Monique Simair

Monique Simair is a PhD biogeochemist by training. After graduating to an economy with few jobs and too many graduates, Monique decided to create jobs by founding her first clean-tech company, Contango Strategies, in 2010. She sold Contango to a publicly traded company eight years later.

In 2019, Monique founded another high-growth clean-tech company, Maven Water & Environment, based in Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce named Maven the 2023 Business of the Year, and also awarded Maven the Growth and Expansion Award.

Monique was named the 2021 Eco Impact Winner by Eco Canada. Profit and Chatelaine magazines have profiled her as a top entrepreneurial leader. She was the youngest member appointed to Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Council. Monique is also an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan and mentors entrepreneurs and scientists through several venture-building organizations.