2012 Speakers

Piers Handling

Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Piers Handling is the Director and Chief Executive Officer of TIFF. He has held this position since 1994, responsible for leading both the operational and artistic growth of the organization. TIFF has a $33 million annual operating budget and employs more than 150 full-time staff. For the last three years, TIFF has been named one of the Greater Toronto Area’s Top 50 employers.

Under his direction, the organization has grown to become an internationally renowned cultural institution which has just successfully opened TIFF Bell Lightbox, a permanent home for all of TIFF’s year-round film programming: film screenings, an exhibitions gallery and a variety of educational and learning programmes. He led the $196 million fundraising campaign in support of this project.

Prior to joining the Toronto International Film Festival in 1982, Mr. Handling began his career at the Canadian Film Institute (CFI), ultimately becoming Deputy Director. After leaving the CFI, he taught Canadian cinema at Carleton University in Ottawa and Queen’s University in Kingston. He has published extensively on Canadian cinema.

Mr. Handling is currently Chair of FAME (Festivals and Major Events), sits on the Board of the Canadian Film Centre, and is a member of the Minister of Culture’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture (MACAC). Previously he was on the Board of Tafelmusik and Luminato. He has been honoured with the “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres”, France’s highest cultural insignia. In 2003, Handling was named CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society (Toronto), recognizing for the first time, a CEO from the cultural not-for-profit sector. In 2006, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Ryerson University. In 2011, Mr. Handling was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from York University and an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from OCAD University.

Paul Alofs

President and Chief Executive Officer of The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

Paul Alofs joined The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation as President and CEO in September 2003. Since joining The Foundation, Paul has helped raise over $550 million for cancer research and clinical care at The Princess Margaret. The vision, mission and ambition of The Princess Margaret is To Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is ranked as one of the top 5 cancer centres in the world. In 2010, Waterstone Human Capital recognized The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation as one of Canada’s Ten Most Admired Corporate Cultures, and as a result of that honour, Paul was invited to join the Corporate Cultures Board of Governors.

After graduating from the University of Windsor in his hometown, Paul joined Colgate-Palmolive Canada in 1978. He obtained his MBA from Toronto’s York University, then worked with a marketing firm called The Marketing & Promotion Group. In 1989, Paul was named President of HMV Music Stores Canada, and during his tenure with the music retailer, increased the company’s annual revenue from $30 million to over $200 million. Joining BMG Music Canada as president, Alofs was named Music Industry Executive of the Year in 1996.

On accepting an executive position with The Walt Disney Company, Paul relocated to Southern California and oversaw 500 Disney Stores and 15,000 employees throughout North America. He left Disney to contribute to the initiation of MP3.com. In his role as President, Strategic Business Units, Alofs helped launch one of the more successful IPOs of the Internet age. After selling his MP3.com shares in November 1999, he became a private investor, board member and not-for-profit volunteer.

Through his extraordinary career in both the private sector and the social enterprise sector, Paul has earned a succession of accolades. He was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40TM business leaders in 1995, and in 2005, was voted one of the ‘Best of the Best’ by his fellow Top 40 alumni. He has received the Outstanding Progress and Achievement Award from the Schulich School of Business at York University. The Retail Council of Canada named Paul Innovative Retailer of the Year, and he also served on the Board and Executive Committee of that organization. In 2005, Alofs was an inaugural inductee into the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends.

The University of Windsor honoured Paul in 2002 with the Alumni Award of Merit, and in 2007, he was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. from his alma mater. He also received the Bryden Alumni Award from York University in 2007. Paul has been a member of the board of the International Cancer Foundation in Geneva and was previously Board Chair for Covenant House in Toronto.

Paul resides in Toronto and is married to Sheila, who is a volunteer in the chemo-daycare of The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He has two children — James, who is a Mandarin language student in Beijing, and Sarah, who is an Associate at Boston Consulting Group in Boston.

Stacey Mowbray

President and Chief Executive Officer of The Second Cup Ltd.

Stacey Mowbray joined Second Cup Ltd. as President in February 2008, and added the title of CEO in June of 2009. Prior to joining Second Cup, Stacey held positions in Molson Canada as Chief Marketing Officer, Cara Operations as President of the Milestone’s chain and as SVP Branding and Marketing, Pepsi Canada as Vice President of Marketing and the Weston group where she started her career in sales and marketing over 20 years ago.

Stacey has a Masters Business Degree from York University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. Stacey sat on the Second Cup Coffee Co. Board and has been a Board member of several industry and non-profit organizations over her career. She is the Chair of the Coffee Association of Canada Board and a member of the Best New Products Advisory Board.

An advocate of mentoring and helping others, Stacey is a mentor in the AMA Mentor program, speaks at various women’s events and corporate events and is an active supporter of Plan Canada’s Because I Am A Girl campaign, as well as, Free The Children.

Stacey has been recognized by Women’s Post as one of the Top 20 Women in Canada, by Wilfrid Laurier as one of their Top 100 Alumni of Achievement and by the Women’s Executive Network as the Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Stacey is married with two teenage daughters and stays active with skiing, golfing and running.

