Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park

From developing Java and the Blackberry to defining the specifications for XML, Canadians have blazed trails in the world's most innovative companies. Canadians have also risen to the top of the largest technology firms, providing a CEO for Yahoo!, Jeff Mallet, and eBay's first president, Jeff Skoll.

This sets the stage for Innovation Nation, a new book designed to cut through traditional Canadian modesty and provide a window into the fibre, minds and makeup of over thirty Canadians whom the world needs to know. Demonstrating innovative thinking and entrepreneurial drive, these Canadians show themselves to be the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Through these profiles, readers will also come to understand how Canada as a nation helped shaped the thinking of these businesses. With strong qualities, Canada has the infrastructure necessary to continue fostering such leadership and emerge as the world's Innovation Nation.

Leonard Brody is currently CEO of Ipreo, a new private equity research firm which assists the financial community in determining the success of private offerings. Previously, Leonard was Vice President of Corporate Development at Onvia.com (Canada's largest dot.com IPO) and jointly oversaw its Canadian operations. Leonard is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Information Technology Association of Canada and the Canadian E-Business Opportunities Roundtable.

Wendy Cukier is a professor of Information Technology Management in emerging technology trends and strategies at Ryerson University. Professor Cukier has presented and published over 100 papers and articles and is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail's "Report on Business."

Ken Grant is the director of the new School of Information Technology at Ryerson University, where he is responsible for the establishment and supervision of the School's administrative and academic operations. Prior to becoming part of the Ryerson community, Ken spent over 20 years in high-tech management consulting at KPMG and as a VP with A.T. Kearney.

Matthew Holland is a VP of The Boston Consulting Group and manages the Canadian practice. Matt has helped many major multinationals channel innovation into sustainable new businesses. Matt was the captain of the International Branding Team for the Canadian E-Business Opportunities Roundtable.

Catherine Middleton is Co-ordinator of the e-Business Minor within the Faculty of Business at Ryerson and an Assistant Professor in Ryerson's School of Information Management.

Denise Shortt is a Harvard-educated writer and consultant. She recently joined the faculty at Ryerson University's School of Information Technology Management as a Research Associate.