Big Data and Analytics

With more than 10 years of consulting experience, Snehal focuses on helping large organizations unlock the full potential of their data through AI and analytics, and use it as an asset to drive profitability, reduce costs, mitigate risk. As a senior manager within Omnia AI, Deloitte’s AI Consulting practice, he specializes in advisory and large-program delivery to transform and mature enterprises across all aspects of data management, analytics, and AI.

As Director of the Wealth Learning team for BMO Wealth Management, Stephanie Tavitian-Guthrie is responsible for leading learning that enables BMO’s wealth professionals to be successful in their new and existing roles. Guiding a team of design, development and delivery professionals with a focus on learner experience first is evident in her approach – consultative leadership, human centered design and a commitment to elevate learning. She has over 27 years’ experience in the financial industry in various functions and roles ranging from sales leadership through to client experience and for the last 15 years she has led learning delivery, design and development teams within the company. Her personal passion for coaching is deeply entrenched in how she lives, works and volunteers as a certified Co-Active coach. When not working, you are certain to find her volunteering with her daughter’s swim club and cheering loudly so her daughter can hear her from the water!

Financial Acumen

Steve Weiss is an international negotiation specialist. For more than 30 years, he has delivered high-level negotiation training in academic and corporate settings. Steve is an award winning instructor, and his popular Schulich international negotiation program features “mega-simulations” to reinforce key negotiation techniques. Steve will be facilitating the dynamic Canada-China negotiation simulation at this special event. Steve's extensive clients to-date include American Express Canada, AT&T, Babcock & Wilcox, Celestica, Dassault Aviation, and Purolator.

General Management, People Leadership

Stephen specializes in teaching leaders and management professionals about various aspects of interpersonal communication, management skills and leadership development in the workplace. His extensive education experience includes online and live education. He is an award winning, Adjunct Professor of Organizational Studies at the Schulich School of Business at York University since 2000, where he teaches Organizational Behaviour, Team Development, Human Resource Management and Leadership in the BBA, MBA, Masters of Marketing, Masters of Management and Masters of Artificial Intelligence programs. Stephen has worked with groups and individuals across a broad range of industries Stephen’s casual and affable delivery style immediately puts his participants at ease and sets a unique interactive and engaging tone which has made him a sought after and repeat speaker, educator and coach for numerous organizations across Canada. His style is authentic, provocative, humorous and fun. He holds an M.A. and an Honours B.A. in Psychology. Additionally, Stephen Friedman is a skilled and recognized executive coach, facilitator and educator of leadership and management skills development, team development, organizational learning and human resource management for numerous organizations and individuals. His experience with in this area spans over 25 years.

Sales

Since 1989, Steve Gregory has led IsaiX Technologies Inc., a firm specializing in sales organizational development and technology. Their methods and technology supporting sales and sales management, have had significant impact in organizations such as ATB, Merck, Michelin, GDI, KeyBank, TD Ameritrade and TD Bank. In 2012 he was invited to sit as a Director of Acerus Pharmaceutical Corporation, a TSX-listed specialty pharmaceutical company actively developing medications for men’s health. Steve is a graduate of Carleton University, with an undergraduate degree in Law and Political Science. In 2013 he completed the Rotman School of Management, Directors Education Program.

People Leadership

Steve is an award-winning training consultant and instructional designer with a specialty in (and passion for) elearning. He has worked in the training and development industry for close to 20 years and was the lead designer for two Canadian Society for Training and Development design awards. He also won the inaugural Iron Mouse award for Storyline design at the 2015 Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL) awards. In addition to his work as a facilitator for the Masters Certificate in Adult Training and Development (MCATD), Steve has been a regular guest speaker at I4PL’s national conference and spring symposium, York University and various networking groups across the GTA.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Marketing

Steve Pulver began his career in marketing and sales by selling cameras to pay his way through graduate school. Upon graduation he joined the more traditional marketing ranks at P&G. He then spent some time at CBS Records where he managed the Canadian launch of many of the '80s best selling artists. An opportunity to become a partner at a fledgling agency called Echo Advertising was too good to pass up and, in1987, Steve became a driving force in what would become one of the largest and most successful Canadian advertising agencies. Upon its sale in 2006, Steve turned to consulting and teaching, becoming a four-time teacher-of-the-year nominee at Canada’s #1 Business School, the Schulich School of Business at York University. A former stand-up comedian, Steve loves teaching as he says the audience has to pay attention and he gets to read his act! Steve’s entrepreneurial career continued at Mill Street Brewery where he helped to grow the business into the most successful craft brewery in Canada before it’s sale in 2015 to Anheuser Busch. Numerous other businesses attract his expertise, including a number started by former students, inspired by his passion and knowledge.

Healthcare

Dr. Steven Bongard obtained his DDS degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in 1986. His professional interest has been concentrated on all aspects of implant dentistry since 1995. He has extensive experience in implant placement, bone grafting procedures, and the prosthetic component of implant restoration. He has published and lectured nationally and internationally on implant placement, full arch rehabilitation and non-grafted immediate approaches to implant surgery. He presently maintains a dental practice in Toronto, Ontario, that is exclusive to the placement and restoration of dental implants. His recent focus has been on developing a community resource and training centre that can provide access to innovation, technology and advanced infrastructure, as well as support and mentoring, to the dental implant community.

Sales

Steven Rosen is President of STAR Results. Steven coaches sales executives and managers to lead with passion and ignite their teams to achieve outstanding results. Steven has more than 10 years of senior sales leadership experience in the healthcare industry.

Coaching and Collaboration, People Leadership

Suchitra is a seasoned facilitator and coach in strengths-based leadership development with years of experience helping leaders become their best selves. She is adept at creating a safe space for courageous conversations and supports participants in taking their learning to the next level. Her specialty is working with emerging leaders to strengthen their abilities to unleash their potential. She is certified with the International Coaches Federation and brings to the table close to 20 years of success in partnering with a wide range of business from hi-tech to not-for-profit as an employee, leader and outside consultant.

Coaching and Collaboration, People Leadership

Sue Austin is a certified professional coach who specializes in leadership and team coaching within both for profit and not-for-profit organizations. Sue is a brand and marketing expert as well. In 2003, she decided to pursue her passion of leadership coaching where the impact and satisfaction of collaborating with others to increase their sense of professional and personal fulfillment became her ultimate goal. The return on investment in coaching is significant for Sue in terms of both bottom line results and individual client fulfillment; this fusion of working with people on the personal and professional ‘self’ is what drives her.

Suhail Hafiz is the CEO of Contrarian Investment Partners, a firm offering financial advisory services to pre-Series B technology companies and large global institutional investors in the technology industry. Over the past several years, Contrarian has helped US & European technology companies raise over $50M in capital and has worked on 10+ consulting engagements with technology companies implementing fintech solutions. Key highlights include helping clients launch buy now, pay later (BNPL) and embedded lending & payments products. Prior to launching his own firm, Suhail spent 8 years working for tier 1 investment firms on Bay Street and underwriting investment products across the capital structure. He spent 4 years working in structured credit at CIBC, underwriting $50-$500MM credit facilities. After that, Suhail led analysis at a $2BN public equities fund at Gluskin Sheff and later joined a startup investment manager, where he built their investment portfolio and established their core operating infrastructure. Suhail holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Schulich School of Business, teaching Finance.