OTTAWA, June 28, 2005 -- The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), today announced the appointments of Christiane Bergevin, John M. Hyshka and Andrina Lever to the BDC Board of Directors.
"I am pleased to welcome Ms. Bergevin, Mr. Hyshka and Ms. Lever to the BDC," said Minister Emerson. "As seasoned experts in areas such as economic development, commercialization, small business development, international commercial development, trade and governance, they will contribute insight and knowledge toward the development and growth of Canada's entrepreneurs."
Since 1997, Ms. Bergevin has been the President of SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc., which has grown into one of the largest non-bank sources of financial expertise in Canada under her leadership. Ms. Bergevin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours Finance and Entrepreneurship) from McGill University and is a member of the SNC-Lavalin management committee, having participated in various national trade roundtables.
Based in Saskatoon, Mr. Hyshka recently launched Phenomenome Discoveries Inc., a Canadian biotechnology firm. As Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Phenomenome Discoveries, he has successfully raised over $5 million in equity and debt financing. For several years, Mr. Hyshka was Director of Economic Development for the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority. He was responsible for all economic development programs for the region and for promoting Saskatoon internationally. Mr. Hyshka holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan.
Since 1998, Ms. Lever has been a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council and has been involved with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, focusing primarily on women entrepreneurs. She was recently named Honorary Consul for New Zealand, and has been a member of the York University Board of Governors and a member of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation Board of Directors for several years.
The Business Development Bank of Canada is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. It plays a leadership role in delivering financial, investment and consulting services to Canadian small businesses, with a particular focus on the technology and export sectors of the economy. Visit BDC at: http://www.bdc.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
Jason Moscovitz
Vice-President, Public Affairs
Business Development Bank of Canada
(514) 283-5059
