George Drazenovic
Entrepreneur and Gold Bug
Since early 2020, George Drazenovic has been a faculty member at University Canada West (UCW) in Vancouver, BC. He has taught a variety of courses, including accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and corporate strategy. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, he served as Chair of Undergraduate Programs for nearly 4 years. Before joining the academic field, he worked in the private sector, where he led multiple resource ventures within the junior public markets.
His expertise includes human resources, recruitment, business partnerships, financial reporting, capital budgeting, strategic planning, capital markets, regulatory compliance, and investment valuation.
Professional Career
Work and Accomplishments at University Canada West (UCW)
George joined UCW as an instructor in the MBA program and was later promoted to Associate Professor. In 2021, he assumed the role of Chair of the Undergraduate Programs. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Academics, he oversaw a significant expansion in the programs, with student enrollment and faculty numbers growing more than tenfold by the time his term ended in December 2024. His responsibilities included developing new curricula, building governance structures, forming industry collaborations, and managing strategic planning, budgeting, and regulatory processes.
George oversaw the delivery of three academic programs: the Associate of Arts, the Bachelor of Commerce (ACBSP-accredited), and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications. These programs served more than 5,500 students and involved over 200 faculty members. He was an active voting member on several committees, including University Senate, Governance and Strategic Policies, Quality Assurance and Standards, Curriculum, Admissions Appeals, and Undergraduate Program Working Committees. He led the consent renewal process for all three programs and guided the introduction and revision of numerous courses.
He introduced new organizational structures, including subject leads, co-vice chairs, and associate chairs, which supported improvements in academic operations, faculty development, and student success. He aligned the accounting program with the CPA Western School of Business for full transfer-credit recognition, strengthening its position among private institutions in British Columbia. He also launched technology-driven and certification-aligned courses that broadened career options and increased enrollment.
George implemented operational changes, including curriculum updates, improved faculty coordination, scheduling efficiency, and the transition to a new Learning Management System. In addition to his administrative work, he mentored faculty for leadership roles, supported diversity and inclusion initiatives, expanded employer connections, and taught in the Bachelor of Commerce program with consistently strong student evaluations.
His leadership also extended to extracurricular development. He organized the institution’s first Pitch Night, created career-building events for students pursuing CPA credentials, and contributed to academic discussions at the McGill Transformative Business Law Summer Academy in Montreal.
Work as an Entrepreneur
Before his academic career, he served as CFO, CEO, and Director for several public companies. His work involved developing strategic plans, fulfilling public exchange requirements (OTC, CSE, and TSX-V), and handling financial accounting and audit filings.
As CEO of a mining exploration company, he identified and negotiated the acquisition of gold exploration properties in Newfoundland and the Yukon, amounting to an estimated 2.5 million ounces of inferred gold resources. He also led a 3,000-metre drill program in the Yukon, advancing the company’s exploration goals.
Earlier, as the original CFO of a pharmaceutical company focused on diabetes treatment, he secured $2.5 million in funding, completed a Reverse Takeover, and helped lead the company through Phase 1B clinical trials and animal testing of its oral insulin product.
A Researcher, Author
George's academic interests focus on the relationship between artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and investment strategy. He has co-authored peer-reviewed research examining the effects of AI on decision-making in business and investment contexts. His writing includes contributions to academic publications on startup development and innovation within the digital economy.
He is a co-author of the book Business Transformation in the Era of Digital Disruption and the author of the foreword to Mainstreaming Cryptocurrency and the Future of Digital Finance. These works reflect his views on the role of emerging technologies in finance and entrepreneurship.
Academic Credentials
George Drazenovic earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia and later his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.
Personal Life
Outside of his professional duties, he is a certified WSET Level 3 Sommelier with Distinction in wine and spirits. He is an active soccer player, completed the Victoria Marathon, and once ran federally for Member of Parliament.
George Drazenovic continues to apply his combined experience in academia, entrepreneurship, and research to support innovation, education, and professional growth.