Silvana ignites story ideas and sparks conversations. She is a creative communicator and a strategic thinker with a real passion for storytelling.

For 20 years, she has been engaging and inspiring audiences with her award-winning work, both as a broadcast journalist and communications professional.

Silvana’s attitude, commitment, and determination have earned her a reputation as an expert in her field with a finger on the pulse of emerging digital communications and marketing trends.

In addition to her ability to make the complex simple and the invisible, visible, Silvana has a flair for creating and amplifying authentic stories while maintaining brand integrity and corporate reputation.

She currently works as the head of communications at the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB). Throughout her career, Silvana has led multi-faceted, integrated communications strategies at TRREB, LCBO, and CAA. Before joining the world of communications and marketing, she had a distinguished career as a journalist where she honed her expertise.

Heath is a global-award-winning communications expert who has taught thousands of PR students at five different universities and colleges across Canada over the past 10 years. Outside of the classroom, he is the President of Echo Communications Inc., a reputation management consulting firm that helps companies across North America. Heath is a sought-after industry thought leader that has spoken at 70 conferences around the world and teaches communicators around the world through the International Association of Business Communicators Academy.

Heath has previously taught at the University of Guelph-Humber, Humber College, University of Victoria, and McMaster University, and has been a PR curriculum developer for Centennial College. His teaching philosophy is predicated on bringing the real world into the classroom to prepare his students for future success. He generously shares his 20 years of diverse marketing, PR, and journalism experience from the corporate, agency, consulting and non-profit sectors with his students. Heath has been published in a university textbook and international journals. He was recently re-elected for his fourth consecutive term on the Board of Director’s for the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Shalini has extensive industry experience in managing strategic campaigns and developing go-to-market business plans for both B2B and B2C programs. Her industry acumen comes from her direct experience with integrated marketing communication channels and digital tactics in retail, luxury, financial services, educational to automobile sectors across diverse geographic regions in Australia, Canada, India and South Korea.

Gina has 15 years of marketing experience working at large corporations from retail, to entertainment, to travel with companies such as Cineplex, Sony, OLG, Air Canada, Clearbanc, and now GoodFood. With considerable experience working in the fast-paced world of startups, Gina brings her experience and insights to lectures, speaking about campaigns she has developed and how businesses operate in the real world. She is passionate about marketing, an out-of-the-box thinker, and enjoys building processes and relationships.

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.

With over 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, Thomas “Tom” Hormaza is a lifelong practitioner of Marketing and Human Performance Technology (HPT) enabling to assess and positively impact the entire ecosystem of Human, Technology and Business Performance.

Tom is Founding Partner at French Marketing Canada as well as a regular instructor and guest speaker at numerous Canadian universities and colleges.

Before starting his career in Higher Education teaching, Tom developed expertise in Marketing and Technology Project Management working with these organizations: Ericsson, Microsoft, Apple, Xbox, Google, Audi, Ford, Mazda, VW, Michelin, P&G, Pfizer, Nestlé, Desjardins Insurance, TD, Bank of Montreal, GoDaddy, Dell, Catalyst GroupM WPP, Bombardier, Canadian Tire, Bimbo Breads.

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.

With 20+ years experience, Ken brings an in-depth understanding of the digital marketing ecosystem to his instruction.

Having developed digital engagement programs for leading companies including Nike, Arlene Dickinson Enterprises and Reliance Home Comfort. Ken has utilized a range of tactics including digital CX, content marketing, SEO, and paid search, to achieve high- impact business results.

In his current role as the principal consultant with Marketize, Ken advises SMEs and start-ups seeking to increase their customer base and revenue returns through the digital channel.

Doris is an award-winning writer and editor. She has successfully worked as a content creator for more than 25 years. She was the editor of a national magazine, was part of the editorial staff at regional publications, and has freelanced for major newspapers and magazines in Canada. She has also created branded content and assisted brands with their promotion. She believes there are always several potential stories, and several ways to tell them — the key is understanding the audience, the brand, and the platform.

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

Jeff’s background in business and human resources management spans more than twenty-five years. In his capacity as an independent consultant, he has worked with some of Canada’s most influential companies, completing client engagements in both the public and private sectors. His international experience includes working with post-secondary partners in Indonesia to assist with the development of applied entrepreneurship curriculum and the establishment of community business support centres.

