Advisor, Partnerships, Open Finance
TORONTO, JAN 25, 2023 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that Mahi Sall, Founder and CEO of FinXpair, has joined the Association`s growing Advisory Group to advise on the areas of fintech-bank partnerships, payments and financial inclusivity.
Mahi Sall is the CEO & Founder of FinXpair, a Berlin-based strategic advisory boutique firm focusing on fintech-bank partnerships and open banking/open finance, and an authorized financial investment broker.
Leading NCFA Canada’s ongoing thought leadership series on open banking, Mahi has interviewed over the past 9 months 14 globally renowned open banking/finance expert practitioners from around the globe aggregating international and domestic perspectives to advance Canada’s open banking journey.
Fluent in fintech-bank partnerships, he previously championed the multi-corporate fintech innovation platform Fintech Europe at Germany’s largest bank, and in 2021 contributed alongside 280+ CEOs & leaders at global financial institutions to an eBook on “Fast-tracking fintech innovation in a legacy ecosystem”.
As part of building a view around fintech, he spoke about “Open Innovation” at the 2020 Frankfurt Digital Finance Conference, “The State & Disruption of Fintech in 2020” at the AsiaBerlin Summit in Berlin, “Fintech-Bank Partnerships: Why it matters” at the 2022 Angola Innovation Summit, and at numerous other venues.
Mahi is affiliated to various fintech ecosystem hubs and organizations globally as an advisor, ambassador, and mentor.
"It is an exciting time to join NCFA Canada’s advisory group and work with fellow advisors to elevate the Canadian fintech ecosystem. With open banking launching in 2023 across the country, financial technology innovation is expected to enter a new phase of its dynamic development requiring even more support from NCFA Canada. I am honored to be contributing to that endeavor.” -- Mahi Sall, Founder and CEO, FinXpair
“We’re excited to appoint Mahi to the NCFA advisory group to further expand the association’s global reach and partnership network in the areas of Open Finance. Mahi has been fantastic to collaborate with, professional, and we look forward to further advancing our mandate together as fintech prepares for its next evolution.” – Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA
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About National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada
NCFA Canada is a non-profit financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners, and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO
NCFA Canada
416 618 0254
casano@ncfacanada.org
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Chad Rickaby, CEO of Grantus Joins the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada’s Advisory Group
NCFA Canada | May 5, 2022
Chad Rickaby, Advisor, Government Funding and Public Policy
TORONTO, MAY 5, 2022 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that Chad Rickaby, Co-founder and CEO Grantus, has joined the Association`s Advisory Group to advise on the areas of government funding and public policy.
Chad is an experienced public sector strategist in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. With a background in Public Policy, he has extensive experience working with public sector stakeholders. He’s secured $10M+ in public sector funds and grants through more than 50 successful applications. In addition to grants and tax credits, he advises companies on navigating government systems to help position organizations within government strategic priorities and programs. Chad is driven by connecting public sector support opportunities with innovators and entrepreneurs.
I am very excited to work with NCFA as a government funding and public policy advisor. I look forward to working closely with the team and its members to further develop the finance innovation ecosystem. It is an exciting opportunity to bring my public policy background to this important and rapidly growing space. – Chad Rickaby, CEO, Grantus
“We welcome and look forward to working with Chad and the Grantus network to help fuel several projects that will transform NCFA into its next evolution as an innovation and venture development ecosystem that will align stakeholders and benefit the entire community.” – Craig Asano, Founding CEO, NCFA Canada
About Grantus
Grantus is on a mission to help businesses, artists, musicians, and not-for-profits secure grants and scale their projects. Grantus is a small, but nimble team. Their strength comes from our extensive experience and knowledge. They help demystify the grant process and remove the burden applications can cause so they can focus on their ideas.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Mahi Sall, Independent Expert, Fintech-Bank Partnerships, Joins NCFA’s Ambassador Program
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | March 9, 2022
TORONTO, MARCH 9, 2022 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that Mahi Sall, Independent Expert on Fintech-Bank Partnerships, has joined the Association`s Ambassador Programme.
NCFA Ambassadors are leaders, educators, supporters, and advocates of innovation, partnerships, and an inclusive and broad-based fintech industry in Canada and around the globe. They are circles of influence and ‘go to resources’ for high growth ventures, and investors to connect with, and are plugged into an international network of thought leadership and industry professionals shaping the future of technology and financial services.
