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Jeremiah Shamess, Executive Vice President at Colliers, leading Private Capital Investment Group, specializing in the sale of buildings & development land in the GTHA. Jeremiah has sold over $2.1 billion worth of real estate. A proven deal maker, and creative in finding solutions for owners of development land, he specializes in exclusively representing sellers of commercial real estate. A regular commentator in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Storeys Jeremiah is a thought leader and regularly writes on twitter with his handle @JShamess regarding Canadian Real Estate.

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Trimel Fidely is a Business Centre Manager with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). He first came to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons.) degree in Finance and Human Resources at the University of New Brunswick. His time in Fredericton and newfound love of the East Coast made it easy to call Canada his new home, where he launched his career in financial services.

Over the past 15 years, he has worked in financial institutions holding various roles in retail banking, insurance and most recently, commercial banking. For the past 11 years at BDC, Trimel has been working with entrepreneurs to accelerate the growth of their businesses and helping to solve any challenges they face. He accomplishes this by providing a wide array of financing solutions, including venture capital, as well as a full suite of advisory services. His career at BDC has taken him to many new cities throughout the country including Halifax, NS; Calgary, AB; St. John’s, NL and most recently Toronto, ON where he currently resides with his wife and 3 kids.

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As the President of Light Speed Web Inc., dedicated to driving innovation and growth through strategic digital transformation.

With a passion for leveraging cutting-edge digital solutions, I help businesses navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving digital landscape.

My expertise lies in leading transformative initiatives that not only foster growth but also enhance operational excellence.

By aligning technology with business objectives, I empower organizations to thrive in today’s competitive environment. — This highlights Ishwinder’s commitment to innovation, growth, and digital transformation

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With a wealth of experience, Cora has been president of Trade Alliances Canada Inc. since 2018. Her passion lies in forging innovative and global connections within Canada and the Asian communities. Over her 30-year career, she has navigated government and private industry intricacies, collaborating with entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized companies, and NGOs to establish connections between Canada and Asian countries. This extensive experience is a testament to her capabilities and expertise.

She retired from the Ontario provincial government in 2011 and held several executive positions in the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Business Practices Division. Roles included those as Provincial Registrar, responsible for the enforcement and administration of Ontario Consumer Protection statutes under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, the Cemeteries Act, as Project Director for the transition team of the Travel Industry Act, as Project Director for the re-development of a comprehensive commercial registration, information and tracking system to accommodate the requirements of business regulation and consumer protection under seven pieces of legislation.

Cora worked as a business consultant with Business Development Canada (BDC) for over five years. She then moved and lived in the Philippines from 2012 to 2018 to become the National Executive Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. She worked closely with the Trade Commissioner’s Office of the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines and promoted Canadian businesses and trade relations between Canada and the Philippines.

As the current Chair of the Philippine Canadian Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), Cora is a driving force in advancing its mission to foster economic growth among Filipino-Canadian entrepreneurs. Her past leadership roles include President of the National Alliance of Philippine Business Trade and Tourism (Canada), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto, the Canadian Association of Philippine Travel Agents, and the Regional Vice President of the National Council of Canadian Filipino Associations.

Cora is a recipient of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award, a global winning award under the Filipina Global Women’s Network TM, a San Francisco-based non-profit professional organization for women, Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award at the International Women’s Day in Markham, Ontario, an award finalist for the Asian of the Year in Business and Public Service under the Canada Asian Network held in Parliament Hills, Ottawa, One of the Most Outstanding President of Philippine Associations in Canada, and Most Outstanding Filipino-Canadian..

Born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada at age 20, Cora’s journey is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Her ability to navigate different cultures and systems has been a critical factor in her success. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Philippines and a Bachelor’s in Administrative Studies from York University.

Cora’s passion lies in coaching women in entrepreneurship and leadership, where she has made significant contributions. Her commitment to building and mentoring the youth is evident in her work and is a vital part of her professional identity.

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Shawn Allen, a prominent figure in Canadian finance, epitomizes the essence of Scarborough, having been born, raised, and currently residing in this vibrant community. In 2008, he founded Matrix Mortgage Global, guiding it to become the premier private lending brokerage in the nation. Shawn’s exceptional contributions have earned him significant recognition, including his induction into the Scarborough Walk of Fame, 5 consecutive Broker of the Year awards, and a place on the prestigious Growth 500 list for the fastest growing mortgage brokerage in Canada. He has also been honored three times with the Top 100 Global Mortgage Broker award. Notably, Shawn was acknowledged as one of the top 100 most influential Black individuals in Canada in 2022 and 2023.

