Advisory Board
SkillsMeridian's Advisory Board is comprised of a diverse group of professionals with a wealth of global experience. Their vision and insight is inspiring and keeps us focused on delivering outstanding results for our customers, our candidates and our employees.
Nikolai Bratkovski
Nikolai Bratkovski is a serial entrepreneur who advanced from holding numerous development and project management positions at several small software companies to founding his own software development company Impulse Systems Inc. Soon after, he co-founded SIMMS/Diamedx Inc., where he currently serves as CTO. In this position, he orchestrates the design and development of highly complex web-based enterprise software for medical imaging centres. Combining his extensive network in Eastern Europe with expertise in software development methodologies, he established two highly effective R&D offices overseas. Meanwhile, he is working on his next venture where he will synthesize the social media and healthcare industries. Mr. Bratkovski received his Bachelor of Administrative Studies from York University in Toronto. He is an active participant in Toronto's rich technology community and a spirited evangelist of agile development methodologies.
Susan Hutt
Susan Hutt has more than 20 years of experience in the Software industry. She has held executive and management positions with some of North America’s most successful companies. Susan currently holds the position of Senior Vice President, Services for Camilion Solutions responsible for professional services, education services and customer support. Prior to Camilion, Susan held the position of Senior Vice President, Global Services for Workbrain. Preceding Workbrain, Susan worked 10 years at PeopleSoft as an executive in their Global Services Division. During her tenure at PeopleSoft, Susan held a variety of positions including responsibility for the customer base and all services in Canada, development of an offshore centre in India, a variety of global Professional Services practices and the creation of new and emerging services. Susan holds a Bachelor of Mathematics Degree from the University of Waterloo.
Jerry Kreindler
Jerry Kreindler is Counsel with Gaertner Tobin LLP, Toronto, Canada, and is a member of the Bar of Ontario, Canada. He received his B.A. from McGill University and he holds law degrees from Queen Mary College, University of London and the University of Ottawa. He has had over 20 years experience working as a business and immigration lawyer in private practice and as a former General Counsel for two major multinational corporations – Honeywell Information Systems and Honda Canada Inc. Jerry's business immigration practice focuses on NAFTA professionals, intra-company transfers, work permits, labour market opinions, investors, entrepreneurs, provincial nominees, permanent residence, temporary resident permits and rehabilitation applications (waivers). Jerry regularly acts for domestic and international organizations on cross-border transfers of personnel and their families. He also provides advice and assistance to private individuals who want to acquire Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status, or who want visas to work or study in Canada.
Rajesh Krishnaswami
Rajesh has held various management positions with some of North America's successful companies such as PeopleSoft, Oracle and Workbrain. With more than 17 years of enterprise software services experience, he has a proven track record of delivering exceptional client services. During his tenure, Rajesh has held various positions including responsibilities for delivering technology solutions to a global customer base, growing a global professional technology services practice, managing hosting and managed services delivery organizations and creation of new emerging services. Rajesh has managed off shore, remote delivery organizations in multiple geographies like India, Middle East and North America and has extensive off shore workforce management expertise.
Alan McMillan
Alan has been an Entrepreneur in the technology world for 20 years and in the Internet business from the beginning stages. He is an executive that has founded several Internet companies, worked in the Venture business and has lived and worked around the World. He has had fun in creating profitable businesses for shareholders, while feeling privileged in working with some of the greatest people in the industry. Today you will find him doing what he loves most, working with early stage SaaS companies at Omazo Ventures Inc. in Toronto.
Bala Puvitharan, Msc, P.Eng, CMA, ACMA
Bala’s background includes over 20 years of international and domestic experience in strategic planning, finance, engineering, information technology, project management, and operations. Bala is currently with W.W. Grainger Inc. as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, International, responsible for global information technology. Prior to joining Acklands – Grainger, Bala was with Canada Life Financial Corporation as Vice President, Enterprise Financial and Corporate Systems where he was responsible for global ERP system implementation, process engineering, and shared services. Further, Bala held senior business, finance, and engineering roles within Bombardier, Boeing, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, and Deloitte Consulting. Bala holds a P.Eng (Professional Engineer, Ontario, Canada), a CMA (Certified Management Accountant, Ontario, Canada) and an ACMA (Chartered Management Accountant, United Kingdom). Bala has a M.Sc., and a B.Sc. Honors in Industrial Engineering and Management. He was a recipient of Scholastic All-American award from United States Achievement Academy. Bala is active in community events as an organizer and participant and supports various charities.
