TECH SHOWCASE 2025 Speakers & Presenters
Dan Arnold
Former Director of Research, Advertising & Correspondence for PM Justin Trudeau. Current Chief Strategy Officer at Pollara.
Dan Arnold
Former Director of Research, Advertising & Correspondence for PM Justin Trudeau. Current Chief Strategy Officer at Pollara.
Dan oversaw the Trudeau Liberals’ research program during their 2015, 2019, and 2021 election victories. He moderated focus groups, led the nightly tracking, and used his seat projection model to map the path to government.
In between these campaigns, Dan served as Director of Research, Advertising, & Correspondence in the Prime Minister’s Office. In 2022, Dan rejoined one of Canada’s leading polling firms, Pollara, as Chief Strategy Officer. There, he uses quantitative and qualitative research to provide strategic advice to clients from a range of sectors.
Since leaving the federal government, he has conducted polling for political parties in 6 different provinces, and on many municipal and local level campaigns.
Kayla Iafelice
Former Executive Director of Communications to Premier Doug Ford. Current VP, Strategic Communications, at Wellington Advocacy.
Kayla Iafelice
Former Executive Director of Communications to Premier Doug Ford. Current VP, Strategic Communications, at Wellington Advocacy.
Kayla is a respected public affairs leader with expertise executing communications and digital engagement strategies for some of Canada’s leading businesses as well as governments. A journalist by trade, Kayla has a decade of experience in media relations, brand PR, reputation management, public opinion and narrative development. Previously, Kayla has served as Executive Director of Communications to the Premier of Ontario where she was responsible for leading the government’s strategic communications, including the initial government response to COVID-19.
Michelle Baker
Executive Director of Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM).
Michelle Baker
Executive Director of Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM).
Michelle Baker is a dedicated public sector executive with 20 years of experience in both municipal and provincial governments. She currently serves as the inaugural Executive Director of Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM), an organization representing 29 cities with populations exceeding 100,000, collectively accounting for nearly 70% of Ontario's populace. In this role, Michelle has been instrumental in launching several advocacy initiatives including the "Solve the Crisis" campaign which advocates for coordinated action from provincial and federal governments to address the homelessness, mental health, and addiction crises in Ontario.
Prior to her tenure at OBCM, Michelle held the position of Acting Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Mississauga, where she was pivotal in strategic planning and policy development. Her career also encompasses significant roles within the Ontario government including in the Ministries of Finance, Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and as an advisor to the Premier, underscoring her comprehensive understanding of the province's political and administrative landscape.
Michelle has also played a key role in organizing numerous campaigns, which has given her a profound understanding of the unique needs of individuals seeking to communicate their messages, whether through political initiatives or grassroots efforts within non-profit organizations.
Brett Thalmann
Former Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Current Founding Partner at Nexus Strategic Consultants.
Brett Thalmann
Former Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Current Founding Partner at Nexus Strategic Consultants.
Brett Thalmann is a founding partner of Nexus Strategic Consultants with over 20 years of experience as a leading political advisor, strategist, and community organizer in Canada. He brings over seven years of experience in the Prime Minister's Office in his senior leadership role as Executive Director of Planning, Administration and People. In the 2015, 2019 and 2021 elections, Brett led national campaign efforts to target key communications to specific audiences in swing ridings through digital advertising, earned media and direct voter contact by phone, mail, and door-to-door.
Harneet Singh
Digital Strategist for over 100 political campaigns across Canada and Managing Principal, EOK Consults.
Harneet Singh
Digital Strategist for over 100 political campaigns across Canada and Managing Principal, EOK Consults.
Harneet is a seasoned political strategist with over 15 years of digital marketing experience. He is the Managing Principal at EOK Consults - one of Canada's leading political digital marketing agencies with over 100 successful political and advocacy campaigns across all levels of government.
Harneet is a pioneer in using high-precision online advertising to win elections and influence grassroots campaigns.
Chad Bowie
Former Campaign Manager for the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party. Current Founder of The Bowie Group.
Chad Bowie
Former Campaign Manager for the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party. Current Founder 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.
Zubin Sanyal
Former Digital Strategist for the Liberal Party of Canada. Current Principal at Earnscliffe Strategies.
