Propel ICT Names Kathryn Lockhart As CEO
SAINT JOHN – Tech executive Kathryn Lockhart will lead Propel ICT effective September 28, the Atlantic Canadian e-accelerator announced Monday.
Lockhart, who most recently served as vice-president of growth and corporate strategy at telemedicine-focused startup JVPLabs, will succeed Barry Bisson, whose term is set to end on October 31. She’ll be based in Saint John.
“Thanks to an exceptional team and leadership from Barry Bisson, Propel is poised to help founders tackle our new world in a big way. The future is full of opportunity and entrepreneurs play a profound role in developing it, especially in times of change and uncertainty. I’m truly honoured to carry the torch forward to help put Atlantic start-ups on the map,” Lockhart said in a release.
As CEO of Propel, she’ll play a key role in advancing the organization’s continuous intake e-accelerator and objective of expanding the number of founders in Atlantic Canada.
“We are thrilled to welcome a leader like Kathryn to Propel. She is passionate about scaling young, emerging organizations and brings a broad range of experience building strong sales teams and creating the environments for teams to learn and thrive,” said Propel board director Jeff White. “Second to that, she has developed a global network through her leading strategic work for companies and has the long-term vision and ability to build upon the strength of the Propel brand to secure industry partnerships and drive results.”
Lockhart launched and grew the first technology division of a now global human capital management firm out of Toronto, after which, she moved to Germany where she ran her own startup and led strategic growth for another startup. When she returned to Canada, she served as vice-president of corporate strategy at St. John’s-based Bluedrop Learning Networks.
Backed with an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership from UNB’s Renaissance College, Lockhart also regularly speaks at events like Young Women of Influence in Toronto.