Marty Parker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waterstone Human Capital

Marty is the country’s leading expert on Human Capital, and is a frequent commentator on issues surrounding corporate leadership and organizational culture. He has written for the National Post, Canadian Business and Profit, and has appeared on Canada AM, BNN and CP24. He also publishes a regular newsletter called The Waterline: Highs and Lows in Leadership and Corporate Culture.

Marty’s book, Culture Connection: How Developing a Winning Culture Will Give Your Organization a Competitive Advantage, was recently published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Culture Connection is filled with advice from top business leaders, including: Clive Beddoe, founding shareholder and Chairman, WestJet; Isadore Sharp, founder and Chairman, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS Corporation; and Michael McCain, President and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods.

Marty founded Waterstone Human Capital in 2003, and the Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures program in 2005.

Formerly, Marty was managing director and partner with The Caldwell Partners International, and was executive vice-president of The CCL Group, a leading marketing communications group of companies. His earlier career was with Johnson & Johnson and Labatt Breweries, where he held progressively senior sales and marketing positions.

Marty is a member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, and a former director of VON Canada and Junior Achievement. He holds a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Master of Science from the University of Guelph.

Bruce Poon Tip

Chief Executive Officer of G Adventures

Expect the unexpected. Expect the extraordinary.

G Adventures offers the widest selection of affordable small group tours, safaris and expeditions to more than 100 countries. As a world leader in adventure travel, every one of its trips represents an opportunity to experience something unique and memorable. That’s why we’re constantly seeking new ways to bring you face to face with the world’s most fascinating cultures, landscapes and awe-inspiring natural wildlife in a genuine and sustainable way.

How did it all start? With a very inspired young man named Bruce Poon Tip. After returning from a backpacking tour of Asia in 1990, Bruce was driven to share his passion and vision for experiencing adventures in an authentic and sustainable manner with others. With nothing more than his own personal credit cards, G Adventures was born. What started off as a one-man show has grown to become the world’s largest adventure travel company. Today, G Adventures offers small group experiences, safaris, and expeditions worldwide to more than 100,000 travellers a year.

Striving to offer more than just a ‘vacation’, these small group tours are all about encountering the unexpected and truly getting under the skin of a place. They aspire to offer eye-opening experiences that explore incredible places, offer cultural exchanges and forge connections to people and places. They’re about travelling with a small group of international travellers with whom one can feel free to risk curiosity, wonder and spontaneity. Put simply, they’re all about creating opportunities for spur-of-the moment experiences that add to the beauty of a destination.

G Adventures has been consistently recognized by many organizations for leadership and outstanding business practices. National Geographic Adventure rated G Adventures as the “Best Do It All Outfitter” on Earth. For seven consecutive years, the prestigious magazine selected a G Adventures tour as one of its “25 Best New Adventure Trips of the Year”. G Adventures is also among the Top 100 Employers and 50 Best Managed Companies.

Last April, Apple Inc. sent videographers to our head office as a part of a series of short films showcasing dynamic, innovative companies that use their products on a daily basis. Apple only selected a handful of companies.

Scott Mullin

Vice President, Community Relations of TD Bank Group

Scott Mullin joined TD Bank Group (TDBG) in May 2000 and as Vice President, Community Relations is responsible for TDBG’s community giving and sponsorships, and corporate social responsibility agenda and programs in Canada and the US. He is also actively involved in TDBG’s diversity and environmental agendas.

Prior to TDBG, Mr. Mullin spent two years with the Canadian Bankers Association as Vice President, Public Affairs where he was responsible for the industry’s association’s communications, advocacy and government relations activities.

After graduating from Carleton University with a BA (Political Science) in 1977, Mr. Mullin spent 19 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served in a variety of assignments including as Canada’s Senior Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong from 1993 to 1997 and Spokesperson for the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1993. In 1989 he re-opened Canada’s embassy in Tehran and as Charge d’affaires was Canada’s senior representative in Iran until 1991. Mr. Mullin also served in Nairobi and Beirut.

Mr. Mullin has served on several boards including the Board of Governors of Carleton University, the Youth Challenge Fund, set-up by the Ontario government to address youth issues in under privileged neighbourhoods in Toronto, Casey House, the AIDS hospice in Toronto and as Chair of the City of Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square Revitalization Public Advisory Group.

Mark Welton

President, IMAX Theatres of IMAX Corporation

Mark Welton is the President of IMAX Theatres for IMAX Corporation – one of the world’s leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences.

Mark oversees IMAX’s Theatre Sales and Operations worldwide, developing and executing strategies to further the Company’s growth and extend its leadership position.  He also oversees IMAX’s technology efforts in projection technology and serves as the executive in charge of the Company’s Canadian headquarters based in Mississauga, Ontario.

Mark joined IMAX in 1997 as a Director of Business Affairs. Since then, he has held positions of increasing responsibility: Senior Vice President of Business Affairs; Executive Vice President, Corporate and Digital Development and Theatre Operations; Senior Vice President, Theatre Operations and most recently IMAX’s Executive Vice President of Theatre Operations.

