About Us

Josh Hoover, Co-Founder

Josh has always been entrepreneurial. He’s had leadership roles in product development and project management. His expertise in managing diverse team projects combined with application architecture and development acumen afforded key insights and design inputs into the evolution of All Star Teams. His innovations have singularly helped make the resource what it is today. 

Howard B. Esbin PhD, Co-Founder

Howard’s experience as a senior executive spans three decades in the retail industry, international development, and philanthropy. In his mid-30s, he returned to university part-time and, over 14-years, earned three degrees culminating in a doctorate in education at McGill University. His original research on communities of practice in rural Kenya combined with extensive training of staff across three sectors informs the original design of what’s become the Prelude Suite™ in collaboration with Josh Hover. His writings on vocational training, imaginal education, and grassroots innovation and marketing have been published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Education Canada, UNESCO.

Erik Schumb M.A., Director of Engagement, EMEA

Erik is a seasoned Agile Strategist and Coach supporting collocated and distributed teams. This includes significant knowledge of business processes, innovation management and emerging technology. As well, Erik has in depth experience helping startup teams identify their vision, mission, and unique selling proposition ensuring a client centric problem-solution-fit. His professional background includes senior positions within the IT/Strategy Consulting & Mobility space introducing Digital Transformation and various Agile Frameworks & Methods (like Design Thinking, Lean Start Up). Erik has a crucial role developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for introducing All Star Teams within the EMEA region. He has already begin establishing significant collaborations with German organizations in the business and governmental sectors leveraging his own brand and company Agile Sprints.

Rob Hyams, Chief Marketing Officer

Rob is an independent creative and marketing consultant who works with businesses and organizations on their strategic, branding, and marketing challenges. His clients include Algonquin College Corporate Training, Invest Ottawa, Fusebill, KarmaDharma, the Delphi Group, OPIN, the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, and Saunders Farm.
Prior to becoming a consultant, Rob was Chief Creative Officer and a partner at McMillan, one of Ottawa’s largest creative agencies, where he led and developed brand and go-to-market campaigns for global B2B enterprises. Before leading the creative team, he was president of the agency and developed the B2B-focused strategy that doubled corporate revenues in 18 months.
After obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in marketing from UOttawa in 1991, he worked on national health promotional programs, including breastfeeding, SIDS, and injury prevention, at Health Canada.

Gianluca Gambatesa, Director of Innovation

Gianluca is an enthusiastic innovator. He leverages his skills in facilitation, conversation design and coaching, to work alongside people and organizations - Startups, Corporate and NGOs - engaged in complex challenges, freeing and enhancing their potential. Firestarter of different projects focused on facilitation, complexity, experience design, narrative ecosystems, anticipation, he loves to engage and to be involved in exploring and shaping new possibilities. Gianluca brings to All Star Teams what is needed to innovate processes, practices and ways of interacting.

Kimberly Lancaster, Data Protection and Information Security

Experienced Data Protection & Information Security Director who improves internal and external customer experiences through robust Compliance, Risk, Privacy, Strategic Thinking, and Collaborative Partnerships. Through Data Protection, Privacy and Compliance support and advising my goal is to mentor people into the field and help start-up business find the path to success.

Robert C. Ryan, CPA, MPA, Advisor

Robert is a CPA and senior finance executive with almost 20 years of experience. Known as a progressive team manager with a track record of success in streamlining business processes and financial systems to control costs and improve workflow. Robert’s specialties include: Treasury, investor relations, internal audit, acquisitions, and public accounting.