Edmonton Unlimited Welcomes New CEO, Tom Viinikka
April 17 2024 - 9:30AM
Edmonton Unlimited is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom
Viinikka as its new CEO, empowering the organization to scale and
deliver on its purpose of elevating local innovators toward
international impact.
The selection follows a rigorous Western Canadian search process
conducted by a committee of the Edmonton Unlimited Board of
Directors, with the support of an executive recruitment firm. The
Board met with a wide range of high-quality internal and external
candidates.
“Tom is a highly capable leader with deep experience in the
entrepreneurial, startup, economic development, film and screen,
energy, and venture mentoring sectors,” says Lindsay Dodd, Board
Chair. “The Board is confident that Tom’s network in the local
ecosystem, passion, and creativity will inspire the Edmonton
Unlimited team to accelerate the vision and shape of the
organization. Tom is a leader who will unite our globally
recognized innovation community to create jobs and contribute to
the city’s enduring economic vitality, resiliency and
identity.”
Tom Viinikka spent the past 18 years in executive, operational,
ownership, investing, strategic advisory, and economic development
roles. Tom most recently held the role of CEO of the Edmonton
Screen Industries Office (ESIO). He brings to Edmonton Unlimited
strong working relationships with the City of Edmonton, other key
organizations around the city, the province, and in Calgary. He
holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business
with a minor in Business Law.
“As an entrepreneur and investor, I have founded, built,
acquired, invested in, and sold successful businesses in the
technology, construction, retail and oilfield services industries,”
says Tom Viinikka, incoming Edmonton Unlimited CEO. “My entire
career, I have been an entrepreneur and supported entrepreneurs. It
is an honour to collaborate with such a high-performing team at
Edmonton Unlimited—working with innovative, bold entrepreneurs in
our local ecosystem.”
Tom will assume his new role as CEO of Edmonton Unlimited on May
15th, 2024.
Edmonton Unlimited was launched in 2020 to build upon the City’s
Economic Action Plan, bringing together various funding and
innovation partners. Edmonton Unlimited opened its downtown space
in May 2023 to anchor its operations, creating a home for
entrepreneurs, its programs, accelerators, experts, community
events, and partners.
About Edmonton Unlimited
As the City of Edmonton’s innovation agency, we position
Edmonton as an inclusive global innovation capital, supporting
innovators as they create companies and solutions to solve the
planet’s toughest challenges. We help Edmonton’s entrepreneurs
translate their ideas into tangible, growing companies by providing
local innovators with the right assistance at the right time. These
made-in-Edmonton solutions are uniquely designed to meet
international market demands, attract enlightened investment, and
bolster our reputation as a destination of choice for
entrepreneurs, accelerators, and bold multinationals. We contribute
to the city’s enduring economic vitality while fueling jobs,
economic opportunities, and civic pride for all Edmontonians. Learn
more at edmontonunlimited.com.
Lindsay Dodd
Edmonton Unlimited Board Chair
lindsay.dodd@doddcor.com