Mark led the successful development of IMAX’s revenue share business model and digital transition.  He also played an integral role in solidifying the Company’s partnership with its two largest exhibitors – AMC and Regal Cinemas.  These events were turning points in the Company’s evolution and responsible for accelerating IMAX’s network growth around the world.

Outside of IMAX, Mark serves on the Board of Directors of Linear Metals. He also is an active volunteer in his community, where he is a coach for the Leaside Minor Hockey league and a volunteer with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario’s tax clinics, which offer income tax preparation services for those in need.

Prior to joining IMAX, Mr. Welton was an associate lawyer at the law firm Stikeman, Elliot and a chartered accountant with Ernst and Young.  Mr. Welton earned his LLB from the University of New Brunswick and currently resides in the Toronto area with his wife and two children.

Patricia Lovett-Reid

Former Senior Executive, TD Waterhouse, Senior Financial Commentator, CTV News Channel and best-selling author

Patricia Lovett-Reid is one of Canada’s leading and respected authorities on matters of personal finance and wealth management strategies. Patricia holds the designation of Certified Financial Planner and is a regular commentator for CTV and Business News Network. Patricia is also host of her own prime time national television program on CTV News Channel. A former senior executive with TD Bank Financial Group, Patricia launched her career in Financial Services as a Teller with the bank, progressing to the rank of Senior Vice President, TD Waterhouse.

A sought-after speaker and commentator on wealth management, Patricia has co-authored the national bestselling books, Get Real: 26 Canadian Women Share the Secret to Authentic Success, Live Well, Retire Well: Strategies for a Rich Life and a Richer Retirement and Retirement Strategies for Women.  Other publications include Surprise! You’re Wealthy: A Woman’s Guide to Protecting Her Wealth, as well as Take Charge Now: A Woman’s Guide to Personal and Family Finance.

An engaging speaker, Patricia brings to her audience not only her financial expertise but real-life experience and an entrepreneurial spirit. Patricia’s goal is to educate Canadians about their personal finances by acting as a compass for those in need of financial direction. Her stories leave her audience inspired to take control of their financial position. Patricia also welcomes opportunities to host panel discussions on business, the markets, the economy and personal finance.

Among accolades, in October 2011, the Financial Planners Standards Council awarded Patricia an Honorary Fellow of Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) designation for her long-standing and exemplary service to the Financial Planners Standards Council. In 2010, the Board of Governors of Humber College awarded Patricia with an Honorary Degree in Applied Studies. This is the highest award the institution can bestow.  For her outstanding contribution to the profession of financial planning in Canada, The Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC) recognized Patricia with the 2009 Donald J. Johnston Award. The Women’s Post named Patricia as one of Canada’s Top 35 Women to Watch on their 2008 Women of the Year list.  As well, Patricia was named to the 2007 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100TM Award in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category.  In 2004 Patricia was named Honorary Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (Hon FCSI) for her efforts to educate women and children about financial planning.

On a personal note, Patricia has completed the Ottawa Marathon and enjoys biking, Bikram Yoga and golf, although she states emphatically her passion to participate trumps her ability every time.

Chris Rudge

Chairman & President of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and Chairman of the 100th Grey Cup Festival

Chris Rudge is currently the Chairman & President of the Toronto Argonauts Football Club and Chairman of the 100th Grey Cup Festival to be held in Toronto in November of 2012. He is also currently the Chairman of the Canadian Sport Center, Ontario.

Mr. Rudge was Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) from January 10, 2003 until his retirement on April 15, 2010. He also chaired the Own The Podium (OTP) program through 2009 and 2010.

He serves as Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University and sits as Executive in Residence at the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management Director Education and Certification Program.

Rudge began his professional career as a Physical Education Teacher with the Toronto Board of Education, teaching both junior and senior high school students.

His sport background includes competing as a player with the Syracuse Stingers of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), holding the position of Directeur du Personnel with the NLL’s Les Caribou de Quebec and coaching the Canadian National Field Lacrosse Team in 1976. He was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Royal Canadian Golf Association.

Rudge is and has been active on a number of boards, including The Paxen Group Inc. (Melbourne, Florida), Merrill Lynch Canada, the Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan American Games, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the National Ballet of Canada, the White Ribbon Campaign, the School of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University where he co-chaired the New Building Campaign, the University of Toronto Department of Athletics Restricted Funds Committee and the Country Day School (Vice Chairman). He was a Member of the Province of Ontario’s Olympic Trust and Waterfront Development Board and Chairman of the Town of Vaughan’s Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee and has been an active member of the Canadian Printing Industry Association.

Rudge holds a teaching certificate from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health from the University of Toronto. He lives in Toronto and Thornbury, Ontario with his wife Janet Nutter, a medalist at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and the 1975 and 1979 Pan American Games, and a 1980 Olympian in diving.

They have two children, Ryan and Diane.

More speakers to be announced…