The Centre of Innovation & Entrepreneurship is run by a small yet passionate, dedicated and diligent team who love what we do here. Read more about us below!
Lalit Guglani
Director, Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Lalit (he/him) is a seasoned business leader, innovator, educ ator, mentor, and coach with over 45 years of diverse experience in nurturing, turning around, and growing small to medium-sized enterprises across various industries. He has a deep understanding of all aspects of business and has a proven track record of success as a CEO of multiple businesses. Lalit has a BTech degree with an MBA and is a qualified Lean Launchpad educator.
At Centennial College, Lalit leads the activities of the Centre of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and is passionate about educating and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. He has established innovative programs, managed incubators, and run pitch competitions and business model validation experiential programs in Canada and internationally.
Lalit is also the founder of SDG Innovation Lab, which supports nurturing sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets in post-secondary institutions and helping early-stage enterprises in their journey of innovation and growth
Gabriella Zoltan-Johan
Manager, Startup Programs & Services
Gabriella (she/her) has over 30 years of international professional experience in a variety of industries in Europe, US and Canada, including the educational sector, agrotechnology and electronics technology R&D companies, and over 20 years in entrepreneurship program development and delivery. At Centennial College, Gabriella is working with staff, students, alumni, government and community providing entrepreneurship support and engaging all stakeholders to promote economic development through innovation and entrepreneurship. Gabriella’s core strengths include business and strategic planning, business start-up, research and project management.
Gabriella has a BEcon from Corvinus University (Budapest), an MBA from the Schulich School of Business (Toronto) and she is an APEC Certified Business Counsellor (APEC CBC).
Shereen Al-Jarrah
Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Shereen (she/her) is an Entrepreneurship Coordinator at the Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Her profound dedication lies in driving impactful change and inspiring youth through the world of business, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
With a fervent passion for both sustainability and business, Shereen successfully operated her own business where she designed and sold clothing using local materials and home sewing networks to empower local artisans. Additionally, Shereen is working on several United Nations’ projects aimed at empowering entrepreneurs. Her commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability extends to collaborative initiatives that amplify the impact of entrepreneurship on a global scale.
She holds a BA in Electronic Marketing and Social Media from Princess Sumaya University for Technology (Jordan), as well as Marketing Management as part of the Erasmus+ program from Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK).
Pat Robinson
Academic Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Pat (he/him) is an entrepreneurial and social change advocate. As a design thinker and service designer, Pat works with academic institutions and professional associations to promote sustainability and JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) through entrepreneurial thinking. As a supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals, Pat empowers individuals with the creative confidence necessary to tackle these pressing challenges through entrepreneurial endeavours, as well as having started, run and sold three businesses, Pat has lived entrepreneurial experience.
Pat has over 20 years experience as adjunct faculty at George Brown College, OCAD University, Humber College, and Centennial College. He is an active member of the Service Design Network (SDN) and the Association of Professional Futurists (APF) and a past member, speaker, sponsor and mentor of the Registered Graphic Design Association (RGD).
Vicky Huang
Communications and Marketing Strategist, ARIES (Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Services)
Vicky (she/her) is a joy-finding, purpose-seeking and adventure-loving sustainability champion. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph, majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Nutrition and Nutraceutical sciences. However, her experiences leading sustainability since middle school sparked her love for sustainability education so much that she decided to change her life path from veterinary sciences to exactly that. She has just completed her Masters in the Management of Sustainable Development Goals (MSDG) at LUMSA University and is excited for her career path.
Vicky believes that education is the ultimate catalyst for positive and necessary change in our society. She is very passionate about sustainability and values-based education that empowers our community—especially youth—to tackle the root causes of our societal crises.