The Horizon Speaker Lineup

Cam Richardson | Board of Directors

With more than three decades of experience as a founder and operator, Cam has built and scaled multinational technology and manufacturing firms serving the higher education and public infrastructure sectors. His career has been built on the integration of complex engineering and service platforms, successfully navigating cross-border operations and the rigorous demands of large-scale institutional markets.

Following a successful management buyout in 2021, Cam shifted his focus to helping founders succeed through a hands-on, “operator-first” perspective. He brings a pragmatic approach to early-stage investing, specializing in product commercialization and the structural discipline required for cross-border expansion. At Horizon Angels, Cam ensures that both founders and investors benefit from refined go-to-market strategies and long-term thinking that transforms ambitious ideas into durable outcomes.

Scott Bissessar | Founder & Board Member

With over three decades of experience as a Swiss-Canadian entrepreneur, Scott has built and funded companies across the European and North American markets. His career is marked by a deep understanding of the trajectory from concept to market leadership, notably securing the foundational growth for Unit.Net during the early evolution of streaming media.

Beyond his work as an operator, Scott brings a sophisticated focus to board governance and organizational health. Having coached over 100 chairs and CEOs through prestigious programs at IMD Lausanne and ICD Canada, he specializes in the implementation science required to navigate the risks that often follow early-stage funding. At Horizon Angels, Scott applies this “operator’s lens” to ensure that both founders and investors are supported by the structural integrity and strategic networks necessary for long-term success.

James Shen | Board of Directors

With a background rooted in engineering and serial entrepreneurship, James has led across diverse high-tech sectors, including aerospace, telecommunications, and medical devices. As a Professional Engineer and inventor with multiple patents, his career has been built on the intersection of technical innovation and strategic executive leadership.

After navigating global markets as a CEO and advisor, James focuses on unlocking an enterprise’s true potential through honest dialogue and executable business models. He brings an analytical and disciplined depth to early-stage investing, ensuring that founders benefit from the strategic alignment and operational clarity required for sustained growth.

Hima is an emerging strategist with a foundation in economics and a deep interest in venture building and capital ecosystems. She is motivated by understanding how high-growth ideas move from concept to execution and how strong positioning, structure, and alignment accelerate that journey.

At Horizon Angels, she works across content, research, and community strategy, contributing to initiatives that connect founders with investors and strengthen the early-stage ecosystem. She is passionate about learning from experienced leaders while actively building the skills required to operate at scale.

Kian is a business development and marketing strategist with experience across biotech, aerospace, SaaS, fintech, and AI. His work spans go-to-market planning, brand storytelling, and systems thinking, giving him a cross-industry perspective on how innovation reaches scale.

After launching and growing a talent firm for creatives, Kian turned his focus to translating complex ideas into modern narratives that resonate with investors, founders, and markets alike. He is recognized for building strategies that challenge convention, connect overlooked insights, and help high-potential ventures position themselves for lasting impact.

Mahfuz is a brand strategist, 3x international TEDx speaker, and investor who has spent over 15 years advising founders, executives, and scaling companies. He is known for helping organizations align story with strategy in order to build trust, attract capital, and grow with clarity.

After guiding hundreds of teams through moments of transformation, Mahfuz shifted his focus to strengthening the investment ecosystem itself. At Horizon Angels, he brings a blend of storytelling, positioning, and strategic leadership to ensure that both investors and founders benefit from a community built on credibility, alignment, and long-term impact.