Okanagan College (OC) is pleased to announce Ashley Ramsay as the new Director of Entrepreneurship within the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Ashley Ramsay, Okanagan College's new Director of Entrepreneurship.
An Okanagan College alumnus who built a career as a respected entrepreneur, ecosystem builder and community connector, Ramsay's background includes more than two decades of experience spanning business leadership, technology, creative industries and startup development. She has also worked with Indigenous groups across Canada and recently concluded an in-house role with Westbank First Nation.
The Director of Entrepreneurship is a new role at Okanagan College and will be instrumental in implementing new programs and initiatives made possible by the transformational $10-million gift from the Hall Family Foundation, announced in February. These include the development of OC's Hall Entrepreneurship Incubator which will support student entrepreneurs along with alumni and community innovators.
"Ashley is a transformative leader who has already made her mark in the British Columbia technology and creative sectors," said Joe Baker, Dean of the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship. "From her provincial board work to her success on the global stage, she brings a wealth of experience that will provide our students and regional founders with a direct pipeline to world-class mentorship and growth."
Born and raised in the Okanagan, Ramsay is the founder and former CEO of Yeti Farm Creative, one of Canada's largest animation studios, which she successfully scaled and exited after growing the company to more than 150 employees. She has also served in leadership and governance roles with organizations including Accelerate Okanagan, Innovate BC, the Central Okanagan Food Bank and the Canadian Media Producers Association.
"Returning to Okanagan College is a true full-circle moment for me," said Ramsay. "We are in a unique position - with access to talent, labs, research and seed funding - to support our students and the community with the Hall Entrepreneurship Incubator and other initiatives. My goal is to create an environment and partnerships that will allow community innovators of all ages to access tools at OC and to engage in our learning community."
Ramsay will begin her role this spring.
