XPRIZE Canada Hub Team

Sarah is the National Director of the XPRIZE Canada Hub, leading efforts to advance challenge-based innovation and accelerate the deployment of breakthrough solutions across Canada.

With more than 15 years of experience spanning startups, government, venture development, and innovation ecosystems, Sarah has built a career at the intersection of commercialization, emerging technology, and ecosystem growth. Throughout her career, she has guided more than 80 companies through commercialization pathways, managed a $53 million federal innovation portfolio, and supported frontier technologies in artificial intelligence, deep tech, and venture-backed innovation through roles with A-kin AI, Fathom Computing, Open Lattice, and Amiron Ventures.

Recognized for her ability to connect innovators with the partners, capital, and opportunities needed to scale, Sarah brings deep expertise in venture development, go-to-market strategy, ecosystem building, and cross-sector collaboration. She is passionate about transforming ambitious ideas into practical solutions that create economic value while addressing complex global challenges — a mission she continues to advance through her work at the XPRIZE Canada Hub.

Dora is the Programs Manager of the XPRIZE Canada Hub, bringing a unique full-spectrum perspective shaped by experience across scientific research, startup operations, and innovation ecosystem development.

Dora holds a Master of Management from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria. Most recently, she served as a Business Operations Specialist within a growing clean-technology startup, gaining first-hand experience navigating venture development, operational growth, and the realities of scaling innovation. Prior to this, she spent several years at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) – Rockies, where she led the AgriFood Stream and Nurture Program, supporting founders and emerging ventures within high-growth innovation environments.

Recognized for her ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder systems, Dora excels at connecting technical insight with operational execution and translating data and ideas into actionable program strategies. She is passionate about building pathways that empower innovators to move from potential to impact.

At the XPRIZE Canada Hub, Dora is inspired by the opportunity to connect Canadian talent with the resources, networks, and accountability needed to tackle pressing global challenges and accelerate transformative innovation.

Aylin is the Operations Manager of the XPRIZE Canada Hub, bringing extensive experience working across the University of Calgary and alongside community, public, and non-profit systems to design, operationalize, and scale initiatives grounded in innovation, equity, and community impact.

Throughout her career, Aylin has focused on building strong operational, partnership, and program foundations for professional learning, leadership development, and community-engaged innovation initiatives. Her work has included leading complex, multi-partner programs and developing the systems, processes, and collaborative structures that enable ideas to move from concept to sustainable implementation.

Grounded in reciprocity, human connection, and inclusive design, Aylin’s approach emphasizes relationship-building, strategic coordination, and creating systems that are both rigorous and responsive to the communities and partners they serve. She is recognized for translating institutional vision into practical, scalable operations that support collaboration, adaptability, and long-term impact.

In her role at the XPRIZE Canada Hub, Aylin is excited to strengthen the operational backbone of the Canadian XPRIZE ecosystem, supporting teams, innovators, and partners through thoughtful operational design, continuous improvement, and cross-functional coordination. She is particularly motivated by the opportunity to help remove barriers, foster collaboration, and create the conditions for challenge-driven ideas to thrive and scale toward meaningful real-world impact.