Paul Preston is CEO of techNL (formerly NATI), where he and his team work to develop and grow the province’s technology and innovation sector. This includes driving the mandate of Bounce, a med-tech accelerator for the province, as well as multi-year digitalization initiatives that aim to help other sectors of the economy become tech-enabled.

 

Paul was previously the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at The Conference Board of Canada in Ottawa, where he led a team that delivered advice to industry, academia and governments on innovation strategy. He has travelled extensively to understand how different jurisdictions drive their innovation systems, has presented to leaders in places such as Israel, Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, and has been called as an Expert Witness to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology.

 

Paul also worked in finance, providing services to help technology companies grow and compete internationally, and was Director of Business Development with Plato Group/Camouflage Software in both St. John’s and Ottawa. He is active on numerous Task Force groups, Boards, and Committees and has completed the ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Management.

 

He is co-Chair of Atlantic Canada’s ICT Committee (ACOA) and is Chair of the Digital Technology Committee of the Premier’s Health Accord Task Force. After working for 15 years out of Ottawa, Paul currently resides in St. John’s, NL with his wife and two kids, where he volunteers as a hockey coach and spends his time building outdoor rinks in winter!