Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

An entrepreneur, community leader and advocate for the economic empowerment of marginalized groups, Anita Agrawal is the CEO of the multiple award-winning Canadian jewellery manufacturer Best Bargains. She was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN in 2023, jewellery manufacturer and gemstone designer of the year in 2024 and has won six international jewellery design awards. Agrawal has volunteered extensively with non-profit boards and organizations throughout her career, championing issues on commercial and residential rent, wage equity, women's issues, business issues and the challenges facing racially marginalized artists and arts workers.

Luke Bazely is the co-founder and CEO of Driverseat, a Canadian transportation company transforming how group mobility is delivered. What began in 2012 as a designated driver service has grown into a nationally recognized brand serving diverse charter transportation needs — from corporate shuttles to rural transit. Under his leadership, Driverseat has expanded to serve 400 communities in North America, earned nine consecutive Franchisees’ Choice Designation awards, and integrated AI-powered systems to support franchisees and improve service. Guided by the belief that “we’re in the people business,” Bazely is reshaping transportation through scalable innovation, community responsiveness and a relentless focus on high-quality client experience.

Jack Bernstein is a real estate investor, licensed agent and coach who rapidly built a successful career in the real estate industry. He launched and sold his first company by age 24, using the proceeds to fund his property ventures. As founder of Bernstein Real Estate Coaching, he mentors others with his methods, promoting ethical investing and community redevelopment. Through social media, events and education, Bernstein demystifies real estate and builds industry connections, empowering a new generation of investors with the skills and confidence to succeed.

Jason DeBoer has more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and private business. Now an audit and accounting partner for KPMG Private Enterprise in Hamilton, he has served privately held clients in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, agriculture and horticulture, services and hospitality and tourism. He is an advocate for his field, a business leader and a mentor in his firm, and frequently applies his professional expertise to charitable endeavours locally and around the world. He was named a fellow by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario in 2021, the highest distinction bestowed upon a CPA in the accounting profession.

With nearly 30 years of experience in government, international relations and environmental leadership, Mark Fisher brings together expertise in sustainability and public policy. A graduate of an ecosystem sustainability diploma program, he has advised senior decision-makers on environmental issues with a focus on protecting Canada’s freshwater resources. His work has included consulting on Canada-U.S. water relations and serving as head of the Canada Water Agency. Fisher has also led major environmental initiatives, such as the Circular Great Lakes Initiative and the Great Lakes Carbon Collaborative, aimed at keeping Canada’s freshwater clean, safe and well-managed for future generations.

Chuck Kelly began his career as a paramedic before co-founding Movati Athletic in the mid-1990s, channeling his passion for health care into preventative fitness. Under his leadership, Movati expanded to 20 locations across Ontario and Alberta, employing 2,500 people and serving 150,000 members. Known for blending boutique fitness services with traditional gym offerings, Movati emphasizes customer service, driven by Kelly’s college training. He launched Movati Academy to ensure consistent staff excellence and takes pride in clean, service-focused facilities, redefining premium fitness in Canada. Beyond business, he supports causes like the Miracle League, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the construction of schools in Haiti.

Mat McLeod, a welding and millwright graduate and member of Nipissing First Nation, is president of Gen7 Fuel, a company that supports Indigenous entrepreneurs in owning and operating gas stations and convenience stores on First Nations land. Under his leadership, Gen7 has expanded across Ontario and British Columbia, creating jobs, building local wealth and promoting long-term economic self-sufficiency. A mentor to more than 20 emerging business owners, McLeod is helping to shape a more inclusive model of entrepreneurship in Canada, using business as a tool for reconciliation, sustainability and intergenerational prosperity. His work continues to influence how other sectors approach partnership, equity and economic reconciliation.

A renowned entrepreneur and prominent figure in Canadian media and public relations, Mia Pearson co-founded High Road Communications, transforming it into a world-class agency working with iconic brands. Her second venture, North Strategic, became one of Canada’s most decorated firms, with spin-off Notch Video launching as the first online community for digital content creation and generating significant revenue in its first year. Advising C-suite executives navigating contentious brand and reputational risks while redrawing Canada’s PR map, Pearson was inducted into Women’s Executive Network’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Hall of Fame.

Danielle Spencer is a young entrepreneur and advocate for Black women in business. She specializes in experiential marketing, helping companies at various stages of growth reimagine how they connect with audiences. Her firm, some creative agency, began in 2022 as an entrepreneurial development hub and has since grown into a full-service marketing agency with five staff, operating in Toronto and New York. Spencer has helped increase brand visibility for more than 30 clients across North America. In 2025, she was named to Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30 list in marketing and advertising for her achievements in the field.

Tiffani Westerman is a technology executive with a background in entrepreneurship, product development and leadership. She has founded several businesses, launched new products and applications, expanded teams, created jobs, and currently serves as CEO of two tech companies: WCS North America and GRC Concierge. Westerman has been recognized for her business achievements and community involvement, and she actively supports and mentors colleagues and students—particularly girls and women—while promoting inclusive and diverse workplace cultures.

Kim-Ann Wilson is a business strategist, entrepreneur and community leader working to expand access to marketing education for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Canada. She is the founder of Marketing Defined and Doing Business with God, through which she has supported more than 5,000 entrepreneurs with culturally relevant, faith-based programming. Her ventures focus on legacy, alignment and empowerment, offering an alternative to hustle culture. A speaker, mentor and co-designer of national training programs, she also co-owns Edmonton’s first Jamaican grocery store. With a background in business administration, Wilson has received national recognition for her work promoting inclusive entrepreneurship through mentorship, youth engagement and equity-focused leadership.

Chef Wallace Wong is a cancer survivor, culinary personality, national-level natural bodybuilder and entrepreneur. He has worked at several of the world’s most highly regarded restaurants, including Langdon Hall in Canada, NOMA in Denmark, Alinea in Chicago, and Momofuku Shoto in Toronto, which he helped open under David Chang. Wong launched his first web-based businesses—Six Pack Chef (sixpackchef.com) and SPATULA Foods—by sharing his passion for healthy eating, growing both into seven-figure enterprises. His television appearances, 11 world records and ongoing mentorship of businesses and restaurants worldwide continue to inspire a growing digital audience in the millions.