Zubin Sanyal
Former Digital Strategist for the Liberal Party of Canada. Current Principal at Earnscliffe Strategies.
Marianne Meed Ward
Mayor of Burlington and Chair Chair of the Ontario’s Big City Mayors Caucus.
Marianne Meed Ward
Mayor of Burlington and Chair Chair of the Ontario’s Big City Mayors Caucus.
Marianne Meed Ward is currently serving her second term as Mayor of Burlington. She is the longest-serving female mayor of the city.
A passionate advocate for smart, balanced development, Mayor Meed Ward is focused on ensuring Burlington remains a great place to live, work, and play while maintaining its natural beauty. Her leadership is marked by a dedication to listening to residents, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing transparency in municipal decision-making.
Mayor Meed Ward is the Chair of the Ontario’s Big City Mayors Caucus, which launched the Solve the Crisis campaign calling on the provincial government to act on the homelessness, mental health, and addiction crisis. She is also a board member of AMO, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, where she has been active in advocating for a new deal for municipalities with the provincial and federal governments.
Prior to being Mayor, she served as a Burlington City Councillor from 2010 to 2018. Mayor Meed Ward has a degree in Journalism from Carleton University and worked for more than twenty years in journalism as a writer, editor, and broadcaster.
Zain Velji
Former Co-Director of Naheed Nenshi’s NDP Leadership Campaign. Current Partner at Northweather.
Zain Velji
Former Co-Director of Naheed Nenshi’s NDP Leadership Campaign. Current Partner at Northweather.
As Partner at Northweather, Zain brings over a decade of experience in advocacy, political, and non-profit communications, marketing, and engagement.
A frequent public speaker and regular political commentator, Zain appears on CBC radio and television, and has been featured in federal election night coverage for CTV News. Zain also holds the position of Board Chair at The YMCA Calgary and is an active board member of organizations including the Canadian Children's Book Centre, and The Samara Centre for Democracy.
Zain's diverse background in consulting and politics has led him to collaborate with both companies and non-profits, as well as to play key roles in notable political campaigns. In 2017, he served as the campaign manager for Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and led advertising efforts for the Alberta NDP in 2023, and served as Naheed Nenshi’s campaign director for his historic 2024 Alberta NDP Leadership.
Additionally, Zain hosts the acclaimed podcast, The Strategists, where he dissects contemporary political strategy and public affairs topics.
Recognized for his contributions, Zain was listed among Calgary's Top 40 under 40 by Avenue Magazine. He received the Horizon Alumni Award from the University of Alberta and was honored with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his dedicated community service.
Zain holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta.
Benjy Messner
Former Data & Analytics Advisor on several US state and national campaigns. Current Founder of New River Strategies (USA).
Benjy Messner
Former Data & Analytics Advisor on several US state and national campaigns. Current Founder of New River Strategies (USA).
Drawing from his roots as a DC native immersed in the political landscape, Benjy Messner's lifelong interest in campaigns and technology has fueled his passion to shape the next generation of political analysts.
Messner is a seasoned professional when it comes to data, analytics, and emerging tech who brings years of experience and insights in his new role as lecturer at Columbia’s M.S. in Political Analytics graduate program. In his Big Data & Political Strategy course, Messner shows students how to combine massive amounts of data with political expertise to devise effective strategies.
Messner is also the founder of New River Strategies, a consulting firm that uses data, analytics, and technology to move people to action. He has worked with Beto for America, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Justin Trudeau campaign, and numerous Fortune 100 companies to inform their operations with data. He is a 2018 winner of the American Association of Political Consultants’ 40 Under 40 award and a 2017 winner of Campaigns & Elections’ Rising Star award. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and a District of Columbia native.
Brandon Langevin
Director of Sales, Canada, at StackAdapt and an expert at helping political campaigns reach target audiences with advertising.
Brandon Langevin
Director of Sales, Canada, at StackAdapt and an expert at helping political campaigns reach target audiences with advertising.
