People Spotlight
AN INSIDE LOOK AT HOW DMZ’S FOUNDERS AND LEADERS GOT TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW
The people that make up the DMZ come from all walks of life. Our founders, mentors and staff have unique experiences and backgrounds.
Success comes in all shapes and sizes – there’s no one way to define it, no one-size-fits-all solution to achieving it. Rarely does a leader follow some predetermined path to victory. In fact, there are generally several bumps in the road. Among the many challenges and obstacles our leaders have faced, the people of the DMZ typically possess one common value: to be great.
Take a deep dive into the stories of some of the DMZ’s greatest.

Abdullah Snobar
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DMZ AND CEO, DMZ VENTURES
Following a series of diverse life experiences, Abdullah discovered his passion for leading strong communities and creating environments where startup founders are empowered to build transformative startups.

Julia Rivard
CEO, SQUIGGLE PARK AND DREAMSCAPE
As a mother of four and the leader of a company that provides kids with meaningful learning experiences, Julia is driven by the belief that every child holds incredible potential when equipped with the right support.

Tiago Tiexiera
CEO, XIX3D
From a young age, Tiago expressed a keen interest to learn about industry problems and develop unique solutions. Now, he’s setting new standards for creativity and design in the automotive industry.

Eva Wong & Andrew Graham
CO-FOUNDERS, BORROWELL
Borrowell’s success in the fintech industry can be attributed to these co-founders’ shared commitment and drive to make a real difference in the lives of Canadians.

Tariq Fancy
FOUNDER, RUMIE
After taking the leap to leave the corporate world, Tariq shifted focus to tackle a huge societal issue by making learning solutions accessible to underserved communities around the globe.