Have a success story you want to share with the rest of the business community? Let us know! 

The Board is proud to celebrate your successes and grow your business. We’re committed to ensuring you, as our valued member, are getting the most out of your Board of Trade membership, and feel connected to one another and the region’s business community. That’s why we’re introducing our new Member of the Week program. Every week, one of our Profile+, Influence or Influencer members is showcased on our website and in our weekly newsletter, celebrating big news, wins and work. 

Don’t hesitate to nominate yourself! This is a great opportunity for you to gain greater visibility in the Toronto business community, for growing your network and building your business. 

Our next Member of the Week could be you. Email joinus@bot.com to learn how.

Witmart made headlines three years ago as “the Alibaba of Intellectual Property,” then quickly zeroed in on Toronto to expand from China – opening its first North American office at MaRS. In his role at Witmart, Richard Zhou has overseen the rapid expansion of his team in providing entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs with affordable and efficient trademark registration services to protect their assets.

Zhou’s dedication to helping businesses at all stages of development connect and grow translates to the fundamental success of Witmart, as they focus on protecting businesses’ brands, products and services both locally and abroad.More recently, he’s spearheaded the growth of Witmart’s capabilities to provide patent, copyright and business incorporation services to the general public both here at home in Toronto and abroad.

“We are honoured to be a member of the Toronto Regional Board of Trade because of the mutually beneficial relationships such a partnership has to offer. Given that the Board includes businesses of all sizes, we believe we can be a very active player within those groups to deliver quality services and do our part to give back to the local community that has given us so much.”

Learn more about Witmart.

With a diverse range of business and leadership experience, Aliza Lakhani was recently appointed Dean of Northeastern University Toronto, the first international campus in Northeastern University’s growing network of regional gradute campuses. A Toronto native, Lakhani comes to Northeastern from the DMZ, a leading business incubator for Canadian tech startups based at Ryerson University. She served as the director of business development and international, in which role she built a business development team and led efforts to expand the organization internationally.

Headquartered in Boston and ranked as a top global research non-profit university, Northeastern University is a leader in experiential education and lifelong learning. Northeastern’s Toronto campus focuses on fields of study corresponding to areas of significant employer demand in the GTA, including cybersecurity, regulatory affairs for pharmaceuticals, project management, and data analytics. Northeastern University Toronto is also partnering with the Toronto corporate and technology ecosystems to attract, retain, and invest in Canadian talent.

“We’re passionate about helping our lifelong learners reach their personal and professional goals. We love to see our students soar and meet their career goals--whether its growing in their current field or entering a new field,” says Lakhani. “I’m very excited about creating new ways to be entrepreneurial in leading this campus within the university’s global network—ultimately elevating learners and employers in the Toronto region.”

Learn more about Northeastern University Toronto

A big part of Alex Dagg’s job at Airbnb is working with cities to create fair and easy-to-follow rules for home sharing. For example, on Dec 3, 2018, Airbnb and Tourism Vancouver announced a first-of-its-kind in Canada partnership agreement. The agreement will see Airbnb leverage its global reach through digital channels such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter as well as its magazine Airbnbmag, to boost Vancouver's reputation as a premier destination.

“One of our main motivators is supporting our host community—regular, every day people who are using Airbnb as a way to help make their lives more affordable in a city that is increasingly expensive,” says Dagg. Airbnb will be working with Tourism Vancouver to expand the variety and quality of licensed accommodation offerings in the city, providing visitors with diverse options to suit every budget and style.

“Likewise, we are members of the Toronto community, not just through our employees who work here, but through our more than 10,000 hosts who are sharing their homes all across the city. Working with the Board provides an invaluable resource into the heart of Toronto's business community and further strengthens Airbnb's commitment to help drive growth and competitiveness of the Toronto region.”

Learn more about the Airbnb and Tourism Vancouver partnership.

In his role at Salesforce, Jesse Bruyn is most proud of providing businesses—especially small and growth businesses—with the technology that allows them to look, act and feel like larger, established businesses.

