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2022 SPECIAL SECTION: CANADA’S TOP 40 UNDER 40
IT’S NOT WHAT
THEY DO, IT’S
HOW THEY DO IT
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE
Mary Teresa Bitti 40 awards program, one clear theme has how they do it. They share common char-
remained consistent among honourees. Re- acteristics that have made them innovators,
S ince 1995, when Caldwell decided to turn
the spotlight on Canada’s up-and-coming
leaders by launching Canada’s Top 40 Under
gardless of industry, sector or role, each of
the more than 800 Canadians recognized has
set themselves apart not by what they do, but
influencers, and impactful in their chosen
fields and in their communities.
continued next page
TOP 40 SPONSORS
PRESENTING PARTNER FOUNDING PARTNER NATIONAL PARTNER MEDIA PARTNERS TRAVEL PARTNER EVENT PARTNER REFERENCING
PARTNER
THIS SECTION WAS CREATED BY CONTENT WORKS, POSTMEDIA’S COMMERCIAL CONTENT DIVISION, ON BEHALF OF CALDWELL.
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“
of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 leaders. The
characteristics identified fall into four key
themes: A combination of ambition and
For these millennial humility, supported by grit and hard work.
“Many have taken non-traditional paths
leaders, the focus is not on to leadership but they are all setting them-
money and titles, it’s on
creating impact for their
teams and the broader
“ selves apart because of the combination
of their drive to achieve, their motivation
to be better and lead by example and with
empathy,” says Freeborough. “For these
millennial leaders, the focus is not on money
and titles, it’s on creating impact for their
community. teams and the broader community. Compas-
sion and purpose are entrenched in each of
these folks.”
2021 honourees were among the pro- He points to 2021 Top 40 honouree
gram’s most diverse in every context: gender, Candace Borland as someone who exem-
cultural background, sexual orientation, plifies these qualities. Raised on a dairy farm
geography and industry. For example, 43 in Quebec, Borland is partner and president
Jeff Freeborough per cent of this year’s nominees are women of fast-growing marketing agency Anomaly
and 40 per cent self-identify as LGBTQ+ Toronto. “Her focus on purpose and social
This year in particular the 2021 Top 40 hon- and/or diverse based on ethnicity. They impact is setting her apart as a change agent
ourees were able to meet the challenges and work in the consumer, technology, energy, within her industry,” says Freeborough.
navigate all the unknowns of life during a financial services, health care, education and
global pandemic and thrive, lifting everyone not-for-profit sectors across the country. A sense of optimism about the world
around them. “The ambiguity and uncer- “In all cases, honourees were as com- and what’s possible and a willingness to
tainty of COVID-19 was a call to action mitted to giving back to their commun- push for necessary change
for these leaders, who are not only business ities as they were to their organizations,” “There is a clear link from Top 40 hon-
leaders but who are socially aware and use says Matthew Wetmore, national manag- ourees’ positivity to their sense of purpose
their achievement orientation to do good ing partner, industries and regions, PwC and commitment to driving meaningful
things and make a positive impact,” says Canada, Top 40’s 2021 presenting partner. impact,” says Freeborough. “This was on
Jeff Freeborough, managing partner “The qualities that allowed them to have full display during the pandemic, which
for Toronto at Caldwell. influence in their work were just as present brought societal challenges and inequi-
and impactful in their efforts to help others.” ties to the forefront. Top 40 honourees
Caldwell asked honourees directly what stepped up, advancing equity and diversity
it takes to be recognized as one in the workplace and focusing on how they
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A QUICK LOOK AT TOP 40’S
SELECTION PROCESS
The 2021 Top 40 honourees were se-
lected from 1,200 nominations, an increase
With the pandemic of almost 20 per cent over last year. These
putting enormous stress nominations resulted in 500 written submis-
sions that led to 100 individuals selected for
on health care broadly, an interview. Caldwell and PwC conducted
the interviews over the summer and then
his focus is on how to use created a shortlist of 65 candidates for the
independent advisory board to consider. The
current challenges as a
catalyst for change to
improve services now and
“ board includes industry and professional
leaders from across Canada as well as past
Top 40 recipients. On Oct. 5, 2021, the
advisory board, along with representatives
from Caldwell who were on hand to answer
into the future. questions, met via video-conference to select
this year’s Top 40.
Each honouree was selected based on
their achievements in each of four selec-
Matthew Wetmore
tion criteria:
could best support their communities.” the first Indigenous physician president of • Vision and Innovation
2021 Top 40 honouree Mathew Mehro- the Canadian Medical Association. “With • Leadership
tra, chief digital officer at BMO Financial the pandemic putting enormous stress on • Impact and Influence
Group, is responsible for driving digital health care broadly, his focus is on how • Social Responsibility
transformation to improve customer ex- to use current challenges as a catalyst for Perhaps the greatest characteristic Top 40
periences. In addition to supporting the change to improve services now and into honourees share is their ability to inspire.
bank and its customers through the almost the future,” says Wetmore. “They are role models, achieving results
overnight shift to remote work at the start of for their organizations and working to make
the pandemic, he put his expertise to work The ability to think big and boldly with society better and more equitable,” says Free-
at Good Shepherd Ministries, which serves foresight and vision borough. “They come from all backgrounds
people who are homeless and in need in Top 40 honourees have a clear sense of and are showing the globe that Canada has
Toronto. “He volunteered his time, energy purpose and direction: they want to do world-class leaders and businesses.”
and resources and helped increase fundrais- better in all aspects of their lives. “This
ing at this organization that was struggling.” means even in the face of disruption they TOP 40 SPONSORS
can look past what can go wrong to create
The ability to be comfortable with opportunities for positive change,” says PwC Canada
Presenting Partner
uncertainty and to take action anyway Wetmore.