Mahi Sall, Independent Expert, Fintech-Bank Partnerships
Mahi Sall’s background is in the financial services industry with 10+ years of experience on 3 continents (Europe, Asia, Africa) and a global exposure, part of it at the C-suite. Fluent in fintech-bank partnerships, he championed amongst others the Frankfurt-based multi-corporate innovation platform Fintech Europe at Germany’s largest bank. As part of building a view around fintech, he has spoken at numerous venues including the Frankfurt Digital Finance Conference and AsiaBerlin Summit and contributed alongside 280+ CEOs & leaders at global financial institutions to an ebook on fast-tracking fintech innovation in a legacy ecosystem, and more. Mahi provides strategic insights, connections and applied knowledge to entrepreneurs in fintech and adjacent verticals helping them connect and engage with strategic partners, investors and corporates. More about him: LinkedIn, About.me
“The financial services industry is reinventing itself at a lightning speed thanks to breakthroughs in technology, shifts in regulation and customer behavior. This comes with risks and opportunities best harnessed by fintechs and financial institutions who by design work to create long-term mutually beneficial partnerships as opposed to seeking unilateral dominance.” – Mahi Sall, Independent Expert, Fintech-Bank Partnerships
“Mahi understands that magic can only happen when stakeholders truly align their interests. Combined with his experience and global perspective, fintechs as well as large banks will benefit from his wisdom, and we are excited to collaborate at all levels as NCFA continues to expand its global network.” – Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA Canada
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Hot off the press: NCFA’s Fintech Confidential Issue 4, October 2021
About NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | Oct 7, 2021
Welcome Letter
Dear Global Fintech & Funding Communities,
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) and partners are excited to present Vol. 1 Issue 4, FINTECH CONFIDENTIAL, a digital pop-up of the 7th annual 2021 Fintech & Financing Conference and Expo (FFCON21) held virtually from May 11-13 and co-hosted by NCFA and Toronto Finance International (TFI).
As global economies strive to contain the latest Covid outbreak and recover fragile sectors, fintech innovators continue to ‘BREAK BARRIERS’, the main theme of this year’s conference, and the second year in partnership with TFI, reflecting the growth and emerging challenges that the Canadian Fintech industry must navigate to achieve mass adoption and scale.
Fintech is not a niche but a permanent technological evolution that is changing the world of finance by high growth fintech companies and incumbent financial institutions. It’s setting new standards and demanding new regulations. It’s about delivering better financial products, services, and outcomes for everyone especially consumers and small to midsize enterprises (SMEs).
It’s been another unprecedented year with covid accelerating trends such as bitcoin’s institutionalization, the growing power of retail investors, the 2nd round of Open Banking consultations and the advisory committee’s recommendations to the federal government, payment modernization efforts, adoption of harmonized Crowdfunding regulation, AI roadmap, emergence of digital identity as a ‘right’ and core data infrastructure (ie., vaccine passports), growing support for Purpose (not just shareholder profit), green finance solutions tackling shared global problems such as SDGs and climate change, EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion), and regulatory push back and a firm ‘line in the sand’ for Big Tech.
FFCON21 was a successful event attracting over 100+ thought leaders, 75 partners, 500+ attendees, an NFT charity fundraiser in partnership with CanadaHelps for front line workers, and our second annual 2021 Fintech Draft competition -- a pitching event inspired by sports league drafts and designed to identity emerging high growth fintech ventures. A hearty congratulations to the winners: Agryo (Overall) and Copia Wealth Studios (People’s Choice)!
Thank you to all the partners, speakers, attendees, volunteers, and the entire organizing team for making ‘Breaking Barriers’ an impactful and amazing online experience and for being part of Canada’s fintech and funding community. We hope you enjoy reading this special edition of Fintech Confidential.
Finally, we continue to encourage the community to be mindful of others, and to do the right thing. Dream big, be open to partnerships, and execute like your life depends on it -- it’s not too late to participate. The world is changing because of you but there is a long bridge to cross, and more glass ceilings to break. Onwards and upwards…
All the best
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO
NCFA Canada
Read the 85 page Fintech Confidential Issue 4 Digital Magazine --> Now
Note to readers: the publishing platform's 'hot spot editor' is currently down (but we wanted to publish before Canada's Thanksgiving Long Weekend. We'll add in audio and links to the document shortly. Thanks for your patience!
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Rojin Nair, CEO of Incyub8 Inc. Joins the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada’s Advisory Group
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | June 1, 2021
TORONTO, JUN 1, 2021 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that Rojin Nair, CEO of Incyub8 Inc., has joined the Association`s growing Advisory Group to advise on the areas of fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and payments (view profile).
At Incyub8 Inc, Rojin is focusing on nurturing and guiding various national and international start-ups to establish their business and accelerate their growth. Rojin also serves as the Head of Product Innovation at a large Canadian Payments firm and acts as the resident entrepreneurial executive at a Venture Capital & Private Equity firm.