Following Dreamforce 2018, the largest software conference in the world, and Salesforce’s most successful one yet, Bruyn is excited about the expansion of their suite of solutions. For exampleEinstein Voice, enabling customers to speak to Salesforce’s AI engine, Einstein, which then determines how to best utilize that information and update relevant stakeholders and records.

“We’re watching consumers become more and more connected, and with that, their expectations of businesses continue to grow. We’re able to equip these businesses with the tools they need to stay competitive” says Bruyn, also a past committee member of the Board’s Young Professionals Network.

“Which is why I’m glad to have the opportunity to connect with the Board’s vast network of ambitious, like-minded professionals that share their diverse opportunities and challenges working in Toronto,” Bruyn says of Salesforce’s membership with the Board. “Networking across a variety of industries and professional roles provides a broad perspective of the state of business in the city.”

Learn more about Salesforce Canada.

Yasaman Moghaddam is responsible for managing RBC Insurance’s (RBCI) Group Home and Auto business. As a strategic leader with over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Yasaman leads a national team of Business Development Specialists who are responsible for building trusted relationships with business owners and executives. Part of her role also includes working with Leadership teams across the organization to help grow the Group Home and Auto business.

Yasaman is recognized at RBCI for her ability to motivate and lead teams to achieve outstanding results.

“At RBC Insurance, we have one of the most comprehensive product suites in the industry geared towards small, medium and large businesses,” says Moghaddam. “We’re proud of the service and advice we provide our clients and are eager to share our expertise to Board of Trade members and provide recommendations that suit their specific needs.”

Learn more about RBCI.

Serving as the Non-Executive Chair for the Global Infrastructure practice and Chair of KPMG’s Cities Global Centre of Excellence, Stephen Beatty has more than 30 years of experience in the infrastructure sector and has been involved in numerous negotiations on complex infrastructure projects across six continents. He has led many large infrastructure transactions and has advised public and private sector clients extensively in privatization strategy, transportation planning, public-private partnership (PPP) policy development and project financing.

A Toronto-based Canadian, Stephen is proud to use his extensive global experience to help build a better city for current and future generations. He is also the Executive in Residence at Cornell University as part of their Program in Infrastructure Policy, where he speaks to students from different business, public policy, engineering, and planning backgrounds about infrastructure—shaping our future leaders ready to position Toronto on the world stage.

“The Toronto Region Board of Trade is one of the leading voices for business in the GTA and consistently positions our region as a global centre of influence,” says Beatty. “At KPMG, we, too, are committed to putting Toronto on the map as a world-class destination for ideas, people and business. With deep industry knowledge and an international reach, KPMG leverages global experience to catalyze the growth and competitiveness of our region, both now and well into the future.”

Learn more about KPMG.

Responsible for Zipcar’s brand awareness in major markets like Boston, New York, Chicago and throughout Canada, what grounds Christopher Moulding in his work is the ability to be part of a company that’s focused on making cities better places to live.

He estimates that in Toronto alone, Zipcar has eliminated the need for more than 16,000 personal vehicles on the roads. In addition to their core round-trip car-sharing offering, Zipcar’s recently began testing a new commuter option in several cities—including Toronto. This new option is designed for reverse commuters who own a car today and work in places underserved by transit options, providing the peace of mind in having a dedicated parking spot for pick-up and drop-off.

“Zipcar’s mission is to enable simple and responsible urban living here in Toronto and across the globe,” says Chris. “We partner with various neighborhood groups, local non-profits—and of course the business community—to increase mobility while decreasing traffic, congestion and parking demand. The Board of Trade allows us to make important connections with other Toronto businesses that share a passion for making the city a great place to live, work and visit.”

Learn more about Zipcar.

Continuing a successful 20-year career constructing high-profile institutional, commercial, residential and major infrastructure projects in Atlantic Canada, Patrick Stiles joined Pomerleau’s Toronto office in early 2018. As Vice President of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Patrick Stiles oversees operations, business development and execution of all regional building projects.

With more than 50 years of experience, and currently more than 125 active worksites coast to coast, Pomerleau has established itself as a national leader in civil, infrastructure, and building works. Proudly doing business in the GTA since 2009, recent projects include: the Leslie Barns – Streetcar Maintenance & Storage Facility; the Sheridan College Hazel McCallion Phase 2A; and the Holy Blossom Temple renewal.

