Speakers
Keynote Speaker
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Justice Harvey P. Brownstone
Saturday Night Gala Dinner
Mr. Justice Harvey Brownstone became a lawyer in 1983, and worked as a Legal Aid lawyer before joining the Ministry of the Attorney General, where he eventually became Director of the government department responsible for enforcing child support. He was appointed a Provincial Judge in 1995 and presides at the North Toronto Family Court
Mr. Justice Brownstone, who was the first openly gay judge appointed in Canada, organized the first judicial education program in Canada for judges on the topic of gay rights, in 2000. Since the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ontario in 2003, he has officiated at over 1,500 same-sex marriages for couples from all over the world, and has been featured on CNN and in People magazine. He is one of the most sought-after judges on the lecture circuit in Canada and the United States, and speaks regularly on the subject of legal rights for same-sex couples. Most notably, he was the first judge to address the American Judges Association (at their annual conference in October 2004) on the subject of same-sex marriage, and he has on three occasions addressed annual conferences of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in the United States. In June 2008, in a ceremony at New York City Hall, he was honoured with a Proclamation by the New York State Senate for his many years of service to the Gay and Lesbian Community, having conducted wedding ceremonies for some of New York’s most prominent LGBT citizens who came to Canada to get married.
Justice Brownstone is the first and only Canadian sitting family court judge to write a book that speaks directly to the public. His book, “Tug of War”, released in 2009, was met with instant accolades and spent 13 weeks on the national best seller list. Because of the strong media response to Tug of War, Justice Brownstone was catapulted into the national media spotlight, and was featured in every major newspaper, and appeared on over 100 radio and television interview programs, including CBC’s The National and CTV’s Canada AM and W5. This led to Justice Brownstone becoming the first and only sitting judge in the world to host his own online talk show, called “Family Matters”, which became so immensely popular that it is now broadcast on TV. Canada’s own celebrity judge hosts FAMILY MATTERS on CHCH TV every Tuesday night at 10:30pm.
Inspirational Speakers
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George Smitherman
![George_Smitherman_Personal_Profile[1]](http://outonbayst.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/George_Smitherman_Personal_Profile1.bmp "George_Smitherman_Personal_Profile[1]")
Friday Night Networking Cocktail Reception
George Smitherman is sought-after for his advice and recognized as one of Canada’s leading public policy voices, having been active in public life as a grassroots organizer and community activist, an elected official and senior advisor at the local, provincial and federal level, spanning more than 30 years.
Most recently a candidate for Toronto Mayor, George Smitherman previously served as Ontario’s Deputy Premier - a role that often saw him as the government’s leading spokesperson on many of the most contentious issues facing the province. Elected 3 times as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto Centre, George served in both opposition and on the McGuinty Government’s front bench. During his time in Cabinet, he was responsible for the allocation of more than $250 billion.
George was one of Ontario’s longest serving Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, holding the portfolio from 2003-2008. Widely viewed as the most transformative health minister in a generation, George brought drug spending and hospital budgets under control while at the same time dramatically reducing medical wait times to the lowest in Canada. His tenure brought significantly improved access to doctors and nurses. Ontario’s Family Health Team model, which serves more than 3 million Ontarians, was pioneered during this period.
In 2008, George was appointed Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, where he shepherded the passage of Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act, internationally recognized as a leading piece of renewable energy legislation, and which has allowed Ontario to emerge as North America’s renewable energy leader, producing billions of dollars in new investment and thousands of green energy jobs in the province. During this same period, George lead negotiations with the Government of Canada on a massive infrastructure stimulus program, provoked by the global financial crisis.
Before his election in 1999, George owned and operated a small business in downtown Toronto. Following his unplanned retirement from politics, George has returned to his entrepreneurial roots as Chairman and Principal of G&G Global Solutions.
Panel Discussion
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Topic: Entrepreneurship & Running a Business
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Mathieu Chantelois - Moderator
Mathieu Chantelois is a Torontonian/Montrealer who can just as readily quote Kim Kardashian as Oscar Wilde. He has a Masters Degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. Mathieu also completed two years of his PhD, probing the roots of circuit parties and tackling the evolution of gay body culture.
Ten years ago, Mathieu was a cast member on the longest reality TV show in history, U8TV: The Lofters, which was broadcasted online and coast to coast on Canada's Life Network. He was the first openly gay show participant on Canadian television. He also created, hosted and co-produced SoGayTV, the first original series aired on PrideVision TV. SoGayTV was nominated for a Gemini Award as best talk show of the year.
He is the editor-in-chief of Le magazine Cineplex, the most popular French language movie magazine in Canada. He’s was also a political analyst for the The Hour on Newsworld and the Toronto on-air collaborator to the French CBC radio show Christiane Charette.
As a volunteer, he’s involve with The 519 Church Street Centre (as the Co-Chair of the Pride festivities, he was also the Chair of the Board of Management) and has been a Board member of Montreal’s Divers/Cité for the last 10 years. He also won the Volunteer of the Year Award at CANFAR.
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Anna Simone
Anna Simone studied Interior Design at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology, where she graduated with honours.
As a founding partner of Cecconi Simone Inc., a multi-disciplinary design firm, Anna Simone has been involved with numerous award winning projects in retail, hospitality and multi-unit residential design. Anna has worked on the retail concept for Oni One [winner of the ARC award for best new retail concept and International Interior Design Association award for best retail store in 2004], she lead the team for the T.O. Hilton Airport [Toronto], Four Points by Sheraton [Toronto] as well as XIS [Stratford], a boutique hotel. Anna was the partner-in-charge for corporate clients like the Royal Bank of Canada, DMB&B Advertising, Serendipity Point Films, and Dominion Securities Retail Sales [BCE Place] projects.
Anna has lectured at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ontario College of Art, Ryerson Polytechnic University, The Design Exchange, The Japan Foundation, The International Academy of Merchandising and Design, Home Builders Association, IIDEX, The Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show, The Interior Design Show [Toronto], AIA [American Institute of Architecture in Florida] and Real Spring Symposium [Washington, DC]. She has served on the Advisory Board at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology and Durham College, as well as the Interior Design Show, Canada’s premiere design show for the trade and public. She is a former Executive Board member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (A.R.I.D.O.) and has served as juror on the panel for the annual A.R.I.D.O. Awards, Virtu, the Toronto Arts Awards and OAA [Ontario Association of Architects]. Cecconi Simone was named Designer of the Year in February 2007 at The Interior Design Show in Toronto and has just been honoured with a Business Excellence Award for Innovation by the Italian Chamber of Commerce.
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Patricia Salib
Patricia Salib is the President of the Mint Media Group – Canada’s premier marketing agency and publishing company specializing in the LGBT market. As a visionary and entrepreneur, her specialty in developing effective business strategies has helped companies maximize their potential and expand beyond their existing markets. Patricia Salib’s career began as a business developer for niche markets, transforming small establishments into international phenomenons.
Currently, Patricia is the publisher of two of the leading LGBT magazines in Canada. In May 2010, The Mint Media Group launched In Toronto Magazine, a gay and lesbian lifestyle magazine. Within 6 months, In Toronto was rated as the second most consumed gay media in Canada. In April of 2011 The Mint Media Group acquired Outlooks’ magazine. Under Patricia’s direction, Outlooks’ has been transformed into Canada’s premier fashion, travel and lifestyle magazine.
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Bob Richardson
Bob Richardson has had a stellar career in a wide range of government, charitable and business activities.
In government, Bob served as Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition, as an Executive Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, and as Executive Assistant and Press Secretary to the Minister of Colleges and Universities.
Following his service in government, Bob was the Senior Vice President at IPSO Reid, where he ran the national public policy practice group, and then the CEO of the Toronto Olympic bid, before establishing the Devon Group, a successful Government Relations and Public Relations firm where he works today.
Bob is active in community and public service. He sits on several boards, including the Board of Governors for both Carleton University and Seneca College, the Ontario Media Development Corporation and Gilda's Club of Greater Toronto. His interest in human rights led to his involvement in war torn countries such as Namibia and Bosnia as part of international efforts to establish democratic governments in those countries.
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Alex Finlayson
Alex Finlayson graduated in the top of his class from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2001 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002. His practice is restricted to family law and he appears in all levels of the Ontario Courts. He has several reported cases to his credit.
Mr. Finlayson is actively involved in the profession. He is a member of the Ontario Bar Association, Family Law Section Executive, the Ontario Bar Association, Family Law Section Executive CLE Subcommittee, and the 311 Jarvis “Open Bar” Planning Committee at the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis. His work in these organizations is focused on continuing legal education. He is also a member of the Advocates’ Society. He is frequently invited to speak at or author papers for continuing legal education events.
