Peter MacNeil
Senior Investment Manager
As Senior Investment Manager of NSBI Venture Capital since inception in 2001, Peter brings more than 28 years of expertise in financing business and, more specifically, 10 years of venture capital experience. He is also a member of Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and serves as a board member and observer on a number of investee companies.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Peter holds a Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and is a graduate of Venture Capital Institute of the National Venture Capital Association in the U.S. He also holds certificates in various industry training courses. In his spare time, Peter can be found on the green enjoying a round of golf and or at the rink coaching competitive curling.
Barry Burke, MBA, CMA
Investment Manager
Barry joined NSBI Venture Capital’s team in 2009. With over 13 years of accounting and finance experience, Barry provides strong expertise in the areas of internal control, financial reporting and analysis, and corporate finance. Barry currently serves as an observer on the board of a number of investee companies.
Barry holds a Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario), a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University (Halifax, Nova Scotia), and a Certified Management Accountant designation from CMA Nova Scotia. He currently volunteers with CMA Nova Scotia and Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia; as well, Barry is a Finance Committee member of the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia. Barry lives in Dartmouth with his wife, Tara, and their daughter, Amelia.
Lesley A. Wilson
Assistant Investment Manager
Lesley Wilson joined NSBI Venture Capital in 2007 as Assistant Investment Manager. She brings valuable business experience from her role with Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc., as a member of the transaction advisory service group. Lesley offers a broad repertoire of financial industry experience and knowledge.
Lesley is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and University of Windsor (Windsor, Ontario) and has also completed the Canadian Securities Course and a number of industry courses. She is also a member of Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association. Lesley and her daughter Kallista are avid members of the Halifax running and swimming community and enjoy everything living in Nova Scotia has to offer.
Stephen Lund
President & Chief Executive Officer
Stephen is a 20-year veteran of the financial industry and brings a broad and professional outlook to Nova Scotia Business Inc. He leads a group of accomplished, business-focused employees who work to strengthen Nova Scotia’s economy through business growth.
Before he joined the NSBI team, Stephen was Vice-President of Working Ventures Canadian Fund, Canada’s largest national venture capital firm, where he led investing activities for the fund in Atlantic Canada. His work experience includes running an offshore mutual fund administration company, a lease financing company and several years in corporate commercial banking.
He is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and Queen’s University and has also completed a number of executive courses at Queen’s and Harvard. He is on the Board at the IWK Health Centre, Neptune Theatre, and a number of business associations. He and his wife, Sandy, and sons, Connor and Shaun, are active members of the arts and cultural community in Halifax as well as avid sports participants.
Pat Ryan
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
As Nova Scotia Business Inc.’s Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Pat Ryan leads the financing, business advisory, and trade development teams who work together to support business growth in the province. Pat joined the province’s business development agency in April 2002, bringing with him 24 years experience in the banking and venture capital industries.
Most recently, he was the Director of Investment for InNOVAcorp, where he looked after the corporation’s early-stage equity investment portfolio. Before that, he held positions in administration, human resources, and personal and commercial banking during a 19-year career at the Bank of Montreal. He has worked closely with small and medium-sized business clients throughout Atlantic Canada.
A native of Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, Pat has a business degree from Acadia University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute of the National Venture Capital Association in the U.S. Pat and his wife Coleen have a son, Liam, and a daughter, Kaitlin.