“Aligned with the Board of Trade’s vision to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world, I believe Pomerleau is continually pushing boundaries to better serve our communities,” says Stiles. “I look forward to continuing to increase Pomerleau’s contribution to Toronto’s development.”

Learn more about Pomerleau.

In her role with Rogers, Kim O’Keefe works closely with enterprise teams who enable businesses with cloud solutions, intelligent connectivity and advanced communications, bringing a full suite of digital media products to help businesses succeed in their marketing efforts.

Kim is a notable figure in her work, helping educate business owners across the country about digital marketing, both through speaking events and personally. Through these interactions Kim learns more about the unique challenges that face business owners—which ultimately informs Kim’s ability to shape products and strategies that will help all small and medium businesses achieve their goals. Recently, Kim helped lead an expert session at the Board’s annual Small Business Summit.

“The learning and networking opportunities provided by the Board are excellent,” says Kim. “The events and advocacy initiatives are of the highest calibre and set the standard for boards and associations across the country.”

Learn more about Rogers Small Business Enterprise

Back from providing testimony in front of the Senate of Canada’s Special Committee on the Charitable sector last week, PwC’s Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer James Temple understands the important role that business leaders can play in building trust in society and solving important problems.

Case in point: PwC’s Young People Project—an initiative designed to help address youth unemployment and impact the lives of at least 10,000 disadvantaged young people by 2020. The firm launched a new measurement framework to help track their project’s impact which can be adapted for any organization to help boards and management teams better understand their systems change initiatives.

Helping businesses and making a positive impact is why James is a Member of the Board. As an Influencer Member, PwC contributes greatly to the Board’s policy and advocacy efforts. “Having a seat at any leadership table is a privilege,” says James.“People trust that you will help amplify their voices on important issues that matter to them, your organization and the community.”

Recently named a “Leader to be Proud of” with the 2018 Professional Leader Award from by Start Proud, Brett House is a recognized voice, not only in the field of economics, but as a role model for LGBTQ+ students and young professionals.

At Scotiabank Economics in Toronto, he’s helped to build a research team focused on cutting-edge work on a global scale. His team contributes to major public policy discussions that are shaping the future of Canada, such as the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s expert panel,“Is A Global Trade War Inevitable?” focused on ongoing efforts to modernize NAFTA and to diversify the country's trading relationships.

“The Board of Trade helps to interpret how global and national developments are likely to affect the Toronto region,” says Brett. “It also provides a channel through which Toronto can mobilize its diverse community to help shape these forces.”

Learn more about Scotiabank Economics.

With more than 25 years of hospitality industry service, Lorenz Hassenstein has made significant contributions to several key industry organizations. Whether launching the Las Vegas tradeshow or leading the turnaround of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hassenstein has managed events in just about every centre in North America—it’s inevitable his career brought him to Toronto.

At the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), his team is celebrating its most successful year yet, with overall customer satisfaction rising to 98% along the way. This effort gave Toronto’s economy a boost by generating a record-breaking $594 million in direct economic impact to the GTA.

“Being a member of the Board is another way for the MTCC to contribute to the GTA’s competitiveness through the events industry,” says Hassenstein. “By staying connected to the business community we’re able to share best practices and build partnerships to make Toronto a more attractive venue on the world stage.”

Learn more about MTCC.

When it comes down to it, Chris Kelly is, quite unapologetically, a salesperson. In his role at Sandler Training of Toronto, Kelly helps businesses achieve superior levels of performance in sales management and business development. Knowing the stigma around sales, he enjoys changing perceptions around the idea of selling, helping transform clients reluctant to sell into passionate professionals.

With a focus on helping local business leaders, his team is in the midst of expanding—moving into bigger space that will help support the growth of their firm in Toronto.

“I'm a Torontonian. I work, raise a family and socialize in the city of Toronto,” says Kelly. “This great market has offered our firm the opportunity to grow our business over the past eight years. The Board is an important hub for the city where I can continue to learn and share.”

Learn more about Sandler Training in Toronto.