Brandon Langevin is the Director of Sales for Canada and LATAM at StackAdapt, where he focuses on client services. StackAdapt provides programmatic advertising solutions for political campaigns, enabling candidates, advocacy groups, and political organizations to reach targeted audiences across multiple digital channels with speed and scale.
Katherine Janson
Former Producer and Director at CTV News. Current Director of Communications at Social Capital Partners.
Katherine Janson
Former Producer and Director at CTV News. Current Director of Communications at Social Capital Partners.
A seasoned media and communications strategist, Katherine spent over two decades advancing high-profile brands and issues within the scientific, health and social impact sectors before joining SCP in 2024. A former investigative journalist at CTV News, Katherine’s work has been recognized with several journalism and cause marketing awards. A self-professed word nerd, she writes, edits and develops award-winning PR, communications and marketing campaigns that are rooted in evidence and tell meaningful stories. She consistently delivers messages that cut through the noise, resonate with diverse audiences and inspire community action. Katherine holds a degree in English from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Journalism from Western University.
Quito Maggi
Current President and CEO of Mainstreet Research. Former Advisor and Manager for municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns.
Quito Maggi
Current President and CEO of Mainstreet Research. Former Advisor and Manager for municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns.
A graduate from Carleton University with a degree in Economics, Quito began his professional career as an analyst in the investment industry. He spent his time measuring market forces, segmenting investor demographic characteristics, and building algorithms of investor behaviour.
During this period, Quito became a trusted advisor and manager for municipal, provincial, and federal campaigns. In these roles, Quito implemented the analytical techniques he learned in the investment industry to help his candidates win.
Currently Quito also serves as the President and CEO of Mainstreet Research, a nationally trusted firm which is regularly used by governments at all levels and featured in nationally syndicated news organizations.
Perry Tsergas
President and CEO, Spark Advocacy, a boutique public affairs, advocacy communications and advertising agency.
Perry Tsergas
President and CEO, Spark Advocacy, a boutique public affairs, advocacy communications and advertising agency.
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.
Zita Astravas
Former Director Of Issues Management to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Current Vice President, Federal, at Wellington Advocacy.
Zita Astravas
Former Director Of Issues Management to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Current Vice President, Federal, at Wellington Advocacy.
Zita is a seasoned public affairs professional with over 15 years serving in senior government and media relations roles at both the federal and provincial levels. She served in a number of senior leadership roles in the Trudeau government, including as Director of Issues Management and as a seasoned Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Zita has also served as Chief of Staff to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Public Safety, and the Minister of National Defence, as well as in senior media relations roles for the Liberal Party of Canada, including during the 2015, 2019, and 2021 election campaigns. At the provincial level, Zita has served in numerous leadership roles under former Liberal Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne, including as Director of Media Relations.
Hasneet Singh Punia
Former Chief of Staff to two Ontario Ministers and the Mayor of Brampton. Current CEO at Armer Consulting.
Hasneet Singh Punia
Former Chief of Staff to two Ontario Ministers and the Mayor of Brampton. Current CEO at Armer Consulting.
Haz Punia is an astute leader with over a decade of extensive senior management experience serving as Chief of Staff to both a provincial Minister and Mayor of a large urban Canadian municipality. Haz has served as a senior advisor and mentor for numerous campaigns across Ontario and has been instrumental in leveraging modern technology for voter contact, GOTV and ethnic reach.
Taylor Scollon
Co-Founder, The Peak, and expert in media, strategy, content creation, and innovative digital communications.
Taylor Scollon
Co-Founder, The Peak, and expert in media, strategy, content creation, and innovative digital communications.
Taylor Scollon is the co-founder of The Peak, a leading Canadian publication delivering concise, engaging business news to professionals through its popular daily newsletter. With a passion for making complex topics accessible, Taylor has helped grow The Peak into a go-to resource for decision-makers and entrepreneurs across Canada. A dynamic entrepreneur and storyteller, Taylor brings years of experience in media, strategy, and content creation, focusing on innovation in digital communication. Through The Peak, he aims to keep Canadians informed and empowered in an ever-changing business landscape.
John Meloche
Founder & CEO, Melo Technology, a leading company integrating AI into political campaign strategies.
