Margaret Palmeter
Director
Margaret Palmeter is the Founding Director of Dalhousie University’s Emera ideaHUB. She comes to this role from Dalhousie Industry Liaison & Innovation (ILI), where she managed a patent portfolio and commercialized technologies on behalf of University and Academic Researchers. Previous roles included international business development consulting and economic development projects across Atlantic Canada. She brings this experience and knowledge to her role with the Emera ideaHUB and supports teams and startups in accessing the resources needed to get their company and technology through the prototyping phase and ready for market. The Emera ideaHUB is Atlantic Canada’s leading hardware incubator for early stage deep-technology companies.
Margaret is a result-driven professional, experienced in working with multiple stakeholders including private industry, government, and academia. With a track record of leadership and collaboration to drive successful outcomes she has a proven ability to think strategically and juggle multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. She is also on the Board of Directors of Scotian Wind Inc., a community owned developer of wind energy projects.
Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Diplomacy, with a concentration in International Commerce from Norwich University in Vermont, and a Bachelor's degree with an Advanced Major in History and Minor in Sociology from St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS.
-
What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I am motivated by having impact. I like to know that the work I do makes a difference. So professionally I am very proud of my support of local entrepreneurs and new young innovators. I work in a world of PhDs and experts who lead their fields. It's amazing to get to work with them on bringing new technologies to life - Especially in the physical product space. Physical products are real tangible things that need to be created, prototyped, and built. It means I get to see the evolution of incredible ideas into real world products that can change lives. I think that's what I'm most proud of - that I have played some small part in helping these really genius people bring new innovative products to the world. It makes me tingle when I reconnect with people I supported and they let me know I made a difference to them, their teams, and their companies. That's what motives me and makes me proud.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
My vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years is that we have a thriving economy. Our biggest opportunity now is that you CAN do it here. For a really long time talent and new companies were leaving our region to find work elsewhere. The thought process was that you had to go to Toronto, Boston, or Silicon Valley to make it. That's not the case. It can be done here, and it has. I want to see more of that. 10 years from now I want our University students to make careers here in Atlantic Canada. I want our innovative solutions to be developed here and built here. I think that could have an incredible impact.
Our biggest opportunity now is to change our mentality. In order to succeed globally we have to look outside our borders. We have to sell products around the world. And we can do that from here. Our companies still have a tendency to look inside our walls, we have to help them look outside. That's the opportunity - build the company here, and sell to the world.
Business leader Robert Orr said it best on a panel discussion a few years ago - "The enemy of great is good." And he is right. Life is good here in Atlantic Canada. We live in a wonderful part of the world. But if we want to be great, we have to push. We have to take risks. And we have to help each other. 10 years from now, I want us to be great.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
In my career, the landmark Ivany Report really was a call to action. It came out at the time when I was finishing my Masters in International Diplomacy. I focused on International Commerce, and I knew I wanted to live in Atlantic Canada and build a career here. But everything around me was telling me to leave. The Ivany Report resonated - I needed to stay. I could use my skills and contribute here - and make a difference. The combination of the Ivany Report and a number of mentors and key people who were also committed to making a difference would be what has inspired me in my career the most.
We are so fortunate in our region to have people that paved the way and are giving back. Pat Ryan with Neocon and Dale Robertson with Enerscan are local engineers that built companies here that now have products all over the world. And they are giving back their time and support to encourage and reinforce the next generation to do the same. Tycoons Chris Huskilson, John Risley, George Armoyan and others are doing the same. They are stepping forward as business leaders and saying it can be done - Let us help you do it. It's amazing.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
I am lucky to have many incredible inspirations in my life. My parents are amazing. My father is an entrepreneur who taught me the value of relationships and creating win-win-win collaborations. My mother is a brilliant engineer and leader who has always stepped up and taken action. The combination of role models and guidance from my parents made me who I am. There is no doubt I wouldn't be who I am without them. They inspire me and motivate me to be my best, and to make those around me better too. They both believed in themselves and took risks. My Dad has built his own thriving businesses and my mom is a woman in STEM. She completed a Masters degree from TUNS in a time where they made her take classes by herself - because she was told she was a distraction to her male peers. She completed her degrees at the top of her class. And that's how she operates - know you can do it, get it done, and do it well.
It's a little serendipitous to think where I have ended up in my career - and it must be because of the impact of my parents. I am the Founding Director of Dalhousie University's first startup incubator. I work in the Faculty of Engineering and I support tough-tech entrepreneurs building and developing new products. I feel confident in my abilities and know the skills I bring to the table are an asset to those around me. That's because of my parents - and who they helped me become.
What are the principles you live by?
A principle that has always run through my life is the value of family and community. I have a large, close knit, and loving family. We support each other and enjoy time together. My family is a safe space where we can all be ourselves and push each other to try new things.
I have also been raised in a family that believes in giving back and contributing. I have been blessed with an education and incredible life experiences. I grew up playing sports in the community. It was a way to make friends, burn energy, and learn skills. I learned a lot from both team and individual sports growing up. And now I really enjoy giving back. Volunteering with youth groups and as a high school basketball coach is something I'm passionate about. I remember the tumult of my teenage years, and I can only imagine how it is for young girls now - Unable to escape the internet and social media. Sports were always an outlet for me, and a safe space to find myself. So now, as a coach I want to give that back and create a fun and safe environment for other young women and girls. Back to the question about what's my vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years - it's these girls. In 10 years the athletes I have been coaching will be leaders in our region. They will be building their careers and families here. Having written many recommendations and university letters for them over the years, I can't wait to see who they will become and the great things I know they will do.
-
Innovation supporter, Technology transfer professional, Intrapreneur, Sailor, Coach, Nova Scotian, Haligonian