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Connector of the Month: Raul Pacheco-Vega | May 2012
Name: Raul Pacheco-Vega, PhD
Work: I have my own consultancy (HB Strategies) out of The Network Hub, and I teach in the Department of Political Science at The University of British Columbia. I am also affiliated faculty in the Latin American Studies Program at UBC
After Work: My secret identity is the socialite known as Hummingbird604, the writer behind Hummingbird604.com, one of Vancouver’s best known travel and lifestyle blogs. I focus on non-profits, charitable events, food, wine, cocktails, travel, dance and theatre, and the fine arts.
Fave Networking Events: The Vancouver Blogger Meetup (full disclosure: I organize it), the Vancouver Entrepreneur Meetup, The Vancouver Small Business Entrepreneur Meetup, Third Tuesday Vancouver.
Networking Advice: Be genuine, authentic, transparent, honest and ALWAYS disclose. And even if you are shy by nature, just tell people you’re shy 
Twitter: @raulpacheco is my professional one, @hummingbird604 is my personal one
Quote to live by: nani gigantum humeris insidentes, which is the basis for Isaac Newton’s If I have seen further is by standing on the shoulders of giants. As an academic, I recognize that any of the knowledge advancement I have done could not have been possible without everyone who studied similar topics (I’m a specialist in comparative environmental policy in North America).
Connector of the Month: Derek Shanahan | April 2012
Name: Derek Shanahan
Work: I’m a co-founder of Foodtree, a web and mobile startup in Vancouver that builds tools to make it easier to know more about what we’re eating, and to discover great food from great food producers near you. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the ways digital communities can bring real value to their members, and how that value translates (and finds its way) offline. For five years I helped build the largest personal blogging community for twenty-somethings in the world, and here in Vancouver I organize various gatherings in the startup community including Startup Drinks at the end of each month.
After Work: Work’s a bit of a misnomer when you’d doing what you love, but when I’m not working on Foodtree I’m usually contributing to various projects that inspiring people I know are involved in, or writing, reading, working out, and cooking. I spend a lot of evenings dropping in on local geek gatherings or “ideafreaking” with any one of the incredible brains I’m lucky to know locally and around the world.
Outside of technology, I’m fascinated and inspired by innovation and the communities around music, art, and various other sub-cultures. Music plays a huge role in my life and I try to see as much of it live as I can. I try to get to a few of the many art and creative gatherings happening around Vancouver as often as I can.
Oh, and I’m also a Vancouver Whitecaps supporter, as my good friend is the captain and I was a soccer player for twenty years!
Fave Networking Events: I tend to find myself at very informal events, or at gatherings focused on a topic relevant to my company or interests…I can’t remember the last time I went to an event that was focused solely on networking. That said, I actively seek out interesting people and operate in a very social way, so I meet quite a few new people every week. The Startup Drinks event each week is a lot of fun, very informal, and chock full of interesting people at various stages of the startup life, including “thinking about a startup”.
Other than that I’m usually at events organized by Bootup Entrepreneurial Society, Tech Co-Founders Meetup, GrowLabs, and try to get to Creative Mornings each month if I can snag tickets.
Networking Advice: Be humble, listen to people, and add value where you can. If you can’t add value for someone, introduce them to or connect them with someone who might be able to. Putting great people together is one small way you can help change the world.
Twitter: @dshanahan // @foodtree
Quote to live by: “If you aren’t getting rejected on a daily basis, your goals aren’t ambitious enough.” – Chris Dixon
Connector of the Month: Narges Nirumvala | April 2012
Name: Narges Nirumvala
Work: Owner/Executive Speech Coach at ExecutiveSpeak.com. I work with executives, teams, entrepreneurs and community leaders to dramatically improve their public speaking and presentation skills in the shortest period of time, with a focus on persuasive content and getting results.
After Work: Spending quality time with my family always comes first. We are real foodies – so food festivals, eating out and wine tasting. Going out with my friends. I’m big on professional development, so I love going to seminars, workshops etc.. I believe in giving back and volunteer my time – I’m a Facilitator to women entrepreneurs at Member Forums at the FWE and on the Board of Directors in charge of philanthropy for eWomenNetwork Vancouver. I’m also writing my first book, so that takes time. Plus of course cheering on our Vancouver Canucks!
Fave Networking Events: I regularly attend FWE and eWomenNetwork events. I also like trying out different networking organizations/events every month. Recently I enjoyed my first The Buzz Event event, a CSAEBC luncheon and a WOW Evening event. All of them were great! Plus the Vancouver Board of Trade.
Networking Advice: 1. Listen attentively and be genuinely interested in the other person. 2. Try out different events and have fun! 3. Dress to impress. I have an exclusive fashion sponsor for all public events – Bellissima Fashions. Remember that communication is over 83% non-verbal! What kind of first impression are you making?
Twitter: @NargesNirumvala
Quote to live by: “Age wrinkles the body, quitting wrinkles the soul.” Douglas MacArthur
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