From viral post to tech connector: How CITI is helping talent find its place in Canada’s tech industry

Zachary Novak and the Birth of CITI

In December 2020, Zachary Novak posted a short LinkedIn note that would later change his destiny.

From Product Director to Technology Mentor

Novak had just left a role in investment banking and was a product director at a local startup. He wrote that Calgary once seemed low on tech prospects—an opinion that had since shifted. He concluded with a simple offer: “If you need support, message me.”

Outrageous Response

The post went viral. More than 150 people reached out for guidance, and Novak met with 18 of them in a single afternoon.

A Gap in Canada’s Tech Ecosystem

• Many newcomers, overlooked talent, and career changers face a disconnect between opportunity and connection.
• Novak’s surge of requests highlighted this deficiency.

From Informal Meetups to a Business

To cope with demand, Novak organized group calls and discussion sessions. By early 2021 these informal gatherings had grown into a community, and by 2022 they evolved into a formal enterprise.

Today’s Impact

Today Careers in Technology and Innovation (CITI) assists hundreds of people in navigating Canada’s tech sector.

Lessons for Leaders

Novak’s journey demonstrates where current talent systems fall short and shows how community‑led initiatives can bridge the gap.

Building a new kind of tech community

Building a Community of Tech Talent in the Pandemic

CITI emerged from a simple desire to share knowledge during COVID‑19. Each week, Novak organized virtual meetups for folks exploring tech roles or seeking career growth. Conversations ranged from industry trends to interview tactics.

From Wednesdays to Winners

“We were just meeting on Wednesdays, and we were talking about different topics. It was a way to bring people together during COVID to support them,” says Novak.

The consistency paid off. Participants landed roles, earned promotions, and many returned to mentor the next wave of job seekers. By late 2022, CITI formalized its model as a subscription‑based community offering events, advisors, programs, and resources.

A Connection‑Focused Model

• Novak emphasizes that CITI is not a recruiter.
• Its focus is on building connections and skill‑growth, not job transactions.
• The goal is to help members find the right fit, not just any role.

“Everything we’re trying to do is about expanding the ecosystem, instead of transacting,” says Novak.

Supporting Newcomers to Canada

More than 60% of CITI’s members are newcomers to Canada. Novak believes the hiring system often works against them.

“If I’m employing someone, I want to employ someone with the least amount of risk, because I have to invest in them. The fact that you’re from another country just makes you more risky. So how do you de‑risk yourself?”

For CITI, de‑risking means building more than technical skills. It means understanding how companies operate, how decisions are made, and how to align with team culture and values.

Diversity as a Strength

“We do think that diversity is our strength,” says Novak. “Our mission is to support diverse professionals to grow meaningful careers in tech.”

The hidden hiring gap in Canadian tech

Canada’s Tech Talent Boom

Canada’s technology sector added over 22,000 positions in the first month of 2025, according to Statistics Canada. Yet a staggering 92 % of hiring managers across the nation report difficulty filling those roles, as revealed by a recent Robert Half survey.

What’s Holding Talent Back?

• Access gaps: Candidates often lack direct pathways into the industry.
• Network voids: Informal contacts still dominate hiring decisions.
• Signal myths: Many applicants misunderstand what companies truly seek.

CITI’s Solution: Building Real Connections

Novak, a CITI advocate, emphasizes that the key lies in habits and relationships. “If you don’t know what companies are looking for, it’s easy to get discouraged,” he explains. “But if you can build the right habits and relationships, you start to see how the system works.”

What CITI Offers

• Personal advising sessions.
• Workshops on Canadian workplace culture.
• Direct links to local tech firms.

The Community Advantage

Weekly check‑ins begin with a “small wins” moment—an opportunity to celebrate progress, reflect, and cultivate emotional resilience. Novak highlights that this community focus fosters a deep sense of self‑understanding, calm, and confidence, overlaying every career decision.

Bottom Line

Canada’s tech workforce is expanding, but the main hurdle isn’t skill scarcity—it’s the need for accessible networks and clear guidance. CITI’s community‑first approach offers the bridge between talent and opportunity, turning small wins into lasting confidence.

How the work continues

From Coffee Cups to Career Catalysts: CITI’s Community‑Driven Rise

How a Small Chat Group Sparked a Brighter Tech Landscape

What began as a handful of conversations has evolved into a purpose‑driven network that champions intentional career navigation, peer networking, and visibility for tech professionals. According to founder Novak, members are actively exploring new pathways to climb careers, build relationships, and feel recognized in the industry—discovering that the key lies in one another.

CITI’s Growing Footprint Across Canada

• More than 350 active members.
• Fostered placements for over 400 tech roles.
• Hosted 221 private events in 2024 across Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto.
• Launched a partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) to provide students early access to industry connections and coaching.

Novak’s Vision: Strengthening Chapters and Employer Partnerships

Novak emphasizes the next milestone: reinforcing local chapters and expanding an employer partner network.

Why CITI Matters: A Hybrid Infrastructure for Innovation

While Canada seeks to retain global talent and scale its innovation economy, communities like CITI are becoming integral to the infrastructure. These are not formal training centres, nor are they recruiting firms—yet they occupy a crucial intermediary space.

Peer‑Led Networks that Drive Real Innovation

CITI showcases how innovation truly unfolds, one conversation at a time, evolving through people over time.

Final shots

Canada’s Innovation Economy Requires Fresh Talent Support Tools

Canada’s technology sector cannot depend solely on expanding skill sets. Employers must discover and nurture talent beyond conventional pipelines.

Peer-Led Communities Bridge the Hiring Trust Gap

• The CITI community builds human connections that formal institutions often overlook.
• Informal networks offer belonging, context, and momentum for tech talent.

Formal Pathways Alone Don’t Suffice

The tech sector increasingly shapes itself through informal communities that fill gaps left by traditional hiring pipelines.