Abdullah Snobar

Executive Director of the DMZ, Ryerson University


Canada

Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of the DMZ at Ryerson University. Since inception, the Toronto-based incubator has helped scale over 325 companies, which have raised more than $400 million and fostered 3,100 jobs. Under his leadership, the DMZ has successfully expanded into the U.S. with its first office in New York City’s financial district, launched a leading revenue and sales growth accelerator program for high-potential startups, and created a world-class Entrepreneurs-in-Residence program, which matches some of the best leaders in tech with DMZ’s high-value entrepreneurs. Focused on designing quality programming and expanding the incubator’s international reach, Abdullah spearheaded a new Advisory Council comprised of the top business and tech minds in North America.

Abdullah’s previous leadership positions involved overseeing non-profit and government partnerships, developing city-wide educational plans and managing strategic funding initiatives. He has held roles at well-known organizations such as, Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Fortune 500 companies such as Fairmont and Marriott Hotels and Resorts. He currently serves as a board member with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, City of Toronto Innovation Economy Advisory Council, and RBC’s Future of Skills Advisory Board where he shapes impactful community initiatives. Abdullah is also the co-creator of Supa Maasai — a non-profit foundation in Kenya — working to improve the day-to-day lives of Africa’s Maasai women and children.