FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fredericton, NB – January 16, 2026 — TechImpact is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors following the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), marking an important leadership transition as the organization continues to advance New Brunswick’s tech sector and digital economy.
Effective immediately, Nancy Butler, Vice President of Business Development at Mariner Innovations, has been appointed Board Chair. She is joined by Kumaran Thillainadarajah, Chief Technology Officer at SmartSkin Technologies, as Vice Chair. Newly appointed nominated directors include Glen Hicks, Co-Founder and Owner of Priority Pilot, Ryan Grant, Director of R&D at IGT as Secretary, Tony Sheehan, Co-Founder of NorthBound Advisory, and Donna Williston, Director of Alliances-ISV at Pythian. Continuing directors also include Scott MacIntosh, Co-founder of ClinicGlide, Luigi Benedecenti, Dean of Computer Science at the University of New Brunswick, and Emilly Fraser, Chief Financial Officer at Beauceron Security, as Treasurer.
"I’m proud to take over from Monica as TechImpact’s new Board Chair. I look forward to continue working with the amazing TechImpact team as we advance the organization’s mission of using technology to drive positive, measurable local impact— strengthening New Brunswick’s technology ecosystem and long-term economic development,” said Nancy Butler, incoming Board Chair.
TechImpact extends its sincere gratitude to the outgoing Board directors for their leadership and service. Monica Justason concludes her term as Board Chair, alongside David Small as Board Secretary and Senthil Salvamani as Board Vice Chair. Their contributions have helped guide TechImpact through a period of growth, expanded programming, and increased influence across New Brunswick’s innovation ecosystem.
“Serving as Board Chair during a period of change for TechImpact has been a privilege. The organization has continued to grow into a trusted convener and delivery partner for New Brunswick’s tech ecosystem. I am confident the incoming Board has the leadership and ambition to further scale TechImpact’s footprint across New Brunswick’s business and tech communities and strengthen technology’s role in driving growth across the province,” shared Monica Justason, outgoing Board Chair.
2025 AGM Highlights: Growth and Impact
At the AGM, TechImpact reflected on a year of measurable progress executing the Business Plan. In 2025, TechImpact expanded its programs, platforms, and initiatives while strengthening its convenor role across the innovation ecosystem. Membership grew by 20%, reinforcing TechImpact’s collective voice and its ability to convene tech stakeholders from across the province.
Digital Boost 3.0 continued to deliver meaningful digital transformation, with increased funding for 68 funded businesses and 30 solution providers delivering on cybersecurity, data, and AI projects. InnovateNB has evolved into a year-round platform and audience that is focused on innovation across all industry sectors. TechImpact launched the report Building NB’s Future – How a Thriving Tech Sector Can Lead the Way, which highlighted both challenges and opportunities for the tech ecosystem if it wants to continue its growth trajectory and this work positioned TechImpact as a recognized voice in policy.
CollabHub Atlantic, our all things tech in NB online platform saw expanded functionality, usage, and content, and more than doubling the talent pool on its JobHub platform.
Looking Ahead: Key Priorities for 2026
In the year ahead, TechImpact will focus on expanding its membership with a target of building an organization that serves all companies who see technology as key to innovation and growth. The organization will advance CollabHub Atlantic as an essential digital marketplace to drive a larger tech community, grow its membership impact and provide targeted digital skilling and transformation programming and events.
“We want to see companies buying NB technology solutions, hiring talent from New Brunswick and investing in New Brunswick companies. The provincial platforms such as InnovateNB, CollabHub, and Digital transformation programs will continue to be a significant part of how we will grow our tech economy. New Brunswick innovation and creativity thrives when we bring the technology and business community together and we plan to scale to make that happen,” added Cathy Simpson, CEO of TechImpact
About TechImpact
TechImpact is the voice of New Brunswick’s tech industry and a catalyst for building a stronger, more resilient economy. Through research, strategic initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, TechImpact works to grow the province’s tech sector, attract investment, and develop the talent needed to power the next decade of innovation. Its provincial programs and events help drive technology adoption, boost productivity, and showcase made-in-New Brunswick solutions that are creating long-term economic impact.
For media enquiries:
Alex Weaver Crawford
Communications Manager, TechImpact
alex.weavercrawford@techimpact.it