Kate Tomen

kate tomen's Portfolio

Results-oriented professional with 9+ years experience in business development and operations management. Expert in managing company operations and implementing strategies for business growth.

Vice President, Business Development & Operations 2021 – Present

Manager, Business Development & Operations 2019 – 2021

Business Analyst 2018 – 2019

Angel Investors Ontario – Toronto, ON

Progressively expanded accountabilities in this non-profit organization, culminating in a Vice President, Business Development & Operations role, responsible for managing all daily business operations. Oversees program management, hiring process (hiring a total of 3 full-time and 4 part-time roles), onboarding and training, event planning, stakeholder relationship development, and long-term strategy creation and coordination to ensure business growth. Built credibility as a leader in the Angel Investment space with knowledge of emerging trends, business models, investment mandates, and priorities across various sectors.

Selected Accomplishments:

• Managed programs with $1M annual budget, developing due diligence program, writing RFP, and hiring Grant Thornton.

• Built relationships with public, private sectors, and government officials to administer services for Ontario angel groups and entrepreneurs and increase funding efficiency.

• Secured funding from the Ontario Securities Commission’s Designated Fund to implement Investor Education Initiatives including print and digital materials.

• Launched “Knowledge Hub,” an e-learning platform for angel investors and seed-stage founders. Developed and produced educational content and training modules.

• Mentor and support start-up companies at the pre-seed and seed stage to support their fundraising process.

• Authored $5.4M new program proposal to ensure funding for Angel groups from FedDev Ontario. Received 3 times as much funding for 2022-2023 period due to application, resulting in annual programming and event increase for organization

• Published magazine in Spring 2022 for 15th anniversary for 35K-person audience, digitally and in-print.

• Developed and organized 2 40-person cohort career service programs for new refugees to Canada, while providing $37K in prizes from sponsors to support top business pitches from participants at end of program.

• Spearheaded the creation of a new Angel group in Brampton, ON, and Durham, ON onboarded partners and sponsors to support entrepreneurs around the province.

• Showcased well-honed public speaking skills in a variety of settings including panel discussions & training seminars with various organizations such as the City of Richmond Hill, TieCon, BHive Brampton and Angel Capital Association.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy Development: Establishes roadmaps for operational sustainability by submitting grant applications, creating project plans, and developing funding proposals. Monitors efficient appropriation of funding, ensuring adherence with set budget allocations for project development and implementation.

• Stakeholder Relationships: Develop strong relations with governmental and non-governmental external stakeholders, maintaining regular communication to provide updates and reports regarding the project's progress. Coordinates with various vendors for events, while tapping significant resources during the development of projects for start-up clientele.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Tracks performance of Ontario’s Angel groups, including data collection, reporting, and written communications to ensure alignment with KPI targets. Administers and consolidates data and documentation requirements from all Angel groups to produce comprehensive quarterly reporting to government funders.

• Operational Leadership: Hires, onboards, and trains new and current staff while overseeing daily operations and setting goals and schedules to ensure proper execution and timely delivery of all tasks. Serves as sole contact person for all personnel needs.

• Business Analysis: Identifies growth areas and improvement opportunities while ensuring plans and strategies translate to effective solutions to existing problems, adding value to the organization. Continuously evaluated the effectiveness of multiple ongoing programs with frequent priority changes and aggressive timelines.

Operations & Communications Manager Feb. 2021 – Sept. 2021

York Angels Investors – Markham, ON

Supported one of Canada’s largest Angel groups, performing business functions to fill in for previous Executive Director, including providing administrative management, operations coordination, and smooth transition for incoming Executive Director.

Analyst Intern April 2019 – April 2020

Dream Maker Ventures- Toronto, ON

Dream Maker Ventures is the first Canadian Venture Capital (VC) Fund founded by persons of colour and women. Supported principal and general partners in the fund-raising process, identifying potential LPs and developing investment thesis and fund documents.

Business Development Coordinator 2017 – 2018

University of Windsor – Windsor, ON

Assisted in developing new course development model and course offerings for adult education courses. Submitted grant applications and conducted extensive research on local, regional, and nationwide employment trends to develop appropriate programs aligned to identified needs, bridging the skill and staffing gap in the labor sector.

Oversaw student recruitment activities and effective marketing of the International Educator’s Certificate, resulting to a 25%+ growth in program admissions over an 8-month period.

Significantly contributed in the creation and implementation of the new Project Management curriculum that is still present within the organization today.