THUNDER BAY — The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) has named Carole Long its new executive director.
She takes over from Jeff Coull, who served in the role for nearly two years before announcing his departure last fall.
Long has been with the innovation centre for four years, serving as the business development advisor of intellectual property.
“With first-hand experience in starting, owning, and operating a business in Thunder Bay, she understands the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in the North,” the centre wrote in a social media post.
“Her passion for economic development, dedication to our clients, and commitment to fostering innovation makes her the perfect person to lead the innovation centre.”
Originally from Thunder Bay, Long opened the first Pita Pit franchise in the city and has earned accolades for her business acumen, including being named an Influential Woman (IW) of Northern Ontario, and a Young Entrepreneur of the Year through the Northern Ontario Business Awards (NOBA).
(IW and NOBA were both initiatives of Northern Ontario Business.)
The Thunder Bay-based Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre offers a range of services to assist entrepreneurs and business owners in building their ventures, including training and mentorship programming, marketing and sales support, funding assistance, and access to office and meeting space.
