Mark is the co-author, with Derrick de Kerckhove, of McLuhan for Managers — New Tools for New Thinking. Some of his recent explorations have examined “Generation Gap: Why today’s youth are living in tomorrow’s world,” “The Penguinist Discourse: A critical application of open source software project management to organization development,” “Why Johnny and Janey Can’t Read, and Why Mr. and Ms. Smith Can’t Teach,” “Discovering the Passion in Your Work and Your Life,” “The Ephemeral Artefact – Visions of Cultural Experience in 2020,” “How to Know What Business You’re Really In,” “Integral Awareness in the Connected Society,” “The Cultural Paradox of the Internet,” and “Creating a Culture of Innovation.” His recently completed research proposes the notion of “role*” (pronounced “role star”) through which people can become aware of the effects of the roles they play, and how to actualize these effects to achieve personal motivation, engagement and passion throughout their lives.

Mark is often called on to provide thought leadership on issues relating to consequences of the seemingly massive changes that are occurring throughout society. Most recently, he has been invited to provide keynote addresses to the senior levels of management in Canada’s Public Service, health care researchers and policy makers, teachers, school administrators, and education policy advisors, and senior executives in the advertising, marketing, branding and public relations industry. Internationally, Mark has been called upon to provide a view into the future for the emergence of culture by UNESCO, and at universities in Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Slovak Republic, and elsewhere. The University of Toronto lists Mark in its “blue book” of experts and he is frequently called by major media outlets, including Canada’s three major television networks, and the major newspapers across the country; a feature interview with Mark specifically on his method of strategic engagement appeared several years ago in the Wall Street Journal.

Mark is currently engaged in Ph.D. research at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, the theme of which is A Valence Theory of Organization. His research strives to re-theorize the concept and consequences of organization, creating an emergent model of the “organization of the future” that is consistent with our present conditions of ubiquitous connectivity and pervasive proximity, or “UCaPP.”

An internationally sought lecturer, speaker, facilitator and playshop leader, Mark consults to businesses and government agencies as a strategy advisor to help them gain awareness, perception and insight into complex issues in an environment of continual change.

Mark blogs at What is the (Next) Message?.

Leila brings over a decade of experience in the technology sector to her CEO role. Leila is characterized by her peers and colleagues as a passionate and determined entrepreneur with exceptional leadership skills. She regularly speaks at industry conferences and is an active mentor for young women in technology. Leila can be found blogging at hyperbio.net and she is also an avid long distance runner.

De Vellis previously worked as a senior strategist at Blue State Digital, a progressive internet consulting firm. He was director of Internet communications for Sherrod Brown’s successful 2006 U.S. Senate race in Ohio, deputy internet communications director for Wal-Mart Watch, and was deputy field director for Cuyahoga County, Ohio on the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign. Prior to his full-time work in politics, he was a freelance video editor and motion graphics designer in his home town of Los Angeles. De Vellis graduated from UCLA with a BA in history.

Nancy started HomeStars in Toronto after living through several lengthy home renovation projects. She saw an opportunity to vastly improve the decision making process for homeowners when searching and selecting home improvement companies, by harnessing the power of word-of-mouth in an online medium. The team is currently working on HomeStars 2.0 to build out a stronger community of user content.

Prior to HomeStars, Nancy spent her career in marketing at Kraft Foods in Toronto and Procter & Gamble in The Netherlands. She has an International MBA from RSM Erasmus University in Rotterdam and a BA from University of Western Ontario.

Aww, screw it: I’ve worked as chief speechwriter to Paul Martin and as a writer on This Hour Has 22 Minutes (though not, alas, simultaneously). I’ve written a couple books (which sold tens of copies — combined) and worked for the Globe and Mail and National Post. I’m a partner in a speechwriting firm, Feschuk.Reid, which is based in Ottawa and Toronto. And I write a column and blog for Maclean’s.

There. Whew. I think Scott Feschuk pulled that off okay.

Prior to founding Techdirt Inc., Mike worked in business development and marketing at Release Software, an e-commerce startup, and in marketing at Intel. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations and an MBA — both from Cornell University.

[Editorial note: Congratulations to Mike and the rest of the Techdirt crew for being nominated for a 2007 Webby in the Business Blog category.]

Christine started as an investor with Geocapital Partners, where she funded early Internet and network infrastructure businesses such as Netcom and AXON Networks. Her current board participation includes Backfence, Collaborative Drug Discovery (CDD), Common Sense Media, Digg, Nickel Tour Productions, and O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures. Christine was ranked among the Top 20 Women in Technology in 2000 by AltaVista and holds degrees from Stanford University and Columbia University.

We had a great time at the first mesh meetup, but there are still a few weeks left to mesh ’07 and we’d like to get together again. And this time, it’s political.

Blogger and National Post columnist Andrew Coyne, blogging M.P. Garth Turner, former Paul Martin speechwriter (and of late writer, humourist and blogger) Scott Feschuk and Phil de Vellis, the creator of the “Vote Different” Hillary ’08 YouTube sensation, will be doing a panel at mesh ’07 on what’s happening now with Politics and the Web, but let’s get the conversation started early!

Whether you’re a political blogger, party stalwart, consultant or media observer, or like us just plain fascinated by the impact that the Web is having on the way we discuss, organize and create political change, come on out and join us and folks from the Toronto Web 2.0 community on May 9 for snacks and libations at The Charlotte Room – details and signup at the Upcoming site, and please help to get the word out by forwarding this post to someone you can beat at eight-ball. Worst case, you can settle your political differences the way we were meant to – over libations and pool tables.