THE CHANGEMAKERS Speakers & Presenters
Gerald Butts
Vice Chairman, Eurasia Group and Ex. Principal Secretary to PM Justin Trudeau
Gerald Butts
Vice Chairman, Eurasia Group and Ex. Principal Secretary to PM Justin Trudeau
GERALD BUTTS is the vice chairman and a senior advisor at Eurasia Group. Butts has successfully led Canadian and global organizations in the public and private sectors for 20 years. As the principal secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from 2015–2019, he was responsible for providing executive direction on the development, implementation, and communication of the government’s agenda. This work included overseeing economic policy, the negotiation of the Paris Climate Accord, and the creation of Canada’s first national climate change plan, which included an economy-wide price on carbon. Butts played a major role in managing relations with the US administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, as well as in the renegotiation of NAFTA. Prior to his work with the prime minister, he served as policy secretary and principal secretary to the premier of the province of Ontario, where he led the implementation of the government’s $100 billion core agenda. A successful leader in politics as well as public policy, he designed the strategies for the Liberal Party’s 2015 and 2019 national election campaigns, as well as Trudeau’s bid to win the party’s leadership in 2013. The 2015 campaign, widely recognized as one of Canada’s most innovative and successful, allowed the Liberal Party to move from third place in Parliament to form a majority government. Its gain of 148 new seats was the largest in Canadian history.
Jasraj Hallan
Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn and Canada's Shadow Minister of Finance
Jasraj Hallan
Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn and Canada's Shadow Minister of Finance
Jasraj Singh Hallan is the Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn. Jasraj also serves as the Shadow Minister of Finance and Middle-Class Prosperity and Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee.
Jasraj grew up in NE Calgary, graduated from Lester Pearson High School and has an accounting diploma from SAIT. He has a certified Master Builder designation and ran a very successful homebuilding business with the joy of building many homes for families in Calgary. He and his wife still live in the NE and have 2 beautiful daughters.
Rechie Valdez
Canada's Minister of Small Business and MP for Mississauga—Streetsville
Rechie Valdez
Canada's Minister of Small Business and MP for Mississauga—Streetsville
The Honourable Rechie Valdez serves as Canada's Minister of Small Business and the Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville. Minister Valdez is a Canadian entrepreneur, television personality, and community advocate. She is the first Filipino-Canadian woman elected as a Member of Parliament and appointed to Cabinet and is committed to ensuring the diverse voices of her community are heard.
Before entering politics, Minister Valdez owned and operated a small business, and dedicated herself to growing her online business avenues. She was also the host of a television show that shares the stories of entrepreneurs, creators, and artists. Before that, she worked in corporate banking for 15 years, where she developed her expertise in change management and strategic initiatives.
Nick Kouvalis
Political Strategist & Consultant
Nick Kouvalis
Political Strategist & Consultant
Nectarios "Nick" Kouvalis is a popular Canadian political consultant and strategist.
In 2004, Nick Kouvalis started one of Canada’s first cloud computing fully virtual “at home” call centre businesses. In 2008, he merged that call centre business with and joined Campaign Research. At Campaign Research Nick oversees strategic planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns for clients in highly regulated industries. Nick served as chief strategist and pollster for the 2014 John Tory Campaign for Mayor of Toronto.
In the 2013 British Columbia Provincial Election, Nick was on Premier Clark’s BC Liberal campaign team involved with focus groups that informed the campaign messaging and strategy. Campaign Research also conducted regular polling for the BC Liberals. Nick was the campaign manager for Rob Ford’s 2010 mayoral campaign and was called by a major Canadian news magazine “perhaps the most improbable election victory in recent Canadian history.”
Prabmeet Sarkaria
Ontario's Minister of Transportation & MPP for Brampton South
Prabmeet Sarkaria
Ontario's Minister of Transportation & MPP for Brampton South
Prabmeet Sarkaria is a Member of the Provincial Parliament for Brampton South and Ontario's Transportation Minister.
Prabmeet worked as a corporate and commercial Associate at Miller Thomson LLP before being elected. He has a law degree from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University where he majored in Finance. Before going into law, he worked at TD Securities.
Vandana Kattar-Miller
Political Commentator on CBC’s Power & Politics, (Past) Director of Operations, Outreach, and Planning, PMO
Vandana Kattar-Miller
Political Commentator on CBC’s Power & Politics, (Past) Director of Operations, Outreach, and Planning, PMO
Vandana Kattar-Miller has worked in provincial and federal politics for more than a decade. She worked for the innovation minister Navdeep Bains, before moving to the Prime Minister's Office as director of operations, outreach, and planning where she served until last May. She currently is head of communications for global diversity and inclusion for TD Bank Group.
Allen Alexandre
Executive director and Founder, Centre Culturel Afro De Montréal
Allen Alexandre
Executive director and Founder, Centre Culturel Afro De Montréal
Allen Alexandre is a versatile former senior political advisor who most recently served as Director of Parliamentary Affairs to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, the minister leading the charge on cross-government accountability and commitment to diversity and inclusion and on legislation that touches Black, Indigenous and People of Colour as well as LGBTQ2 communities. Under Allen’s leadership, the government successfully passed legislation banning the practice of conversion therapy, designated an Irish Heritage Month and recognized Emancipation Day federally.
