Vickie is someone who finds and implements innovative solutions in the social sector. As the founding director of PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship and CEO of Tyze, she is a recognized Canadian source of inspiration and demonstrable solutions related to social networks, social innovation, citizenship and disability.

Vickie is a co-founder of Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) a pioneer social enterprise supporting families plan for the safety and well being of their family member with a disability. She created PLAN's Personal Network program, a unique response to the isolation and loneliness experienced by people with disabilities.

Vickie is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada, the Community Living Institute's Leadership Award, and along with her husband, Al Etmanski, Simon Fraser University President's Club Distinguished Community Leadership Award. She co-led a Canadian exploration on sustainability and social innovation, and is a Fellow with Social Innovation Generation, a partnership between the University of Waterloo, MaRS, and J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. In 2008, the Women's Executive Network named Vickie one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

As Executive Director of PLAN Institute Vickie mentored the spread of grass roots PLAN groups in 40 locations globally. As the CEO of Tyze, she is focusing her attention and expertise on how best to deliver personal support networks online to people facing life challenges. She spearheaded the development of the Tyze platform, built the team that is now driving Tyze, and is playing the leading role in creating the connections and partnerships that will take Tyze to scale.

Vickie is the founding director of the Family Support Institute and has taught and designed curriculum for colleges and universities. When she resigned from her faculty position at Douglas College, her colleagues established an annual student leadership award in her name, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to both students and faculty.

Vickie writes, consults and lectures internationally on social networks, organizational transformation and scaling social innovation. She is co-author of 'Safe and Secure - Six Steps to Creating a Personal Future Plan for People with Disabilities', conducts annual leadership retreats and is bi-lingual. Vickie is a dedicated yoga practitioner who loves to read, cook and walk on the beach.

Emma is a world-class online strategist and manager, with 15 years experience both as a senior consultant and hands-on project manager for organizations committed to building community and creating real value online. She has held senior strategic and management consulting roles with clients including the 2010 Olympic Bid, the London Science Museum, Nike, Marks & Spencer, and CBC Radio. Emma'’s career has focused on working with government agencies and corporations to develop meaningful web and mobile communities for young people.

Emma founded the Wired Woman Society in 1996, and served as the Society's President until 1999. In 2000 Emma turned her passion for women and technology into a best seller, Technology With Curves, a popular release from Harper Collins highlighting women's success reshaping the digital landscape. In 1998, Emma was named one of Canada's Top Women in Technology and in 1999, she was honoured as Outstanding Volunteer at the New Media Awards. Emma has been a regular columnist with BBC Online and the Globe and Mail and recently received the prestigious Women of Distinction Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in business and technology.

Emma's research and work have also led to numerous articles and presentations to audiences around the globe. Recent highlights include a keynote address at the Cambridge Enterprise Conference in the UK, as well as an appearance in Washington DC moderating a panel on new opportunities for doing business across borders.

Emma holds an honours degree in Media Communications from Queen's University, as well as a Master of Science degree in Technology & Policy from MIT.

Stefan led the development of the Tyze beta system, and is responsible for working with our technical team to ensure that our software meets the needs of our members. He also oversees the creation and distribution of social media at Tyze, which includes developing social technology solutions to support and promote internal and external activities while creating a marketing platform to inform people and organizations globally on products and services developed by Tyze.

Stefan has experience using the web to extend the reach of music festivals, film festivals, lectures, community projects and marketing initiatives. He received a Youth Reach Award for contributions in supporting young artists in his community, and is also been an avid blogger. He holds a geography degree from Simon Fraser University, where his research with the Spatial Interface Research Lab included the Geoweb, developing content for Google Earth. His creative and technical skills play a key role in ensuring that Tyze continues to successfully combine technology, content, and support.

Stefan began his work in the not-for-profit sector at PLAN Institute organizing and managing logistics and publicity for the Canadian tour of the award winning film The Ties That Bind. During this time he was invited to be part of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship for the Vancouver region, for which he is currently a vice-chair.

Tim is a results-based executive with a strong track record driving growth for fast-paced enterprises in both North America and Europe. Tim has spent his career focused on technology sales, and also has significant experience as a dynamic trainer, with an interactive, motivational, and decisive management style.

During his last tenure in the technology sector, Tim hired, trained and led sales teams who helped to drive substantial world wide sales growth. Tim is proud of the part that he played in helping his company to grow 40% per annum for over ten years.

Tim has provided senior leadership to ensure that corporate cultures stay strong during fast paced growth. He joined Tyze in 2008, and is pleased to have the opportunity to combine his sales and training experience with his passion for caregiving and social networks.

Jeremy brings a wealth of software engineering and architectural skill, as well as social services experience, to Tyze. Having his first piece of software completed at the age of 9, a future mired in IT was inevitable. Jeremy joined Tyze after six years with Jelsoft where he worked on the design and development of their flagship product, vBulletin. vBulletin is one of the most prolific community systems in the world, and is the base that supports many thousands of digital communities.

Prior to vBulletin, Jeremy worked as a senior engineer for Cable and Wireless, the 3rd biggest supplier of IP services to FTSE350. He worked as Senior Engineer as part of the architecture and development team who were the global design authority for C&W's 'Internet applications platform'. The combination of working with clients such as the British government conjoined with one of the biggest IP providers in the world, means Jeremy is no stranger to developing systems architectures on a global scale.

Jeremy has also worked on large scale systems for Lockheed Martin UKGS which gave him experience working on secure government systems, as well as on open public systems. While in the UK he also worked with ID Media as a part of the engineering department, and was responsible for delivering internal seminars on communication and understanding.

Though his early career Jerry has worked in social services with people with disabilities, as well as those at risk for self-harm in a number of care in the community establishments as well as residential care. He is a natural communicator and teacher who, in addition to being a trained counsellor, is also a qualified, archery coach & motorcycle instructor.

Jeremy holds a degree in Software Engineering Management B.Sc. (Hons).