Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster Appoints Industry Leader and Visionary Sue Paish as CEO

Founding CEO with a track record of transforming industry with tech-forward solutions is ready to create a Canadian success story and establish BC as a global leader in the digital economy.

VANCOUVER, May 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The Digital Technology Supercluster announced the appointment of Sue Paish as CEO. Paish will be responsible for building and leading the Supercluster that will establish BC and Canada as global leaders in digital technology.

Paish brings a wealth of experience across multiple industries and a track record of growing successful businesses, leading large-scale change initiatives and advancing the applications of data-driven insights and new technologies. Her proven ability to build robust partnerships across sectors and deliver results in dynamic environments make her the ideal leader for the Digital Technology Supercluster. Under her direction, the Supercluster will support collaborative development projects to digitally transform Canada's leading industries and create export opportunities for Canadian innovations in technology.

The Digital Technology Supercluster is one of five federally supported superclusters focused on generating new jobs, growing GDP and increasing Canada's global competitiveness through the application of data analytics, quantum computing and virtual mixed/augmented reality. More than 350 organizations are members of the Digital Technology Supercluster, including major employers and innovators from sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, natural resources, computing and transportation.

The Digital Technology Supercluster will develop scalable solutions that enhance industry productivity and competitiveness. It will accelerate the successful modernization of the health sector while also advancing cultural diversity through creating tools for First Nations to preserve traditional knowledge and languages, and by providing Indigenous youth with in-demand career training.  Phase One pilot projects will support BC's resource industries, including forestry and mining, to create lasting employment opportunities while becoming ecologically sustainable and globally competitive.

Since the Government of Canada announced in February 2018 that the Digital Technology Supercluster was amongst the Superclusters awarded, the transition team has prepared for the foundational work of the supercluster, including preparing for the formation of the new not-for-profit corporation, initiating a pilot of the program/project development process, advancing Phase One pilot projects and convening discussions with stakeholders across industry, government and academia. The appointment of a founding CEO was an essential next step to begin building a leadership team, implementing the organizational vision and launching inaugural programs and projects.

Since 2012, Paish served as the President and CEO of LifeLabs Diagnostic Laboratories, the largest diagnostic laboratory in Canada and an industry leader in technological advances in diagnostics. Under Paish's leadership, LifeLabs acquired two major diagnostic laboratory operators and grew to be the fourth largest technology company in BC. She also led the formation of a partnership with GenXys Health Care Systems, to offer advanced precision health care based on individual genetic profiles. Paish's history of integrating new technologies and advancements while ensuring uninterrupted delivery of high-quality results was one of many factors that distinguished her as a sophisticated leader who can deliver on the massive potential of the Supercluster.

"After a rigorous search for the right individual to lead our supercluster, we're thrilled with Sue's appointment," says Josh Blair, Chief Corporate Officer, Executive Vice-President, TELUS, founding member of Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster. "Sue brings incredible experience as a leader, innovator and visionary to the role of CEO. Her ability to rise up and meet any challenge, and her passion for blazing new trails in tech-forward industries are unparalleled assets for this position. Under her stewardship, we're confident that the Digital Technology Supercluster will swiftly establish Canada as a trailblazer in the digital economy."

"I am honoured to be chosen as the founding CEO for the Digital Technology Supercluster, and I am eager to begin our work," says Paish. "It's an incredible opportunity to forge a new model of partnership and collaboration as we make a bold leap into the future. Together with the support of our many partners, I look forward to unlocking the incredible potential of BC creators to grow our economy and build a thriving, globally competitive environment for our province and our country through digital technologies, data analytics, mixed/augmented virtual reality and quantum computing."

The Digital Technology Supercluster will be an exhibitor in the Marketplace at the BC Tech Summit, May 15-16 in Vancouver. The BC Tech Summit is the largest technology conference in Western Canada, connecting industry, government and research organizations to build cross-sector opportunities and showcase innovative, technology-driven initiatives from across BC. Media are invited to visit the Digital Technology Supercluster booth and experience an exciting preview of how businesses are using interactive virtual reality (VR) technology.

About Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster Consortium:

Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster Consortium was one of five proposals selected for the Government of Canada's Innovation Supercluster Initiative in February 2018. The Digital Technology Supercluster is a cross-industry initiative dedicated to ensuring BC and Canada are leaders in the digital economy. It is proudly based out of British Columbia, with partners from (and benefits that will be felt across) the nation. Under the new CEO, a senior leadership team will be established and will launch Phase One pilot projects in September 2018.The Supercluster will advance projects guided by defined industry needs to advance solutions using technology from virtual, mixed and augmented reality, data analytics and quantum computing. To learn more, visit www.digitalsupercluster.ca.

About Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace. ISED also provides day-to-day administration of the Innovation Superclusters Initiative (ISI).

The ISI is investing up to $950 million to support business-led innovation superclusters with the greatest potential to energize the economy and become engines of growth. Through a small number of high-value, strategic investments this initiative is co-investing with industry in bold and ambitious proposals to strengthen Canada's most promising clusters and build superclusters at scale. This initiative is a first of its kind for Canada, fostering stronger connections—from large anchor firms to start-ups, from post-secondary institutions to research and government partners—and opening the door to new forms of industry partnership. It represents a significant commitment to partnering with industry and supporting the success of leading domestic and global companies that choose to innovate in Canada.

Media Inquiries: For more information, please contact Kathleen Reid at [email protected] or 604-724-1242. For media assets, please click here. Interview opportunities with Sue Paish, CEO or Bill Tam, Co-Chair, Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster Consortium, are available upon request.

SOURCE Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster