Emerging Leaders 2024 / Browse all categories

Sales

Celebrating Canada's most promising young leaders in sales.

Leaders Circle

Elyse Budziakowski

Elyse Budziakowski

Regional Vice President, Commercial Sales, Salesforce

Elyse Budziakowski

Elyse Budziakowski

Regional Vice President, Commercial Sales, Salesforce

Elyse Budziakowski is an accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in sales, leadership, and community engagement. With over eight years at Salesforce and eight at Cintas, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive customer success and digital transformation while leading high-performing sales teams.

At Salesforce, Elyse has led sales teams to exceed targets, prioritizing customer satisfaction and fostering innovation. Her tenure at Cintas provided her with a deep understanding of sales dynamics and further honed her leadership skills.

Beyond her professional roles, Elyse is deeply committed to making a positive impact in her community. As Co-Chair of Forward Together, she works tirelessly to benefit, empower, and celebrate women in the workplace. Additionally, she leads volunteering efforts at the Salesforce Toronto Community Hub, showcasing her dedication to giving back.

Elyse's philanthropic efforts extend to organizing the Annual Salesforce Charity Golf Tournament, where she serves on the leadership committee. Her contributions to this event have earned recognition, including the Rainbow Award for the Cooper Robertson Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Currently pursuing an Executive Leadership Certificate from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management. Elyse continues to enhance her skill set and leadership acumen while looking to drive positive change in the community and being an advocate for women in sales.
Harry Williams

Harry Williams

Director of Clinical Partnerships, Greenspace Health

Harry Williams

Harry Williams

Director of Clinical Partnerships, Greenspace Health

Harry is the  Director of Clinical Partnerships at Greenspace Health, a technology company developed to support the adoption of Measurement-Based Care (MBC) across the mental health and substance use sector. As the first Sales hire at Greenspace in 2018, he has since participated in supporting more than 500 implementations of MBC across a wide range of organizations. Previously, Harry began working with cutting-edge medical devices for the visually impaired while leading the client advocacy team at eSight, TIME Magazine's "2017 Invention of the Year". He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Global Development at Western University. Additionally, he plays an active role as a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, set up a scholarship for youth interested in pursuing entrepreneurship, and coaches early-stage tech companies on their go-to-market strategies.
Palmer Simpson

Palmer Simpson

Vice President, Global Head of Strategic Growth & Sales, SensorSuite

Palmer Simpson

Palmer Simpson

Vice President, Global Head of Strategic Growth & Sales, SensorSuite

Palmer Simpson, Vice President and Global Head of Strategic Growth & Sales at SensorSuite, is celebrated for his innovative leadership and global business development achievements. A Queen's University School of Business alumnus with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), his global acumen was further enriched through his international studies at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Palmer's leadership qualities, deeply influenced by his personal experiences of supporting his older brother with Down Syndrome, have shaped him into a compassionate and dynamic leader. He embodies the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, as evidenced by his book "How Badly Do You Want to Succeed?" and his involvement in founding several ventures aimed at driving global change. Palmer is also a recognized market expert and motivational speaker, advocating for emerging real estate technologies, smart and sustainable buildings, and the power of personal motivation. His dedication to social causes, including volunteering with Special Olympics and local charities, showcases his commitment to societal impact.

Before SensorSuite, Palmer's held strategic leadership roles at HqO, as Head of Canadian & Eastern-US Sales and Partnerships, and Manulife, where he played a pivotal role in the Global Real Estate and Asset Management portfolio, showcasing his versatility and innovative approach on a global scale. 

At SensorSuite, Palmer is pivotal in driving the company's global expansion and technological advancement, leveraging his comprehensive network and experience. His steadfast dedication to sustainability and positive global impact fuels his vision, propelling the evolution of businesses towards a more sustainable future. Palmer's journey reflects a commitment not just to professional excellence but to create a better, more sustainable world.
Phil Wigmore

Phil Wigmore

Vice President, Business Development, Verto

Phil Wigmore

Phil Wigmore

Vice President, Business Development, Verto

Phil is the Vice President at Verto, a Canadian healthcare that uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalized, predictive healthcare - improving quality of life for patients & reducing workload for healthcare providers. Phil has spent his career working alongside mission-driven founders to play a small part in building a friendlier, more empathetic future. He has a deep passion for reading, running and recurring revenue. 
Shaharyar Irfan

