Speed Mentoring Event: Fast-track Your Entrepreneurial Journey

CEO & Founder of Lumesmart Inc.

Shohreh is a visionary entrepreneur in the cleantech industry, specializing in LED lighting solutions for indoor farming, greenhouse, and vertical farms. With a background in computer science engineering, she initiated the Global Cleantech Directory to connect all the cleantech globally and Create Peace by Developing Solutions that Harmonize Humans, Technology and Nature. Shohreh has been passionate to raise awareness about the critical importance of addressing climate change that led her to initiate the Earth Day conference since 2015 and this year the Earth Day conference will be focusing on Agritech. A champion of women in manufacturing, she has been recognized with many awards like the Iranian Women Organization of Ontario for innovation, science, and technology award, finalist for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award and finalist for the Richmond Hill Board of Trade's Business Achievement Award. As a dedicated mentor, she generously gives back to the community by supporting entrepreneurs in achieving their goals. Recently, Shohreh has taken on the role of coach in CAF-FCA's National Mentor Development Program

Founder of Excelsior Solutions Corporation

A diverse wealth of experience—in finance, politics, marketing, journalism, and general business--enables Jim Adams to bring an exceptional range of skills to the table. He is highly adept at developing forward-thinking strategies and policies and incisive problem-solving. 

Storyteller, Storyteller Coach

Mosaic Pearl (Formerly Sassy La V)

Veronica Antipolo has a deep passion (perhaps a slight obsession) for storytelling. Seeing stories in everything, Veronica believes storytelling is a powerful tool for connection, empowerment, and change. This belief is woven throughout her work as a coach, mentor, workshop leader, and storytelling artist. She offers workshops for organizations, community groups, and individuals, and provides one-on-one storytelling coaching. She is known for creating a safe space for sharing vulnerable stories and as a connector, community builder, and cheerleader for human potential, she understands how effective storytelling can captivate your audience.

Veronica has been featured in CBC Radio’s “The Doc Project”, Reader’s Digest, Stories We Don’t Tell: The Book, the award-nominated RICE Asian comedy podcast, Toronto Storytelling Festival, and Museum London. Her clients include Toronto Community Housing, McMaster University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University, and CineFAM Film Festival for Women of Colour Creators. Find out more at SassyLaV.com and MosaicPearl.come (external link) 

Shaun is the founder of Atlas Marketing Group Inc. A marketing company based out of Toronto, where he helps small businesses with their online marketing strategies from web design to social media. Shaun loves being able to help new entrepreneurs find their footing on their entrepreneurial journey, often helping them with everything from marketing to sales.

Khau Gully, Restaurant and Catering

Passionate about business, innovation, and food, I currently operate my family business, Khau Gully Restaurant, in Toronto. My journey in the small business environment began at the age of 9 when my family opened our first restaurant. Then in 2018, we decided to start our business in Toronto as first-generation immigrants and I eventually left the corporate world. Alongside running my restaurant, I have also been involved in the startup environment, creating an ethnic snack company at DDQIC, an incubator at Queen's University, where I also completed my Master's in Management in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. My hobbies include traveling, Muay Thai, and reading.

Pepper Brooks Media, Creative Marketing Strategists 

PepperBrooks is a creative marketing strategist who blends empathy with technology, art, and psychology. Through PepperBrooks Media, she collaborates with kind and compassionate brands to elevate inclusive marketing and cultivate deep emotional connections with their target audiences. Her vision is to reduce inequality and promote inclusion for all. As a dedicated social entrepreneur, she firmly upholds entrepreneurship as a catalyst and tool for both economic advancement and social change. 

Affrism Ltd, CEO & Founder

Hi, I'm Ife, and I'm not your typical consultant, sure, I've got the experience – leading all phases of complex projects, navigating the intricacies of high-level business environments, and thriving in both the private and public sectors but what truly drives me is the chance to partner with exceptional leaders. As the CEO and Founder of Affrism, I take a personalized approach to executive coaching, workshops and project management solutions with one core mission: Create Capabilities.

Dharna CPA P.C, Owner

Shalini is a leading Financial Expert specializing in Small Business Entrepreneurship, helping them achieve profits and prosperity in all areas of their life. Having graduated with honors from the University of Toronto, Shalini went on to work at two of the big 6 accounting firms (Ernst and Young, BDO) before eventually joining the world of entrepreneurship herself with DharnaCPA. In this role she has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs helping them not only stay compliant with CRA but also implement strategies to help their business thrive, not just survive.

Camille Kennedy Consulting, Principal Consultant

Camille is a seasoned marketer with over 20 years of experience in B2C and B2B Sales and Marketing. She has been consulting and coaching for the last few years full-time and keeps a roster of global clients, varying in size and scale, across a variety of industries. She is passionate about mentoring and helping companies achieve growth and profitability. Prior, she led the Growth & Innovation lab at Veritas Communications, a North American PR firm and the cerebral cortex of the organization, bringing a powerful team of seasoned strategies and creatives to the practice of Public Relations, Social & Influencer Marketing. Camille also worked for several years in promotional marketing technology, building promotional and loyalty solutions for North American brands seeking to engage consumers, increase sales and inspire loyalty, largely through digital rewards and gamification. Some past and current clients include exciting Fortune 500 companies like Anheuser Busch, Kellogg’s, P&G, Clorox, Dr Pepper, Heineken, Verizon, Canadian Tire and many more. Camille also worked in the music business for several years, primarily at Sony Music in the National Sales Division. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree with majors in both Finance and Marketing, as well as a Master’s Degree in Music Business Management.