Prior to that role, Allen was a senior advisor to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion and International Trade, serving as Press Secretary and Issues Manager as well as leading initiatives on the economic empowerment of marginalized communities. He also served as Senior Québec Advisor to the Minister of Public Safety and Deputy Prime minister and policy liaison to the Cross-cultural Roundtable on National Security.
Shachi Kurl
President, Angus Reid Institute
Shachi Kurl
President, Angus Reid Institute
Shachi Kurl is President of the Angus Reid Institute, Canada’s non-profit foundation committed to independent research. She works with public opinion data to further public knowledge and enhance the national understanding of issues that matter to Canada and the world.
Kurl is often found offering analysis on CBC’s “Power and Politics”, in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Globe and Mail, and on the editorial pages of the Ottawa Citizen, among other places. In October 2020, she moderated BC’s only televised provincial election debate, presented by the British Columbia Broadcast Consortium.
She spent the first part of her career as political reporter and holds a degree in Journalism and Political Science from Carleton University. She returned to Carleton University as an Adjunct Research Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication in 2022.
Kurl is a recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Award for Best TV Reporting. Along with former Australian and UK Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Margaret Thatcher, she is an Alumnus of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. She is a national co-chair of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Kurl moderated the 2021 English language leaders debate during the 44th federal election. She also won the Industry Marvel Award from Darpan Magazine in October of that year.
Kamal Khera
Canada's Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities and MP for Brampton West
Kamal Khera
Canada's Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities and MP for Brampton West
The Honourable Kamal Khera was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West in 2015. She has previously served as Minister of Seniors, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.
Minister Khera is one of the youngest women ever elected to Parliament. A registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist, she is passionate about improving the lives of those around her. Prior to entering politics, she worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, where she gained a deeper understanding of the issues that impact people’s health and well-being every day.
Josh Matlow
Councillor, City of Toronto
Josh Matlow
Councillor, City of Toronto
Josh Matlow has served on the Toronto City Council representing Ward 12 Toronto-St. Paul's since 2010. Matlow was a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee between 2003 and 2010 before his election to council representing St. Paul's. He was elected to City Council following the 2010 municipal election and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Matlow ran for mayor of Toronto in the 2023 by-election.
Josh Matlow has been a Toronto Star’s “Newsmakers of the Year” and “People to Watch”, The Village Post and North Toronto Post Magazines: Toronto’s Best Public Official, Town Crier’s “Pillar of the Community” and Now Magazine’s “Top Activists of the Year”. He has written articles, columns and opinion pieces for the Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Town Crier Newspapers, Post City Magazines, and was a weekly co-host on Toronto talk-radio stations, AM 640 and CIUT. Josh wrote a weekly column, City Hall Diary, every Monday about City Hall in the Toronto Star and hosted the Newstalk 1010 radio show, The City with Josh Matlow.
Mike Schreiner
Leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Guelph
Mike Schreiner
Leader of the Green Party of Ontario and MPP for Guelph
Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, became Ontario’s first Green MPP when he was elected to represent the riding of Guelph in 2018. He was re-elected in 2022 with an increased majority, gaining more than 54 percent of the total vote.
Mike is active at Queen’s Park, working across party lines to be a strong advocate for climate action, local food and water initiatives, protecting Ontario’s farmland and green spaces, affordable housing, supporting frontline healthcare workers, small business, and mental health.
Prior to entering politics, Mike was a successful entrepreneur, small business owner, and one of the early advocates of the local food movement. He founded multiple initiatives including Local Food Plus, WOW Foods and EarthDance Organics to connect sustainable farmers with Ontario households. Mike, his wife Sandy, and their two daughters like to spend their free time gardening, hiking, fishing, cycling, and staying active.
Jeff Ballingall
President, Mobilize Media Group
Jeff Ballingall
President, Mobilize Media Group
Jeff Ballingall is the President of Mobilize Media Group, a digital public affairs firm with staff and clients across Canada. His work has helped shape the strategies of leading Conservative politicians and corporate leaders.
Ballingall is the founder of Ontario Proud and Canada Proud, two of the most influential political social media accounts in the country. Through these platforms, he has successfully engaged and mobilized audiences, first in Ontario and then across Canada, making a lasting impact on the political discourse.
Ballingall went on to serve as the digital strategist for Erin O'Toole’s successful leadership campaign, and has since worked as a digital strategy and communications advisor for influential Conservative politicians and business leaders.
Jeff Ballingall's influence and contributions to Canadian politics have not gone unnoticed. In 2020, Toronto Life Magazine recognized him as one of Toronto's Most Influential individuals, and he was once again recognized by Maclean’s Magazine in 2023 as being one of Canada’s top political backroomers.
