Heather Crosbie Email & Phone Number

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I provide advisory services to participants in the spring cohort of female-and gender-diverse founders across sectors who are seeking equity investment in the next 6-8 months from all equity funds, including those of The51 itself. The51, a Financial Feminist™ platform where current and aspiring investors (particularly women and gender-diverse individuals), come together to democratize access to capital for women and gender-diverse founders.

Markham, Ontario

ventureLAB is a 50,000 square foot innovation hub in Markham, Ontario, whose mission is to support entrepreneurs to build scalable technology businesses with a focus on the sectors of enterprise software, AI and hardware for startups at stages from Pre-Seed to Series A. I have three roles.Senior Advisor to Tech StartupsI am rponsible for recruiting and advising tech founders and teams with a priority focus on female founders. I customize support for each client whether the need is investment readiness, an effective pitch deck, business model development, go-to-market strategies, financial analysis or network introductions for funding, marketing and sales.Program Design & Implementation1/ Tech Undivided: Designed and leads a cohort program for female tech founders2/ The Strategic Mentor Network: Rebuilt and oversees a group of 40 volunteer mentors to support staff advisors3/ Foundations to Growth: Designed a self-paced learning platform for startups to develop a solid pitch deck and business model 4/ communityBUILD: Founded a community of social entrepreneurs supported by advisory services, a peer group and programming in partnership with York University, Seneca College and United Way Greater Toronto.Entrepreneurial Skills TeachingDesigns and delivers educational programming on entrepreneurship at academic partner institutions such as University of Toronto’s UTEST, York University’s LaunchYU and Seneca College’s HELIX

Toronto, Canada Area

Grantbook is a technology consulting firm exclusively helping grantmaking organizations around the world plan, select, implement, and optimize their philanthropy tech. It is also certified as a B-Corp. Over the course of eight years, and more than two-hundred digital transformation projects, Grantbook has helped hundreds of grantmakers reach the full potential of their people, process, and technology. Their team of thinkers and tinker-ers operate at the key intersections of philanthropy and tech, and strategy and execution.

Toronto, Canada Area

A consulting firm that provides guidance to nonprofits and charities about creating new or enhancing existing social enterprises. Engagements include feasibility studies for new ideas, business strategy, funding, social mission metrics, project management and organizational development. For example:• Developed a new social enterprise to create employment and training opportunities for the clients of The Women’s Centre of York Region while generating a new revenue stream from business customers of the social enterprise.

Toronto

SiG@MaRS was an advisory practice at the MaRS Discovery District focused on providing support services to social entrepreneurs whether for-profit, non-profit or a charity. I provided advisory services and education to founders focused on the successful development of models at the confluence of business and mission/impact. I became part of a broader ecosystem on social finance.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Travel CUTS was a retail travel company. It encompassed 75 retail locations, a national call centre and online retail website with 450 staff in Canada, the USA and the UK. The company grew to annual sales of $195 million by the time of the company’s sale in 2009. The corporation was operating as a social enterprise owned by The Canadian Federation of Student-Services to whom a portion of sales was distributed annually. I was accountable for the profitability of the Canadian division that generated 85% of total company sales. Responsible for sales, strategy, planning, operations, budgeting and management of all functions through a senior management team of ten. Sample initiatives were:• With a talented leadership team, grew Canadian revenue by 110% from $87.5 million in 1996 to $185.5 million at the peak of sales growth in 2001. Shop locations grew from 43 to 69 and annual profitability increased by 1,547% to $4 million. • Led the creation of two new retail brands – Senate Travel and The Adventure Travel Company – that grew to contribute 24% of total sales. • Led the creation of two new sales channels with the creation of a national call centre in 1997 and a retail website in 1999 • In 2004, to meet the challenge of online competition, led the reorganization of Travel CUTS Canada to reduce costs through the renegotiation of large technology contracts with suppliers and the reduction of management head-count and shop locations while prioritizing online sales supported by the call centre.

A national role reporting to the CEO with accountability for the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities and the implementation of strategic initiatives. For example, I established and managed a group in Accounts Payable to process the payment of student airfare tickets to multiple airlines generating the majority of annual revenue.

I founded a social enterprise along with a partner that retailed aids for daily living targeted to seniors and the disabled through a catalogue. As President, I managed operations, marketing and sales.

Responsible for area sales, marketing and business development in the Atlantic sales region. Grew the business 500% over 6 years.

Mba

B.A, Psychology

Activities and Societies: Journalist with The McGill Daily newspaper.