In his career, Rojin worked across many industry verticals ranging from banks, credit unions, investment, telecom, education, energy, insurance, manufacturing, utilities, etc. in business leadership, management consulting, and technology roles. Current areas of focus include green finance, open banking, fintech, agtech, insurtech, regtech, health tech, blockchain, digital identity, artificial intelligence, IoT, clean energy, cognitive computing, robotic process automation, digital twinning, and smart space.
Rojin is a strong believer in outside-in thinking, the human-centric design approach, and innovation for social impact. A big proponent of inclusive growth, gender equality, and diversity; he volunteers his time mentoring emerging leaders and future entrepreneurs as part of the largest Canadian open innovation challenge, Cooperathon. As a volunteer to the World Economic Forum's Uplink initiative, Rojin is an active supporter of climate change, circular economy, and plastic waste elimination initiatives.
"It is an honor to join the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association as an advisor. Looking forward to collaborating with NCFA and peers to contribute to accelerating the Canadian fintech’s journey to be a global player in the space. I am excited at the opportunity to work together with NCFA’s advisory team to develop point-of-views and thought leadership in the financial services innovations like open banking, open finance, decentralized finance, and central bank digital currencies.” -- Rojin Nair, CEO, Incyub8 Inc.
“Rojin brings tremendous experience and a true passion towards developing a more innovative and robust Canadian fintech industry to fruition. NCFA looks forward to Rojin’s contributions and thought leadership at a critical time in industry’s growth and global digitalization.” – Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA Canada
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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NCFA Launches Fundraiser Auction to Aid CanadaHelps COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund
NCFA Canada | Craig Asano | May 13, 2021
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 13, 2021 / The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA), today announced the launch of its first ever Charity Auction at its annual Fintech & Financing Conference – FFCON21. The auction is being held in aid of CanadaHelps COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund which supports more than 110 hospital foundations across Canada that are supporting urgent needs in response to COVID-19.
The auction, which kicks off on May 13, the final day of FFCON21, and runs until June 9, 2021, will feature unique donations from artists and organisations including Liquid Avatar, Pierre Bourque, Blockchain Intelligence Group, SuperWorld and Nathan McCrorey, with other donors set to be announced.
Interested collectors can access the auction and bid on items on Blockparty’s new NFT marketplace using this link.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of all the artists and organisations contributing to this auction in aid of hospitals across Canada,” said Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA. “Their donations will support an incredibly important initiative that has been instrumental in providing the lifesaving aid and critical equipment needed to combat the COVID-19 crisis.”
Over the course of the auction, Oasis Digital Studios will be adding additional items in support of CanadaHelps’ COVID-19 Healthcare and Hospital Fund.
Initial donation items include:
Title: Fishbone #9
Donated by Artist Pierre Bourque this NFT is part of a limited series of 11 individually unique ‘Fishbones’ artworks. Bourque is a digital crypto artist known for evocative images of iconic personalities, themes, and indulgences and has been featured in Bitcoin Magazine, CoinDesk, Benzinga, and Yahoo Finance. Bourque is an ex-board member of the Bitcoin Alliance of Canada. His NFTs can be viewed at: http://foundation.app/bourque and Metaverse: http://oncyber.io/bourqueart
Start bidding at 1000 USD
Title: Human Metamorphosis
This is an original creation donated by internationally renowned artist Nathan McCrorey aka Love is the answeR (=LOVe). This work was donated with love and respect to all humans on planet earth and beyond. Love is the answer.
Start bidding at 1000 USD
Title: SuperWorld token ACQUIRED (PURCHASED)
SuperWorld Virtual Real Estate lets you stake a claim to over 64 billion virtual plots of land geographically mapped onto Planet Earth. Within seven days of auction close the winning bidder will receive an ERC-721 token to redeem a property anywhere on “earth” that holds a special place in the bidder’s heart.
Start bidding 500 USD.
Title: Crypto Investigator Course ACTIVE BID
Blockchain Intelligence Group (BIG) enables investigators to forensically track, trace and monitor illicit cryptocurrency activities. Whether you are fighting terrorist financing, money laundering, human / drug / weapons trafficking, or other cyber crimes, BIG’s suite of tools were built by investigators for investigators. Through human intelligence and Machine Learning, they establish visibility into blockchain data, ultimately enabling the ability to “follow the virtual money”. The auction winner will receive BIG’s proprietary 5-module Certified Cryptocurrency Investigator course where students step through 8 hours of training, covering the basics of cryptocurrency through to forensic analysis.
Start bidding 500 USD
Bidding starts 4:00 pm ET May 13/2021
Bidding ends 11:59 pm ET June 9/ 2021
NCFA’s NFT Charity Auction –> Donate NOW
Optionally, you can donate directly to CanadaHelps to support the COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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