Shaharyar Irfan

Director, Global Business Development & Partnerships, AV Communications

Shaharyar Irfan

Shaharyar Irfan

Director, Global Business Development & Partnerships, AV Communications

I am a goal-oriented individual who finds positivity in every situation and enjoys challenges. With a diverse experience in Marketing, Brand Management, Merchandising, & Advertising spanning over 18 years, I take satisfaction in helping Fortune 500 and small companies achieve their business goals in the North American market. With the influx of immigrants in North America, I have actively supported initiatives to promote Multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the job market, especially in the Marketing & Advertising industry. I have also contributed to global expansion by building partnerships within and outside North America that have helped the agency grow exponentially. Over the last four years, I have been leading the Business Development initiatives, which has resulted in securing clients such as H&M, Canon, Midea, Miele, Canada Goose, LV, Maserati, Tim Hortons, Estee Lauder, MAC, and few other big brands. I am also an honorary Peel Multicultural Community Board member for helping newcomers in the settlement process and supporting them in their job search process. The goal is to continue taking initiatives that can benefit the community in general, irrespective of race, colour, language, or ethnicity.
Brendan Woodfull

Brendan Woodfull

RVP of Sales & Principal Broker, Rocket Mortgage

Brendan Woodfull

Brendan Woodfull

RVP of Sales & Principal Broker, Rocket Mortgage

As one of the founding team members of Rocket Mortgage Canada (Formally Edison Financial), I have helped grow the company from 6 employees to 150+ in the span of 4 years. I specifically lead our sales team, which now consists of 3 Directors, 2 Team leads and 40+ mortgage agents. 

Prior to working at Rocket Mortgage Canada, I worked at BMO and Rocket Mortgage in the US. I graduated from Oakland University with a Degree in Business and played NCAA D1 soccer.
Cameron Millband

Cameron Millband

Performance Director, Finder

Cameron Millband

Cameron Millband

Performance Director, Finder

As the Director of Performance at Finder, Cameron helps brands grow their digital customer acquisition by connecting with Canadians who are looking to make better financial decisions. Finder is a personal finance comparison site that aims to help Canadians save, invest, spend wisely, and grow their wealth. Outside of Finder, Cameron writes about affiliate marketing for financial services in his newsletter, Canadian Fintech Affiliate. 
Narges Rezaei

Narges Rezaei

CEO, MARVL

Narges Rezaei

Narges Rezaei

CEO, MARVL

Growing up in a small town in Iran, my journey to the forefront of the tech industry began with a passion for books and a keen interest in mathematics. I graduated from Sharif University of Technology in Iran before moving to Canada and specializing in Artificial Intelligence for my first Master's degree. Aligning my technical expertise with entrepreneurial ambitions led me to obtain a second Master's in Management from Queen's University. My professional path transitioned from AI science to entrepreneurship, leading to the founding of MARVL. MARVL aims to empower B2B sales teams with AI-driven tools for consistent sales process execution, reflecting my belief in the power of AI to transform traditional business practices.
Kelly Kennedy

Kelly Kennedy

CEO, Capital Business Development

Kelly Kennedy

Kelly Kennedy

CEO, Capital Business Development

Kelly Kennedy is a visionary entrepreneur, esteemed business leader, and the Founder and CEO of Capital Business Development. As the driving force behind this renowned organization, Kelly has positioned it as a prominent player in the industry, offering comprehensive business development solutions to clients across diverse markets.

In addition to his role as CEO, Kelly is also the host of the critically acclaimed and award-winning podcast, The Business Development Podcast. With a keen focus on providing invaluable insights and strategies, this podcast has become a go-to resource for professionals seeking to enhance their business acumen and elevate their success.

With a deep-rooted passion for transforming the business landscape, Kelly has dedicated himself to revolutionizing the way organizations approach growth and development.

Through his podcast and Capital Business Development, he is committed to delivering exponential value to the business community, empowering professionals to transcend boundaries and achieve unprecedented levels of success.

Kelly Kennedy's unwavering commitment to excellence, combined with his strategic vision and expertise, has firmly established him as a trailblazer in the field of business development. With his guidance and innovative approach, Kelly continues to inspire individuals and organizations worldwide, reshaping the way they approach business growth and paving the way for a new era of success.

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