This continues to be important as the 2021 Top 40 honouree Brittany Forsyth, Caldwell
Founding Partner
world learns to live with COVID and the former chief talent officer at Shopify, saw the
unprecedented change that is part of the disproportionate impact the pandemic has Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc.
digital age. “There’s a saying in sports that had on women-led businesses and decided National Partner
the game slows down for the best players,” to do something about it. Together with a National Post
says Freeborough. “I think the same is true group of other like-minded women leaders Media Partner
for Top 40 honourees, who are able to bring she cofounded Backbone Angels to invest BNN Bloomberg
stability and decisiveness to crisis situations. in women and non-binary founders with a Media Partner
More than this, they are able to see the op- focus on Black, Indigenous, and Women Air Canada
portunity that challenges can bring.” of Colour-led companies. “By supporting Travel Partner
That’s exactly what 2021 Top 40 honouree women in this way she is helping to ensure ergoCentric
Dr. Alika Lafontaine has done throughout his the progress they were making before the Event Partner
career, tirelessly advocating for and seeking pandemic can continue,” says Wetmore. Inline
out innovative solutions to improve Indigen- “It’s big, long-term thinking like this that Referencing Partner
ous health. In August 2021, he was named can help make positive change.”
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2021 HOUNOUREES
PRIORITIZING BALANCE: TOP 40 ALUMNI
SHARE HOW THEY STAY PRODUCTIVE
Mary Teresa Bitti me, I’ve come to conclude that if you can
truly connect and try to be a bit in service
W hat happens to us if we never get
bored? Journalist, tech podcaster and
author of Bored Brilliant: How Spacing Out
of others, it does yourself and your soul a
whole lot of good. I’ve been trying to read
a bit about spirituality, and clumsily trying
Can Unlock Your Most Creative Self, Manoush to meditate. There are some great apps like
Zomorodi recently asked this question in a Chopra that Ive tried to incorporate into
TEDTalk. The short answer: we become less my morning, a then a bit of self reflection
productive and creative. It turns out, taking at night. I think about what the day was
a break and truly unwinding with no distrac- like, how I hopefully connected and sup-
tions is when the brain enters something called ported others, most importantly my amazing
default mode and gets busy connecting dispar- wife Lisa and my three daughters Katelyn,
ate ideas, solving problems, and setting goals. Stephanie and Mackenzie. I’ve still got a
“Creativity and the ability to come up with lot to learn.
new ideas is a leader’s superpower,” says Top
40 alumnus, tech entrepreneur and past Next ON CARVING OUT PERSONAL TIME
Gen Dragon Nicole Verkindt. “You have to Nicole Verkindt, 2019 Top 40 honouree. In the last little while, I have tried intro-
create the space to re-energize and enable that.” TYLER ANDERSON / POSTMEDIA duce a bit more balance in my life, with
Here Verkindt and three of her Canada’s Top structured breaks and vacations. I speak
40 Under 40 peers share how the pandemic goals. During the work week, I try to sleep far daily via chat with a close group of six close
has helped them slow down and their favorite away from my phone. The first few hours of pals — “Fab 6” – who have been a great
ways to unwind and recharge. the day, I go outside. In the summer, I run or source of connection and learning through
cycle, and in the winter, I snowshoe with my COVID. I’ve also learned a lot from our
*Note: Conversations have been edited for length dog. I also believe in batch work and schedule younger Barclays team members, who in-
blocks of time where I’m only focused on one
NICOLE VERKINDT, founder and CEO thing, such as setting strategy or writing a
of OMX (2019 Top 40 Honouree) proposal. That’s made a big difference for
me. Constantly switching makes me feel
PANDEMIC LESSONS that I’m just responding to everything as
Two weeks into the pandemic was the opposed to proactively working on growth
longest period in 10 years that I’d gone or new things.
without traveling. It was a massive shock
to the system. I felt I had been in a state of FAVORITES WAYS TO RELAX
fight or flight for so long, not just because I have a huge library and books everywhere
of all the things that come with starting a in my house. I like historical fiction and biog-
business, but because of being constantly raphies. I recently finished Miss Dior, about
on the move. I realized working while not Catherine Dior, fashion designer Christian
constantly moving has a big impact on how Dior’s sister, who survived several concentra-
you feel. I still believe in travel and being at tion camps during the Second World War.
events and connecting with people in person, I also like getting outside, hiking, skiing,
but there are so many more tactical things riding horses.
that don’t require that. Bruce Rothney, 1999 Top 40 honouree,
BRUCE ROTHNEY, chairman and CEO and wife Lisa. SUPPLIED
ON CARVING OUT PERSONAL TIME Barclays Canada (1999 Top 40 honouree)
I’m a big fan of downtooling for a few nately understand the importance of work/
weeks, usually at least at the start of the New PANDEMIC LESSONS life balance. My daughters also really under-
Year and then again in the summer. I’ve gone As I’m sure for most, the COVID slow- stand quality of life — they are going to
to yoga retreats where there’s no cell phone down has been a powerful opportunity change their careers a few times, but what’s
service. I read books, step back, look at my to reflect on what is most important. For important is to support and connect with
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others — this is the true essence of life. Like really important to me. I also made an effort
a lot of things, your kids influence your own to get back to my good habits and rituals,
thinking, too. like scheduling unstructured thinking time.
Overall, I try to be more intentional with
FAVORITE WAYS TO UNWIND how I spend my time.
I hope to one day learn how to play guitar
properly – it’s been a 20-year journey – and ON CARVING OUT PERSONAL TIME
being from Winnipeg, I feel a duty to learn. Like for most people, becoming a parent
I like to sing — badly. My daughters love to definitely re-oriented some of my priorities.
sing, and we all sing together in the house. The best way I’ve found to carve out time for
They all came home during COVID and we everything is to block my calendar. I try not
are were up every morning doing fun things. to take meetings before 10 a.m. or in the early
My middle daughter Stephanie decided we evening so I can spend time with my kids.
should have an Olympic party in March. So I also like to schedule unstructured think-
we all got dressed up like Olympic athletes ing time — an hour or two in the morning
and had activities in our house including — to read, write, and think. Giving myself
going down the stairs on a toboggan, like the the space to ideate and think is something
luge. Think Home Alone. My vices remain I discovered a few years into my career and
an unreasonable appreciation of wine, scotch has become very important to me.
Poonam Puri, 2005 Top 40 honouree, with
and bourbon. And even though I remain
husband Elian Terner, managing director
terrible at golf, it’s a zen-like experience that FAVORITE WAYS TO UNWIND
and head of mining, investment banking, at
my wife and I love doing together. National Bank. SUPPLIED
I definitely try to get outside as much as
I can. Being in nature fills me up and helps
POONAM PURI, professor of law, Island for a cycling, sightseeing and hiking me recharge. Camping, canoeing, sitting
director, Investor Protection Clinic, trip. It’s a beautiful part of the country. I around a campfire with friends and family.
Osgoode Hall Law School, York spend my downtime with my kids, husband I’ve also always been passionate about music
University; corporate director (2005 and my mom who turned 80 at the end of and playing the guitar, and recently started
Top 40 Honouree) December. Prior to the pandemic, my middle getting back into it.
daughter and I would walk over to a local
PANDEMIC LESSONS art school for a ceramics class. I want to do
The pandemic has shown more than ever something like that with each of my daugh-
the need to have work/life balance. During ters. It’s a fun way to be present together. I
lockdown, we saw the lines between work also listen to audiobooks. I like biographies
and personal time blur almost entirely, which because it allows me to go deep into some-
leads to burnout and ultimately lower pro- one’s life. I like to bake and at night I’ll look
ductivity and less happiness. That said, as at recipes to help me go to sleep. But the next
much as working from home blurs the lines, day, if I have to choose between exercise and
it hopefully gives the next generation more muffins, I choose exercise.
flexibility in how they structure their days
and weeks. MIKE KATCHEN, co-founder and CEO
Wealthsimple (2017 Top 40 honouree)
ON CARVING OUT PERSONAL TIME
In these past two years. more than ever, I PANDEMIC LESSONS
have purposely made time for myself. I’m The past two years have been intense for
deliberate about it. It’s there in my calendar everyone in different ways. For me, it im-
and it doesn’t get moved. pacted a lot of my habits and rituals, which
was disorienting and made it too easy to
FAVORITE WAYS TO RELAX AND always be on. Midway through, the stress
UNWIND did take a toll on me, and forced me to re-
I get outside and get active. Hiking, evaluate how I was protecting my mental and
cycling and going for family walks with our physical health. In response, I started making
dog Wally. Afterwards, I feel happier, more small changes to my routine, like turning a
relaxed, more focused and ready to tackle my Zoom call into a phone call so I could take Mike Katchen, 2017 Top 40 honouree.
next project. Recently, I was in Cape Breton a walk outside. Getting outside everyday is SUPPLIED
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2021 HOUNOUREES
JASON ABBATE MICHAEL ACKO DR. MEGHAN
Senior Vice-President, President, AZAD
Development & Production SCOTT HYDRO-VAC Co-Director, MANITOBA
CENOVUS ENERGY & CEO, INTERDISCIPLINARY
ENVIROBORE LACTATION CENTRE
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (MILC) & Associate
Professor, Pediatrics & Child
Health, UNIVERSITY OF
MANITOBA
BIO: Jason is accountable for resource evaluation, BIO: Mike is an Indigenous entrepreneur and proud BIO: Meghan holds the Tier 2 Canada research chair
responsible development, and subsurface operations member of Doig River First Nation. As president of in developmental origins of chronic disease. She
of Cenovus’s oil sands, thermal and cold/EOR assets, Scott Hydro-Vac and CEO of Envirobore, Mike over- co-directs the Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation
producing an average of 560,000 bbls/d. Starting sees the strategic vision and business development Centre (MILC), where her team studies breast milk
his career as a reservoir engineer, he has been with of both organizations. Prior to Scott Hydro-Vac and and the infant microbiome to understand their role
Cenovus and its predecessor company since 2006. EnviroBore, Mike was a founding partner of M & M in child development. Meghan is deputy director
Jason is active in his community and sits on the Resources, which is now a leading Civil earth works of the CHILD cohort study involving 3,500 Can-
board of Calgary Reads, which equips communities and clearing company in Northeast BC. adian families, co-director of the International Milk
with books and knowledge in support of literacy at Composition Consortium, and co-founder of the
a young age. BEST CAREER ADVICE: I was never in a career role, international Perinatal Outcomes in the Pandemic
always an entrepreneur. The best advice I’ve re- (iPOP) Study.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? ceived is to be honest, be patient and be humble.
Ultimately, I believe it takes hard work and dedica- Treat everyone with the same respect you would IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
tion to your craft. As well as the ability to fail and want to be treated with. That vulnerable person Data journalism. I practice elements of this (data
continue to pursue what you believe is right. But at who needs help at that moment could be or become visualization and science communication) in my
the same time, not forgetting about those around your largest client. current job, and I think doing it full time would be a
you and how you can give back and support the fun, exciting and impactful career. The pandemic has
communities that you are a part of. IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: highlighted the importance of good data journalism!
A Medicaid doctor, for saving lives and healing
people.
MARK BOOTS JANICE JACQUELINE
Co-founder & CTO CIAVAGLIA COOK
VIAMO Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer
ASSEMBLY OF FIRST VENDASTA
LOUIS DORVAL NATIONS
Co-Founder & COO
VIAMO
BIO: When Mark and Louis met as Engineers Without BIO: Janice is a mission-driven leader for Indigen- BIO: Jacqueline is the COO at Vendasta. She is re-
Borders Canada alumni, they shared one question: ous, philanthropic, and educational organizations. sponsible for the development and execution of
How can we help aid organizations and emerging She currently serves as the CEO for the Assembly Vendasta’s revenue and go-to-market strategy, with
market governments use tech to meet the needs of First Nations with 170–plus employees. The AFN the core mandate of empowering Vendasta’s Channel
of people who aren’t being reached? Their answer is an advocacy group which is mandated by 630– Partners to leverage its platform and marketplace to
was in founding VOTO Mobile - now Viamo - in 2013, plus First Nations in Canada. Described by peers help over five million small businesses transition to
using the ubiquitousness of mobile phones to create and employees alike as an innovative guide and digital. She played an instrumental role in Vendasta’s
new feedback loops at scale, and empower millions lead-by-example CEO, Janice liaises, collaborates $40 million capital raise in 2018, and more recently,
of people with new access to vital information. They with governments, public sector, private sector, and helped lead its IPO process which resulted in an
have since grown the company to 33 countries and the general public in partnership with First Nations oversubscribed $120 million private investment.
reached over 30 million people with hundreds of communities across the country to make positive
diverse services. Mark has a PhD in Physics from change for First Nations. IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
the University of Saskatchewan, and Louis has an A stay-at-home mom. I’m still working toward that
MBA as a Skoll Scholar at the University of Oxford. IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: career, though I don’t know if I have the endurance
I would have been a social worker because I come and toughness just yet.
from a family of health-care professionals. In some
ways I see alignment with my current position in that WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
we both concerns ourselves with individuals, fam- A belief that you can be one. That’s 99 per cent of
ilies, groups, communities, and society as a whole. the work—the rest is just executing on the plan it
takes to get there.
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concerns out of emergency rooms during the pan-
GUY AMINI demic. In 2021 Guy, along with Graham and dental-
President corp’s senior leadership team, recognized a career
DENTALCORP milestone in taking the organization from a privately-
owned business to a publicly traded company. At $950
million, dentalcorp became the largest health-care IPO
BIO: When Guy Amini joined dentalcorp in 2014, much in Canadian history, and the largest TSX-only listed IPO
of the industry was hesitant towards the organization’s of the year. As a passionate champion of diversity and
business model. Undeterred, and inspired by founder inclusion, and a dedicated philanthropist, Guy leads
& CEO Graham Rosenberg’s vision to revolutionize dentalcorp’s many efforts to give back to charitable
the dental industry, he worked closely with the senior initiatives, while also being a strong supporter of the
team to educate dental professionals on the company’s next generation of clinicians.
ultimate mission to better serve Canadians. With a clear
vision and a driven support team, Amini’s passionate BEST CAREER ADVICE: Be the architect of your own
and charismatic leadership style contributed to the career. A career path isn’t a ladder, it’s a river, full of
organization more than doubling in size in his first four rocks, rapids, waterfalls and forks. You can either lay on
years. As president, he has been pivotal in building the your back and let the current take you or do your best
company into Canada’s largest and fastest-growing to swim and thrash your way to where you want to go.
network of dental practices committed to advancing
the overall well-being of Canadians. Guy’s influence WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
extends across Canada, with dentalcorp now manag- Be ambitious and humble. Challenge yourself to do
ing relationships with over 445 dental practices, 1,300 what you think you can’t, and to think differently
dentists, and more than 7,100 team members. than how you normally do. Be OK with what you
When COVID struck, he helped the organization over- can’t know and be willing to make a call anyway.
come a double-digit revenue decline, increasing the Surround yourself with talented people and do your
numbers to 105 per cent of pre-pandemic levels within best to help them be great, mostly by getting out
a year. Guy has overseen numerous technology innova- of their way.
tions at dentalcorp, including investment in a platform
to power hellodent, dentalcorp’s proprietary online
patient portal that provided Canadians free access
to virtual screenings helping keep non-critical dental
SHARE YOUR PASSION
AND FIND PURPOSE
dentalcorp is Canada’s largest and fastest growing network of dental practices.
Join a values-based, entrepreneurial company with the knowledge, scale and
cutting-edge technology to advance patient care.
Explore our corporate and clinical career opportunities, visit dentalcorp.ca/careers.
