Brent Wennekes

Since graduating with a BBA from Acadia University (2005) and Algonquin College with a Public Relations Diploma (2008), Brent has been working in communications, business development, and management roles in support of research, technology development, and innovation with experience across virtually all industry sectors and academic disciplines. His roles have included executive leadership of a provincial innovation accelerator; provincial business development leadership of a national research, innovation, and talent funding organization; research and communications management with a top Canadian research college; amongst others.

Through his consultancy, Brent helps leaders amplify their research and innovation efforts with strategic planning, development, and management (including grants and programming); public relations expertise; and knowledge of – and connections to – Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem. His current and past clients include a national not-for-profit with R&D aspirations, a provincial sector council, and the research arm of a leading Canadian Polytechnic institution. Brent has volunteered with several organizations and is currently proud to serve on the Research Management Committee of the Kids Brain Health Network.

Through more recent experiences, Brent has been exposed to the positive impact that true Indigenous history and cultural practices education can have on both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. He also realized that having a refined understanding of this important subject would allow him to better support clients with their reconciliation approaches in culturally appropriate and non-harming ways. Brent is keenly interested in economic reconciliation research, and especially Indigenous entrepreneurship.

Brent lives in beautiful Lester Beach on Treaty One Territory with his wife and two daughters.