ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION
ACCELERATING LEADERSHIP IN THE EMERA IDEAHUB WITH A FORWARD-THINKING approach aimed at helping future leaders recognize opportunities and embrace challenges, Erin O’Keefe Graham has a clear vision for Dalhousie’s Emera ideaHUB. Recently appointed the Director of the HUB, Graham has fostered partnerships and introduced programs designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs thrive in today’s economy. “Our vision is to be the leading tough
tech incubator in Canada that has the best equipment and the best expertise on hand to help people build products that matter and impact the world,” she says. “But we’re trying to make sure that while these teams are building these technical products, they’re also learning to become better leaders, building stronger teams and building viable businesses.” Graham’s vision stems from three main pillars of success:
1. BUILDING INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLSET:
“Learn the skillset to build a financially viable venture and a collaborative team. We partner with Dal Innovates and MIT (Martin Center for Entrepreneurship) to help our technical founders build the business skillset and entrepreneurial mindset to build a financially viable venture and a collaborative team.”
2. SOLVING COMPLEX PROBLEMS FUELED BY INDUSTRY INPUTS:
“In partnership with select industry advisors, collaborate on customer research to yield rich innovation opportunities. Founders will develop solutions with greater precision thanks to new customer data and industry insight to impact our communities, society and the world.”
3. BUILDING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY:
“Uniquely developed for “makers”, leadership development happens through an iterative habit-design process while actively working in team settings. When participants link new behaviours to positive outcomes, they develop new habits and learn that they can adapt change. This means really understanding what it means to develop as a leader and working in a team setting.”
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ENGINEERING
