Legal & Industry

Ben Singer is an innovative real estate development lawyer, focusing on building out the "missing middle" and bringing more family-friendly housing options to market. Ben helps his clients navigate mortgages, transactions, regulators and condominium law, anticipating issues before they harm the project. When he's not helping builders and lenders, Ben is spending time with his family, smoking a brisket, or playing soccer.

Shelby's journey from the vast landscapes of Saskatchewan to the bustling professional world of Alberta has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her story is a testament to the fusion of ambition, serendipity, and hard work that has defined her remarkable career. Born in the heart of Saskatchewan, Shelby's early years were characterized by the vast prairies that surrounded her. However, at the age of 12, her family decided to embark on a new adventure, moving to the dynamic province of Alberta. Little did she know that this change in scenery would set the stage for the diverse and successful path that lay ahead. Shelby dove headfirst from highschool into the working world, demonstrating a work ethic and determination that would become her hallmark. Within her first year, she ascended the ranks of a 100+ employee business into a management position, showcasing a rare talent for leadership and organizational prowess. Her journey in the professional realm saw her navigate through the intricacies of Quality and Training, achieving the monumental feat of ISO 9001:2008 certification for her department before the age of 20. Amidst the excitement of her professional achievements, Shelby's life took a momentous turn when, at the age of 21, she embraced the role of motherhood. By 2017, she was managing not only a burgeoning family with three children under the age of four but also successfully running a professional photography business specializing in portraits and weddings. In 2016, Shelby expanded her entrepreneurial spirit by co-founding an online store catering to women and children. The store curated Canadian, ethically made small batch and vintage clothing, Montessori toys, and home care products, reflecting Shelby's commitment to supporting canadian products. Her creative pursuits continued with the self-publishing of a children's alphabet book in 2018, which found an international audience. Recognizing a longing to collaborate and lead a team once again, Shelby re-entered the workforce in 2019. Initially joining NAIT's ILM Office on a project basis, she discovered a new passion for organizing and updating skilled trade learning materials. This revelation led her to accept a full-time position as the Manager of Product Development and Publishing in 2022, where she currently oversees a dynamic team of learning designers, graphic artists, editors, publishing specialists, and subject matter experts. ILMs learning resources are used across the country as the leading apprenticeship tool, supporting the future of industry and the economy. Shelby's journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of passion. From the prairies of Saskatchewan to the bustling professional landscape of Alberta, she continues to redefine success and inspire those around her. The chapters of Shelby's story are dynamic, and her future promises even more adventures and triumphs.

Lina Maragha is a communications and public affairs professional with a proven track record of managing complex challenges in government and industry. Originally from Pickering, Ontario, she is the Senior Manager of Issues Management and Public Relations at Loblaw Companies Limited, specializing in reputational risk management, crisis response, and strategic communications. With eight years of experience in government and the public service, Lina has held roles at the Privy Council Office and as an advisor to elected officials. She has shaped policy responses, led media strategies, and provided strategic counsel to senior leaders on high-stakes issues. Her expertise lies at the intersection of politics, business, and public affairs, bridging government and industry to drive meaningful change. Beyond her professional work, Lina has been actively involved in political campaigns and community organizations, using her skills to advocate for causes she believes in. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University. Outside of work, Lina enjoys staying active, whether playing soccer, swimming, or just spending time outdoors.

Foti Vito is currently a Judicial Law Clerk at the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He earned his Juris Doctor with Distinction from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction from the University of Toronto (Trinity College), studying international relations and political science. During his studies, he received several academic and leadership awards, including the Ludwik & Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize, Nelson Mandela Award, and International Human Rights Program Fellowship. Foti also holds a Certificate from The Hague Academy of International Law. Foti has pursued his interests in public law, international law, and advocacy through both professional and co-curricular activities. He served as a Senior Editor of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review, volunteered as a caseworker at Downtown Legal Services, and was a legal clinic student in the International Human Rights Program. He gained experience in international criminal law at the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague and in general litigation at McCarthy Tétrault LLP in Toronto. He also represented Canada at the international rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, where he won the Richard Baxter Award for the best applicant memorial. As the youngest Director of the Albanian Canadian Lawyers Association, Foti has led the organization's student initiatives for nearly three years and helped spearhead its expansion from Ontario to Alberta and Quebec. He will be clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada from 2026-2027.

