Ex-civil servant takes helm at North Forge

Innovation firm appoints former government bureaucrat as interim president

North Forge Technology Exchange is about to enter into a new relationship with the province to provide support and direct the province’s innovation strategies as they relate to economic development and it will do so with a new president at the helm.

Teresa Dukes, a 21-year-veteran of the provincial civil service most recently as senior adviser on strategic innovation for the deputy minister of Education and Training, has been named general manager and interim president of North Forge.

She’ll take over from outgoing president Jeff Ryzner at the end of this month.

Formed 2 1/2 years ago with the merger of the Eureka project with AssentWorks and the RampUp Manitoba/Startup Winnipeg groups, North Forge has become the go-to innovation-based economic development agency to provide mentorship, training and support for entrepreneurs.

Winnipeg Free Press 01/02/2019