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2021 HOUNOUREES
JOSHUA DAVIS & DERRICK BRITTANY
DARYL EE EMSLEY FORSYTH
Co-Founders & Co-CEOs Co-Founder & CEO Founding Partner,
SPEEDEE TRANSPORT & TENTREE & VERITREE Backbone Angels & Former
STARK TMS Chief Talent Officer
SHOPIFY INC
BIO: Josh & Daryl are innovative entrepreneurs in BIO: From a young age, Derrick has connected people BIO: Brittany is a talent, culture, and human expert.
logistics, real estate and technology. They teamed with environmental stewardship. At 16, he and his Spending the past 11 years in her role as chief talent
up in 2015 to disrupt the Canadian transportation brother, Kalen, founded a tree-planting company officer at Shopify - a global commerce platform and
industry. Together with their amazing team they that sold carbon offsetting credits to businesses one of the world’s fastest growing companies. She
built one of the fastest-growing logistics companies – this venture saw $1 million-plus in contracts and built Shopify’s Talent function from the ground up,
in Canada due to their relentless focus on building planted 150,000 trees. After graduation, Derrick growing a team of 20 employees to over 10,000.
the most customer-centric company in the nation. became tentree’s CEO, where he has been steering She recently decided to move on from Shopify to
A key part of their rapid growth is due to develop- the company’s vision since. Today, tentree is a global pursue Backbone Angels and advisory roles. She now
ing their own cutting-edge, award-winning logistics leading sustainable business, with a progressive spends her time advising and investing in founders,
software - Stark TMS. supply chain, completely carbon neutral business with a focus on women and non-binary founders.
model, and plants over 60 million trees globally.
IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
Both of us always wanted to be entrepreneurs (Josh BEST CAREER ADVICE: For me, it was to not value To be one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, you need to
like his grandfathers and Daryl like his dad), we your time as it is today, value it as you want it to be driven, willing and ready to take risks, and con-
wouldn’t choose a different path. We are fortunate be. It pushed me to prioritize, “say no”, and use my stantly focusing on your own growth and develop-
that our career in logistics has enabled us to branch time more effectively. ment. There is a distinct entrepreneurial spirit among
out into our other career passions - real estate and the recipients that is led through strong leadership
technology. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? both in their professional and personal endeavours.
Resilience, Passion, Conviction.
JESSE GUTH DR. SIBA ANDREW
Chief Executive Officer HAYKAL JOYNER
AVID APPAREL Plastic & Reconstructive Managing Director
Surgeon/Scientist TRICON RESIDENTIAL
UNIVERSITY HEALTH
NETWORK, UNIVERSITY
OF TORONTO
BIO: Jesse is CEO of Avid Apparel, an industry BIO: Siba is a double board-certified plastic and re- BIO: Andrew leads Tricon Residential’s Canadian
leader in production and distribution of clothing constructive surgeon-scientist with a subspecialty in rental apartment platform and is responsible for
and branded products. He founded the company over microsurgery. She serves as assistant professor and setting strategic direction, sourcing investment op-
10 years ago in a dorm room at Dalhousie Univer- divisional director of senior education at the Univer- portunities, overseeing dedicated teams responsible
sity. Today, he proudly employs nearly 100 talented sity of Toronto. Siba’s clinical work involves complex, for development, construction, and asset manage-
individuals in two countries, oversees a state-of-the- oncological and microsurgical reconstruction, while ment, and managing joint-venture and government
art manufacturing facility, and has partnered with her research centers on tissue-engineering, regenera- relationships. Tricon has grown into the most active
major brands, retailers, influencers, and celebrities tion and vascularized composite allotransplantation. developer of rental apartments in downtown Toronto,
throughout North America. He’s also a dedicated Siba is also a foremost expert in the clinical manage- with units ranging from affordable to upscale, and a
supporter of the Nanny Angel Network. ment of lymphedema. focus on amenities, service, and lifestyle program-
ming that puts people first and builds community.
IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
Selling peameal bacon sandwiches from an ambu- I always loved anatomy, learning how the body works BEST CAREER ADVICE:To become an effective
lance converted to a food truck. I’d call it the “Hambu- and played many sports competitively. I would be leader, focus less on the daily execution itself and
lance”. in the health and fitness industry if I had chosen a instead on org charts - getting the right people in
different path than being a surgeon. I would have the right seats and supporting them. It’s the only
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? wanted a career where I could help people achieve way to build for scale.
Grit and tenacity. An unwillingness to give up. their health goals.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
A demonstrated ability to lead teams, achieve im-
pressive outcomes, and bring a sense of purpose to
their work that allows them to make an impact in
their communities.
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food and connectivity to the land, and with that, the
CANDACE A. BORLAND need to care for the earth and all of its inhabitants.
Partner, President ANOMALY INC. Candace is grateful for the privilege of family
support, access to education, and the wealth of
opportunity provided by virtue of growing up in
BIO: Candace Borland is a partner and president of Canada. “There is only a small percentage of women
Anomaly Toronto, a progressive new-model market- in the world, and in history, who have had the chance
ing agency. Since joining the agency at its founding to pursue their career dream. It is what drives me to
in 2012, Candace has been instrumental in shaping take things as far as I possibly can. The more women
the organization’s passionate entrepreneurial culture, rise up in all facets of business and life, the more
diverse talent mix, and broad skillset. A socially level the playing field will become.”
minded change agent in a leadership position typ-
ically held by men, Candace has a mission to inspire BEST CAREER ADVICE: Don’t shy away from hard
and provide opportunities for other women. To help work. Say yes to as many opportunities as possible,
fuel this mission she enacted WINN (Women in Need especially early in your career. Use those opportun-
of Nothing), a confident, broad-shouldered program ities to ambitiously build your experience, hone your
designed to bring professionals together across skills and to stretch yourself out of your comfort
industries. The empowerment and influence of zone. Don’t view it as ‘overtime’ but as additional
Anomaly’s now various culture, diversity and equity years on your résumé.
