Entrepreneur-in-Residence

David Ceolin

David Ceolin (BBA ’89) was the founder of Digital Cement, a firm globally recognized for its innovative capabilities in digital marketing strategy and execution. Digital Cement’s Innovative multi-channel marketing programs delivered top line revenue for international clients like Kraft Foods, FedEx, and Dell and was acquired by Pitney Bowes.

David now runs his own investment firm, Innovation Grade Ventures, focusing on disruptive ventures in health & wellness, housing, education, and media both in private industry and social ventures.

David is also the author of a best-selling book about business planning (The Idea Guide) and has also received the Top 40 under 40 award, given annually to individuals from multiple disciplines that demonstrate vision, leadership, innovation, achievement, and community impact.  He serves on a number of boards in Canada and internationally.

Alan Quarry

Mentor. Entrepreneur. Writer. Enthusiastic Twitterer. In addition to his other  responsibilities, Alan is the CLO (that’d be Chief Learning Officer) of Quarry Communications, and is always seeking out new means of engaging with people, learning and teaching. He teaches Marketing Communications to 4th year and MBA classes at the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business in Waterloo and Marketing Strategy in the Executive MBA program for the University of Windsor. Alan travels extensively, speaking to groups around the world about improving customer relationships and converting branding into buying.

Joining Quarry as its third employee after 5 years in marketing with the Canada Trust head office, Alan has been instrumental in the growth and success of the organization. A two-time nominee for Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year (in 1998 and 2009) in the national Ernst & Young contest, Alan was Entrepreneur In Residence at Wilfrid Laurier University for 2010 and 2011. Alan has also been a director of the Institute of Canadian Advertising and is a past president of the Trans Canada Advertising Agency Network.

His personal mantra, “Think and feel like the customer, always anticipate and have fun,” – pretty good advice for life overall.