FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2025
CANADA – As Canada’s tech sector faces unprecedented talent challenges and rapid AI transformation, Tech and People (TAP) Network strengthens its leadership with two industry veterans who have collectively shaped people strategies at AMD, Sony PlayStation, Western Digital, and other global tech giants.
The non-profit association announced today the appointment of Melanie Scheepers, Senior Vice President, People and Culture at Coconut Software, and Julie Currie, Chief People and Culture Officer and Advisory Board Member of SucceedSmart, to its board of directors. These appointments come at a pivotal time as TAP Network expands its programming to address emerging challenges in AI adoption, remote work evolution, and talent retention in Canada’s competitive tech landscape.
“We are thrilled to welcome Melanie and Julie to our board of directors,” said Stephanie Hollingshead, CEO of TAP Network. “Their combined expertise in building world-class people strategies and scaling technology organizations will be invaluable as we continue to support and shape the future of work in Canada’s tech sector. Both leaders bring deep operational experience and a proven track record of driving transformational change, which aligns perfectly with our mission to connect, support and champion the needs of People and Culture professionals driving the growth and success of Canada’s tech Sector.”
Under current leadership, TAP Network has grown 84% and evolved from a provincial organization to a national one, now serving over 1,000 members who influence People and Culture practices at 250+ tech companies across Canada.
Strategic Value for TAP Network Members
Julie Currie brings over 25 years of experience as a Chief People Officer, having partnered with some of the world’s most innovative companies to lead international expansion, complex M&A integrations, and talent strategies that enabled sustainable growth. Notably, she has helped take three companies public. Julie has also served on advisory boards for SucceedSmart, an AI technology platform, and Booster Fuels, a $100M+ tech-enabled company. She holds a BA from the University of Guelph, has completed MBA coursework at Kellogg and Schulich, and holds certifications in Co-Active Coaching and AI Strategies for Business Transformation.
Melanie Scheepers leads the People function at Coconut Software, bringing 18+ years of HR experience across clinical research, customer service, and technology sectors. Recognized on the 2021 HRD Global 100 and 2023 ScaleHR list of Top HR Leaders in Canadian Tech, Melanie is known for building high-performing, values-driven teams and creating award-winning workplace cultures. She also serves as a Global Ambassador for Transform HR’s Toronto Chapter and sits on the Board of Governors for Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™.
Connect with TAP’s New Leadership
TAP Network members interested in learning from Julie Currie’s expertise can attend the upcoming Tech Talent North conference on October 29, 2025, where she will be speaking on navigating complexity while keeping people first. This premier event brings together Canada’s top People and Culture professionals to explore cutting-edge strategies for navigating the evolving tech talent landscape.
To learn more about TAP Network’s board of directors, visit the About page at https://tapnetwork.ca/about/tap-team.
About TAP Network
TAP Network is a non-profit association for People and Culture professionals in Canada’s tech sector, providing members with the data, connections, and insights they need to make strategic decisions, accelerate their effectiveness, and shape the future of work in tech. The association’s 1,000+ members lead and influence People and Culture practices at 250+ tech companies spanning ICT, VFX and Animation, Video Games, Clean Tech, AI, Hardware, Life Sciences and more. Founded in 1992, TAP Network has over 30 years of experience supporting Canada’s tech sector.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Hollingshead
CEO, Tech and People Network
