Justin is a lifelong storyteller. With a degree in professional writing from York University, he plied his craft as a journalist for five years before becoming a content marketing manager. He currently works as the managing editor for Ratehub.ca, a fintech startup in Toronto that aims to help Canadians make better financial decisions. When not managing Ratehub’s content department he freelances as a writer, helping brands tell their stories.

Santo is the VP of Member Services and Marketing at Retail Council of Canada and brings over 20 years of experience of marketing leadership. He began his career in data sciences and progressed to lead B2B/B2C marketing teams across financial, technology and payments industries including companies such as TD Canada Trust, Rogers Communications, CIBC, Moneris and JPMorgan Chase.

In addition, Santo is the VP, Communications for the American Marketing Association, Toronto Chapter and teaches part time at George Brown College. He holds an undergraduate degree in statistics from McMaster University, a Master’s in Information Science from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from York University.

Leigh Mitchell is an inclusive marketer and the founder of Bee Happy HR & Marketing Co. where she manages innovative, diversity-driven marketing campaigns and develops progressive brand identities for business and HR clients. Leigh has worked with national brands, government organizations, non-profits, and social enterprises throughout her career. Leigh’s mission is to drive equality and belonging into strategic plans and everyday workplace communications.  Leigh is also the founder of Women in Biz Network. She runs and promotes a business accelerator, her Time to Thrive Podcast, mentorship initiatives, and a vetted career board for women.

Leigh is known for developing unique influencer marketing campaigns at live events for national brands. Leigh’s thought leadership blogs have been published by Active for Life, Sage, and Microsoft Canada. Throughout her career she has developed unique experiential marketing campaigns for Microsoft Canada, SAGE, TELUS, TD Canada Trust, Staples Canada, and Chevrolet Canada. Her work has been featured in the CBC News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Living, The Wall Street Journal, and as a speaker at numerous industry events. Connect with Leigh on Linkedin and across social media channels via @womenbiznetwork

Mangala has a reputation for building iconic brands through fully integrated marketing. She brings marketing, innovation, and digital product teams together to build great businesses and deliver a superior customer experience. Currently an independent strategy consultant, Mangala works with Indigo Books & Music Inc. Previously she held marketing leadership roles at Roots, Pepsico Canada, and Post Consumer Brands. She has also worked at Reckitt Benckiser and started her career at The Nielsen Company.

Mangala is an Honours Economics and Math graduate of University of Toronto and completed her Master of Business Administration in Digital Transformation at McMaster DeGroote School of Business.

In addition to her instructor role at the School of Continuing Studies, she is currently board advisor to the Humber College School of Business.

Tyler began working in content with podcasts over 15 years ago, to videos, to social media, before finding his love of the written word. With over 10 years of experience running his own company and now working for Superside, Tyler understands the total value of full-funnel content marketing.

I am immersed in Digital Strategy, Digital Marketing, SEO, Search Engine Marketing, and Content Marketing. I have led teams of digital marketing professionals, working on projects for startup companies all the way to multi-million dollar organizations.

I have also served as Editor for an educational, international trade publication that was the first of its kind in the pro-audio, video and lighting markets.

I believe that, despite our foibles, we are destined for great things.

I look forward to connecting with you.

Basim Salim is a senior marketing executive with over 10 years of experience working locally and internationally in both B2C and B2B industries, Basim specializes in digital marketing, international marketing strategy, product development, and demand generation. He holds a Bachelors of Commerce from York University and completed his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the DeGroote School of Business.

Basim is passionate about marketing, professional development and executive coaching and is dedicated to helping young professionals succeed in career and in life.  He offers his marketing expertise through Udemy where he has designed and taught over a dozen marketing courses averaging a 4.5 star rating to over 45,000+ entrepreneurs and small business owners from 143 countries around the globe.

Peter is a full stack marketing executive with 20 years of in-the-trenches CPG, agency and start-up leadership experience. Specializing in brand strategy and communications, he has co-founded two significant start-ups, as well as worked on some of the world’s most coveted brands including RBC, Starbucks, Cineplex, PepsiCo, Campbell’s, NBA, McDonald’s, Dove, Budweiser, Green P Parking, Rogers, Canada Post and Shazam.

In addition to his instructor role at the School of Continuing Studies, Peter is a YSpace advisor at York University’s innovation hub, an active board member for Gerrard Station Development Co. Inc. (formerly Nelson Cannabis Collective Inc.), and continues to consult with a wide variety of brands across North America.

