Team

We are a management team of experienced international investors that are focused on making inroads into sectors that have high potential for significant return, and low barriers to entry.

Darcy Taylor
Darcy Taylor
CEO & Director

Darcy has over 20+ years of senior executive experience building successful companies and brands spanning, Asia, Europe and North America. Previous to Pioneer, Darcy was CEO of East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (formerly operating under the name “LEAF Mobile Inc.”), one of Pioneer’s portfolio companies. During his tenure, he was responsible for leading the company through transformational growth including taking the company from a private issuer to reporting on the TSX.V and then subsequently graduating to the TSX in 2021. Darcy also led the company through over $150 million in M&A transactions. He has a proven track record in C-suite and senior leadership roles at IMG Canada (now Endeavor LLC), Logic Technologies Inc, JT International S.A. and MASEV Communications Inc, that was acquired by IMG Canada. His experience spans corporate, agency, and entrepreneurial environments across free-to-play Mobile games, FinTech, esports, Blockchain, FMCG/CPG, Digital Marketing & Media and Sports & Entertainment industries.

Jim MacCallum
Jim MacCallum
CFO

Jim is a CPA, CA and a CFA with over 20 years of finance experience. Most recently Jim was SVP, Finance and Acting CFO at Westport Fuel Systems and prior to Westport held senior roles at Amica Mature Lifestyles, Absolute Software and Cisco Systems. Jim has extensive capital markets, acquisitions, and international experience having worked for four years in California and two years in Russia. Jim articled with KPMG in Vancouver, British Columbia and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Mark Rutledge
Mark Rutledge
DIRECTOR

Mark Rutledge has over 25 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, C-level executive and strategic adviser with a particular expertise in structuring and financing technology start-ups. In the early stages of his career, Mark practised securities and entertainment law, and acted for clients such Viacom, Disney, Paramount, Time Warner, Showtime, USA Networks, and Canal + (France). He is currently CEO of Carraway Capital Corp., and co-founder and President of Sosido Networks Inc. a knowledge-sharing community for health-care professionals. He was until recently a Director of East Side Games, a leading mobile gaming company (TSE:EAGR), and is currently a Director of StreaksAI plc (LSE:STK)) and AQRU plc (AQSE:AQRU), and Pioneer Media Holdings Inc. (NE:JPEG) helping to take all four companies public. He is also a Director of Aja Ventures Inc.

Julia Becker
Julia Becker
Capital Markets & Director

Julia brings almost 15 years’ experience in capital markets, business development and marketing communications to Pioneer’s Board. She has extensive experience developing and executing integrated investor and stakeholder communication plans for private and publicly-traded companies, as well as providing successful capital markets and funding strategies for companies across various industries including: technology, gaming and media. Julia is currently the VP, Investor Relations at CloudMD (TSX.V:DOC), as well as a Strategic Advisor to Paidia Gaming. Previously, she was Head, Investor Relations and Marketing at Enthusiast Gaming (NASDAQ: EGLX).

Olivia Edwards
Olivia Edwards
Director

Olivia brings operational and corporate secretary experience to Pioneer’s board. She has experience with the reporting requirements for public companies in both Canada and the UK and has facilitated numerous financial raises in various industries including web3, gaming and carbon capture technology. Olivia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Systems: Mind, Language & Computation and a Master of Management from the University of British Columbia. She has also completed her Canadian Securities Course.