With a proven track record of success, Jeff Ballingall and Mobilize Media continue to be a driving force in the intersection of digital media and political affairs, leaving an indelible mark on the Canadian political landscape.
Rachael Segal
Founder, Beyond a Ballot
Rachael Segal
Founder, Beyond a Ballot
Rachael spent years on Parliament Hill in various policy roles for Members of Parliament, Ministers and Senators. Rachael has led political organizations and worked as a Campaign Strategist on campaigns at all levels of government across Canada. While living in England Rachael also worked for one of two elected Mayors in the country as a political aide.
Rachael also has extensive broadcast experience, having worked as a full-time television contributor for a national Canadian news network. Her radio experience includes Newstalk 1010 in Toronto and CBC in Vancouver. Rachael is currently with CBC’s Power and Politics.
In September 2023 Rachael launched her company, Beyond a Ballot which takes a multi-partisan approach to moving Canadian women towards politics through media products, education and community building.
Beyond a Ballot’s signature podcast, which Rachael co-hosts, has seen incredible success since launching in September 2023.
She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Victoria and is a lawyer with a Masters of Law (LL.M.) from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.
Rachael has been an educator for decades. She is a university lecturer, most recently with the Joy MacPhail School of Public Policy.
Perry Tsergas
President and CEO, Spark Advocacy
Perry Tsergas
President and CEO, Spark Advocacy
Perry Tsergas has worked in the world of Canadian politics, advocacy and communications for over two decades. He is the co-founder, President & CEO of spark*advocacy, an Ottawa-based public affairs marketing and communications firm. Perry has partnered with hundreds of start-ups, corporations, associations, unions, charities, NGOs and coalitions on communications initiatives of all shapes and sizes.
Ange Valentini
Founder and Principal Consultant, Strategic Impact Collective
Ange Valentini
Founder and Principal Consultant, Strategic Impact Collective
Ange Valentini brings 25 years of experience building creative solutions to complex challenges that drive social change and public good, bringing together stakeholders, influencers and decision-makers across the private, public and third sector — with a focus on building relationships and stronger communities.
Ange has worked across all three orders of government, working her way up from policy analyst to Chief of Staff. In each role, she championed innovative policy agendas based on research, evaluation, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Ange’s track-record of success includes leadership roles in government relations, community and public relations, public policy development, strategic partnerships, advocacy and communications. She has also negotiated more than $75M in community benefit agreements.
Ange brings relentless optimism and a pragmatic approach to building winning campaign strategies. She has led campaigns for candidates, political parties, based on issues, and for private sector clients. At last count, Ange has worked on 47 electoral campaigns, across party lines, in jurisdictions across Canada.
Chad Bowie
Founder and Principal of The Bowie Group
Chad Bowie
Founder and Principal of The Bowie Group
Chad Bowie is the Founder and Principal of The Bowie Group (TBG).
He is an accomplished political strategist, marketer, opinion researcher, and award-winning writer. He has worked with clients at all levels of government across Canada and internationally in the United States and the United Kingdom.
He is considered an expert in persuasive communications with extensive experience in narrative development, campaign storytelling, fundraising, and leveraging words to drive action and elicit an emotional response.
TBG's direct-response fundraising strategies have helped political clients across the continent raise more than $100 million - and counting. TBG recently won an esteemed Reed Award in the "Best Canadian Direct Mail Piece" category and was nominated for "Best International Firm."
As an opinion contributor, Chad has appeared in the National Post, The Toronto Sun, the Chronicle Herald, and more.
Dr. Alex Sévigny
Associate Professor McMaster University
Dr. Alex Sévigny
Associate Professor McMaster University
Dr. Alex Sévigny, PhD, APR is a tenured associate professor of communications management and communication studies in the Department of Communication Studies & Media Arts at McMaster University. He works at the intersection of data science, artificial intelligence, communications, management, marketing, politics and culture. He does regular public speaking engagements, and corporate training workshops and provides strategic consulting services in the private, public, not-for-profit, and political sectors.
Jeremy Broadhurst
National Campaign Director, Liberal Party of Canada
Jeremy Broadhurst
National Campaign Director, Liberal Party of Canada
Jeremy Broadhurst has spent years as a senior strategist for the Liberal Party and government, having played key roles in cementing the Liberals’ 2015, 2019, and 2021 election wins. Broadhurst has been named the campaign director for the Liberals in the next election.
Broadhurst has been active in Liberal Party campaigns for three decades, honing his skills at the local level in Toronto, running three campaigns for Bill Graham in what was then Canada’s most diverse riding, Toronto Centre-Rosedale.
A former national director of the Liberal Party, Broadhurst is an ex-adviser to multiple Liberal leaders—including Stéphane Dion, Michael Ignatieff, and interim leaders Bill Graham and Bob Rae (to whom he was chief of staff)—and is a former chief of staff to Chrystia Freeland as then-foreign affairs minister and finance minister.
Broadhurst now lives in Ottawa with his wife Mary and their two daughters.
