Kevin Barton Joins Elevate as Sr. VP

By External Source

Elevate, the Toronto-based innovation and sustainability hub that produces the annual tech and innovation festival, has named Kevin Barton as Senior VP, Elevate Talent.

The portfolio puts him in charge of a jobs program for underrepresented communities that match training to the approximately 70,000 open jobs in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s tech sector with federal, provincial and city backing.

"Kevin is an accomplished innovator who has spent a significant part of his career advancing the intersection of technology and media, making him the ideal head of Elevate Talent,” said Randy Lennox, Executive Chair, Elevate. "We know his demonstrated leadership among under-represented communities will position the program for success.”

Barton in turn stated that he’s “excited” to join the org: “Elevate Talent is so dynamic because the partnership of community-based organizations, educational institutions, government, and industry are aligned with the singular goal of providing pathways and access to real jobs in tech.”

Barton started his career at Universal Music Group, Canada, where he created the Urban Music department, before becoming team lead at the label’s Mobile Marketing department.

As a film director and photographer, he led several successful film and award-winning creative digital projects for brands and clients such as CBC, e-One, Sprite, Leo Burnett, and Kia. He went on to co-found Bell Media’s short-form video app dubbed SnackableTV.

The annual Elevate festival has hosted global figures including Michelle Obama, Martha Stewart, Eric Schmidt, and Al Gore.