Dr. Adam Stoehr, PhD, MBA is an award-winning university professor, employee happiness researcher, and keynote speaker. He is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour and HRM at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, where he was recognized with the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Adam has delivered talks to more than 30,000 people and has worked extensively with organizations across Canada to connect leadership, motivation, and organizational excellence to employee happiness. His doctoral research explored how quality strategy directly impacts employee well-being, revealing that excellence creates happier workplaces at every level.

Through his teaching, research, and consulting, Adam continues to shape how leaders think about happiness, engagement, and culture in the workplace.

Court Desautels is the CEO of the Neighbourhood Group of Companies, a Certified B Corporation operating five restaurants across Guelph and Kitchener. A determined leader who challenges conventional restaurant norms, Court has championed initiatives such as fully paid staff health benefits, local and sustainable sourcing, and a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Under his leadership, Neighbourhood Group has become a model for how hospitality businesses can create lasting community impact while fostering team well-being and long-term growth.

Daniel Wigdor is a Professor at the University of Toronto, inventor, entrepreneur, and CEO of AXL: Human Potential, AI Super Powered. A recognized leader in human-computer interaction and AI innovation, Daniel has worked as a researcher at Meta and co-founded ventures at the intersection of technology and society. At AXL, he is focused on bridging Canada’s gap in AI commercialization by building ventures that empower people through AI rather than replace them.

Dustin Heise is the Chief Executive Officer of Canada Snowboard, where he has led the organization to historic results on the world stage. Under his leadership, Canada Snowboard became the #1 Olympic snowboard nation, earning six Olympic medals and the country’s first three Paralympic snowboard medals.

Since becoming CEO in 2018, Dustin has doubled both revenue and team size, scaling the organization from under $4M to more than $13M while keeping values and culture at the center of growth. He successfully guided Canada Snowboard through the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering its strongest Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship outcomes in history.

With two decades of leadership experience in elite sport and business, Dustin is known for his vision, values-based strategy, and ability to inspire teams to perform at their highest level.

Eric Phaneuf is the President & CEO of Walter Capital Partners, a private equity firm that uniquely blends capital investment with operational expertise. With over 20 years of experience in executive leadership across sectors, including Cascades and Mega Brands, Eric brings deep insight into value creation, strategic execution, and business transformation. Under his leadership, Walter Capital has grown into a trusted partner for mid-market companies, helping them scale with clarity and purpose.

George Torok is a seasoned Speech Coach specializing in helping executives improve their communication and presentation skills. With over 30 years of experience, George works with business leaders to enhance their ability to deliver high-stakes presentations with clarity, confidence, and impact. Known for his direct yet caring approach, George helps clients transform their public speaking abilities, whether in-person or virtually, and develop an executive presence that resonates with any audience.

Glenn Sommerville is the President of High Performance Leaders Inc. and a CEO Global Network Group Leader. With more than 25 years of leadership experience at world-class organizations including Honeywell, Toyota, BlackBerry, and Amazon, Glenn has built a career around developing sustainable high-performance teams. Today, he helps leaders and organizations unlock their potential through coaching, mentoring, and practical leadership development. Outside of work, Glenn is passionate about backcountry canoeing, woodworking, and capturing lessons from family camping adventures in a decades-long journal.

Grant Heggie is the President & CEO of Melmart Distributors Inc., a third-generation, family-owned flooring company serving Canada for over 55 years. Under Grant’s leadership since 2001, Melmart has grown its market footprint, expanded its private-label product lines, and adapted to global supply trends - all while staying grounded in the values of customer connection, humility, and continuous learning. Grant brings a unique blend of operational insight and people-first leadership to every conversation.

Harry Blum is the National Managing Partner at RSM Canada, where he leads national and international strategy, business development, and cultural growth. Under his leadership, RSM has evolved into one of the most distinctive advisory firms in the country, serving clients from middle-market entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. A champion of values-based leadership, Harry is known for empowering people through trust, collaboration, and a relentless focus on outcomes. He is a recipient of the Global Leadership Award and a vocal advocate for scaling culture with purpose.

Jennifer La Forge is the General Manager of Rakuten Rewards Canada and a Board Member at Easter Seals Ontario. With over a decade of experience in the digital and e-commerce space, she has helped Rakuten Rewards Canada generate over $100 million in cash back for its members. Jennifer is a passionate leader known for building high-functioning, autonomous teams that drive growth through strategy, innovation, and operational efficiency. Her leadership earned her the Globe and Mail’s Best Executive Award in 2022. As a consumer-centric leader, Jennifer is committed to delivering measurable value while fostering a company culture based on trust and transparency.