But for Thornton, the essence of these achievements comes down to not only the quality of the TELUS network, but more importantly its ability to reliably connect customers andprovideToronto citizens and businesses with world-class network coverage and speed—from the city’s transportation vehicles through to schools and digital healthcare facilities.

“Being a member of the Board is a unique opportunity for me to help other businesses navigate the wireless and cloud ecosystems and gain a deeper understanding of their business challenges and opportunities” says Thornton. “Ultimately, our goal is to leverage the latest technology and the strength of the TELUS team to drive better business outcomes for our customers, our partners and communities.”

Learn more about TELUS.

Iva Peric-Lightfoot was recently recognized as one of CRN’s 2018 Women of the Channel for her outstanding leadership, vision and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation. With more than 20 years in the information security industry, Iva Peric-Lightfoot is a leader in developing and implementing national and international channel strategies.

A testament to her leadership, Peric-Lightfoot is most proud of her team at ESET. While building the business from the ground up, she was able to successfully find passionate and committed professionals by enlisting her network, a rare opportunity she appreciates.

“In every aspect of life, community is important. It is important from the perspective of having a support system to call upon but also to be able to give back, share vision, ideas, strategy and challenges,” says Peric-Lightfoot. 

“The Board is the best of the best in the Canadian business world and it is important that we contribute to this community as well as leverage it for our own success.”

Learn more about ESET.

Dr. Dimanche was inducted as a Fellow for the Ontario Hostelry Institute in 2017, and was one of the first 12 to be nominated by the Ontario Government to be a member of the Université de L’Ontario Français Board of Governors.

In his role with Ryerson University, he’s overseen progress in the growth of his department. Specifically, Dr. Dimanche is proud of providing students with unique experiential learning, including the integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and applied global experiences.

“Through our Executive Education programs in partnership with the Board, we engage more broadly with the business community,” he says. “TRSM is aligned to the Board’s vision, in helping to broaden and enrich leadership capabilities and develop innovative approaches to real-time business challenges.”

Learn more about TRSM.

Diane Kazarian was appointed PwC Canada's Managing Partner for the GTA region earlier this year. She isthe first womanto hold this position for PwC Canada in addition to her role as National Financial Services Leader for the firm, and is a notable advocate for diversity and inclusion.

A recipient of theWomen’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, Diane is also very active speaking at conferences and to media on topics of innovation, notably FinTech, Blockchain, and emerging technologies impacting the financial services sector.

“PwC Canada is a proud member of theBoard. As GTA Managing Partner, I believe it’s important that businesses across the GTA have a place to connect and discuss the important issues that affect our region. The Board provides this platform.”

Learn more about PwC Canada.

Nicola Jackson is responsible for creating, managing and growing Wavefront’s strategic partnerships ecosystem. As an innovation intermediary with teams based in Vancouver and Toronto, Wavefront helps large enterprises digitally transform their business by connecting them to innovative Canadian start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Wavefront collaborates with Canadian SMEs to jointly deliver mobile and IoT solutions into large enterprises. Jackson has effectively led the expansion of the partner network within the last year by onboarding new Canadian solutions providers.

 “Our membership with the Board provides valuable opportunities to make connections with the community,” says Jackson. “The Board’s network enables us to build meaningful relationships with like-minded organizations and business leaders across the city who are committed to the expansion and growth of the Canadian Innovation Ecosystem.”

Learn more about Wavefront.

Prior to his recent transfer to Australia, Ryan Falconer led the integrated planning business in Canada from Arup’s Toronto office. With a background in sustainability and technology policy, his work focuses on transport strategy for government and private clients.

 In addition to more than 30 other book chapters, papers and articles, Falconer oversaw Arup’s recent report coauthored with MaRS Discovery District, Mobility-as-a-Service: The Value Proposition for the Public & Our Urban Systems. He’s proud of the opportunity to collaborate with non-partisan organizations like MaRS and the Board.

 “Between 2015 and 2017, I led integrated planning for Arup Canada and enjoyed working closely with the Board over this time, including sitting on the Infrastructure Committee and representing the Board on GTAA's consultative committee,” says Falconer. “I admire the Board's ongoing commitment to sustainable growth of the region and focus on mobility management.”

