November 4, 2024 - Cyber Security VC Funded Startup Mathieu Lavoie, Shy by Design Michael Thompson and Re.Direct Kendryah Smith

School for Startups Radio

Mathieu Lavoie – Co-Founder of Flare Systems

Mathieu Lavoie is the Co-Founder of Flare Systems, where they have been working since April 2017. Prior to that, they held various positions in the field of cybersecurity at Desjardins from October 2014 to December 2018. They also worked as a Malware Analyst at ESET in April 2013. Mathieu Lavoie holds a Baccalauréat en génie des technologies de l’information from École de technologie supérieure, where they studied from 2010 to 2014. They also attended Cégep du Vieux Montréal from 2008 to 2010.
Michael Thompson – Communication Strategist, Storytelling Coach, and Author of Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out

Michael Thompson is a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, his stutter and social anxiety kept him from pursuing his goals. By turning his supposed weaknesses into his greatest strengths, he developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News. His new book is Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out (Rowman & Littlefield, July 16, 2024).
Kendryah Smith – Founding Executive at RE.DIRECT

Kendryah is one of the three founding executives of RE.DIRECT. She is known for her exceptional networking skills, driven personality, and larger-than-life faith. Overcoming hardship and difficulty has propelled her to excel as a young entrepreneur, even when all odds were against her. She is passionate about encouraging and serving others, being an example of how all things are possible with consistency, a tenacious spirit, and a willingness to learn. Finding significant success in the digital landscape while simultaneously identifying market gaps was the launching pad and open door she needed to help birth the ideas behind RE.DIRECT. She is committed to excellence and is thrilled and honored to be part of this problem-solving, groundbreaking opportunity and business model. If Kendryah isn’t sharpening her marketing and sales skills, leading worship, or going on outdoor adventures, she is probably sitting in the sun somewhere sipping coffee, kayaking, or camping with her beautiful family—her four young sons and her wonderful, studly husband.