judging Panel

Kristina Botelho INNOVATOR, ADVOCATE, ENTREPRENEUR

She’s the founder of KB and Co. Local, Organic, Plant Based, Her cafe’s offer fast & casual food that nourishes the body and soul, with delicious food you can feel good about!

"We're meat, dairy, egg and also soy free. We'll be referred to as vegan which by default is true, however it doesn't properly represent who we are and what we do," explained Botelho. "We've got years of quick serve restaurant experience and we know how to win you over... provide great food, amazing service, and an environment that makes you want to stay all day."

She's been a fast-casual restaurateur for most of her life, with short breaks in between. But it was during her employment for someone else that Kristina realized how extremely challenging it was for her to eat out. There seemed to be limited options at a casual, grab-and-go level with menu items that she didn’t have to modify a few times. Yes, she's that annoying customer, but she swears she's not a princess—okay maybe a little.

So, after some reflection, and taking into consideration her background, love for people, and passion for healthy plant-based food, why not create a space for others who may be experiencing the same challenges?

Jay Downton HOCKEY, NOODLES, COFFEE and EDMONTON

A passionate Edmontonian, Jay is committed to play a role in helping make Edmonton a “Global 10”

A serial entrepreneur, Jay has founded a handful of successful companies so far in his career. In 2007 he co-founded Oilersnation.com and the Nation Network, today the Nation Network is a 16 site sports media company, with a global audience of 4.5 million people. He currently oversees the equity funding of the business and the expansion of revenue streams which have come to include advertising, podcasting, apparel, travel, offline events and acquisitions.

In 2010, Jay was appointed President of Oodle Noodle applying the skills he learned from specializing in Franchise Financing at ATB, for which he was awarded the President’s Award in 2010 for highest corporate sales. Since taking the helm, he has led the company - balancing the desire for fast growth with the responsibility to ensure all stores are on solid financial footing. His guidance to date has led Oodle Noodle to become a 14 store local chain, and is recognized as a strong Edmonton brand.

Jay’s passion for Edmonton and it’s River Valley led him to be one of the co-owners of Little Brick Café. This project has become the catalyst to fuel Jay and his team to help build more River Valley amenities, which led to the formation of River Valley Company. RVC’s mission and vision is to play a part in building more community amenities and support the development of outdoor Edmonton tourism culture in the River Valley.

Aimee Parker ENTREPRENEUR STRATEGIST, ATB ENTREPRENEUR CENTRE

As an Entrepreneur Strategist, Aimee is eager to share her experiences and resources to help entrepreneurs navigate through business modelling to strategic growth planning.

Whether you're dreaming, building, or growing, the ATB Entrepreneur Centre offers a powerful set of tools to help entrepreneur’s business and finances grow together. 

Aimee was born and raised in Edmonton, where she started her early career working as an accountant with a multinational accounting firm. Following, Aimee branched out to follow her passion in the beauty industry working for international beauty icons Lise Watier and Estee Lauder, while beginning her journey with her own beauty venture in Edmonton. Craving to acquire more knowledge on business strategy and leadership, Aimee completed an MBA at the University of Alberta. It was during this time where her passion for entrepreneurship blossomed as she took on a strategic role with her family business, and grew her own beauty venture locally. Currently, Aimee continues to operate her beauty venture and is extremely passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and business owners.

Ian O’Donnell COMMUNITY GUY, DOWNTOWNER, PATIO LOVER

An advocate for resilient communities, Ian has had the pleasure of working both professionally and through his volunteerism on making Downtown a more livable, inviting and safe place.

Graduating from the University of Alberta (01’) with a degree in Economics, he has worked for leading developers, architects and now with the Downtown Business Association. As the Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association, his role is to work with stakeholders such as his member businesses, the City of Edmonton, the Province, EEDC, the Edmonton Police Service among many other great organizations to promote a vibrant, inclusive and beautiful Downtown core. When not in the office, Ian volunteers for groups such as the Downtown Edmonton Community League, the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, Winter City Edmonton and sits on the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues Planning Committee. During his free time you will find him on a patio, at the newest Downtown restaurant or out on the hockey rink

Rohit Gupta EDMONTON ENTHUSIAST, COMMUNITY BUILDER, ENTREPRENEUR

If you could change one thing about Edmonton, what would it be? Rohit wants to see Edmontonian’s take more pride in their accomplishments and do more to keep local talent in the city. “Why do we view ourselves as just oil and gas or blue-collar workers? … This is a great city. We should enjoy it and be proud of it.”

Rohit Gupta is so competitive, he once made a younger cousin cry over a game of chess. But it’s that fierce competitiveness that he believes gives him and the Rohit Group of Companies a leg up in the local real-estate development market.

“Whether it’s in my personal life or in my business, if I don’t have that edge to keep producing something that’s better – even working out or eating better – if you don’t have that attitude, it’s tough to progress,” he says.

“If we want to do something wonderful, we have to have that edge.” Rohit joined the Rohit Group – founded in 1986 by his father, Radhe – in 2002 after completing a computer engineering degree at the University of Alberta. He never intended to join the business at first, but Rohit found his calling as he put his skills to work in new ways. “A lot of people come from a construction perspective and a very linear path of thinking. But computer engineering taught me more parallel forms of thinking. That has played a huge part; it has shaped the way I process information.”

Of course, that growth wouldn’t be possible without a great team. The company has won several top employer and best workplace awards. Rohit says that, as employees represent the company to customers through every step of the home-building process, good employee morale is reflected on the balance sheet.

As the Rohit Group grows, so too do its contributions to local charities like Habitat for Humanity, WIN House and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, to name a few.

“It’s part of the fabric of who we are as an organization, as a family and as a team,” he says. “We want to do well by ourselves, but we also want to do well by the community. We want to make sure we build a good product, but it’s not just about the houses. There’s got to be community-building in other shapes and forms.”

Casey McClelland LOCATIONISTA, RETAIL GURU, LOCAL FOODIE

Casey is an Edmonton Local, loves unique places. Has worked with many new businesses finding the right locations setting them up for success. He has helped DOSC, Corso 32, Bundok, Remedy, Dorinku, Derks, Binh’s Nails, Herbert & Frye Cannabis find places in Edmonton.

Casey McClelland graduated from the University of Alberta in 2004, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Casey has been actively involved in Commercial Real Estate for over 15 years. He is consistently ranking among the top Colliers agents across Canada, and is currently a Vice President for Colliers Canada. Throughout his career, Casey has been involved in over 1,000 real estate transactions ranging in size from 500 SF to 130,000 SF. In addition to his duties and responsibilities at Colliers, Casey is also actively involved in the Downtown Business Association, in which he previously served as a Board of Directors for Five years and is currently a Business Recruitment Committee member.

Our Master of Ceremonies

Julian Faid RAPID FIRE THEATRE, PASSIONATE EDMONTONIAN

Julian Faid is a senior member of Rapid Fire Theatre having performed in weekly improv shows for more than 17 years.

As the co-creator of TEDxRFT – The Improvised Ted Talk, he has performed at improv festivals in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Austin, Toronto and Oslo, to name a few. Off stage, Julian is a Masters student in Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology at the University of Alberta studying the future of Urban Transportation.