Cathy Simpson

TechImpact CEO

Cathy Simpson is a respected Atlantic Canadian tech leader who has dedicated her career to advancing the region’s digital capacity and innovation economy. She is currently the CEO of TechImpact, a non-profit organization accelerating digital transformation and innovation across Atlantic Canada by connecting industry, government, and academia.

Cathy is a co-founder of PropelICT, Atlantic Canada’s original tech accelerator, and the past Chair of the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), where she helped guide investments in high-growth companies and applied research. She continues to mentor and advise tech startups throughout the region.

Previously, Cathy served as Vice President, People and Culture at T4G Limited, one of the region’s largest privately held IT firms. She began her career at NBTel and Innovatia, where she helped launch Canada’s first IPTV service and other innovative consumer technologies.

In 2015, she founded UP+GO, a social enterprise that delivers leadership and career-readiness programs to high school girls, with a focus on job skills and exposure to women in STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Cathy is a graduate of the F.C. Manning School of Business at Acadia University, and in 2023, she was named one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. She lives with her family in Rothesay, NB.   

Alex Weaver Crawford

Communications Manager 

Originally from Calgary, Alex studied business and marketing at Bishop’s University before moving to Halifax for her undergraduate and Master of Architecture. She worked in architecture and design in Montreal, Melbourne, and Central America before deciding to relocate to Saint John to launch her own marketing and creative agency, Weaver Crawford Creative.

Alex is a founding member of Building Equality in Architecture Atlantic, a volunteer-based non-profit group that strives to advance the achievements and visibility of women and groups underrepresented in architecture and related professions. She is also the past Chair of the City of Saint John’s Planning Advisory Committee.

Sophie Leonard

Program Manager - CollabHub and Experiential Learning

Sophie is a graduate of Acadia University with a degree in Community Development focused on social entrepreneurship. Her education enabled her to work effectively in communities, build capacity for change, lead projects and advocate for people who face barriers to living a full life. 

Sophie is experienced in sales and communications from her time working as a Sr. Business Development Representative for a leading digital marketing software company, Dash Hudson. She is excited to be a part of the team promoting our thriving tech ecosystem, connecting talent with diverse tech companies, and fostering learning activities for students.

David Estey

IT Developer

Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, David studied computer science at the University of New Brunswick before starting a landscape practice. He then transitioned into elder care, combining landscaping skills with a passion for assisting the elderly. A decade later, his interest in technology reignited with the UNB Coding Bootcamp, drawing him back into the field.

David is passionate about challenging himself with new technologies, staying at the forefront of advancements and optimization. He is equally dedicated to helping others acquire the essential skills and knowledge to enhance their own technology usage and expertise.

Émilie LeBlanc

Marketing and Content Coordinator

Originally from Cap-Acadie, New Brunswick, Émilie is currently pursuing a master’s degree in linguistics at the Université de Moncton. Bilingual and passionate about language, travel, and books, she has always been curious about the impact of language in different contexts and cultures.

This path brought her to TechImpact, where she now works as a Marketing and Content Coordinator. In this role, she supports the organization’s mission by creating engaging content that highlights innovation within New Brunswick’s tech ecosystem.