Jeff has taught management development, organizational behaviour, human resource planning and development, and business foundation courses at McMaster and York universities, and at Seneca, Conestoga, and Confederation colleges. He has an undergraduate honours degree in Economics from Laurentian University in Sudbury, and a graduate degree in Education from Nipissing University in North Bay.

Donna is a marketing leader with over 10 years of experience in beauty and CPG industries across North America. She’s held marketing and category director roles at Estee Lauder Companies and Dyson Hair Care, launching some of the most globally recognized products and campaigns. She’s partnered with big tech players such as Google, Meta, TikTok, and Condé Nast and key retailers such as Sephora, Amazon and HBC to bring brands to the forefront of the digital evolution.

What started as stumbling into brand management after a B.A. in Economics from the University of Toronto, has turned into a career passion.

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.

Michelle is a digital marketing strategist and educator with 20+ years in marketing management combined with 10+ years as a continuing education instructor and adjunct college professor. She is a domain expert in using technology to market with specialties in programmatic advertising, search and content marketing. Michelle began her career with IBM Canada and has worked across various marketing roles within F500, small-medium businesses and startups in high tech. She is passionate about lifelong learning and helping others achieve their ambitions. Michelle holds a B.Comm., Rotman Commerce, from the University of Toronto.

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.

Chris is a data expert: determining its value, monitoring its integrity and managing its performance. After spending decades working in full-service and multi-national marketing agencies, he has turned his passion and experience to helping organizations build positive, long-term relationships with their stakeholders.

For more than ten years, Chris has created, revised and taught a range of courses for Canadian colleges and universities. On his own time, he works with sector development organizations to educate non-profit leaders on best practice. Additionally, he creates and delivers workshops to under-served communities to improve employment opportunities. Chris holds his MBA from the University of Ottawa.

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.

As Vice President of Growth Marketing for Cisco Canada, Luxy provides leadership and hands-on management to define marketing strategy development, in collaboration with Americas team, and the broader Cisco global community. A critical key to her success, is building high performing teams who bridge data and real-life applications and draw new paths to run effective marketing operations at scale. She also believes diversity in culture and thinking is the foundation of organizational success and leads by example through inclusion. Outside of the office, Luxy’s passion for catalyzing new thinking in marketing has led her to Co-Chair the CMA MarTech council and seats at various boards.

With over a decade of experience in digital marketing and transformation, Mario has focused on strategic marketing as a source of innovation to drive long-lasting change for organizations of all sizes.

Throughout his career, Mario has been a senior management consultant, performance marketer and digital strategist, and has helped a myriad of clients in multiple sectors achieve their marketing and digital transformation goals. Mario has worked in the for-profit sector, helping clients such as Uber, Arc’teryx, Build-a-bear, Spence Diamonds, Meetup and many other enterprise-level, as well as SMBs, solve complex marketing and data problems. Mario has also worked with non-profits and government-funded institutions such as the Vancouver Art Gallery, UBC, BCIT, IntegrityBC, The Canadian Museum of History, The Canadian Crafts Federation, and others.

With experience in both strategy and tactical level digital initiatives, Mario has utilized digital marketing for improved discoverability, growth, and engagement. Mario is currently an Associate Director at Thrive Digital, one of the largest digital marketing agencies in Canada. He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, and a BA from UBC.

Tim Campbell-Smith is so extroverted he puts the social back into social media. A digital marketing generalist by profession, his consultancy focuses on improving business overall through social media. His career has spanned over five years with hundreds of clients worldwide, specializing in advisory and training services. Tim has consulted for and spoken with thousands of entrepreneurs and organizations around the world, most notably with The Small Business Centres of Ontario, The Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, The Resilience Summit, Innovation Guelph, Social Media Pro, The Professional Organizers of Canada, and the Los Angeles Film School. Tim’s teaching experience goes beyond his practice, having taught at both Fanshawe College and Conestoga College.

Durham College, Teaching and Training Adults, with Honours University of Calgary, Digital Marketing, with Honours

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.

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.

Adrian Seeley is the Senior Director of Media Sales at Narcity Media Group and has cultivated 15 years of experience helping small to midsize Canadian publishers with their digital advertising and online presence. To begin his career, Adrian was one of the first social community managers in Canada on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies, winning multiple awards personally and for clients. After launching his own business, he transitioned to social media buying, managing publisher networks, stacks, and ad sales for small to medium-sized Canadian businesses, helping them generate significant revenue growth.

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.