OUR MISSION
To resolve global challenges by connecting clients to funding.
We believe in the value of our services. Our goal is to educate, advise, and assist the most innovative organizations to reach their funding potential and flourish as a result.
The GrantMatch team is a diverse and growing group of individuals who are united in their expertise of the government funding and incentive landscape. We cut through the confusion, uncovering the specific financial resources so you can focus on taking your operations to the next level.
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OUR CULTURE
GrantMatch is an equal opportunity employer. We understand that diversity means strength and we build our team accordingly.
We look for individuals with unique life experiences, big goals, great attitudes, and commitment to life-long learning. The nature of our business is rooted in adaptability. Whether your background is in Finance, Economics, Political Science, or English Literature, we leverage unique perspectives to add maximum value within our organization, and for our clients. GrantMatch maintains a leading team of dedicated funding professionals: our people are what make us unique.
PEOPLE
Meet our team
Executive Team
Mike Janke
Managing Partner
Mike, Managing Partner of GrantMatch, founded Onager Solutions in 2010, growing the government incentives firm for 5 years before joining forces with GrantMatch (formerly Fairtax). Mike’s entrepreneurial drive was instrumental in the development of the GrantMatch™ platform; Mike now leads the GrantMatch™ development team as well as the company’s technical team.
Dan Civiero
Managing Partner
Founder and Managing Partner of GrantMatch (formerly Fairtax), Dan helps companies access funding through grants and incentives, indirect sales tax, and SR&ED ITCs. He oversees the operations of the company and provides quality assurance on every large client filing and each major client interaction to ensure no viable opportunity is left behind, so the client receives maximum funding.
Dieter Eisbrenner
President
Dieter is a results-driven executive with over 25 years of experience in government funding, including tax credits and grants and incentives. Dieter leverages GrantMatch’s AI-captured funding data to consult with Fortune 500 companies on a proactive basis as a skilled government funding strategist. His skill set spans all operational areas with a core focus on maximizing clients’ recovery strategies across a variety of programs.
Christine O'Brien
Vice President, Operations
As Vice-President of Operations, Christine directs, coordinates, and oversees the technical, data, and software teams at GrantMatch. Graduate of the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce, major in Economics, and minors in French and Spanish, Christine provides day-to-day leadership and focuses on developing overall strategies and processes for the company to meet current and future needs.
Business Development Team
Kevin Blanks
Marketing Coordinator
Kevin is a skilled Marketing Coordinator at GrantMatch, combining a Political Science and Psychology degree from the University of Waterloo with expertise in digital marketing and CRM management. Specializing in many areas he drives impactful marketing campaigns, SaaS development, and digital advertising. His data-driven approach and focus on optimizing user experiences helps businesses secure government funding.
Michael Grach
Senior Director of Business Development
Michael is a results driven sales professional with over 15 years experience specializing in Government grant funding, sales tax and SR&ED tax credits. Michael’s success is fueled by his desire to provide real value to his clients by helping them create a grant funding strategy that aligns with the organization’s plans for growth and competitiveness.
Gibson Ingram
Director, Product Marketing & Growth
As Director of Product Marketing & Growth, Gibson leads the development and go-to-market activities for the GrantMatch Hub SAAS platform. Gibson also leads the in-house marketing department, and is an active member of the business development team. Gibson holds an Honours Communications Studies degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Chartered Marketer as designated by the Canadian Marketing Association.
Peter Kimpton
Director, Corporate Affairs
Peter is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in sales and business development. His exceptional communications skills, strong worth ethic, and keen attention to detail allow him to play an integral part within the GrantMatch team.
Luis Scheinkerman
Senior Director, Corporate Affairs & External Relations
Luis is an accomplished senior professional with over 25 years of international experience leading strategic initiatives in communications, public relations, and external affairs. He is a multilingual contract negotiator recognized among Fortune 500 companies. Luis has earned an MBA, MHRM, and a PGDCSR from the Isabel I University, as well as a Certificate in Negotiation from the Osgoode Hall Law School. In addition, he also has a Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School.
Michele Trempe
Senior Director of Business Development
Michele is a high energy, passionate team player with a wealth of experience. She previously worked in Sales Tax Recovery and has over 20 years of business experience in sales and leadership. She holds an Honours Business Administration Diploma from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from York University.
Funding & Incentives Team
Emma Boylan
Funding Specialist
Emma has been working in the government grants and tax incentives industry since 2018. She majored in English and History at the University of Toronto, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Emma also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Writing and Communications from Humber College. She enjoys learning about various businesses and helping clients execute their projects using her research and writing skills.
