Sean Smillie
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As the Executive Director of KAST, Sean is responsible for building strong relationships with funders, economic development partners, the entrepreneurial community, and other stakeholders. Throughout the Kootenays, he identifies and evaluates emerging opportunities in key sectors, and works to create projects that will leverage regional resources.
Sean served in the Canadian military as a combat engineer and worked extensively in the ski/snowboard industry. He has spent two decades in the roles of game designer, executive producer, and creative director for video game companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Warner Bros., Walt Disney, and his own Rossland-based company, Planet Fiction Studios.
Sean has also lectured, consulted, and taught at Selkirk College, Vancouver Film School, the Art Institute, and the University of British Columbia, where he created the Game Writing Academy.
Outside of work, Sean can be found mountain biking and kayaking, and in the winter months, he steals vertical on a daily basis as an avid skier and snowboarder. The rest of his ‘spare’ time is spent trying to keep up to his two dogs.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sean immigrated to Canada and was fortunate enough to grow up in Rossland. He brings a deep and respectful commitment to supporting development in this region.
Karen Kornelsen
NELSON INNOVATION CENTRE COMMUNITY & EVENTS MANAGER
As the manager of the Nelson Innovation Centre, Karen is thrilled to put her skills to work supporting tech and knowledge workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Nelson area.
In 2019, Karen came on board as the Manager of Marketing and Communications for KAST and has been responsible for getting the word out about our thriving regional tech hub, as well as supporting the Nelson Innovation Centre and MIDAS Lab.
Her decade-long career as a journalist and professional editor in TV, radio and print and her passion for writing and community engagement easily translated into the marketing, communications and events management sector. She has worked hard for nonprofit, tourism and government organizations in both Manitoba and British Columbia. Karen made the move to the Kootenays in 2011 and is proud to call this eclectic region home.
Karen is no stranger to tech and is an entrepreneur herself. She runs her business, KG Creative, out of the Slocan Valley and Nelson. Her focus is on elevating and empowering women entrepreneurs as well as nonprofit organizations through social media management, copywriting, digital content marketing, branding and consulting. She is no stranger to the tech sector, and she truly understands the challenges and successes of running a business from a wilderness home with weak internet and no cell service.
Outside of the office, Karen is very active and enjoys many outdoor activities including camping, hiking and canoeing. She also loves writing poetry, rapping and hiking with her cat.
Laura Vaché
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Laura is originally from Brittany, France, where she spent her youth. She studied communications at the University of Grenoble and completed a masters degree in Scientific and Technical Communications where she was introduced to digital innovations.
Laura worked for two and a half years at Cap Digital, a French hub in Paris for digital and ecological transformation. She was in charge of communications and event planning for a centre that was newly opened by Cap Digital, dedicated to the innovation in the field of education, training and life-long learning.
Laura arrived in Nelson in January 2018 after travelling for a few months in B.C. Enjoying the mountains and surroundings, she is always motivated to discover new places during her free time or volunteer for the Francophone Association of the West Kootenays (AFKO).
Tanya Malcolm
GLOWS PROGRAM MANAGER
Tanya Malcolm is an experienced community organizer and project manager with a diverse work history of operations management, digital storytelling and animating ideas within non-profit organizations.
She is a bright, enthusiastic leader with a positive outlook and presence. Tanya is skilled in organizational management, shared space start-up & operations, fundraising, digital marketing, public speaking and grant writing.
Tanya has a strong background in maternal health advocacy, food security, environmental studies and functional sports training. She previously worked for Wildsight Elk Valley in community engagement, Community Connections Society of South East B.C. in food security, program development and economic development, as well as Community Futures East Kootenay in community management & outreach and operations. Tanya is also co-chair of the Coworking B.C. Society.
In her spare time you can find her enjoying nature with her family and friends, gardening or coaching youth basketball in the beautiful mountain town of Fernie, B.C.
Our Partners
Latest News
KAST Partners with WKBCIC to Support Business Recovery in the West Kootenay and BoundaryFebruary 24, 2021
Virtual Connection Days Helped 104 Kootenay Businesses with Digital TransformationFebruary 24, 2021
Kootenay Girls will take a Quantum Leap into Science & Technology on International Women’s DayFebruary 12, 2021