A multi-faceted cross-Canada team serving entrepreneurs

Ziyad Rahme

Chief Operating Officer

As the Vice President of Investments, Ziyad provides leadership for SDTC’s strategy and approach to the investment process, ensuring that SDTC is sourcing and nurturing innovative companies that have the potential to deliver strong environmental and economic benefits to Canada. Ziyad oversees the day-to-day operation of SDTC’s start-up and scale-up investment streams, including intake, due diligence, recommendation of investments to SDTC’s Project Review Committee and Board, and post-approval monitoring and support.  He is also responsible for overall portfolio management, monitoring and outcomes assessment.

Previously the Vice President of Partnerships, Ziyad provided leadership for engaging SDTC’s key stakeholders, with a focus on finding ways to effectively support SDTC’s portfolio companies, ensuring they grew and contributed to Canada’s competitive advantage in the global sustainability technology market.

Prior to joining SDTC, Ziyad spent 18 years at Iogen Corporation, a leading developer of advanced low-carbon biofuels, where he contributed in various roles involving progressive and expanding leadership responsibility.

Ziyad holds an M.B.A., an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering and a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering.

Sheryl Urie

Vice President Finance

Sheryl joined SDTC in 2019 as the Director, Finance & Administration and was promoted to Vice President, Finance in 2023. Building on 25 years of experience in financial diligence, contracting, financial management and performance management, Sheryl provides leadership to ensure appropriate financial health monitoring, risk assessments and contracting of the projects within SDTC’s portfolio.

Prior to joining SDTC, Sheryl grew her experience in the public and private sectors, with senior leadership roles at Lockheed Martin, PPP Canada and Mitel, overseeing the finance, risk management and contracting functions to ensure a high level of accountability for the management of public funds. Sheryl also spent a number of years at Deloitte in the Financial Advisory Service group providing advice on mergers, acquisitions, business plans and equity valuations across many business sectors.

Sheryl serves as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for Meals on Wheels (Ottawa). She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Girls Hockey Association and the Glebe Cooperative Nursery School, serving as Treasurer and Registrar, respectively.

Sheryl has her Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University. She also holds a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant designation, Chartered Business Valuator designation in addition to being Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder.

Zoë Kolbuc

Vice President Ecosystems

Driven by her love of innovation and collaboration, Zoë leads SDTC’s efforts to seek out ambitious entrepreneurs developing sustainable solutions in every region of Canada. She also leads the development of communications and business growth strategies to tell the stories of these innovators throughout their journey to commercialization.  

As Vice-President Ecosystems, Zoë focuses on SDTC’s early-stage investments including our Seed Funding and conveying SDTC’s internal and external messaging. Zoë recognizes that companies, especially early-stage companies, need a network of support and funding to grow their emerging businesses. Since joining SDTC she has developed new approaches to build partnerships and entrepreneurial capacity across Canada, was pivotal in establishing SDTC’s first equity, diversity and inclusion strategy and maintains a diverse network of relationships with key stakeholders in Canada’s leading economic sectors.  

Zoë is an expert problem-solver and a curious leader with a diverse background in government, energy and sustainability. Prior to joining SDTC, Zoë held leadership roles in global energy companies. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Zoë and her partner are the proud parents to three future SheEOs. 

Steven Engel

Vice President People & Technology

As Vice President of People & Technology, Steven brings his leadership of integrated business, technology and data teams and projects to SDTC. A seasoned executive with extensive experience in a variety of innovative business and government sectors, Steven has directed transformation and growth initiatives, leveraging people, processes, data and information technology for the purposes of value aggregation.

Prior to joining SDTC, Steven was the Senior Vice President of Information Technology at Greystone Managed Investments Inc. When Greystone was acquired by TD Bank’s Asset Management division in 2018, Steven served as a leader in the transformational integration of the two entities. Holding leadership positions with international consulting and technology firms progressing from western Canadian to Canadian to global responsibilities over a 20-year period, Steven has gained hands-on experience in education, healthcare, energy, utility, transportation, finance, asset management and government sectors.

Steven is the incoming Chair of the Board of Directors for Group Medical Services——a Canadian purpose-driven provider of health and wellness insurance–related services. An active community member, Steven is a Coach and Board Member on the Regina Alpine Race Team and now is the Past President of Alpine Saskatchewan.

Steven holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Administration degree from the University of Regina.

Brian Scott

Acting Vice-President, Investments

Brian Scott is the Acting Vice President, Investments at SDTC. He is an experienced leader, with a proven track record of building high performing, multi-disciplinary teams in small and large organizations in Canada and the US. Brian joined SDTC as a Director in 2018 and has helped lead the transformation and operations of the Investments team, growing new approvals by 65%.

Prior to joining SDTC, Brian was a senior leader with Novozymes, a world leading industrial biotechnology company, where he held roles in product development, IP and business strategy. Brian began his career with Iogen Corporation, a Canadian bioenergy and biocatalyst company where he held various leadership roles in technology and product development.

He is passionate about mentoring and helping others perform at their best, as he is about sustainable development and helping Canada become a world leader. Brian has an MSc from the University of Ottawa.