Rehana Rajwani is Pakistani-Canadian, Ismaili-Muslim, award-winning Learning and Development Leader. She is currently a Director for Agile Transformation at Bank of Montreal leading the enterprise-wide Learning and Development function. She helps leaders and organizations in their agile journey using the power of learning through the growth-mindset approach! She is passionate about Organizational Physics, Organizational Behaviour and Organizational Design and combines them to understand how we can continually improve our work environment to achieve high productivity. In an increasingly challenging VUCA world, her strength is in simplifying complexities. She was the Chair for Aga Khan Education Board for Ontario in 2020, leading efforts to serve the vulnerable in her community to help them get access to equitable education during covid. She is also the co-Founder and ex-Captain of a Women's cricket team and is currently learning how to swim so she can teach her toddlers! You can learn more about her at knowledgebridges.ca or by connecting with her on LinkedIn.

Kara Eusebio is a strategic partnerships and external relations expert with extensive international business, strategy, and people leadership experience. She is currently the Director, Bayview Yards Growth and Success at Invest Ottawa where she develops and leads partnerships, business development and revenue generation to support the long-term sustainability and feasibility of Bayview Yards, Ottawa’s innovation centre. In this role, she leads and oversees the delivery of an impactful and consistent stakeholder experience for onsite public and private sector tenants and collaborators. Kara established the first partnerships program for Invest Ottawa, securing over $2.5 million in sponsorship and bringing on over 20 public and private sector partners to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. In addition to her work at Invest Ottawa, Kara previously served as Director of National Policy for the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada. She provided strategy and management for AmCham’s policy and advocacy efforts that promote trade and investment between Canada and the U.S., implemented cross-border trade policy priorities, and maintained robust committee membership for AmCham’s committees. She continues to serve on the national Board of Directors. Dedicated to creating a compassionate community, Kara founded and chaired Cornerstone Housing for Women’s Young Professionals Advisory Board, raising awareness of and fundraising for women experiencing homelessness. Kara also served on Cornerstone’s Board of Directors, where she chaired the Governance Committee. Kara is an incoming Board Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa and runs her own transracial adoption consulting practice, coaching adoptees, adoptive parents, and prospective adoptive parents.

Daniel Moll is the Founder and CEO of EarthSuds, a sustainable personal care startup. EarthSuds makes dissolvable tablets of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap that are portable for travel and packaged without plastic. National Geographic named EarthSuds a top 10 best invention. Prior to EarthSuds, Daniel worked in consulting at Bain and at CPG startups Greenhouse Juice and Dosist. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys reading, playing hockey, and spending time with his dog.

Mackenzie Habash is a trailblazer in Canada’s tech and automobility sectors, recognized for her visionary leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and ability to turn ideas into impactful programs. She began as an intern at Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) and quickly rose to Senior Program Manager at the Automobility & Innovation Centre, where she leads two industry-defining initiatives: the WindsorEssex Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) and the Battery Boost program. Mackenzie secured $2.5M in funding to launch the RTDS, which has delivered $18M in value, supporting 61 startups through 89 projects. She works directly with founders, tackling complex technical and business challenges that have positioned Windsor-Essex as a national leader in mobility innovation. Seeing a critical gap in EV workforce development, Mackenzie secured $3.8M to create Battery Boost, a training program equipping 400 workers with skills for Canada’s first EV battery gigafactory. She also designed and launched a state-of-the-art VR lab, integrating cutting-edge simulation technology to transform training and startup development. Beyond IWE, Mackenzie has been a sought-after consultant, securing funding to establish a robotics and coding program for 500 underprivileged youth and developing a five-year strategic plan to guide the next generation of STEM and technology programs at St. Clair College. A champion for diversity in STEM, she leads Women in Mobility mentorship initiatives, inspiring the next generation of innovators. Mackenzie holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Economics from the University of Windsor and a certificate in Big Data Analytics from York University. |