Lola Bridges
Funding Specialist
With 20 years of writing and project management experience, Lola is equipped with an extensive understanding of proposal writing and government funding. Her purpose-driven approach to the municipal sector demonstrates how narrative can transform community plans into attractive, investment-ready projects. She has secured millions of funding dollars for Canadian municipal clients since joining GrantMatch. Lola earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Calgary.
Andrew Cleary
Senior Funding Specialist
Andrew has over 9 years’ experience in funding management, specializing in the food & beverage, manufacturing, and municipal sectors. He leverages his analytical and client management skills to effectively communicate and expertly guide clients through the government funding process from start to finish. Andrew earned Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Business & Financial Mathematics from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Alanna Cretney
Senior Funding Analyst
Alanna has over 3 years' experience crafting clear and precise funding applications for complex projects. With a Ph.D. in History from Queen’s University, Alanna utilizes her academic background, her strong technical writing skills, and a collaborative approach to projects to develop compelling written narratives on behalf of clients across a range of industries and sectors.
Rebecca Crilly
Senior Funding Specialist
Rebecca has over 8 years’ experience in grant management, with a focus on Fortune 500 companies in the food & beverage and manufacturing sectors. She expertly aligns large, complex projects with funding programs while building strong relationships with clients and government representatives. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto.
Nick Favero
Funding Specialist
Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University. As a Funding Specialist, Nick builds on his experience as a Financial Advisor and Investment Representative to effectively serve clients. Nick has an analytical mind that enables him to approach complex tasks strategically and communicate solutions effectively.
Corey Mcdaker
Funding Team Lead, United States
Corey McDaker is an experienced and driven leader who has spent over a decade working with individuals and organizations to successfully secure government funding. With a dual focus on project identification and strategy development for clients in both Canada and the US, Corey is dedicated to GrantMatch's mission of solving global challenges by connecting clients to funding.
Peter Gilfoy
Senior Funding Specialist
Peter excels in managing client relations to ensure the clients’ needs are surpassed while maximizing incentive values. Peter has been successful in securing funding in multiple jurisdictions throughout Canada and the United States and manages relationships with government representatives. Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University with a major in Global Business Management and minors in German and French.
Tony Klopp
VP, Commodity Tax Recovery
Tony heads up Fairtax, GrantMatch’s indirect tax division. He has been with the company since the very beginning. After twenty years in the business, he is still eager to broaden his tax knowledge and take on new challenges with new clients. Tony is happy to answer client questions and provide more information about our indirect tax recovery service.
Ralph MacKelvie
Senior Funding Specialist
Ralph received an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba. He has held senior accounting positions in a range of industries and attained the CMA designation, receiving the Gold Medal for Manitoba on the comprehensive final. Ralph’s experience in information technology has been invaluable in implementing the data analysis techniques GrantMatch employs on large data populations.
Ken Mison
Senior Funding Analyst
Ken’s background in market research was developed over a 30-year career in which he advised national and multi-national businesses on customer service, process design, and communications. He is the recipient of Canada’s highest market research award – the Pinnacle Award from the Market Research Intelligence Association – for work he did with Plan Canada. A graduate of Carleton University, Ken applies his vast knowledge of industries to develop strong funding applications.
Kayla Thiessen
Senior Funding Analyst
Kayla holds a bachelor's degree in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo. She excels in navigating government funding processes to help clients secure the funding they need to realize their goals, crafting compelling narratives to effectively communicate the value of each project. Passionate about environmental sustainability, Kayla's academic background gives her a unique perspective, enhancing her expertise in a diverse range of funding applications.
Imane Menni
Funding Specialist, Bilingual
Fluent in both French and English, Imane specializes in Quebec-based projects and French-language funding programs. With a deep knowledge of available grant programs, Imane helps companies identify relevant funding opportunities, craft compelling project proposals, and efficiently navigate the grant application process. Her nuanced understanding of Quebec's funding landscape allows her to offer tailored guidance to businesses, increasing their probability of securing funding.
Stephanie Piercy
Senior Funding Analyst
Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Guelph. Having applied her technical writing skills within a broad range of settings, from tech startups to major financial institutions, she has experience authoring documents in a clear and consistent voice to deliver a strong message.