John Meloche
Founder & CEO, Melo Technology, a leading company integrating AI into political campaign strategies.
John Meloche is a trailblazer at the intersection of artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and business automation. As the CEO of Melo Technology, he has spent over 16 years driving innovation, more recently transforming how businesses harness AI-driven voice and communication solutions. His expertise in AI-powered customer interactions, intelligent call automation, and cloud-based telecom services has established him as a leader in reshaping the future of business communications.
Under his leadership, Melo Technology has pioneered cutting-edge Conversational Voice AI Assistants, enabling businesses to handle high-volume customer inquiries, schedule appointments, triage technical support, and engage in political campaign outreach with unparalleled efficiency. His Intelligent Call Recap technology revolutionizes call analytics, providing actionable insights for compliance, training, and customer service optimization.
John's impact extends beyond business solutions—he has played a key role in integrating AI into political campaign strategies, utilizing voice AI, automated outreach, and real-time sentiment analysis to enhance voter engagement and streamline campaign operations. His ability to apply AI to both business and political communications make him a sought-after expert in the field.
His passion for technological innovation, automation, and AI integration continues to drive transformative solutions that redefine how organizations connect with their audiences.
David Wasserman
Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
David Wasserman
Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
David Wasserman is Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, where he leads coverage of congressional elections and development of data visualizations. The Los Angeles Times has called David a "whip smart" and "scrupulously nonpartisan" analyst whose "numbers nerd-dom was foretold at a young age." In 2016, David drew praise for his accurate pre-election analysis, including his piece "How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote," written two months before election day. In 2020, his forecast of Biden's win was correct in 49 of 50 states, missing only North Carolina. David has served as an analyst for the NBC News Election Night Decision Desk since 2008, and has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, C-SPAN and NPR. A native of New Jersey graduate of the University of Virginia, David was named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2024.
Helen Sabatine
Mobilization Expert and Key Account Manager at Qomon.
Helen Sabatine
Mobilization Expert and Key Account Manager at Qomon.
Helen Sabatine works as a mobilization expert at Qomon, supporting organizations in optimizing their use of digital grassroots tools. She has worked from national campaigns and political parties to small, community organizations and NGOs.
Ange Valentini
Former Campaign Director for Vision Vancouver. Current Founder & Principal Consultant at Strategic Impact Collective.
Ange Valentini
Former Campaign Director for Vision Vancouver. Current Founder & Principal Consultant at 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.
Jason Grier
President & CEO at Delphic Research. Former Chief of Staff to the Ontario Minister of Health.
Jason Grier
President & CEO at Delphic Research. Former Chief of Staff to the Ontario Minister of Health.
Jason Grier is passionate about his mission to elevate government affairs through knowledge.
Yudhvir Jaswal
CEO & Group Editor Of Y Media Group
Yudhvir Jaswal
CEO & Group Editor Of Y Media Group
Yudhvir Jaswal is the founder of Y Media Group and one of the best known media personalities in North America with more than 3 decades of experience in Media
and Event management.
Y Media Group is the Biggest Ethnic media house in Canada and is the only mediahouse that has strong footprints in multiple platforms: 24x7 TV channels, Print, Radio, online.
Platforms:
1. TV: Channel Y (24x7 Available on Bell Fibe – 828, Rogers-857, Ignite-707,
Telus-2418)
2. TV: Y Media Plus (24x7 All English Channel)
3. Radio: Radio Y (24x7)
4. Print: Midweeek Newspaper (Biggest Free English newspaper in Canada)
5. Online: SouthAsianDaily.com
6. Online: Ymediaplus.com
7. App: Y Media app
8. Events: Y Media Awards
Yudhvir Jaswal is one of those unique media personalities who has experience in Print, Radio, TV, Digital platforms & Event management.
Yudhvir Jaswal has in depth knowledge on current affairs, including, politics (US, Canada, India and Pakistan), geo-political affairs, and international news.
Additionally, Mr. Jaswal covers many other genres, including Business & Economy, Science & Innovation, Sports, Entertainment, Social & Cultural issues, and many more.
