#236 Meagan Kay-Fowlow | President, Innovation Centre | techNL

Send us Fan MailJoin us on #GaleForceWins as we explore Newfoundland and Labrador’s dynamic new tech hub! In this episode, hosts Allan Dale and Gerry Carew dive into the world of innovation and growth in the province, discussing the transformative projects happening at the newly opened Co-innovation centre with Meagan Kay- Fowlow President of the centre. Discover how industries across tech, renewable energy, fisheries, and more are coming together to make this province a leader in innovation. Meagan shares her personal journey, from global governance to running the Co-innovation centre, and her passion for building a future where local and international businesses thrive. 🔹 **Timestamps:**0:00 – Introduction: Allan Dale, Gale Force Wins at the new Co Innovation Center in St. John’s, NL  1:01 – Meet Meagan Kay-Fowlow, President of the Co-Innovation Centre  1:19 – Meagan’s Journey: From Ontario to Newfoundland, and her background in global governance and health  3:00 – Pivoting back to Newfoundland: How the COVID-19 pandemic led Megan and her family to return  4:00 – Growing up in Newfoundland: Meagan’s connection to the community and love for the outdoors  4:53 – The importance of the ocean to Newfoundland’s identity  6:08 – Academic journey: Meagan’s path through Memorial University and beyond  9:01 – Innovation in Waterloo: How the region shaped Meagan’s approach to technology and collaboration  10:00 – The decision to pivot from global governance to global health  12:05 – Embracing career shifts and the challenges of work-life balance  13:06 – Lessons from global governance: Insights into decision-making at the highest levels  15:23 – The reality of working in global health and why it led to Megan’s career shift  17:00 – Pandemic pivot: How a family health crisis solidified the decision to stay in Newfoundland  19:08 – Building a life in Newfoundland: How Meagan and her family settled back into the province  20:30 – Embracing uncertainty and having a high-risk tolerance in life and business  22:02 – The power of collaboration in Newfoundland and Labrador  25:22 – The Co-Innovation Center: Vision for cross-industry collaboration in the province  27:48 – Supporting innovation across industries: The role of the centre in the tech, mining, and aquaculture sectors  30:04 – Engaging with industry associations to foster collaboration  33:01 – The unique spirit of collaboration in Newfoundland and how it drives innovation  36:00 – The future of the co-innovation centre: Expansion and new opportunities  39:01 – Bringing rural Newfoundland and Labrador into the innovation ecosystem  41:10 – The importance of process innovation and modernization in established industries  43:55 – Engaging youth in innovation: Creating pathways for the next generation  46:15 – How hackathons and innovation challenges can drive progress across sectors  48:03 – The future of the Co-Innovation Center: Membership models and space access  51:00 – Meagan’s advice for navigating career shifts and staying true to your values  55:03 – Tour of the Co-Innovation Center: Café, collaboration spaces, and more  58:01 – Light industrial space and future development plans  1:00:25 – Final thoughts: How Newfoundland and Labrador can leapfrog into the future of innovation  1:03:12 – Conclusion: The importance of leadership and collaboration for the province’s future  Tune in to hear Meagan’s inspiring story and learn about the exciting innovations transforming Newfoundland and Labrador into a global leader in tech and business. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more conversations with thought leaders shaping the future!Gale Force Wins started out simply as an inspirational podcast releasing episodes wherever you get your podcasts every Tuesday evening. We continue to do that every Tuesday but have expanded into custom content for clients. We also have perfected a conference and trade show offering where you can receive over 20 videos edited and posted to social media at the same time the event is unfolding.For businesses and organizations we also create digital content quickly and efficiently.Visit our services page here:https://galeforcewins.com/servicesTo message Gerry visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerrycarew/To message Allan visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allanadale/