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Ms. Nujhat Bashir is a Policy Analyst with Procurement Assistance Canada specializing in assisting underrepresented entrepreneurs. As part of this role, Nujhat helps support business in the Ontario region by engaging with them and sharing information about how to access procurement opportunities with the Federal Government and highlighting challenges launched by the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Program (managed by the Department of National Defence).

Nujhat has been with the Government of Canada for approximately 12 years and has engaged with companies of all sizes in her roles within Global Affairs Canada’s, Trade: Export Controls Bureau, the Build in Canada Innovation Program (renamed Innovative Solutions Canada) and at the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C.

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Youssef Girgis is a Senior Competition Law Officer in the Compliance and Outreach Unit of the Competition Bureau. In his role, Youssef focuses on promoting compliance by businesses of all sizes with Canada’s competition laws. Youssef is a licensed lawyer with experience working across both provincial and federal levels of government. He began his career in competition law in the Advocacy department of the Competition Bureau where he focused on promoting pro-competitive policies and practices to policymakers. He also worked at the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority where he gained a valuable international perspective on competition enforcement and policy. He holds a Master of Laws from York University – Osgoode Hall Law School and a Bachelor of Laws from Queen Mary University of London and has a background in international business and finance. His diverse educational and professional background has equipped Youssef with a unique perspective and skill set that he brings to his work as a legal professional and he is passionate about using these skills and knowledge to make a positive impact.

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A native of Scarborough, Ontario, Sam Ibrahim’s family immigrated from Egypt to Canada in the 1980s. He is an alumnus of the University of Toronto Scarborough who, at the age of 26, founded the Arrow Group of Companies. The Arrow Group is a collection of more than 20 corporations with a range of interests, including scientific research, diversified finance, temporary labour, health and wellness, sports and recreation and professional basketball. A self-made business magnet, the Arrow Group has grown to become one of Canada’s largest private corporations. It currently employs over 10,000 people and operates on four continents.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Mr. Ibrahim is a father of two boys, an avid basketball fan, and the owner of the largest private collection of basketball facilities in the world. The Playground started off as a passion project and has become Canada’s largest employer in the sport of basketball outside of the Toronto Raptors. Performing arts is another passion for Mr. Ibrahim and he recently converted the East York Masonic Temple into a live theatre and concert venue, and an instructional facility for aspiring actors, singers and dancers.

Sam Ibrahim believes in the transformative power of entrepreneurship and its abilities to uplift a community. His recent partnership with the University of Toronto is a testament to these values. The Sam Ibrahim Centre of Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership was established to provide students with world class access to greater opportunities in Scarborough.

His advice for success is to “See where the crowd is moving and go the other way”.

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Over the past 30 years, Andrew Arifuzzaman has held senior leadership roles across the academic and health sectors in some of Canada’s most prestigious organizations. Andrew is also passionate about mental health, sports and sustainability and dedicates much of free time to volunteering in these areas. Throughout his career, Andrew has led teams in a wide range of business disciplines including operations, finance, marketing and communications, advancement, information technology, research, partnerships, government relations, capital development and strategy. As Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), Andrew has spearheaded the development of the Campus’ Strategic and Master Plans as well as brand strategy. He has also fostered partnerships across the public and private sectors that have brought together diverse groups and built innovative new programs and opportunities including the creation of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, Canada’s premier sports cent