Exclusive Interviews & Media Presence
Mr. Yudhvir Jaswal was the only journalist to conduct one-on-one interviews with both former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
during the 2015 Canadian federal elections. He has been a sought-after political analyst, sharing his expertise on platforms such as CBC News, Al Jazeera
International, Rogers TV, and Omni TV during the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021 elections.
He has covered many provincial and municipal elections as well. He was also the only journalist to conduct an exclusive interview with Prime Minister Trudeau at Channel Y studios on Trudeau’s visit to India, further
solidifying his reputation as a leading media figure in the South Asian community.
Y Media’s growing influence in Canada was highlighted by The Globe and Mail, which featured Mr. Jaswal’s image on the front page, alongside an article on the
growing impact of South Asian media in Canada. He has also provided expert commentary on major global events, including U.S. elections and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Community Leadership & Recognition
Yudhvir Jaswal has supported with 50+ non profit organizations in the field of education, healthcare, youth, sports, hunger eradication, women empowerment,
fight against crimes, and more. Beyond journalism, Yudhvir Jaswal is an active community leader, serving on the Board of Directors for the William Osler Health Foundation and as a member of the Peel Police Chief’s South Asian Resource Council. He has previously
contributed to the Peel Police Sikh Advisory Board, strengthening community-police relations.
For his outstanding contributions to media and the community, Yudhvir has been honored with both the Queen’s Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medals, a
prestigious recognition of his impact on Canadian society.
Through his pioneering work in media and community service, Yudhvir Jaswal continues to be a powerful advocate for the community, shaping conversations and
driving meaningful change. Yudhvir Jaswal, both as a Group editor and an Individual, is dedicated to bringing
communities together and supporting free speech.
Jay Rosenthal
Former Advisor to US Senator Barbara Boxer and to the Mayor of San Jose. Current Founder of Reframe and Co-Founder of Cultivated Media.
Jay Rosenthal
Former Advisor to US Senator Barbara Boxer and to the Mayor of San Jose. Current Founder of Reframe and Co-Founder of Cultivated Media.
Jay Rosenthal has a 25-year career at the intersection of media, business, politics, and policy.
In 2023, Jay founded Reframe, a full service audio and video production company, specializing in short-form, made-to-go-viral social videos for brands, corporations, news media, and candidates. Reframe productions have garnered tens of millions of views and driven engagement across an array of verticals – from political campaigns to CPG to professional services.
Jay also practices what he preaches: he co-founded Cultivated Media, the authoritative media platform serving the North American cannabis industry and is also the co-host of The Peak Daily, the most listened to daily Canadian business news podcast in the country.
Jay began his career in the US Capitol, working for United States Senator Barbara Boxer. Moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 90s, he served in the administration of the Mayor of San Jose, the 10th largest City in the US.
From government, he launched JMR Strategic, a California-based public affairs consultancy where he managed dozens of successful local and regional campaigns (and many unsuccessful ones too!).
Jay's wife Dara Solomon is the Executive Director of both the Toronto Holocaust Museum and the Ontario Jewish Archives. Together, they are the proud (and tired) parents of 2 children, Stella (15) and Cy (11).
Jay is also a past-President of the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School, recently joined the Board of Directors of Canadian Jewish News, and is a long-time youth sports coach with TP Baseball, the George Bell Hockey Association and the Isobel Bolton Girls House League.
Greg Mortson
Vice President of Account Management at Environics Analytics.
Greg Mortson
Vice President of Account Management at Environics Analytics.
Greg Mortson is a data-driven strategist with almost 30 years of experience in enterprise software, IT, and analytics. As Vice President of Account Management at Environics Analytics, he helps public and private sector clients turn data into action, driving real-world results across Canada and the U.S.
Greg specializes in geodemographics and advanced analytics, working with municipalities to tackle complex challenges—from pandemic recovery and community resilience to commercial revitalization and modernizing data processes. His expertise in mobile movement data and emerging analytics tools has helped cities better understand shifting population dynamics and optimize decision-making.
A trusted consultant and speaker, Greg is passionate about applying data to improve communities, ensuring campaign managers, policymakers, and business leaders can make informed, high-impact decisions.
Alex Nuttall
Current Mayor of the City of Barrie, former MP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro Medonte.