Read the report here and learn more about Arup.

In February 2018, Alexander Neef was named Artistic Director of Santa Fe Opera, a role he will hold in addition to his current role at the Canadian Opera Company (COC). He’s proud of their work in creating a very strong Canadian identity for the COC—as a major destination for the greatest operatic artists of our time, as the biggest opera producer in the country and as a leader internationally.

Learn more about the Canadian Opera Company.

Imtiaz Kermali oversees business development at eShipper, a fully-automated cloud-based integrated shipping solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He’s proud that the essence of their success is through supporting other businesses—having started as a family-run business, they know a thing or two about taking a small business global. Through global partnerships and a unique competitive model, eShipper has helped thousands of SMEs compete with multinational businesses across the world.                                          

“Membership with the Board strengthens eShipper’s ability to support other businesses, locally and globally,” says Kermali. “Through the many opportunities provided by the Board for building connections, we’re able to help enhance the sales strategy and fulfillment of SMEs—enabling them to become more profitable and efficient in their business.”

Since 2012, Howard has held the role of President & CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest airport in Canada and the second-largest airport in terms of international passenger traffic in North America.

Under Howard’s leadership, Toronto Pearson is pursuing its vision of becoming the best airport in the world. A priority focus on this journey is continuing to grow the airport’s already strong contribution to Canada’s economy through increased connectivity, both to international markets by air and around the airport employment zone on the ground.

“Toronto Pearson is Canada’s doorstep to the world and a significant driver of the country’s economy,” says Howard.  “We are now taking a leading role, in partnership with government and industry partners, in ensuring that travelers are as well connected on the ground as they are in the air through our vision of a Regional Transit Centre.”

Jacques Lirette joined INTEGRIM as Director of Business Development at the start 2017, marking the celebration of their 25 years of business. A seasoned IT professional, he’s overseen taking the company’s suite of automation solutions and services related to processing paper or electronic documents to the next level. Seemingly at odds with this world of automation, Lirette is motivated by the very human aspect of helping clients tackle their current IT challenges.

“I am most proud of the lasting relationships I have developed with my clients,” says Lirette. “This is facilitated by my membership with the Board of Trade, where I’m able to participate in the exciting learning opportunities and meet with business leaders to assist the growth of our region.”

Speaking at the Board’s Power Breakfast Series expert panel in February 2018, Coutinho inevitably touched on technology and infrastructure in the energy sector.

This theme reflects on Enwave’s latest collaboration with Allied Properties and RioCan to extend Enwave's thermal energy system, providing long-term benefits for the City of Toronto and supporting its focus on resiliency and carbon emission reduction.

Irene Sterian, a seasoned technology strategist, leads the Refined Manufacturing Acceleration Process (ReMAP), an integrated shared ecosystem for the acceleration of the commercialization of electronics products manufactured in Canada for a global market. 

She’s proud of the network ReMAP has fostered across Canada through their Product Enablement Value Chain blueprint, bridging the commercialization gap between applied research and industry. They’ve recently launched ReMAP 2.0, with a call for proposals toward developing innovation projects.

“Connecting with Toronto’s influencers through our Board membership supports our advancement of Toronto as a smart city and, collectively, as a global leader in innovation and human capital.”

As Director of Innovation for the Public Sector North America division of one of the world’s largest technology companies, Franco Amalfi has to consider how government organizations can bring their services into the 21st century. He attributes Oracle Public Sector’s growth in Canada to the increased adoption of cloud technologies, and Oracle is investing in Canadian data centres to support this growth. 

Amalfi believes his Board membership facilitates his ability to stay connected and impact policy.

“Participating in the Board’s Smart Cities Working Group has been very beneficial. It has afforded us the opportunity to interact and help impact Toronto’s Smart City plans. Being a member of the Board is a natural way for me to collaborate with city employees and other stakeholders to assist in making an impact in Canada.”

