Instructor

I’m Dino Miele, and my life’s work has been dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering innovation in the Niagara Region and beyond. Growing up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, I learned early on the power of education, community, and curiosity. These values have guided me throughout my 38 years as Chief Information Officer at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), where I championed digital equity, pioneered EdTech Ontario, and brought virtual learning and digital literacy to countless students—long before it became mainstream.

But my mission didn’t stop in the classroom. I saw potential in the broader community, and that vision led me to found Spark Innovation Educational Centre and Spark Enterprises Inc. These ventures became launching pads for local entrepreneurs, students, and creators to bring their ideas to life and scale them into sustainable businesses.

As a collaborator, I helped establish the Niagara Falls Ryerson Innovation Hub, uniting city leaders, universities, and private sector partners to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem rooted in inclusivity and local impact.

At the heart of everything I do is a people-first approach. Whether mentoring Indigenous youth and newcomers through programs like Girls Learning Code and Youth2Action, or volunteering with organizations like Socks and Snacks and United Way Niagara, I believe that real innovation starts with compassion and community.

Today, my work continues—replicating Niagara’s innovation model across Canada, creating impact hubs for skilled trades students, and ensuring that every aspiring innovator has a chance to turn their ideas into reality. My story isn’t about headlines—it’s about building futures, one step at a time, with humility, empathy, and an unwavering belief in the power of people.

The courses I’ve built are a testament to these decades of experience and a reflection of everything I’ve learned. Each one is filled with practical insights and real-life applications, and I always share an anecdote before diving into a slide to help you see how to apply it in your own journey. Because for me, innovation is more than just theory—it’s about real stories, real people, and real impact.