Alex Nuttall
Current Mayor of the City of Barrie, former MP for Barrie–Springwater–Oro Medonte.
Alex Nuttall climbed the political ladder, becoming the 47th mayor of Barrie, Ontario. At the age of 21, Alex began his political journey on Barrie city council and in 2015, he shifted gears to federal politics. He successfully ran for the Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte riding and served his constituents until 2019. He returned to municipal government three years later, winning the Barrie mayoral race.
Mayor Nuttall is dedicated to fostering a city where everyone can thrive, regardless of their background or beliefs. He says, “having grown up in government housing I learned the value of service and the importance of inclusivity. My faith is my guiding light and inspires me to lead with empathy.”
Mayor Nuttall was a leader even in high school, where he served as student mayor before graduating in 2004. Mr. Nuttall furthered his education in Political Science at two universities - Redeemer and Laurentian.
Mayor Nuttall sat on the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority's Executive Board from 2006 to 2010 and helped formulate the Lake Simcoe Protection Act in 2008.
A notable community contributor, Mayor Nuttall co-launched the PIE Education program in 2010 with the support of local business owners. The initiative has since provided over 17,500 backpacks with school supplies to students living in government housing in Simcoe County. Last year, Mayor Nuttall partnered with Maple Leafs Captain John Tavares and the John Tavares Foundation to deliver backpacks to underprivileged youth in the GTA.
In 2018, he took the reins of the Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game. The annual charity game attracts celebrity players and raises significant funds for local charities. Donations included a noteworthy $275,000 in 2023 for the RVH Foundation, Rotary, the John Tavares Foundation, and PIE Education.
David West
Mayor of the City of Richmond Hill and OBCM Treasurer.
David West
Mayor of the City of Richmond Hill and OBCM Treasurer.
David West has a deep and longstanding interest in the City of Richmond Hill. His commitment to the
community has been demonstrated throughout his more than three decades as a resident, during which
time he has been a local business owner, has demonstrated leadership through various volunteer
community positions, and has served the residents of Richmond Hill as an elected official, from 2013-
2022 as Ward 4 Councillor from 2013 until 2022 at which time he was elected as Mayor, first in a by-
election and subsequently re-elected in October 2022
As Mayor, during his 2022-2026 term David represents Richmond Hill Council on numerous committees
including Chair of the Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation Committee (AHSIC), Vice-Chair of the
Budget Committee of the Whole (BCW), member of the Audit Committee, Economic Development
Committee (EDC) and Heritage Centre Advisory Committee (HCAC).
As a member of the York Region Council, he is Chair of the Committee for Public Works – Environmental
Services and sits on the York Region Housing Affordability Task Force, York Region Rapid Transit
Corporation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and TRCA’s Partners in Project Green
Executive Management Steering Committee.
In February 2025, David was happy to receive the support of his Ontario Big City Mayor colleagues and
assume the position of Treasurer on the OBCM Executive Committee.
A husband and father, David has called Richmond Hill home for more than 30 years. He is a passionate
patron of the visual arts and a dedicated naturalist. As lifelong learner, David enjoys reading on a wide
range of topics and he appreciates any opportunity to be in the outdoors. Watch for him at community
events where he loves to meet and speak with Richmond Hill constituents.
Greg specializes in geodemographics and advanced analytics, working with municipalities to tackle complex challenges—from pandemic recovery and community resilience to commercial revitalization and modernizing data processes. His expertise in mobile movement data and emerging analytics tools has helped cities better understand shifting population dynamics and optimize decision-making.
A trusted consultant and speaker, Greg is passionate about applying data to improve communities, ensuring campaign managers, policymakers, and business leaders can make informed, high-impact decisions.
Steve de Eyre
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Canada at TikTok
Steve de Eyre
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Canada at TikTok
Steve de Eyre is the Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at TikTok Canada, where he works with all levels of government to inform them about TikTok’s commitment to user safety and privacy, and how Canadians are using TikTok to share their culture and talents on a global stage.
Prior to joining TikTok in 2020, he founded and led Amazon Canada's public policy team, and previously served at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C. as the representative for Innovation, Science & Economic Development.