initiatives permeates the organization to educate
and create empathy and awareness throughout the IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
company, resulting in progressive, breakthrough At Anomaly we creatively solve business problems.
ideas and successful business solutions for clients. If I wasn’t leading a creative company, I would apply
In addition to her role with Anomaly, Candace is creative problem-solving to another industry I’m
active in her family business, a renowned livestock passionate about, such as agriculture (livestock
and genetics company. Its newest venture is Rapid genetics and ethical food) or perhaps non-profit/
Bay Akaushi – a fullblood Japanese Wagyu business for-purpose (specifically access to education and
focused on, and advocating for, premium ethically freedoms for women and girls).
raised beef. Growing up in rural Québec gave Candace
a keen sense of community and the importance of
serving others. With that came strong principles,
integrity and the absolute value of hard work. A life
in agriculture has emphasized the importance of
Congratulations
Candace Borland
PA
PART
RTNNEERR | | PPRRES
ESI IDDEENNTT | | AANNOOM
MAALY
LY
What
Whatan
anawesome
awesomeaccomplishment
accomplishmentbeing
beingnamed
named
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oneof
ofCanada’s
Canada’sTop
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40Under
Under40.
40.Everyone
Everyoneacross
across
the
theAnomaly
Anomalyfamily
familyis
isproud
proudof
ofyour
youroutstanding
outstanding
achievement.
achievement.Thank
Thankyou
youfor
foryour
yourinspiration,
inspiration,
commitment
commitmentand
anddedication
dedicationto
toAnomaly:
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our
values,
values,our
ourpeople,
people,our
ourclients
clientsand
andour
ourcommunity.
community.
You
Youtruly
trulyare
arean
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Anomaly.Keep
Keepraising
raisingthe
thebar.
bar.
CANADA’S TOP 40 UNDER 40 | 25C A N A DA’ S
TOP 40
UNDER
40
2021 HOUNOUREES
DR. JEAN-PHILIPPE YASH KARIA MICHAEL
JULIEN President & CEO LADHA
Senior Scientist, Molecular AGROCROP EXPORTS LTD Vice-President,
Medicine Program Chief Legal Officer &
THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK Corporate Secretary
CHILDREN NEWFOUNDLAND AND
LABRADOR HYDRO
BIO: As a SickKids senior scientist and associate BIO: As a new immigrant, Yash started the trading BIO: Michael is vice-president, chief legal officer &
professor at the University of Toronto, Jean-Philippe company in 2002 which has now grown to occupy corporate secretary for Newfoundland and Labrador
is leading novel research on the molecular charac- a purpose-built 110,000 sq-ft packaging facility Hydro, a Crown-owned utility that is responsible for
terization of immunity. His team studies the inter- in Bolton that processes beans, lentils and grains generation, transmission, and distribution of electri-
actions between antibodies and antigens, providing for major retailers in North America. The success city in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
the blueprints for the design of next-generation of the business is grounded in supply chain and He is responsible for oversight of the company’s legal,
therapeutics and vaccines that harness the power relationship management with key global suppliers. governance and commercial matters. Michael is a
of antibodies. Jean-Philippe is the Canada Research Agrocrop is now entering its next phase of expan- strong advocate for advancing issues of diversity,
chair in structural immunology, a CIFAR Azrieli global sion by putting together a five-year strategic growth equity and inclusion through his governance work.
scholar, and chair of the scientific advisory board of plan, adding 75,000 sq ft, adding new categories He was the recipient of the Canadian Corporate
emerging biotech company Radiant Biotherapeutics. and leveraging its strong customer relationships Counsel Association’s Up and Comer Award for 2020.
within North America.
IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
Engineering. And if I could pick a different era too, it BEST CAREER ADVICE: Make your goals first and Physician following in my parents’ footsteps.
would be during the Renaissance. When a series of then just focus on achieving it. Dont look left or right
inventions and novel technologies transformed the and just focus on the goal. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
views of society and what it could achieve. A wide variety of leadership experience in many
IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: aspects of life. Success in your chosen career is only
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? Be an entrepreneur in another field like real estate. part of the equation. Also, the ability to celebrate
An unwavering commitment towards a cause, your own successes to get recognized.
passion, dedication, hard work and a drive to succeed. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
Focus, Patience, Determination, Ambition, Risk
Taker, Self-motivated and work on greater good &
win-win for all.