He recently hosted the 2023 Toronto Business Summit at UTSC and is scheduled to host the Affordable Housing Summit at UTSC in 2024. In addition to his financial accomplishments, Shawn shows empathy towards student challenges and underscores his commitment to community welfare by establishing The Shawn Allen Award for students in the Faculty of Management and International Business. This initiative underscores his dedication to both the finance industry and the betterment of his community. Currently serving as the President of the Scarborough Business Association, Shawn continues to lead a thriving organization that serves as a diverse and dynamic center for business excellence and community engagement.

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With a passion for protecting nature, an understanding of the challenges the natural world faces, and a spirit of ruthless optimism, Dolf DeJong has enjoyed an incredible career in the conservation, wildlife protection and education field.

Dolf began as Chief Executive Officer of your Toronto Zoo in September 2018. His focus revolves around a commitment to raising the Zoo’s community connections to ensure we are working together to deliver on the Zoo’s new Strategic and Master Plan. These Plans focus on saving and protecting wildlife, igniting the passion, delivering exceptional guest experiences, serving the community and revolutionizing technology.

Dolf has a Masters of Environmental Studies from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, and an Honours Bachelor of Science from Brock University.

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Murray Simser is the Founder and CEO of CITIZN, a groundbreaking societal network that’s all about boosting democratic engagement. With over 20 years of experience, including significant time in Silicon Valley, Murray has held roles in both the public and private sectors, including stints at Microsoft and various tech startups. His software has been used by millions of people, showcasing its widespread impact. He’s a serial entrepreneur who loves using tech to tackle big societal issues.

Murray kicked off his career in politics, working at Parliament, but soon made the leap to tech, blending his political smarts with tech know-how. One of his standout achievements was co-founding one of the first-ever cloud-based CRM software companies. This game-changing CRM was snapped up by big names like British Telecom, the Canadian Government, and loads of Fortune 1000 companies. It even powered Service Canada, reimagining digital government services. Murray has successfully raised significant funding for his startups and the companies he has led, demonstrating his ability to attract investment and drive growth.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Murray was the Worldwide Director of Incubation for Microsoft Services, where he led a team to integrate new acquisitions into Microsoft’s ecosystem, including what became Teams. Murray’s Silicon Valley experience further honed his skills, giving him a unique edge in the tech world. He has also served as CEO and on the boards of several public companies, leading significant reorganizations and recapitalizations.

At CITIZN, Murray’s innovative approach uses societal networks to drive positive policy changes and address core human needs. His vision? To make decision-making more inclusive through tech. He holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Economics from the University of Ottawa and is big on mentoring startups and teaching as an adjunct professor at IE Business School.

Murray frequently speaks about politics, entrepreneurship, and AI at universities, sharing his insights and inspiring the next generation of leaders. As a leader of startup incubators, he is dedicated to nurturing new ventures and fostering innovation. His commitment to using tech for societal good continues to fuel his work at CITIZN, where he’s on a mission to empower democracy and tackle capitalism-induced inequalities.

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Bill McConkey is Associate Professor, Teaching Stream for Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Academic Director of The BRIDGE New Venture Program. In addition to teaching several courses in the BBA and MAccFin programs,

Bill supervises students who wish to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, helping them build business plans and bring their concepts to market. Bill is involved in several student organizations, including TMG The Marketing Group, Management Consulting Club and the African Impact Challenge. Bill sits on the Board of Advisors and Board of Directors of a number of Canadian companies.

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Abi Ragu is a dynamic Senior Global Business Development Executive with a proven track record in sales and leadership, consistently exceeding targets and driving substantial revenue growth. His expertise lies in strategic account management, pipeline development, and fostering robust client relationships, particularly within the logistics and supply chain sectors. As a logistics expert, Abi helps his customers navigate the complexities of import and export challenges from Canada, enabling Canadian businesses to thrive by accessing new markets.

Abi’s career trajectory showcases a unique blend of scientific curiosity and business acumen. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University, a foundation that has instilled in him a data-driven and analytical approach to problem-solving. This, coupled with his passion for business, has propelled him to excel in the fast-paced world of sales and account management.

Beyond his professional achievements, Abi is a dedicated family man, cherishing his time with his wife and two children. He also has a zest for travel, constantly seeking new experiences and broadening his horizons.

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Vikas (Vik) Jain is a Small Business Advisor with City of Toronto, Economic Development Division. Working as a Business Advisor and Entrepreneurial Trainer for 28 years, he provides support and advisory services for start up entrepreneurs and early-stage existing business to grow and expand. His main area of programming is delivering Micro-Financing Grant Funding Programs within the City of Toronto. Specially the Starter & Summer Company Program providing government grant funding up to $5,000. Has managed over $5M of funding to over 700 entrepreneurs from 2000-2024.

Vik has provided training and advisory coaching to a number of businesses that went to pitch their venture in front of the famous CBC TV show “The Dragons Den.”

Vik also has been and will continue to being a part-time faculty member at various Canadian Colleges, lecturing various courses in Business and International Business degree programmes within the School of Business and Continuing Education departments.