Toronto, Ontario – March 27, 2024 – CanPR Technology Inc. (“CanPR” or the “Company”), a leading provider of technology-enabled immigration services in Canada, is pleased to welcome a new Chairman, Stephen A. Smith, and three new members to its Board of Directors: Uppekha Jain, Ted Hasting and Dexter John. The group of senior executives adds significant governance and relevant industry experience to help guide CanPR’s strategy and future growth, while strengthening the Board’s independence.
“Immigration services is on the verge of tremendous change fueled by advances in technology that vastly improve access to important pre- and post-landing services,” said Co-Founder and CEO Akshat Soni. “Adding highly respected leaders to our Board will help bring our innovation to market, and I look forward to working together to execute CanPR’s strategic vision and capitalize on emerging opportunities to create shareholder value.”
The new Board members are as follows:
Stephen A. Smith, Chairman
Mr. Smith currently serves as a Board Director for Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI) (Audit Committee Chair), Flow Beverage Corp. (TSX: FLOW) (Audit Committee Chair), and CE Brands Inc. (TSXV: CEBI) (Audit Committee Chair). From 2020 to 2023 Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of Freshii Inc. (Lead Director and Audit Committee Chair) and from 2018 to 2019 Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of Newstrike Brands Ltd. (Lead Director and Audit Committee Chair). From 2013 to 2017 Mr. Smith served on the Board of Directors of CST Brands Inc., an SEC registrant (Audit Committee and Executive Committee). From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Smith held the position of Executive Vice President and Advisory Board Director of Jackman Reinvention Inc., a privately held brand and strategy consulting firm in Toronto. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Smith served as co-chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Cara Operations Limited (now Recipe Unlimited), Canada's oldest and largest full-service restaurant company. Mr. Smith was a key member of the executive team during the rapid growth and repositioning of Cara. From 1985 to 2007, Mr. Smith held various senior and executive level positions, including Executive Vice President from 1999 to 2006, at Loblaw Companies Limited, the leading food and pharmacy retailer in Canada. Mr. Smith has previously served on St Michael's Hospital Foundation Board and on the Board of Directors of Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Mr. Smith is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.
Uppekha Jain, Director
Uppekha Jain currently serves as Press Secretary to Ontario`s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and previously was the Director of Ethnic Media for PC Caucus Services at Queen's Park. Prior to her work in Ontario, Uppekha lived in Mumbai, India after winning the Miss India Worldwide title. While there, she excelled in the world of Bollywood media and entertainment, acting in movies and television shows, appearing in commercials and hosting events globally. Uppekha was the first Canadian to land a starring role on national Indian prime-time television, on Star Plus' top-rated soap opera, Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. She is also an executive producer of a television series currently in pre-production. Uppekha holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and has worked as a brand marketer for several CPG companies including Coca-Cola and Cadbury.
Ted Hastings, Director
Mr. Hastings currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of PopReach Corporation (dba Ionik) (TSXV:INIK)He was the Chief Executive Officer of RhythmOne plc (LSE AIM:TRMR) ("RhythmOne"), an advertising technology company, from July 2017 to May 2018 and President of RhythmOne from February 2017 to July 2017. From May 2015 to January 2017, he was Chief Executive Officer of Perk Inc. (TSX:PER) ("Perk"), a mobile rewards company, and from November 2014 to May 2015 he was also President of Perk. From April 2012 to April 2015, Mr. Hastings was Chief Executive Officer of Rebellion Media Group Corp. ("Rebellion Media"), a digital media company. Prior to joining Rebellion Media, Mr. Hastings was President of Cyberplex Inc. (currently known as EQ Inc.) (TSXV:EQ) ("EQ Inc."), from July 2010 until March 2012, a company focused on digital media buying and marketing. Prior to joining EQ Inc., Mr. Hastings held the positions of Chief Executive Officer of Orion Foundry (Canada) Inc. (doing business as Tsavo Media), an online publishing company from October 2007 to June 2010, President of Geosign Corporation, also an internet media company, from January 2007 to September 2007 and Chief Executive Officer of Global Beverage Group, Inc., a software sales and distribution company, from January 2002 to December 2006. Mr. Hastings began his career as a chartered accountant at Deloitte LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Mr. Hastings was previously a director of Coreworx, Maintenance Assistant Inc., Communitech, Fongo, and Push Strength.
Dexter John, Director
Dexter John brings over 25 years of leadership, governance and risk management experience from his prior positions at Stikeman Elliott LLP, Donahue LLP, Investment Dealers Association, Ontario Securities Commission and the Toronto Stock Exchange. He is currently the President and CEO of Morrow Sodali (Canada) Ltd., a company that offers consulting services in M&A advisory, corporate governance, contested meetings advisory, ESG, shareholder engagement, strategy and executive compensation. Prior to joining Morrow, Mr. John served as Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President of D.F. King Canada (formerly CST Phoenix Advisors) and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Kingsdale Shareholder Services Inc., where he advised a number of public company issuers and boards on governance matters and corporate strategy. Mr. John currently serves on the Board of Directors for Organigram Inc. (TSX: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI), and Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Ontario). He previously served on Boards for Prosper Gold Corp. (TSXV: PGX), Augustine Ventures Inc., and Partners Real Estate Investment Trust. He was a co-author of Charting the Future of Corporate Governance Report that was recently released by the members of The Committee on the Future of Corporate Governance in Canada.
Visit www.CanPR.io to learn more and follow CanPR on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
About CanPR
CanPR Technology Inc. is a technology platform dedicated to helping immigrants in their journey toward becoming permanent residents of Canada. At CanPR, we offer a range of services to assist with the immigration journey. Our platform provides a comprehensive understanding of the process of immigrating to Canada, completing and tracking immigration applications, connecting newcomers with employers to help them find a job, and post-immigration services to help them settle in Canada.
Currently, the platform has over 1,000,000 app installs. CanPR was incorporated pursuant to the Canada Business Corporations Act on June 20, 2022. For more information on CanPR, visit www.canpr.io.
For more information contact:
Kieran Lawler
Kieran.lawler@loderockadvisors.com
416-303-0799
.svg)