ISAAC LEON NG JESSICA
LANGLEBEN Founder & CEO NORDLANDER
CEO & Co-Founder LNG STUDIOS Chief Operating Officer
OPEN FARM THOUGHTEXCHANGE
BIO: Isaac is the CEO and co-founder of Open Farm, BIO: Leon is an innovative business leader and entre- BIO: Jessica, COO of one of Canada’s fastest-grow-
a premium pet food brand on a mission to deliver preneur in the proptech industry, championing a ing SaaS companies, ThoughtExchange, delivered
exceptional pet nutrition while driving a positive synergetic group of companies focusing on creative 1,281 per cent revenue growth over the last five
impact on animals and the planet. Isaac leads Open media, real estate visualization, and emerging tech- years and 600 per cent usage growth in the first
Farm’s team across Canada and the U.S. in bringing nology. Leon has a background in broadcasting and three months since the pandemic started. Prior to
innovative, healthy products to pets through over film and is a strong supporter of minority representa- ThoughtExchange, Jessica held leadership roles at
6,000 pet stores & online. A serial entrepreneur, tion in cinema. Leon is a strong community leader, Meltwater and Google and was named Sweden’s
Isaac has also co-founded two other pet product sitting on several boards such as St Paul’s Foundation Most Innovative Leader. She is a renowned thought
companies – Canada Pooch, a leading pet accessor- Future Leaders, S.U.C.C.E.S.S Foundation, and the leader, speaker and contributor for outlets like Forbes
ies company, and Diggs, an innovative pet supplies Heart & Stroke Foundation. and Inc. - focusing on the future of work, leadership
company. and corporate innovation.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? To be one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40, you need IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
The key characteristics that stand out to me would to have balance. It’s not just about your career and Given my lifelong commitment to learning and
be vision, ambition, persistence, and desire to have how successful it is, it’s also about how you give role as a guest lecturer at Columbia University and
meaningful impact, whether through business, back to your community. I think these goals make McMaster University, I would enjoy dedicating my
science, technology or social organizations. the other feel more successful. life to academic research, probably in the field of
leadership paradigms, management practices or
digital workplaces.
26 | CANADA’S TOP 40 UNDER 40C A N A DA’ S
TOP 40
UNDER
40
acknowledges that it is often difficult to look at one’s
JONATHAN DAVEY own mistakes, yet it is a key to adapting, demonstrat-
Vice President, Indigenous Financial Services ing accountability, and building trust and confidence
SCOTIABANK with colleagues and clients. His ultimate goal is to
fulfill a deep-felt responsibility to make the Indigen-
BIO: Jon Davey is of mixed Haudenosaunee and ous community stronger through positive actions
non-Indigenous descent. He shares his Lower Cayuga that bring lasting impact.
heritage, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory,
with his father. Jon believes it is his responsibility, BEST CAREER ADVICE: Before I started university,
as an Indigenous person, to make things better for my dad told me that if I had something of substance
the current and subsequent generations in his com- to say I would always have an audience willing to
munity. Jon received a law degree from Osgoode Hall listen. It was his way of encouraging me to work
Law School and spent 10 years as a crown counsel hard in school, but I see it being just as applicable
with the Department of Justice Canada. During that to my career.
time, he worked extensively on matters involving the
Indian residential school settlement agreement as IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
well as land management on reserve. He was subse- Without a doubt I would have been a regular force
quently appointed as special advisor and counsel to officer in the Canadian Armed Forces had I not at-
the assistant deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs. tended law school. It’s a vocation that brings togeth-
Four years ago, Jon made a radical career move er diverse groups of people toward a common goal
when he joined Scotiabank. In his current role he is while demanding accountability. I find that very
developing the bank’s Indigenous market through appealing.
community and business partnerships. Jon believes
the synergy between his former and current career WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
paths enables him to bring his vast experience of A sense of humility along with respect for those who
Indigenous law to bear as he works to improve came before you and a commitment to making things
ScotiabankLighthouse,
Scotiabank Lighthouse,100
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Top 40
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in Canada
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for outstanding
for outstanding
business leadership.
business leadership.
Scotiabankcongratulates
Scotiabank congratulatesJonathan
JonathanDavey
Daveyononbeing
being
namedone
named oneof
ofCanada’s
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Top40
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Under40.
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JONATHANDAVEY
JONATHAN DAVEY
VICE PRESIDENT, INDIGENOUS
VICE PRESIDENT, INDIGENOUS
FINANCIALSERVICES
FINANCIAL SERVICES
CANADA’S TOP 40 UNDER 40 | 27C A N A DA’ S
TOP 40
UNDER
40
2021 HOUNOUREES
LEKAN TERESA SALIMA
OLAWOYE PURZNER REMTULLA
Founder & CEO Neurosurgeon / VP, Operations &
BLACK PROFESSIONALS Scientist / Entrepreneur Corporate Strategy
IN TECH NETWORK INC. QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY / LEITH WHEELER
CEREBELLY INVESTMENT COUNSEL,
LTD.
BIO: As a consummate business professional, Lekan BIO: Teresa is a neurosurgeon, scientist, entrepre- BIO: Salima is a finance executive with international
intentionally honed his expertise in his roles spanning neur, and mom of three. While pursuing her PhD at experience directing strategy and building high-
from local non-profit organizations to government Stanford, she employed a multidisciplinary approach performance teams. As VP, operations & corporate
advisory boards to corporate executive boardrooms. to identify a novel drug target in medulloblastoma, strategy, she drives organization change at Leith
As lead executive, talent development at the MaRS the most common pediatric brain tumor. She went on Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. Previously, she
District, Lekan helped ensure talent had the skills and to repurpose a drug based on her work and launched was COO, global private investing at D. E. Shaw &
adaptability needed to thrive in modern work environ- a multi-institutional first-in-child trial for the manage- Co., L.P., a New York-based hedge fund. Salima is a
ments. Throughout these roles, Lekan has earned ment of medulloblastoma in collaboration with the graduate of Yale University and a Palmer Scholar of
a reputation for effective leadership and peerless PBTC. She also co-founded Cerebelly, veggie-first the Wharton School of Business. She is chair of the
vision, resulting in industry awards and accolades. baby food that provides 16 brain-supporting nutri- Vancouver Hospice Society, and a director of both
ents. Cerebelly is the first shelf stable baby food to LIFT Impact Partners and the BC Business Council.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: Show up every day. Be con- earn the Project Purity Award.
sistent. Be better than yourself every day, don’t BEST CAREER ADVICE: Career is not the only thing
compare yourself to others. Fail fast and fail forward IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH: that defines you. Do more - for yourself, for your
(act quickly, learn, then act again. An astronaut. It has the right balance of thoughtful- family, and in the service of others. Indeed, it has
ness and adventure and becoming an interplanetary been through many of the things I’ve done outside
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? species seems within reach. of work that I’ve developed my EQ, honed leadership
Being comfortable being different. It’s boring to want skills, and had the most impact.
to be like everyone else! Wanting to make an impact
and be unapologetic in that pursuit.
