It all started when…

The visionary Dr. Patrick McGeer, then Minister of Education for the Province of BC, founded Discovery Foundation nearly 40 years ago. Created to promote and support the province’s high technology research and development industry, the Discovery Foundation has gone through many evolutions since its formation in 1979.  Government involvement ceased in 1991 but the Discovery Foundation has continued its efforts as a private organization with a public mandate.

A registered charity now governed by its own Board of Directors, the Discovery Foundation’s mandate is to promote and facilitate innovation and the development of the science and technology sector in British Columbia.

Its principal role is the delivery of the Technology Education Program (TEP) through selected Agents who educate technology entrepreneurs in British Columbia.  Each year, industry organizations and educational institutions apply to be TEP Agents through a competitive process.  This process ensures the delivery of the highest quality programs.

Discovery Foundation currently receives all funding through the independent and self-sustaining organization, Discovery Parks.

Discovery Foundation is dedicated to promoting and facilitating innovation and development of the technology sector in British Columbia.  We focus on programs that encourage and support diversity, equity, inclusion and reconciliation. We are engaging in reconciliation through our work and encourage you to learn more about it too. Our management team comprises of passionate professionals who each bring a unique set of skills to the foundation. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can partner with Discovery Foundation to deliver our educational programs, please contact us!

Discovery Foundation’s office is situated on the traditional unceded land of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Our Team

KATHY O’DONOGHUE - CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Kathy O’Donoghue is a Product Strategy Technology consultant, with a background in Computer Science and over 20 years of shipping commercial technology products; spanning gaming, mobile apps, big data and consumer packaged goods; with industry leaders such as Electronic Arts. Kathy is also on the board of CNIS, Canadian Network of International Surgery, which is developing avatar, scenario based digital surgical training apps for Africa. Kathy joined the Discovery Foundation board in 2018 and is passionate about the impact of global health, and feels that the Vancouver tech sector is her place to contribute.

Morgan Sturdy – director

Morgan Sturdy is a high-tech entrepreneur and executive with over 30 years of experience serving on corporate and community boards. Mr. Sturdy’s community contribution to the Vancouver tech sector includes board participation with Great Northern Way Trust, The BC Tech Association, Science World, ACETECH, British Columbia Innovation Council and the Premier’s Tech Council. Since 2016, Morgan is pleased to serve on the Discovery Foundation board and oversee the focus on delivering outstanding educational support to many technology organizations associated with research and development throughout the province.

bREE BEVERIDGE - DIRECTOR

Bree Beveridge joined the Discovery Foundation board in 2023 and brings a decade of experience supporting institutions with decolonial practices and embedding Indigenous decision-makers to provide crucial perspective into strategic visioning, planning, developing, and delivering services. Bree is honoured to have worked with First Nations and Indigenous groups across what is now known as Canada to develop wellness solutions that meet community-specific strengths and needs and reflect their unique worldviews. She is passionate in her drive to redistribute power and elevate diverse and often under-heard voices and ensure active participation and decision-making within organizations.

Dr. David G. Harper - CEO and president of discovery foundation, as well as director

Dr. G. Harper (Dave) has been a member of Discovery Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2007 and was appointed CEO in 2016. Dave has a long history in the BC tech sector as the President of Pacific BioVentures Inc., providing consulting and management services. He is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of the Fraser Valley where he has been an Associate Professor since 1994 and is a presently a Visiting Scientist at the BC Cancer Research Centre, Terry Fox Laboratories.

FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND FORMER director - j. tOM ENGLISH, Q.C.

Mr. English is an experienced business lawyer who is presently counsel with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world. His past directorships include the Discovery Group of corporations, Vancouver International Airport Authority, Nabob Foods and CHIP Real Estate Investment Trust. His community activities include being past chair of the Vancouver Aquarium, BC Sports Hall of Fame and Vancouver Economic Commission. Mr. English was also an Associate Professor of Law at UBC.

FORMER director - ian mckay

Ian McKay is the Ambassador of Canada to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific. Previous roles include a distinguished career in international finance markets, CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission, CEO of Invest in Canada, and political advisor.

FORMER DIRECTOR - Darrell Elliott

Darrell Elliott, a professional director and strategic analyst, is a career investment professional, who has served on over 100 boards of directors. With over 45 years of investing experience, on three continents, in businesses at stages ranging from start-up to multinational, Mr. Elliott now enjoys assisting entrepreneurs and enterprises.

FORMER director - DR. JOHN NIGHTINGALE, in memory.

Dr. John Nightingale was the CEO of the Vancouver Aquarium and the ocean conservation OceanWise for over 25 years and has spent his entire career as an ocean champion. His dedication to the community was shown by participating with numerous Boards of Directors, including Polar Knowledge of Canada, X Prize Foundation, The Vancouver Board of Trade, and countless other organizations with which he chaired, co-founded and led into success. Sadly, Dr. Nightingale passed away in 2023.