Carmen McKell is a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in data science and business development. She is the co-founder and CFO of Avrij Inc, a pioneering sports intelligence company that leverages artificial intelligence to revolutionize athlete scouting and recruitment. Under her leadership, Avrij has secured millions in capital funding and non-dilutive R&D grants, positioning the company as a leader in the rapidly growing global sports analytics market. Carmen has also participated in notable accelerator programs such as Springboard Atlantic (Halifax), Startup Fest (Montreal), and the Canadian Sports Tech Accelerator (Los Angeles), where she cultivated key partnerships and refined strategies to drive scalable growth and international expansion.
Carmen’s entrepreneurial journey spans multiple sectors, where she has founded and led several successful ventures, including EvaluPlan Consulting, BaseMetrics, the Rural HealthResearch Network, the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, and the Center for Data Science Analytics at Houghton University. These accomplishments reflect her ability to transform innovative ideas into sustainable, high-impact organizations.
As CFO of Avrij Inc., Carmen has played a pivotal role in fundraising, investor relations, and financial planning. She excels in crafting strategic investment proposals, building strong relationships with investors and venture capitalists, and managing capital to maximize value creation. Her financial leadership has been instrumental in aligning resources with organizational goals, ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining a focus on innovation.
Carmen’s commitment to fostering innovation extends to education and mentorship. She has guided students in developing impactful data-driven solutions for high-profile clients such as NASCAR, the Texas Rangers, and NFL On Location. Additionally, she spearheaded the development of one of the first Christian liberal arts undergraduate data science programs, which has become a benchmark for integrating hands-on learning with ethical AI practices.
With a proven track record in scaling businesses, cultivating innovation ecosystems, and driving organizational growth, Carmen is uniquely positioned to lead transformative initiatives—whether through preparing companies for acquisition, developing startups, or shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial talent through accelerator programs.