Steve holds a B.A. (Honours) in Political Studies from Bishop’s University and J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He currently serves on the Boards of Sheridan College and MediaSmarts.
Lena Gahwi
Deputy Digital Director for Jagmeet Singh and the Federal NDP.
Lena Gahwi
Deputy Digital Director for Jagmeet Singh and the Federal NDP.
Castro Liu
City of Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3.
Castro Liu
City of Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3.
Castro Liu was first elected in 2010 as the Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3, and he is currently
serving in his fourth term. He has focused on important subject matters such as improving traffic
safety for school children, stronger neighbourhoods to prevent crime, attracting investments to help
create jobs and branding Richmond Hill as cultural and heritage destination.
A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Communication Studies Program, he has held several different positions in the radio and television broadcasting industry, including hosting television talk shows, program director and production director. As co-host of the morning talk show at Fairchild Chinese Radio for more than 20 years, Castro played an integral role in helping the show become the most-listened to
Chinese radio program in the Toronto Chinese community.
He has appeared in many advertisements
and TV/radio commercials, and is often invited to emcee major events. Castro is a strong believer in
giving back to the community and is a committed volunteer for numerous charitable organizations and
fundraising events, such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital, Yee Hong
Wellness Foundation, Sick Kids Foundation, United Way, Mon Sheong Foundation, and World Vision
Canada. He is also a recipient of the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards in 2014. He has been a
Richmond Hill resident for more than 30 years and is married with two children.
Dave Sommer
Former Deputy Dir. of Communications, Digital, to Prime Minister Trudeau. Current VP, Strategic Communications at Enterprise Canada.
Dave Sommer
Former Deputy Dir. of Communications, Digital, to Prime Minister Trudeau. Current VP, Strategic Communications at Enterprise Canada.
Dave Sommer brings more than two decades of combined experience in communications, politics and digital strategy to his current role helping brands and institutions develop impactful messaging that resonates with their audiences. As Vice-President, Strategic Communications, at Enterprise Canada, he leads the team focused on communications strategy and support, issues management preparation, media training, public relations, digital content creation and creator partnerships. Dave has supported some of Canada’s most well-known brands, government agencies and associations with urgent digital public affairs campaigns, crisis communications, long-term strategic planning, and hands-on content creation. He has led teams in conceiving, developing and publishing compelling and persuasive ad creative – going from initial client meetings to campaign launches in just days. His extensive knowledge of what works in the digital space has helped clients refresh and renew their online presence or create new ones from scratch, with great success. He is also the co-chair of Enterprise Canada’s working group on Artificial Intelligence, helping to draft and implement our policy for the safe and responsible use of AI products both internally and externally.
Prior to joining Enterprise in 2023, Dave was Head of Politics and Government at Instagram in Washington, DC, where he advised global political leaders, government agencies, NGOs and IGOs on digital strategy and best practices. He also conceived, developed and shipped on-platform products – such as digital voter registration and participation badges – to help Instagram’s users celebrate key elections and other civic events around the world. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Communications, Digital, for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. From the history-making 2015 federal election campaign to 2019, Dave led the team responsible for all the Prime Minister’s video, web and social media properties, conceiving, writing and producing all digital products in the PMO, as well as planning long-term strategy, and coordination with ministries. Before that, he worked as a reporter, editor and producer in various Canadian radio and TV newsrooms, including CTV National News, where he was headlines and promotions producer. Born and raised in Montreal, he now lives in Toronto with his partner and their 2 children.
Castro Liu
City of Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3.
Castro Liu
City of Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3.
Castro Liu was first elected in 2010 as the Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 3, and he is currently
serving in his fourth term. He has focused on important subject matters such as improving traffic
safety for school children, stronger neighbourhoods to prevent crime, attracting investments to help
create jobs and branding Richmond Hill as cultural and heritage destination.
A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Communication Studies Program, he has held several different positions in the radio and television broadcasting industry, including hosting television talk shows, program director and production director. As co-host of the morning talk show at Fairchild Chinese Radio for more than 20 years, Castro played an integral role in helping the show become the most-listened to
Chinese radio program in the Toronto Chinese community.