I have 10+ years of experience as a senior-level marketing manager in technology, software, fintech, logistics and legal tech industries. I had a specific focus on marketing campaigns, brand positioning frameworks, and events with a track record of significant contributions to brand awareness, user acquisition funnel, B2B lead generation and partnership relations.

Alexandra Ospina is the founder of Momentiv Consulting, a digital marketing firm that works with SMBs to develop unique strategies that attract and nurture valuable customer relationships. She specializes in implementing marketing automation to create efficiencies so businesses can focus on what matters most – delighting their customers. With a wealth of experience as a B2B digital marketer, Alexandra is a veteran at creating captivating digital content.

Before devoting herself to Momentiv Consulting, Alexandra worked in clean tech. Sustainability being a critical personal value, she headed the marketing department for a leading manufacturer of fuel-efficient technologies. Her efforts garnered attention across North America’s transportation industry. Alexandra’s achievements include securing government funding for transformative digital marketing projects, planning international market penetration strategies, hosting industry events at world-famous locations like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and multiple finalist nominations for export and technology awards in Canada.

Jill is Senior Director, Content Strategy in the Office of the CEO at RBC, where she helps convene and inform national conversations on economic and societal issues facing Canada, focusing on innovation, diversity, sustainable economic growth and the coming skills revolution. Prior to joining RBC, Jill led the creation of a multi-channel, insights-driven thought leadership strategy at The Bank of Nova Scotia. Previously, she led an international team at a global travel brand, delivering award-winning communications, digital media and content marketing strategies.

Jill spent the better part of her early career at The Globe and Mail, coaching multiple teams to success in a variety of senior roles. As Executive Editor, she drove strategic direction and development of innovative initiatives and products with a focus on audience growth and engagement, data-driven insights and digital platforms and partnerships. She currently sits on the Board of the Canadian Club Toronto and the Advisory Board at York University’s School of Continuing Studies. Jill holds an Honors BA degree from McGill University and a post-graduate degree in Journalism from Concordia University.

Cora leads an advertising agency devoted to thoughtful food and beverage brands. She has led the agency through a transition to take a content first approach, strengthening the digital and social chops across all roles within the agency, including establishing an in-house content studio. The agency provides a full range of strategic, creative, and digital services to its clients. Serving leading brands and fast-growing innovators, Bob’s Your Uncle is recognized as one of Canada’s premier boutique agencies. Before BYU, Cora co-founded Canada’s first Influencer marketing agency where she helped launch brands like General Mills, Walmart Canada, Finish & Lysol into the social sphere.

For over 10 years, Alex has worked in the field of content marketing in financial services; helping educate Canadians to understand the best products and services for them. As a veteran storyteller, he promotes the value of tailored and targeted content as part of any top-notch marketing experience, across any industry.

Justine Melman is a seasoned consumer marketer with almost two decades of experience delivering cutting-edge marketing, user engagement and social media campaigns for major global and Canadian brands including Holt Renfrew, The Globe and Mail, eBay Canada, Ally, Yahoo! Canada, and Cineplex. Justine also brings a transformative perspective to the customer experience, helping brands implement and evolve their CX strategy.

Justine was a 2015 nominee for the American Marketing Association’s Marketer on the Rise award.

Rebecca Shevel is a dedicated and innovative Marketing Director, Media, and Advertising leader with +20 years of experience growing brands, audiences, and revenue. She has done this by developing relationships, creating multi-platform marketing, content & strategic advertising solutions. Rebecca’s approach is to be consultative, strategic, and holistic with her clients and team.

Rebecca passions include content marketing, digital media, and emerging technology. She has extensive experience working directly with clients (B2B & B2C), boutique and national media agencies. Rebecca brings a unique view when solving business challenges, having worked on the media supplier and agency sides of business. Rebecca enjoys helping define KPIs for clients to ensure the recommended strategy is fully supported by the best content, marketing, and digital tactics.

Rebecca has worked with and for numerous Tier-1 brands in a variety roles. Currently, she is the Director of Marketing and Custom Solutions at Fifth Story, working with the Account Directors to help create an array of content marketing and digital solutions for clients; while also focused on building the Fifth Story brand via partnerships, sponsorships, PR, and targeted marketing.