Michelle Talsma
Senior Funding Analyst
Michelle leverages her exceptional writing skills, charismatic personality, and creative yet analytical mindset to support clients in their pursuit of government funding. Having lived and worked in Peru, Michelle has experience pushing herself beyond her comfort zone to achieve what previously felt impossible. She draws on her unique perspective to enrich her contributions to both clients and colleagues. Michelle holds a degree in English and Art from the University of Guelph.
Roberto Pegoraro
Partnerships Liason
Roberto has over 30 years of experience in policy and management positions in the Ontario Government including at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, the Ministry of Finance, and Cabinet Office. As a Funding Analyst, he brings his strong research and analytical skills and extensive experience in collaborating with individuals to assist clients navigate through the latest information in grant programs and develop effective funding strategies.
Tanya Joseph
Funding Analyst
Tanya brings a unique blend of academic expertise and practical experience to her role as a Funding Analyst. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo, majoring in Honours Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Having honed her research and writing skills during her academic pursuits and co-op terms at GrantMatch, she seamlessly integrates her knowledge into the realm of funding incentives. Now, Tanya continues to use her creative expertise and analytical skills to enhance projects, infusing her innovative ideas and approaches into her work.
Data & Software Team
Fahim Al Sami
Senior Software Developer
Fahim is a Software Developer with a passion for coding and cyber security. With a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering from Lakehead University, Fahim uses his background and knowledge of software development to support the continuous evolution of GrantMatch's scalable platform, ensuring we can serve our clients well.
Lisa Doria
Research Analyst
Lisa’s role as a Research Analyst is a very diverse one, making it a perfect fit for her entrepreneurial spirit. Lisa studied business at Ryerson University and Sheridan College. Aside from her experience as an entrepreneur, Lisa was previously a Production and Raw Material Planner. Her client-focused approach helps her to ensure that customer satisfaction is always at the forefront.
Abdul Hanan Khan
Data Engineer
With a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Computer Engineering and experience supporting business growth as a Data Engineer/Scientist, Abdul brings an invaluable skillset to the GrantMatch team. He continually stays abreast of the latest advancements in Data Science and Data Engineering technology, allowing GrantMatch to leverage massive data sets through developments in machine learning, algorithm design, and data mining techniques.
Carly Pearce
Communication and Automation Coordinator
Carly earned a Joint Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa, specializing in History and Political Science. Throughout her degree she found a passion for writing and research, which she is now pursuing as our newest member of the Data team.
Kaitlyn Morris
Data Librarian
Kaitlyn has a Master's of Library and Information Science from Western University with a focus on information organization, metadata, and access. She has a degree in Political Science and English Literature from Nipissing University, and a postgrad in Journalism from Humber College. With 15 years of customer service experience and time spent among not-for-profits, her passion for information makes her a valuable addition to the GrantMatch data team.
Trista Morris
Manager, Data & Research
Trista completed a double major in English Literature and Political Science from Nipissing University. She also completed a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science with an emphasis on information management from Western University. Trista has a highly analytical mind and thrives on tasks related to data manipulation, analysis, detailed reporting, and making sense of complex data sets.
Operations Team
Deborah Dunsire
Financial Services Administrator
Deborah is a CPA with a wealth of experience in both the Public and Private Sectors. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and has operated two small business ventures using her effective customer service and organizational skills. As a dedicated team player, Deborah utilizes critical thinking to solve complex challenges to meet the individual and unique needs of all current and future clients at GrantMatch.
Melissa Mcintyre
Human Resources Specialist
As Human Resources Specialist, Melissa takes a creative approach to human resource strategy and collaborates with the management team to continue to promote our culture and values. She is a graduate of Carleton University, major in Psychology, and graduate of the Human Resources Management program at Fanshawe College. Melissa's 5 years of human resource experience specializing in employee engagement, culture and policies makes her a great addition to the already well-established team.
Natalie Petit
Accountant
Natalie has a global perspective, holding a degree in Economics and a Master of Business Administration, along with a CPA, CMA Certification. Natalie has diverse work experience in Corporate Financial and Management Reporting, and has developed strong relationship building, analytical, and writing skills through her work in commercial banking, where she worked to achieve win-win client solutions.
Chelsey Macneil
Operations Manager
Chelsey first developed a thorough understanding of the process involved in securing government funding over four years working as a Sr. Funding Analyst with GrantMatch. She now utilizes that breadth of knowledge to direct day-to-day operations of the Funding & Incentives Team, manage special projects, and support in strategic planning for the wider team. She earned a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs & Modern Languages from the Georgia Institute of Technology.