Communitech Announces Leadership Transition

Chris Albinson steps down, Jennifer Gruber takes on role of interim CEO

KITCHENER, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Communitech today announced that Chris Albinson will step down as CEO. Over the past three-and-a-half years, Albinson has been a passionate advocate for tech startup founders at every stage of their journeys. His continuous advocacy and support have made a significant impact for founders across Waterloo Region, Ontario and Canada. Albinson has played a key role in strengthening our tech ecosystem and community.

“Leading Communitech has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Albinson. “Communitech is in a strong position. We’re supporting more founders than we have in several years, and with a solid long-term foundation in place, it’s the right time for the next generation of leadership to take Communitech into the next chapter.”

Jennifer Gruber, Chief Financial Officer at Communitech, will step in as interim CEO. Gruber joined Communitech in 2016 and has more than 15 years of experience in strategic planning and financial management. Prior to her time at Communitech, Gruber held leadership positions at Deloitte. Gruber has also spent 12 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves and actively volunteers, including serving on the audit committee for a regional school board.

“As I step into this interim role, I’m aware of the responsibility to keep our support for founders both strong and effective,” said Gruber. “I’m excited to collaborate with our talented team and entire tech ecosystem to continue building an environment that helps founders start, grow and succeed.”

“Communitech is committed to supporting founders every step of the way. The organization will continue to execute on this work under the strong leadership of Jennifer Gruber while the board begins the search for a new CEO,” said Catherine Graham, Chair of the Communitech Board of Directors. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Chris for all of his contributions and dedication to the organization.”

Communitech will begin the search for a permanent CEO in the coming weeks.

About Communitech

Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed. Established in 1997, our mission has been our guide ever since. We are doubling down on our commitment to elevate Waterloo Region as an innovation hub on the global stage. A strong and vibrant region is essential for a prosperous province and resilient nation. Firmly rooted in our commitment to Tech for Good^®, we collaborate with tech communities from coast to coast to create growth opportunities for our founders. With a unified support network, we are shaping a future where Canadian tech sets trends and sparks inspiration worldwide. Our superpower is the ability to connect, convene and catalyze: we bring people, opportunities and resources together, create space for collaboration and partnerships, and provide the tools and support tech companies need to scale.