November 10, 2023
Nova Scotia’s ICT community united as we honoured the trailblazers, visionaries and advocates for diversity and inclusion within the industry at the 2023 Tech Forward Awards, presented by RBC.
More than 260 guests gathered to celebrate eight outstanding individuals and organization reshaping and positively impacting our digital landscape. These awards not only highlight leaders in the field but they aim to recognize those who are actively fostering diversity and inclusion while contributing to the overall growth of Nova Scotia’s technology sector.
“As the industry association for Nova Scotia’s tech sector, we’re thrilled to unite our industry to celebrate excellence and to recognize those making a positive impact in our province’s technology sector,” said Digital Nova Scotia CEO Owen Sagness. “We have a lot to be proud of here in Nova Scotia and it’s important to take a moment to recognize and reflect on our collective achievements. It’s also important to emphasize the crucial role diversity plays in driving innovation, as well as the significance and influence of effective leadership and role models. These awards help shine a light on those who are moving our province forward in a positive direction.”
“At RBC, we are passionate about elevating the tech ecosystem in Nova Scotia. We are proud of how the province has put itself on the international map in terms of becoming a Hub for technology and innovation across a wide range of sectors,” said Heather Gojanovich, RBC’s Director of Transformation and Innovation. “On behalf of the RBC Innovation Hub in Bedford, it is absolutely our honour to be a presenting sponsor of these awards!”
Our 2023 Award Winners:
Talent Champion Award Winner: Content Bloom, sponsored by Venor
“Content Bloom is truly grateful to be acknowledged at this year’s Tech Forward Awards. This recognition reflects our team’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation and our commitment to excellence. It underscores the importance we place on cultivating talent in Nova Scotia’s thriving tech sector — one characterized by its forward-thinking and capacity for growth. As we look ahead, we’re excited about the potential that lies within Nova Scotia’s technology landscape and are eager to continue playing a pivotal role in its development,” said Content Bloom Director Nirav Patel.
Tech for Good Award Winner: Virtual Hallway, sponsored by Avanade
“The Tech Forward Awards are a testament to the potential and drive of our region. We are proud to be considered for this award; our mission is to make specialist level healthcare accessible to every person on earth, starting with Nova Scotians,” said Virtual Hallway Director of Operations Jessica Morehouse.
Thinking Forward Award Winner: Gail Tomblin Murphy, sponsored by Saltwire
“Being nominated for the Tech Forward award not only underscores the importance of collaborative innovation in health care, but is a way to acknowledge of all those who have walked this path with me. I am incredibly proud to work with a diverse and dedicated team of innovators every day, who have a laser sharp focus on what is at the heart of it all – a healthier Nova Scotia,” said Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy, Vice President Research, Innovation and Discovery, and Chief Nurse Executive, Nova Scotia Health.
Provincial Spotlight Award Winner: 45Drives, sponsored by Invest Nova Scotia
“We are thrilled that our success is being recognized through this nomination. We’ve been working hard for over a decade building the world’s leading open enterprise data storage company. Major technology successes are usually associated with places like Silicon Valley, but we are proud to do it right here in Nova Scotia. Truth be known, our location is actually one of the secrets to our success as it allows us to build a team with truly exceptional talent and dedication,” said Kim Thistle, Manager of Human Resources for 45Drives.
Best in Tech 2022 Award Winner: Sparrow BioAcoustics, sponsored by BDC
“Our internal goal is to save a million lives, so we still have a huge amount of work ahead of us. We are, however, incredibly grateful for the recognition, especially alongside so many amazing organizations,” said Mark Attila Opauszky, CEO of Sparrow BioAcoustics.
One to Watch Award Winner: Dr. Emily Johnston, sponsored by Dash Hudson
“I am very proud to have my work recognized in this way, with this award. I have found the start up community here in Halifax to be so generous with their time and support. I would like to specifically recognize Margaret Palmeter and the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub for creating space for me as a clinician turned founder and Matt Cooper with Volta for believing in me and providing so much early support,” said Dr. Emily Johnston.
Role Model Award Winner: Ogechukwu Nwachukwu, sponsored by Compugen
“I am honored to be named the winner of the Role model award,” said Ogechukwu Nwachukwu. “This award is a testament that the work I do through Pollard Consults is making a tangible difference in the lives of underrepresented communities in the NS tech industry. It demonstrates that what we do is appreciated and considered important in shaping the future of the tech industry, because true innovation can only occur when diverse minds collaborate.”
Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award Winner: COVE, sponsored by CEED
“We are honoured to be a finalist for the Digital Nova Scotia 2023 Tech Forward Awards Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award as we continue to strive to promote the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Nova Scotia’s tech sector,” said Melanie Nadeau, CEO of COVE. “At COVE, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not a stand-alone objective; it is woven into every practice and project at COVE, such as our research on student intentions and perceptions, which aim to understand their thoughts and perceptions of pursuing a career in the marine sector, our programming and learning resources for under-represented groups that highlight accessible pathways into the industry, and our learning resources for educators across Canada that aim to elevate capacity for teaching ocean STEM among diverse teachers. Being recognized for this award means we are turning the dial on EDI in the marine sector by providing an environment that has ignited the natural pull of more diverse talent, and the disciplines of a more heterogeneous workforce are becoming standard practice.”