Jeremy D. Behar is the Founder & CEO of Canadian Dental Services Corporation (CDS). With over 25 years of experience transforming dental care in Canada and the United States, Jeremy has built CDS into a nationally recognized leader in oral healthcare — most recently awarded the 2025 Canadian Business Excellence Award. Known for his visionary leadership and people-first approach, he has redefined dental care by connecting oral health to overall wellness, while fostering a culture of empathy, excellence, and continuous learning.

Jose Hadad is the chef-founder and “Founding Revolutionary” of Mad Mexican, the Toronto-born brand known for handcrafted, chemical-free salsas, guacamole, and Mexican provisions. Starting from a condo kitchen in 2006, Jose built a customer-first operation that protects freshness with a just-in-time distribution model—bringing the love and satisfaction of his grandmothers’ cooking to modern shelves. Viva la revolución.

Josie Erzetic is the President and CEO of the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), where she leads initiatives to protect Ontarians from electrical harm. With a legal background from Osgoode Hall Law School and senior executive experience at both ESA and Ontario Power Generation, Josie brings deep expertise in regulatory strategy, renewable energy, and public safety. Under her leadership, ESA has embraced data-driven oversight and launched award-winning safety campaigns. Josie is a passionate advocate for innovation, governance, and continuous learning in the evolving energy landscape.

Karim S. Leduc is the founder and CEO of DULCEDO Management, one of North America’s top talent agencies. What began as a boutique model agency in Montreal has grown into Canada’s largest multidisciplinary management group, representing over 500 models, athletes, influencers, entertainers, and eSports stars. A true pioneer, Karim introduced influencer agency representation to Canada in 2014. Beyond DULCEDO, he is a proud founding member of Le Cercle Entrepreneurial, a non-profit supporting startups with mentorship and connections. Recognized for his visionary leadership, Karim continues to shape culture and business at the highest levels.

Nat Korol, Co-Founder of Hyphen Co., B2B Marketing Strategist, and advocate for sustainable business growth, Nat Korol helps organizations scale with intention. With over 20 years in the marketing industry, she has guided 50+ companies toward impactful, strategy-driven success. Nat is also an ultra-runner, content strategy educator, and proud B Corp leader — dedicated to building brands with purpose and responsibility.

Nick Dean is the President & Director of The Keg Restaurants Ltd., where he leads strategy and execution for Canada’s beloved steakhouse brand. Since joining The Keg in 2019, Nick has galvanized a high-performing leadership team, steered the company through the pandemic, and continued to strengthen a people-first culture—contributing to The Keg being recognized as Canada’s #1 restaurant employer. Previously a CEO and president in advertising and cannabis, Nick is known for aligning complex stakeholders, empowering experts, and scaling organizations with focus, discipline, and integrity. He lives in Richmond, BC, with his wife and is the proud father of three sons.

Pino Di Ioia is the CEO and owner of BeaverTails Pastry and Moozoo Creamery, iconic Canadian brands known for their creativity, culture, and loyal fan base. Starting his career as a university student and store-level manager in 1987, Pino worked his way up through the company—eventually becoming franchisee, master franchisee, CEO, and finally owner. With more than three decades of experience in strategic brand management and franchising, Pino has led BeaverTails through periods of growth, innovation, and resilience, including the challenges of COVID-19. Passionate about culture, accountability, and delivering joy, Pino continues to shape BeaverTails into a brand that Canadians—and fans around the world—treasure.

Stephen Kropf is the President of Dundee Recycling Ltd., a family-run scrap metal company based in Wilmot, Ontario. With over 15 years at the helm, Stephen has built a business grounded in trust, community, and operational excellence. Known for his hands-on leadership and dedication to both customer service and charitable outreach, Stephen has created a culture where employees feel valued and involved. Under his leadership, Dundee Recycling has not only grown its business but also become a pillar in the local community - supporting youth sports, nutrition programs, and monthly employee-chosen charities. Stephen brings a refreshing mix of grit and generosity to everything he does.

Vincent Travaglini, P.Eng. recently retired as President & CEO of StackTeck Systems Ltd., where he spent more than three decades shaping the mold-making and packaging industries. With a career spanning engineering, operations, sales, and executive leadership, Vince led StackTeck through multiple cycles of disruption with a culture of persistence and innovation. Known for his passion for learning and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders, he continues to inspire by sharing lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of building meaningful relationships.