Markham-based ventureLAB, an innovation hub for hardware and enterprise software founders, announced two senior appointments on back-to-back days this week.

On Jan. 12, the organization said it had promoted Sophia Chan-Combrink to chief administrative officer. On Jan. 13, it named Ciricia Proulx vice-president of strategic partnerships.

A new chief administrative officer

Chan-Combrink was previously ventureLAB’s vice-president of external relations, where the organization says she built government and academic partnerships and led its national and global growth. In the new role she keeps her existing portfolio while also overseeing internal processes and administration, and serving as secretary to the board.

Before joining ventureLAB, she was executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and deputy director of education for East Asia at the British Council.

Sophia’s promotion to Chief Administrative Officer recognizes the central role she plays in how ventureLAB operates and grows.

— Hugh Chow, CEO, ventureLAB

Partnerships role for former Ericsson executive

Proulx joins from Ericsson, where she was chief marketing officer for North America, the company’s largest market. She has also held senior roles at Meta and Intel. ventureLAB said she will work with sector leaders to build partnership models that are financially sustainable, with a global mandate.

I look forward to working with partners globally to build sustainable models that support founders, accelerate commercialization, and strengthen Canada’s position in advanced technology.

— Ciricia Proulx, vice-president, strategic partnerships, ventureLAB

Why it matters locally

ventureLAB, which is based in York Region, focuses on semiconductors, artificial intelligence and medical technology. Its programs centre on raising capital, keeping talent, commercializing technology and intellectual property, and finding customers.

The organization says its initiatives have helped thousands of companies create more than 7,100 jobs and raise more than $480 million in investment capital. It said the appointments are meant to strengthen its internal operations, governance and long-term sustainability as it expands its programs and global reach.