Our senior team is comprised of serial entrepreneurs and seasoned technologists with three past tech wins under their belts. Together, we are passionate about making a difference and helping to improve safety and support networks for both families and organizations. We aren’t super heroes (except in our own minds), so we can’t stop emergencies from occurring – but we developed ePACT to better connect and protect the communities we love.

Kirsten Koppang Telford, President, COO & Co-Founder
Kirsten is a technology strategist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in strategic web planning and program implementation for private and public organizations alike. As a pioneer in Vancouver’s internet industry, Kirsten started her first company, ideaPARK Communications, in 1999 as the communications arm of incubator ideaPARK Ventures – providing web marcom strategies and support to startups and established brands in the dotcom boom. After the bust, Kirsten built Cogeny Communications, applying dotcom lessons to corporations, government agencies and not-for profits. For six years, Cogeny was the web agency for TransLink, Vancouver’s transit authority, developing their ‘eRevolution’ digital strategy, which included the 2010 Olympics sustainable transportation and a real-time alerts program that is now the internationally recognized TravelSmart initiative. Kirsten is a frequent public speaker who has been invited to present in North America and Europe. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Victoria and a Certificate in Advertising from the Institute of Canadian Advertising.

Christine Sommers, CEO & Co-Founder

Christine brings over 15 years of experience in web strategy, usability and creative management, and team leadership in marketing, communications and technology for brands such as TELUS, HSBC, Mercedes Benz, Best Buy, and the BC Government 2010 Olympics Secretariat (implementing marketing and web programs for 2008 Beijing Summer and 2010 Olympic Games). Christine also ran her own web consulting firm, providing strategic direction and program management services to VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee) and the 2010 Transportation Partners web program; Rogers Communications’ rebuild of rogers.com for three business lines; and the Shaw rebuild of shaw.ca for new services and online brand identity. Christine holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Victoria, which she insists she relies on every day.

Rory Holland, Director
Rory is a veteran entrepreneur who founded and successfully sold two technology companies, InterTrans Logistics Solutions and Idea Park, over the last 12 years. Rory combines creativity with business strategy to help companies better define and leverage why they do what they do. He also teaches a course on “The Business of Digital Media” as part of the Masters Program at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver. Rory brings incredible passion, technology expertise and strategic thinking to ePACT, helping to identify opportunities and build key relationships to advance the company (while acting as ‘Coach Rory’ to the founders).

John Tran, Lead Architect
As CEO of AppSpin Software, John created a highly profitable company with co-founder Scott MacRitchie. He now manages the end-to-end data design of ePACT, acting as Lead Architect for this exciting new start-up. With ‘traditional’ family units changing, and organizations’ responsibilities (and risks) increasing, ePACT has incredibly complex data requirements. John has applied his 8+ years as a Senior Architect to produce a robust design, ensuring ePACT provides outstanding connectivity that addresses both immediate and future needs for this emergency network.

Scott MacRitchie, Lead Engineer
As CTO of AppSpin, Scott built the successful software development company with co-founder John Tran, and now joins ePACT as Lead Engineer. Scott brings over a decade of development expertise to the ePACT team, overseeing all developers and code for the emergency network. With a focus on designing and building sophisticated web products, software programs and games for clients including Electronic Arts, Blast Radius, Nike, Wynn Resorts and Overwaitea, Scott is adept at making intricate systems straightforward and utterly user friendly.

Kirsten Hall, User Experience
One of Vancouver’s leading information architects, Kirsten has over 12 years of experience in providing usability, information architecture and user-centered design services to such clients as VANOC and the 2010 Winter Games website, BC Dairy Foundation, Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, ICBC, Electronic Arts, Ronald McDonald House, TELUS and Vancity. Kirsten has worked with the founders since the start of ePACT, designing each iteration of the network’s user experience and information architecture, while continually testing and enhancing the user flow. Kirsten works hand in hand with the development team to ensure the best possible experience for all our users.

Kris Sutherland, Business Development
Kris Sutherland was one of the first employees of Chalk Media in the late 1990s. In his role as Executive Vice President and Director, Kris was responsible for financing, while making major contributions to the company’s expansion into the U.S. Over Chalk Media’s 11 years of business, Kris was instrumental in the company’s growth, diversification into software, and ultimately, its acquisition by Research In Motion (RIM). Kris supports ePACT’s strategic partnerships and business development, with a focus on child programs such as schools, sports leagues, clubs and preschools; community-focused groups where the network can provide instant benefits.