He has appeared in many advertisements
and TV/radio commercials, and is often invited to emcee major events. Castro is a strong believer in
giving back to the community and is a committed volunteer for numerous charitable organizations and
fundraising events, such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital, Yee Hong
Wellness Foundation, Sick Kids Foundation, United Way, Mon Sheong Foundation, and World Vision
Canada. He is also a recipient of the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards in 2014. He has been a
Richmond Hill resident for more than 30 years and is married with two children.
Amreet Kaur
Former Press Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Media Advisor for the 2019 Liberal Campaign.
Amreet Kaur
Former Press Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Media Advisor for the 2019 Liberal Campaign.
During her time at Queen’s Park, Amreet held a variety of roles including being a lead on stakeholder and community relations for the Premier of Ontario. Prior to that she worked at the Office of the Minister of Finance where she focused on stakeholder consultations, strategic communications, caucus relations and public appointments.
Berry Vrbanovic
Mayor of the City of Kitchener and UCLG Co-President.
Berry Vrbanovic
Mayor of the City of Kitchener and UCLG Co-President.
Mayor Berry Vrbanovic was elected in 2014 as the 68th Mayor of the City of Kitchener since its founding as the Village of Berlin in 1854. As Mayor, he also sits as a member of the council of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served as a City Councillor from 1994-2014.
Born in Zagreb, Croatia, Mayor Vrbanovic moved to Canada as a young child. He is a graduate of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Coming from an immigrant family himself, he understands the challenges and issues facing the thousands of Canadians who have made Kitchener their new home.
Mayor Vrbanovic also currently serves as Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments and serves on Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) committees and its Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus, as well as with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Big City Mayors. He is President Emeritus of FCM (2011-12) and is a former member of the FCM Green Municipal Fund Council.
Ben Gahtan
Founder and CEO at Triple, helping fundraising organizations find major gift prospects 10x faster.
Ben Gahtan
Founder and CEO at Triple, helping fundraising organizations find major gift prospects 10x faster.
As the founder of Triple, Ben Gahtan is transforming how fundraising organizations find, research, and connect with donors.
With Triple, you can identify potential donors based on hyper-specific criteria. For example, you can target prospects based on past charitable giving, affiliations, interests, real estate holdings, political contributions, and 1000+ more data points. Want to find donors who support environmental causes, have a net worth of $10M+, and sit on nonprofit boards? No problem—Triple makes it easy.
Alternatively, if your organization already has a list of prospective donors, Triple provides actionable intelligence directly into your CRM. For example, you can get deep insights into their giving capacity, philanthropic priorities, verified contact information, and 500+ additional data points to refine your outreach.
By leveraging Triple’s cutting-edge platform, fundraising professionals can unlock new donor relationships and drive meaningful contributions with greater precision than ever before.
Elizabeth Roy
Mayor of the Town of Whitby and OBCM Secretary.
Elizabeth Roy
Mayor of the Town of Whitby and OBCM Secretary.
Elizabeth Roy is currently serving her first term as mayor of Whitby after being elected in 2022.
She was first elected to Whitby Council in 2006 and served two terms as West Ward Councillor, followed by two terms as Regional Councillor. Her time as a councillor was spent being a vocal advocate for the community.
Before that, Elizabeth was a Durham District School Board trustee for nine years, including serving as board chair. She also worked as a medical radiation therapist for 34 years, practicing at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Durham Regional Cancer Center.
Over the years, she has volunteered her time with many community organizations and causes, from the Denise House and Windreach Farm, to Lakeridge Health Whitby
Foundation and Durham Hospice.
She is a proud mother of three and grandmother of two.
Ben Cox
Founder & CEO at Page, a company using AI to help businesses gather information and insight on public policy.
Ben Cox
Founder & CEO at Page, a company using AI to help businesses gather information and insight on public policy.
Ben Cox is the Founder and CEO of Page, a start-up that uses advanced technology & AI to make it effortless for companies to gain real-time and personalized insight into government activities that can impact their business.
Prior to working at Page, Ben worked for 10 years at Shopify as a Developer, and for 3 years at Ipsos Reid as a Research Manager.