About Us
LAUNCH is on a mission to transform STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming from moment-in-time touchpoints to a continuous model of engagement that most Canadians are familiar with...
minor sports!
LAUNCH programs are focused on ensuring ALL youth, despite economic status, geographic location, or abilities have access to programs that may change their lives.
Get in the game and join us as we make STEAM a team sport!
Staff & Coaches
Josie Bird
Director, Engagement and Marketing
I am thrilled to be a member of the LAUNCH team and help shape its future. My career has always been focused on marketing and engagement, working in various industry sectors, including construction, renewable energy and at the world-renowned Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. My experience working in these vastly different industries has formed my love for STEAM and STEAM outreach.
When I'm not working with our amazing team, you can find my husband and I enjoying the outdoors. I am passionate about living life to the fullest, travelling and exploring this amazing country I now call home.
Meet our Board
Tobi Day-Hamilton
Co-founder and Executive Director
LAUNCH is my passion project. After an amazing career working with world-leading companies, universities, researchers and more, I'm thrilled that our vision for LAUNCH is coming to life. In 2018, when we started LAUNCH, we wanted to inspire kids to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math because we knew these were the areas of the future. Today, we've welcomed hundreds of kids to our teams and I can't wait to see what they do next!
I am also a Governor with the Grand River Hospital Foundation, a board member for the Canadian Association of Science Centres, a Regional Co-chair for the 2021 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and I seek adventure at every turn.
Angela Olano
Co-founder, VP Marketing and Operations
After working in and with museums, galleries and science centres for fourteen years, I can definitely say I have found my niche! I have worked with world-renowned quantum scientists at the Institute for Quantum Computing, on exhibition marketing with the Art Gallery of Ontario and THEMUSEUM. I developed the national tour of the first-ever travelling exhibition on quantum science and information technology, QUANTUM: The Exhibition – a Canada 150 Signature Initiative that was hosted by science centres across the country. I’ve also lead the development of the popular game app Quantum Cats, helped IQC win a Guinness World Record and travelled a quantum pop-up exhibition all around Europe.
I am now the Donor Marketing Director at Grand River Hospital Foundation and a proud member of the LAUNCH team.
Martin Laforest
Board of Directors
I am a quantum physicist, product manager and scientific outreach expert. I am delighted to join LAUNCH's board of directors and share my passion for quantum technologies and all things STEAM to our programs for children and youth across the country.
Scott Higgins
Visionary
Scott is President of HIP Developments and has over 15 years of real estate and corporate finance experience. At HIP he actively participates in all aspects of the business, including acquisitions, finance, investment partnerships, design & development, construction, sales & marketing and dispositions.
HIP Developments was founded in 2012 after a partnership was formed between long time Waterloo-based general contractor Melloul-Blamey and long time KW real estate financier Scott Higgins. Their first project was a purpose built rental apartment in Cambridge in a partnership with Killam Properties REIT. Since those early days the growth of this local developer has been tremendous and they are now tackling some the largest and most progressive projects in Waterloo Region.