As digital transformation accelerates, businesses are increasingly reliant on IT, creating a growing challenge in network complexity and cybersecurity risks.
Empowered offers a practical solution, providing technology, expertise, and insights gained from a lifetime dedicated to managing complex IT environments.
Our robust data governance technology supports organizations in establishing and maintaining comprehensive network intelligence, designed to support Automation, AI, Cybersecurity, and Compliance/Audit. We collaborate with teams to maximize value from existing tools, modernize tools where required, and enhance compliance, risk management, and governance to meet today's challenges effectively.
Our Mission
We believe maximizing Network Intelligence is a journey, not a destination.
We guide our customers along our Network Intelligence Maturity Model with the ultimate goals being confidence in the accuracy of their Network Intelligence, more efficient NetOps through automation, and cross-organization information sharing and AI-powered insights and activity.
Empowered is a proud member of Fulcrum IT Partners, a growing network of top-tier cybersecurity, cloud, consumption-based IT, and managed services organizations across North America and Europe. This partnership enhances our ability to provide increased scale and advanced capabilities to our global customers.
Company History
2023 marks 25 years in business for Empowered Networks. The company was founded in 1998 by Brian Hepburn (our current CEO), Glen Emo, and Gary Mollon. Glen, Gary, and Brian had worked together for a dozen years prior to Empowered’s founding at Wandel & Goltermann, running the German company’s Canadian subsidiary.
1998
Empowered started off addressing the needs of Canadian Enterprises and Service Providers.
2012
Launched our expansion into the U.S. market, quickly establishing success with several Fortune 500 Enterprise accounts.
2017
To meet unaddressed customer needs, we initiated a product development program. Our inaugural SaaS offering, Advisor, empowers customers to automate network device security, compliance, and lifecycle management.
2021
We broadened our development initiatives, unveiling the Bridge SaaS offering to enhance the efficiency, productivity, and quality of our customers' operational integrations.
Empowered acquired by Fulcrum, a Private Equity firm based in Toronto that has a strong history of acquiring and combining leading IT VARs and System Integrators.
2023
Empowered shifted within the Fulcrum group to become a Fulcrum IT Partner company. This provides the opportunity to retain and enhance the Empowered Networks brand that has been trusted by customers for a quarter century.
Being part of the fast-growing Fulcrum IT Partner group is a perfect fit for Empowered, as we are able to leverage the additional synergies, scale, and global reach that being part of the larger group provides.
Corporate Responsibility
Empowered Networks is committed to corporate social responsibility, believing that businesses should go beyond profit-making to contribute to the welfare of society.
We prioritize sustainable development through socially and economically beneficial programs, fostering shared responsibility between our company and the community.
Corporate Responsibility
Upholding strong ethical standards, we have implemented policies to support social issues and ensure transparent reporting of any activities contrary to our commitments.
Business Conduct & Ethics
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Human Rights Principles
Environmental Considerations
Data & Privacy
Culture of Health & Safety
Mentoring & Education
Quality & Successful Outcomes
Political Contributions
Leadership
Brian Hepburn
Brian Hepburn co-founded Empowered Networks in 1998 and has led Empowered Networks as CEO since 2007. Prior to Empowered, Brian was with Wandel & Goltermann Canada in sales, management, and executive leadership roles over 12 years. Brian works closely with our customers throughout North America, investing significant time developing and maintaining the long-term relationships that have been the cornerstone of Empowered’s success. Brian is also active in the community, supporting several not-for-profit organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Michael Ell
Michael Ell joined the Empowered Networks team in 2001 as a senior solutions consultant and has subsequently expanded into pre-sales, post-sales delivery, and people and product management. His experience before Empowered Networks includes operational, development, architectural, and management roles with Bell Canada and Stentor. Michael has broad expertise in the monitoring and management domains with a special focus on helping organizations translate their tooling investments into true business solutions. Michael is a graduate of the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Biotechnology option and subsequent graduate studies.
Chris Hindy
Chris Hindy leads the Product Strategy and Innovation team at Empowered Networks. Building on Operations and Development experiences at CA Technologies, BlackBerry and Grocery Gateway, he has built a solid 20-year track record of success in the technology industry. His expertise focuses on operating cloud and carrier-scale systems, agile development practices and delightful customer experiences. Chris attended Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario in Broadcast Operations and Engineering.
Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean brings a history of operations software development, network engineering, and technology leadership to Empowered Networks. He is responsible for product design and development with a focus on automation, integration and observability. Christopher spearheads efforts introducing augmented intelligence to customers.
Jonathan Mollon
Jonathan started at Empowered Networks in 2008 as a co-op student and re-joined the Empowered Networks team in 2017 as legal counsel. He is a business first lawyer and is responsible for overseeing Empowered Networks’ legal matters and balancing operational risks. Jonathan has obtained a Bachelor degree in Arts (Honours) in Business & Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo, a Juris Doctor from Western University and has obtained numerous certificates from CPA Ontario.
Lisa White
Lisa White joined Empowered Networks in 1998, and prior to Empowered Networks was with Wandel & Goltermann Canada for 10 years. Lisa oversees Empowered Networks’ financial operations, accounting, and tax functions and has led Empowered Networks’ Accounting team since 2002 currently as VP, Finance and previously as Controller. Prior to that she was Senior Accountant for Empowered Networks and Wandel & Goltermann. Lisa obtained her CGA designation in 2003 and her CPA, CGA designation in 2014.
Approach
Our E4 methodology is a customer-centric framework guiding you to a fully installed and supported solution. It flexibly addresses the entire process or specific components, allowing us to tailor a solution precisely to your individual needs.
Explore
Assess your current environment
Begin your improvement journey by assessing your current state. Our unbiased evaluations of your operations, processes, and personnel provide a foundation for targeted recommendations. Gain clarity on your current status and identify impactful changes.
Envision
The solution to your problem
Navigate towards a solution with our practical recommendations for software, services, processes, and skills. Tailored to fit your budget and timeline, we draw on our experience to optimize your team's strengths and ensure a positive return on investment.
Execute
The recommended solution
We actualize and operationalize solutions, minimizing risks and maximizing returns. Our commitment extends until your expectations are surpassed. We architect, install, configure, and train your team, and we provide ongoing support.
Enhance
Your environment and your business
Our highly trained team ensures the difference between good and great. We customize offerings to your unique needs, offering support from basic implementations to complex integrations, with options for fractional or full-time Resident Engineers.