About

About Dino Miele

Living amidst the captivating beauty of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, Dino Miele is a prominent figure within the innovation ecosystem. His passion lies in empowering inspired founders, connecting potential investors, and promoting technologies that accelerate startup growth. He is the Chief Technology Innovation Officer in his hometown of Niagara On The Lake, and his dedication knows no bounds. He is also a genuine sports enthusiast with a special love for soccer, hockey, football, and cycling.

As a dynamic ‘give first’ leader, His philosophy seamlessly integrates a spirit of perseverance and professionalism into his actions and decisions, driving personal and organizational objectives forward.

The Tale of An Innovation Builder

He takes immense pride in being the founder and Special Advisor of the Spark Innovation Educational Centre Inc. (a not-for-profit incubator) and Spark Enterprises Inc. (a for-profit accelerator). These community-based centers support startups and founders in exploring innovative ideas, launching products, and growing their businesses. His unwavering commitment has been pivotal in nurturing a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem centered around digital transformation technologies.

He is honored to co-found the Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub, a collaborative endeavor with Toronto Metropolitan University’s DMZ (Formerly Ryerson University) and the City of Niagara Falls. His tireless efforts aim to bridge the experience of seasoned entrepreneurs with the ambition of young founders. His current undertaking involves a Cross-Generational startup accelerator that fosters synergies between experienced entrepreneurs and ambitious young minds.

A Fulfilling Career in Service of Society Through Technology

His stewardship as the Chief Information Officer for the District School Board of Niagara spanned an impressive 38 years. Throughout this tenure, He facilitated the ICT ecosystem to support student achievement, underscoring his commitment to education and the opportunities that digital technologies bring. This highlights his profound dedication and professionalism in transforming the lives of young minds.

He is deeply committed to revolutionizing education through innovation and technology. He firmly believes in the potential of EdTech and STEAM education as catalysts to empower the next generation of learners and entrepreneurs. Through his work, He aspires to inspire educators and students alike to embrace new possibilities, nurture creativity, and develop a lifelong love for learning.

He aims to rally communities and businesses to join him on this exciting journey as he reimagines education and shapes a brighter future for students and communities.

As a passionate EdTech instructor and innovator holding a Master of Education degree, His expertise lies in creating cutting-edge educational technology (EdTech) innovations and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs, as well as soft skill micro-credentials for educators and students.

Part of His legacy encompasses initiatives like Girls-Learning-Code, Technovation, Women in Tech, Black Youth, and Cyber-Senior programs. His endeavors include STEAM (STEM) learning programs integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to foster problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students and educators. Additionally, He plays a vital role in the “Youth 2 Action program,” introducing newcomer youth (14-24 years old) to various volunteer and civic engagement opportunities through event planning, project coordination, and skills training workshops.

Dino Miele is a respected member of notable organizations such as the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN), representing CIOs, CISOs, and IT Executives in Canada. He is also a member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), a not-for-profit, self-governing organization in Ontario, Canada, promoting the interests of engineering and applied science technicians and technologists to industry, educational institutions, government, and the public. Additionally, He is affiliated with the Forbes Business Council, Global Entrepreneurship Network, and ‘Beyond Startup Niagara.’ To this day, He continues to be a source of inspiration through His exceptional dedication and professional expertise in Canada.

As the co-founder of several community-based innovation centers, He has spearheaded initiatives that empower educators and students alike in computer programming and skilled trades. Mainly through His present program, “Beyond Startup Niagara,” he and his team have developed micro-credential courses to bridge the gap in technology, innovation, intrapreneurship, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.

One remarkable contribution was the creation of the Ultimate Gaming Challenge, a distinctive platform that combines game-based learning, critical thinking skills, design thinking, problem-solving, coding, and gamification challenges. This immersive environment allows students to learn hands-on while honing essential 21st-century skills. By harnessing the power of gaming, they strive to make education more engaging, interactive, and impactful.

Harmonizing Sustainability with Passion: Indoor Farming

His hobbies mirror his values of sustainable living. He practices indoor farming with aeroponics and microgreens, merging his love for the environment with the thrill of cultivating fresh, nutrient-dense greens. This captivating hobby aligns perfectly with the principles of zero-mile agriculture, echoing his fervor for minimizing environmental impact while contributing to global efforts to alleviate hunger. His sustainable and space-conscious cultivation ventures testify to his innovative approach to societal concerns, much like his professional life.

A Pivotal Role in Social Upliftment

He extends his contributions to society through active volunteering for various causes. He has been deeply involved with charities like ‘Socks and Snacks’ and the ‘United Way,’ which aim to provide food and clothing to people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, He volunteers with renewing computer tech, assisting under-represented individuals, including single mothers and black youth, by providing STEAM workshops and refurbished computers and laptops.

His future endeavors are closely aligned with his commitment to social upliftment. He plans to launch experiential education through STEAM programs to provide elementary school students from lower economic backgrounds with opportunities for critical thinking and design learning. Another noteworthy project involves launching the community’s first Impact Hub to provide skilled trade apprenticeship students with soft skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial abilities.

Dino A. Miele C.E.T., Bsoc, M.Ed.

With a distinguished career spanning IT, business, innovation management, healthcare, and experiential education, Dino Miele brings a wealth of skills to the table. His expertise includes Corporate Strategy, Business Alignment, Operational Management, Cloud and Network Services, Cyber Security, Educational Technology, Design Thinking, IT Service Management, Team Building, Coaching, and Business efficiencies. His high-performing organizational leadership style is marked by a strategic approach to leadership and removing obstacles and barriers to improving business and people performance.