Organization Speakers
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Timothy M. Banks ,
- presented by
At Friday's Speaker Panel
Timothy assists in developing strategies to fix or to manage the risk of litigious or potentially litigious matters involving complex or novel issues. In addition, he is the partner in the Toronto Office responsible for research and supports FMC Law lawyers in providing reasoned written opinions.
Tim's approach is to focus on playing the long game to achieve his clients' goals. He is frequently consulted on matters relating to managing risk in the following areas: corporate governance; D&O insurance; contractual exclusions or limitations of liability; privacy; and consumer protection.
Tim is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, which is a community‐based legal clinic for low income senior citizens. He is proud to volunteer his time to assist the elderly in this capacity.
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Bernadette MacPherson ,
- presented by
At Friday's Networking Cocktail Reception
As District Vice President, Central Ontario, Bernadette is responsible for Scotiabank's Retail and Small Business operations including a network of 24 bank branches employing more than 450 people.
After serving 19 years in the financial services industry, she joined Scotiabank in 2006. Her career has spanned from branch management and community management to strategy development and launching of Multicultural Banking and Aboriginal Banking where she worked to deliver unique financial solutions in partnership with governments, communities and individuals.
Bernadette is a graduate of Dalhousie University where she earned a Masters of Business Administration degree. Prior to this, she attended St Mary's University where she acquired her Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Marketing and Management.
Bernadette is proud to have been a past volunteer with the Aids Committee of Ottawa. She was one of the first volunteers with The Names Project Foundation where Bernadette helped sew some of the first pieces of the Aids Memorial Quilt in 1988. The quit was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and remains the larges community art project in the world
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Jennifer Tory ,
- presented by
At Saturday's Afternoon Lunch
As Regional President, Greater Toronto Region, Jennifer Tory leads a team of 4,000 employees in providing financial advice and services to RBC’s personal, small business and commercial clients.
Since joining RBC in 1978, Ms. Tory has held a variety of senior leadership and executive sales management positions in personal, business and commercial banking. Immediately prior to her current position Ms. Tory was Senior Vice President of Operations for Canadian Banking RBC.
With a long history of supporting numerous community causes, Ms. Tory is currently Chair of Sunnybrook Hospital’s $470 million Capital Campaign. She formerly served as Chair of Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation. In addition, she serves as a Director of the Toronto International Film Festival and the Toronto Board of Trade and as a fundraiser for several other charitable organizations.
A recipient of the 2011 Catalyst Canada Honour for Championing Women in Business, Ms. Tory is a graduate of Queen's University and has completed her ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors at The Rotman School of Management. She and her two daughters reside in Toronto.
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Peter W. Doyle ,
- presented by
At Saturday's Case Competition Final Round
Peter is the Managing Partner of KPMG’s Canadian Audit practice. In that role, he is responsible for all aspects of the audit practice, including the firm’s priorities regarding professional excellence, people, and quality growth. Peter is a member of the Canadian firm’s Management Committee.
In his 30 years with KPMG, Peter has worked extensively with technology-based and communication companies in providing audit and business advisory services. In this capacity, Peter was the past leader of KPMG’s Information, Communications and Entertainment (ICE) practice. As the ICE practice leader, Peter also advised other KPMG professionals on matters involving Canadian technology companies. Peter continues to be actively involved in advising companies on a host of current accounting issues including revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, and U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting.
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Paul C. Douglas ,
- presented by
At Saturday's Gala Dinner
Paul Douglas is Executive Vice President, TD Business Banking. In his current assignment, he is responsible for products, services and service delivery to TD’s Business Banking clients in Canada. Paul is also the senior executive responsible for TD’s relationship with the First Nations Bank of Canada, a federally-chartered Schedule 2 bank serving aboriginal and non-aboriginal people throughout Canada.
Paul rejoined TD in 1978 after completing an MBA at McMaster University and has held positions of increasing responsibility in a number of areas of TD Bank Financial Group including Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Risk Management. He has held his current position as EVP, TD Business Banking since May 2004.
In addition to being the Executive Vice President of TD’s Business Banking, Paul is also the chair for TD’s Diversity Leadership Council subcommittee on promoting and enhancing a supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender customers and employees.