Executive Director at Social Venture Circuit; Principal/Fractional CFO at Optinum

Zahra Qureshi is a Chartered Professional Accountant and brings 12+ years of experience in the field of finance to help non-profits, social enterprises and small businesses to build confidence and strategic clarity for achieving financial sustainability, powerful growth, and positive social change. In 2019, Zahra launched Optinum Professional Corporation, a niche accounting and consulting firm with services including outsourced accounting services, fractional CFO roles, creating and managing a social impact blueprint ,strategic coaching for growth-oriented organizations, and raising investment. Zahra is also founder and Executive Director of Social Venture Circuit, a not-for-profit community where social enterprises can grow and learn together through networking and coaching programs.

Christine L Designs Inc. and the Brand Party Podcast, CEO and Graphic Designer

Christine Lieu is the expert behind CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast. She's a graphic designer who's traded in climbing the corporate ladder for climbing mountains around the world. Christine helps purpose-driven businesses create cohesive branding, web design, and social content to drive your impact and sales. As featured in Top 10 Canada Design, the Brand Party Podcast delivers fun, honest, to-the-point advice that you can implement RIGHT AWAY in your entrepreneurial journey.

E J Wright Consulting, Grant Writing and Program Development Consultant

Erica is an expert in organizational behavior and strategy, and diversity, equity & inclusion. She is a consultant working with small businesses and non-profits on business strategy and funding. She brings a business-oriented perspective to grant writing that is focused on business growth and development. Her expertise extends to corporate, non-profit, foundation funding, and small business grants.

I'm Hafsa Taher, a Certified Life and Business coach with a vibrant community of over 55,000 engaged followers on Instagram. I specialize in helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their lives and businesses intentionally, while prioritizing family.

My journey began over a decade ago with selling $3 greeting cards on Etsy. Over the last 10 years, I’ve taught hundreds of students business and selling strategies, and guiding them to overcome negative mindset blocks and achieve their goals.

Michelle is a member of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) Social Ventures Zone as the startup founder of LocAlley – creating entrepreneurial supports for small business owners in the areas of marketing and funding. LocAlley is a proud partner of Clearco, Equivesto, Merchant Growth, and Futurpreneur, enabling us to extend low-barrier access to funding for eligible businesses. She also works in the Advanced Market Planning Capstone course in the Ted Rogers School of Management, connecting startups and small businesses with FREE marketing support.

Michelle brings more than 20 years’ experience as a small business owner offering the Music For Young Children program. She also has a long-standing commitment for working with marginalized community organizations in a Social Work and artistic capacity, such as her work with The Welcome Home in Winnipeg, Man., and with the Father Ray Foundation in Thailand.

Michelle completed her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Toronto Metropolitan University, receiving a Global Undergraduate Award for her research regarding wheelchair accessibility on the TTC. In August 2018, as part of her BSW, Michelle was emergency evacuated from the worst monsoon flooding in 100 years in southern India, while collaborating with members of rural communities to examine water use and conceptualize sustainable water practices (work presented at the 4th World Disaster Management Conference in Mumbai, 2019).

Leyla Razeghi Consulting, Lead Consultant

Leyla Razeghi is a Business Strategist that helps CEOs create plans for growth, reduce risk and manage their operations productively.

After spending 8 years in Fortune 500 CPG (consumer packaged goods) and Retail, she is now dedicated to helping social entrepreneurs, innovative services and non-profits make optimal business decisions to achieve their goals.

Leyla’s formal education includes a degree in Industrial Engineering, an MBA in strategy, a diploma in brand management, and training in solution-focused consulting.

HR Made EZ, Owner

HR Made EZ is a company with a combination of human resource and business consultation specializing in strategy, human resources and compliance. We are available on an on-call basis to help you attract, retain and develop the right people and to put effective processes in place that will grow your business.

eduTechnoz, founder & CEO

MB Worldwide Inc, Personal Branding Coach

ADC Finance, Managing Director

Finance executive and business partner with extensive experience in all corporate finance areas, strategic planning, leadership, and operational execution. Has worked for top tier international corporations like PwC in assurance and transaction services, and in Schindler Elevators as Finance Controller and CFO in Mexico, Latin America, and Canada.

Currently is leading ADC Finance, where supports clients through strategic and financial planning, business processes automation, and improvements of the finance functions. While in VCM Soft landing supports International Corporations expanding operations and finding investment opportunities in Canada.

Andres Has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the ITESM – Mexico; and a master’s degree in accounting and finance by the University of Technology Sydney - Australia. Lives in Toronto, Canada since 2014.

Bereskin & Parr, Partner and patent agent

I'm Sudduf and I'm the founder of Salam Sudduf, a highly engaged community that inspires women to step into their purpose and use their voice. I love to talk about motherhood, social justice, spirituality, and philanthropy. As a visible Muslim woman, it's hard to feel a genuine connection to a brand these days, and I am here to change that. I'm excited to work with brands who truly celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion, not just to check a box.