Jonathan Rodriguez is an energetic and passionate leader with a strong reputation for strategic thinking and a practical approach to process and system improvements. He holds a Master's of Applied Science and Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from Concordia University. Currently, as the Director of Global Innovation & Product Development at DHL, he drives product and process innovations, supports commercialization of solutions, and manages automation initiatives at a Global scale. Previously, Jonathan served as Senior Manager of Omni Innovation at Walmart Canada, where he oversaw one of the first Micro-Fulfillment Center programs at an organization level and led multiple automation projects to enhance online grocery fulfillment. During his time at Walmart, he focused on initiating projects that reduced logistics costs and improved supply chain efficiency, earning him the Walmart Innovation Award in 2019 and the 2022 Red Shoe Leader Award that recognizes individuals that have had an impact on the issue of gender inclusion. In addition, Jonathan volunteers as the Regional Chair for Western Ontario Engineers in Residence where Professional Engineers focus on inspiring young people in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Linley is the Vice President at Gibson’s Cleaners, a 90-year-old family business. Before joining Gibson’s, she worked in Change Management consulting at Deloitte and as an Account Relationship Manager in Public Relations. At Gibson’s, Linley has focused on bringing innovation to an otherwise traditional industry, leveraging technology and building strong relationships with corporate partners like Canada Goose. She is also dedicated to creating a company culture where every employee—whether viewing their role as a stepping stone or a long-term career—feels pride in their contributions. As the company’s spokesperson, Linley regularly appears on Breakfast Television and CTV’s The Social, and writes a monthly column for Fabricare Canada. She is also an active member of the Fundraising Committee for Dress for Success Toronto, reflecting her ongoing commitment to community involvement.

Tory is a pioneering health privacy lawyer, devoted to expanding and sharing legal expertise – within and outside of her legal practice. Her passion for continuous learning, proven leadership, and commitment to community shine through her professional work, volunteerism, and role as co-author of Alberta’s first annotated Health Information Act.

 

As trusted legal counsel to health industry clients, Tory provides advocacy and representation in defence of health organizations and health authorities in medical negligence matters, and as counsel to regulated health professionals before their regulators. She also provides strategic advice on the management of privacy and security breaches. When Tory is not assisting clients to resolve disputes, she is advising clients on how to avoid them – through regulatory compliance and risk management.

 

Beyond client work, Tory has a long history of volunteering, including through legal aid, and leadership roles with the Canadian Bar Association. Tory is actively involved in supporting her community and knowledge-sharing through teaching, writing, and speaking engagements, and she enjoys mentoring the next generation of lawyers.

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 Sahil Kesar is a dispute resolution lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. He has a broad litigation and dispute resolution practice, focusing on domestic and international arbitration, securities disputes (including shareholder activism), construction litigation, gaming disputes, and regulatory matters. He also advises on privacy, cybersecurity, and litigation risks in corporate transactions. Beyond his legal practice, Sahil is deeply committed to advancing diversity in the profession. Through leadership roles in the South Asian Bar Association of Toronto (SABA Toronto) and British Columbia, he has spearheaded initiatives to lower systemic barriers for South Asian lawyers, particularly internationally trained professionals seeking Canadian licensure. His advocacy has included working with federal and provincial governments to address these challenges. Sahil also founded SABA Toronto’s Young Lawyers’ Division to address the long-standing mentorship gap for South Asian lawyers. In just a year, it has grown from a grassroots group of five to over 100 members, securing law firm funding to support mentorship and professional development. Beyond the legal community, Sahil supports socio-economically disadvantaged youth through the Merit Award Bursary Program, where he helps select recipients for scholarships aimed at increasing access to post-secondary education. Sahil’s leadership and advocacy reflect his dedication to breaking down barriers—both within the legal profession and beyond.