Bio
Heather Pratt is currently the Executive Director, Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor. With over 15 years of experience in progressive research administration, Heather has played a leading role in the development of the University of Windsor’s research enterprise and the expansion of its scope. During her tenure, the University’s research funding levels have nearly doubled and its research mandate has broadened significantly to sustain increasing support for technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Heather is a founding Director of the University of Windsor’s Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre). EPICentre is a collaborative, campus-wide initiative, designed to encourage entrepreneurship and accelerate small business start-ups, which Heather has helped see to fruition and continues to guide. Heather draws on a wealth of industry experience garnered over 15 years in the Canadian automotive manufacturing sector. Before coming to the University of Windsor, she held positions as Controller, Operations Manager, and Vice-President, Operations for organizations in Windsor-Essex’s Tool and Die and Plastics sectors. Heather is actively involved in committee and board work and currently serves on the Board of Directors of WEtech Alliance and Windsor Botanical Therapeutics. She is an alumna of the University of Windsor where she earned her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelors of Business Studies, Accounting.