Our StoryPassion. Integrity. Results.

Adrian Bartha,

CEO

Adrian joined raisin as CEO in 2023, after ten years building another purpose-driven software company.

drian started his career in Boston at McKinsey & Company in 2005 with a primary focus on private equity engagements before joining McKinsey Global Institute in San Francisco researching carbon productivity.  Repatriating to Canada, Adrian joined OPTrust Private Markets Group, the newly formed $5 billion private investment firm investing in infrastructure and private equity during the financial crisis taking a board of directors role in building Firelight Infrastructure, an upstart renewable power company. 
 
After experiencing a workplace fatality in a prior portfolio company, Adrian teamed up with partners to pursue entrepreneurship to build eCompliance in 2012, a health & safety software company. eCompliance went on to become one of the 50 fastest growing tech companies in Canada, employing over 100 people and was successful in its stated mission of eliminating 1 million workplace injuries. eCompliance received a $40 million investment from Alcumus and Adrian went on to lead their North American operation before its $1 billion sale to Apax Partners. He still considers himself a Safety Nerd.  
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Adrian serves as a Director for Discovery Solutions and NeoAssist, and is a Partner at GoodCapital.
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He proudly grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in Hamilton, Canada and graduated summa cum laude from McMaster University.

Star Hofer,

COO

Star has 23 years of extensive experience leading and scaling high-performing Client Experience teams. She possesses an innate ability to align organizational goals with client needs, ensuring mutual success and long-term partnerships.

Star is regarded for her expertise in client success methodologies, emerging technologies, and industry best practices.

As a thought leader, Star has been invited to speak at numerous industry conferences and has contributed to industry publications, sharing her insights, and helping shape the future of client success/experience.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Star is known for her integrity, empathy, and love for running.

Assadour Kirijian, B.ARCH.

Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director

A graduate of the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture, former practicing architect, and fluent in 5 languages, Assadour transitioned into the digital technology world in the mid-90’s. Since co-founding A.K.A. New Media in 1997, Assadour has guided all aspects of the company’s vision and evolution. He is the primary force behind raisin, ensuring that it achieves its singular goal of being the best online fundraising solution. As Executive Creative Director, and with over 20 years in the creative digital space, Assadour takes immense pride in guiding and nurturing A.K.A.’s talented, award-winning interactive team.

As a landed immigrant himself, Assadour is acutely conscious of the challenges that newcomers face and is immensely proud of the wildly talented and dedicated team from around the world that he and Co-founder Matthew Myers, have gathered, which reflects the best of what a diverse society can offer.

Assadour is the proud father of his children Hannah and Georges, and if he is not spending time with them, you may find him taking in the latest football (soccer) match.

Matthew Myers, Hon.B.Sc.

Co-Founder

A former touring musician and graduate of the University of Toronto with a focus on Psychology, Political Science and International Development, Matthew’s early career involved working on entertainment industry-related creative projects, while exploring social advocacy work opportunities both in Toronto and abroad.

This passion for creative, collaborative projects and making a positive social impact was fully harnessed in 1997, when Matthew partnered with long-time friend and A.K.A.’s CEO and Executive Creative Director, Assadour Kirijian, to establish A.K.A. New Media (A.K.A.), and subsequently raisin. Over the past 20 years, alongside Assadour, Matthew has helped guide the evolution of A.K.A. with a particular focus on A.K.A.’s interactive work. During this time, Matthew has helped A.K.A. become a thought leader in interactive website design and digital strategy within the not-for-profit sector. Matthew remains the lead business strategist on most major interactive projects, and finds immense joy in helping A.K.A.’s leading not-for-profit clients succeed online.

Matthew lives in Toronto with wife Allison Merker and their four wonderful kids: Nathanial, Ceilidh, Keagan and Beckett. When not chauffeuring family members around to various activities, Matthew can be found biking to work along the waterfront, or lacing up his own skates to play hockey.