Our Team
Jason Trask
Director
Email:jtrask@mun.ca
Jason Trask is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with over 35 years of experience founding, scaling, and advising companies across a range of industries including technology, real estate, and other industries.
A Memorial University alumnus, Jason began his entrepreneurial journey as a student, founding his first company in junior high school, second and third companies in high school and founding and operating a tech company while completing his Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) degree.
He successfully sold his first tech company after graduation, along with a second venture, and has since remained deeply committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Jason previously served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at MCE, where he mentored nearly 400 students and startup founders. He played a key role in supporting companies that went on to achieve global growth, secure major financing, and earn international recognition.
While EIR, MCE was twice named one of the top five emerging entrepreneurship centers in the world by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers. His startup experience includes acceptance into elite accelerator programs in Canada, the U.S., and Asia—both as a founder and as a mentor—including Techstars, CTA (Hong Kong), Plug and Play, Thrive, CDL, Propel ICT, and Genesis.
With hands-on experience building global companies, raising tens of millions in capital, and developing markets and partnerships across four continents, Jason brings a practical and strategic lens to student entrepreneurship.
At MCE, he champions student-driven innovation, startup acceleration, and the expansion of Memorial’s entrepreneurial impact—locally and globally.
Erandi Rajapaksha
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Email: mce@mun.ca
Erandi Rajapaksha is the Events and Marketing Coordinator at the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. She recently completed her MBA at University Canada West and holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce, specializing in Entrepreneurship, from her home country of Sri Lanka.
Before joining MCE, Erandi held roles at Regus and University Canada West, where she gained valuable experience in business support and student engagement. Erandi also worked as a university lecturer in entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, bringing with her a strong passion for entrepreneurial education and a deep commitment to supporting student success. She is also interested in conducting entrepreneurial research, with particular focus areas in female entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial mindset, and digital transformation.
Outside of work, Erandi has a unique background as a former national basketball and netball player for Sri Lanka, and later went on to coach both sports. In her free time, she loves cooking, shooting hoops, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Kristen Marumoto
Programs Manager
email:kmarumoto@mun.ca
Kristen Marumoto is the Program Manager at the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship, where she works closely with student entrepreneurs, supporting venture exploration, early validation, and connecting them to Memorial’s broader entrepreneurship programming.
Kristen brings hands-on experience from both sides of the startup journey. She began her career at PUSH, a Toronto-based wearable technology startup acquired by WHOOP in 2021, before moving into roles that focused on directly supporting founders through regional innovation centres and accelerator programs. Her work has consistently involved one-on-one advising, founder onboarding, and helping entrepreneurs navigate the uncertainty of early-stage decision-making.
She later transitioned into early-stage private equity at DNA Angels, where she worked with more than 150 startups and gained a deep understanding of what investors look for, how funding decisions are made, and where founders often struggle to articulate opportunity and traction. Through her work in private equity she later co-founded a consulting business called Insights to Markets designed for would-be founders to further explore idea validation before quitting their day jobs and giving them the confidence to move their idea(s) forward, and practical next steps.
At MCE, Kristen draws on this experience to help student founders connect ideas to viable ventures, strengthen their business fundamentals, and engage meaningfully with Newfoundland and Labrador’s startup ecosystem.
Jessica Chukwu
Innovation and Data Support Assistant (Student staff)
Email: mcecoop@mun.ca
Jessica is the Innovation & Data Support Assistant with the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. In her current role, she supports data analytics and operational processes, and assists MCE by advising on effective ways to incorporate artificial intelligence into their workflows
A Term 5 Computer Engineering student at Memorial University, Jessica has worked with peers from diverse engineering disciplines and across various industries, bringing fresh ideas and technical perspectives into MCE’s initiatives. She combines analytical thinking with creativity, helping improve internal processes and support data-driven decision-making across the organization.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys photography and serves in her local church. Born and raised in Nigeria, she finds joy in music, good food, and shared experiences with friends and family.
Afia Obeng
Social Media Assistant + Student Ambassador Team Lead (Student staff)
Email: mcecoop@mun.ca
Afia is the Social Media Marketing Assistant with the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. She is completing a Master’s in Environmental Systems Engineering and Management and has been with MCE since January 2025, helping to create engaging content, manage campaigns and events, and build connections with the community.
Afia has always enjoyed social media and content creation, first as a hobby and now as a passion to support MCE’s mission. She loves helping startups and students share their stories online and connect with opportunities to grow.
Originally from Ghana, Afia now calls St. John’s home. When she’s not crafting posts or managing campaigns, you’ll find her baking, traveling, or exploring new ways to create digital content.
Taylor Sinnott
Programming and Communications Assistant (Student staff)
Email: mceprograms@mun.ca
Taylor is the Programming and Communications Assistant with the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. She began her journey with MCE in 2023 as an Event Support and Experience Ventures Intern, where she gained valuable experience in event coordination and program support.
In her current role, she contributes to the planning, marketing, and execution of MCE’s programs, supporting logistics, communications, and outreach. A Business Administration student at Memorial University with a concentration in Marketing, Taylor also has experience as a social media marketing coordinator, working with local businesses to strengthen their online presence and broaden their audiences. She brings creativity, organization, and a strong communications background to every project.
Outside of work, Taylor blends her love of fashion with her advocacy for Crohn’s disease awareness, using creativity and openness to connect with others navigating similar challenges. Born and raised in St. John’s, she enjoys music, dance, writing, and adventuring with her partner.