Most of us know Purdys Chocolatier for its spectacular chocolates and consistent rankings by Aon Hewitt as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers. Less well known are Purdys’ sustainability efforts such as the Clean Water Project to provide safe, clean drinking water in rural, cocoa-growing communities. Launched in 2017, the campaign garnered huge support from the community, customers and their shops. In one month, the campaign exceeded its fundraising goal by 80%! As a result, Karen Flavelle, CEO of Purdys Chocolatier, travelled to Ivory Coast to deliver 63 LifeStraw Community water filters – meaning safe drinking water for more than 3,780 children for the next three years.

“Purdys uses only 100% sustainable cocoa to benefit our farmer partners, their communities and the environment,” says Flavelle. “Through on-the-ground programs, we are able to help improve farming and cocoa yield, deliver better medical care and make clean water possible in rural communities.”

As Canadian Senior Director of the world’s leading brand consultancy, Dwyer works with a range of organizations across sectors and geographies to unlock the power of their brands. He’s particularly proud of the teams he leads, as they develop singular ideas that align diverse groups within an organization. 

“My Board membership gives me one more way to apply the tools I’ve developed throughout my career, outside of my day-to-day. My work with the Board’s Smart Cities Working Group is particularly inspiring, as I’m contributing towards an exciting project that will benefit our entire community. I can’t think of a better use of my skillset, and I’m so proud to be working alongside this group of remarkable Toronto business leaders.”

Learn more about Interbrand.

Anita Dong, President & CEO, credits the success of Accelera Marketing to their focus on growth: growth for their clients and ultimately, growth for themselves. The award-winning agency believes that strategy and creativity must work in tandem, very much like the relationship Accelera builds with every client.

Accelera fully celebrates the successes of their clients as their own; whether it’s driving awareness for an unconventional product of Diva International or launching a fully integrated redesign campaign for Lake of Bays Brewing Co. It is telling that many of their clients are iconic and long-standing, a reflection of the work they put into understanding the brands and markets within the larger business community.

“Being a member of the Board helps us stay abreast of trends within our industry and our clients’ industries,” says Dong. “Our membership also represents being part of a larger community of like-minded individuals and companies who share knowledge and ideas to propel them forward.”

Read more about Accelera at weaccelerate.ca/portfolio.

As Associate Vice President Retail at Meridian, Dayna Whitney is particularly proud of the strides the company is making in helping youth become more financially-savvy and in helping entrepreneurs start their businesses. Case in point: Meridian’s Save the Camp app, aimed at children in grades 7 to 12, is now one of the top four educational games on Apple’s Canadian app store. Similarly, in kicking off their Ontario-wide Owners Wanted program in partnership with Futurepreneur, aspiring young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 are provided with mentorship and networking support.

More recently, Meridian was a proud partner of the Board’s 7^th Annual Business Excellence Awards, sponsoring and presenting the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

“We’re proud that local decision-making is a key part of how we serve our stakeholders,” says Whitney. “Meridian knows firsthand the important role businesses play in building strong, vibrant and inclusive communities, and our membership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade supports that.”

As Managing Partner of the newly opened office in NYC, Mark leads the McCarthy Tétrault’s efforts in connecting clients in the US to opportunities in Canada. Being on the ground in New York enables Mark to speak to clients face-to-face, delivering on the integrated, national service platform McCarthy Tétrault offers, as well as expertise in the industries that matter most to the economy, like retail, mining, energy, technology and financial services.

As president of the Canadian branch of the world's largest container shipping company, Jack Mahoney has to think globally.  He attributes Maersk Line’s growth in Canada to the many working parts of Canadian trade—from his team and Maersk Line’s network, to how prominently foreign trade figures with Maersk Line’s Canadian clients, to Canadian policy.  Confident in CETA’s boost to Canadian-EU trade while supporting the overall trade growth in the country, Maersk Line will introduce a new direct service between Montreal and dozens of Europe’s Mediterranean ports. 

Mahoney believes his Board of Trade membership facilitates his ability to stay connected and impact policy. “More than half of Canada’s GDP growth is attributed to trade, and I feel fortunate to work for a company whose mission is to enable trade, improving global prosperity in that process.  Being a member of the Board is a natural way for me to continue that outside the office.”