Megan Croft Shapka is the Ecosystem and Partnership Operations Manager at SVG Ventures I THRIVE. She is responsible for supporting the execution of Thrive Canada’s programs and managing government partnerships.

Megan has a diverse background, primarily in the public sector, with experience in industry engagement, business development, client relationship management, government relations, applied research operations management and leadership, program and curriculum development, and communications. A deeply passionate changemaker with a flair for disrupting the status quo by creating innovative processes, she is keenly interested in sustainability, agriculture, and food production.

Megan’s recent roles saw her leading applied research teams and facilities focused on integrated food systems, irrigated crop production, post-harvest and storage techniques, and spatial technologies; establishing strong entrepreneurial ecosystems and support services for small- and medium-sized enterprises; and building and leading incubator programming focused on agriculture innovation and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

She holds a Master of Education degree in Sustainability, Creativity, and Innovation from Cape Breton University, for which she was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Award. She is nearing completion of her MBA, majoring in entrepreneurship with Edinburgh Napier University. Her personal academic research has focused on the evolving role of Canadian colleges to create and scale solutions for sustainability and community well-being, and currently, she’s exploring the topic of women-led entrepreneurship. Other valuable educational pursuits include a bachelor’s degree in communications and a diploma in broadcasting, both of which enable Megan’s exceptional ability to be a connector and leader in the ecosystem.