TYLER ROBSON ADAM SEGAL SONIA SENNIK
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer Executive Director, Creative
Co-Founder & Chairman STORK CRAFT Destruction Lab
THE VALENS COMPANY MANUFACTURING INC. ROTMAN SCHOOL OF
MANAGEMENT AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF
TORONTO
BIO: Tyler built Valens from the ground up. Under his BIO: Adam leads the diverse, multinational, and BIO: Sonia leads CDL’s strategy, operations and
leadership, Valens has become the largest third-party growing team at Storkcraft – one of the fastest-grow- programs across 10 sites at University of Toronto,
cannabis consumer packaged goods manufacturer ing juvenile furniture companies in North America. Oxford, Washington, Calgary, UBC, HEC Montréal,
in Canada and a leading innovator in the world of Assuming the role of president and CEO in 2017, HEC Paris, UW-Madison, Dalhousie and Georgia
cannabis. Tyler has expertise in plant genetics and Adam put in place Storkcraft’s first-ever design and Tech. Sonia is also Executive Director of CDL Rapid
extraction, with a drive to advance the medical innovation teams, invested in building best-in-class Screening Consortium, a non-profit that delivers a
cannabinoids industry. He was listed in the Inter- customer care and operations teams, and opened free program to launch COVID-19 rapid screening
national Forum on Advancements in Healthcare’s Top multiple strategic distribution centres across North in workplaces and schools across Canada. In 2020
100 Leaders in Healthcare in 2019, and later in the America. Adam currently resides in Vancouver, B.C. they founded the Sonia Sennik Resilience Fund, the
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40. with his wife, two daughters, and family dog. largest multi-donor endowment in McMaster En-
gineering history.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE? BEST CAREER ADVICE: Things are never as bad
Hunger, hard work, determination, as well as fore- (or as good) as they seem. Sometimes the most BEST CAREER ADVICE: Be loyal to yourself first - let
sight and vision — these are core mindsets that challenging situations can feel like an impossible your intuition guide you as a leader.
take you places. You can always learn certain skills, hole to dig out of, but it’s important to keep things
but you can’t teach mindset, it comes from within. in perspective and try not to overreact or panic. IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
When times are good, don’t get overconfident and Announcer at the 2010 Winter Olympics in
remember to check your blind spots. Vancouver. I understand that this would require a
time machine.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
The self-awareness to learn from your failures, a
drive to continuously improve the world around you,
and an understanding of the responsibility you have
to your community.
28 | CANADA’S TOP 40 UNDER 40C A N A DA’ S
TOP 40
C A N UA DA’
N DSE R
T O P 44 00
UNDER
40
When the energy market struggled, SAF shifted
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heprincipal
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inprovider, boasting with
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During his structure
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initiatives.
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their get paid.
successive roles made his way to working in their
energy banking group Ryan reached a turning point
energy banking group Ryan reached a turning point
at 25 when he joined Sam Belzberg’s Second City
at 25 when he joined Sam Belzberg’s Second City
Capital Partners private equity group. In a bold move
Capital Partners private equity group. In a bold move
on Belzberg’s part, he was given autonomy for his
on Belzberg’s part, he was given autonomy for his
decisions despite his youth — a lesson that helped
decisions despite his youth — a lesson that helped
catapult
catapulthis hiscareer
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hedge fund before founding SAF. For Ryan, success success
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traditional financings"
Ryan Dunfield, CEO
Ryan Dunfield, CEO
www.safgroup.ca
www.safgroup.caC A N A DA’ S
TOP 40
UNDER
40
2021 HOUNOUREES
CAROLYN ANGELA AMELIA
STEWART THOMPSON WARREN
Executive Director Vice-President, Project Chief Executive Officer
FEED ONTARIO Services & Director, EPICURE
Environmental Services
FLINT, A DIVISION OF
CLEARSTREAM
BIO: Carolyn is the executive director at Feed Ontario, BIO: Angela serves as VP, project services & director, BIO: Amelia Warren is the CEO of Epicure. Since
where she has served the organization in various environmental services at ClearStream. She is ac- becoming CEO in 2009 and launching the global
roles for over a decade, taking on the role of executive countable for project delivery as it pertains to project Good Food. Real Fast. movement in 2014, her leader-
director in 2016. She has led the organization through controls, estimating, supply chain management, real ship has secured Epicure’s position as one of the
rebranding, expansion of programs, growth in advo- estate, field administration, and operational oversight fastest-growing direct sales companies in North
cacy/research, and most recently, their COVID-19 for the Flint Environmental Services division. Angela America. Amelia’s mission is to better the lives of
pandemic response/recovery. Carolyn is a University holds a Bachelor of Management from the University 20 million families with healthy 20-minute meal
of Guelph graduate who is passionate about food of Lethbridge. In 2020, she was recognized as One solutions. Through her focus on product innovation
security, social justice and Feed Ontario’s vision of of Canada’s Most Powerful Women and she sits on and a dedicated community of ambassadors, Epicure
ending hunger and poverty. the Board of Directors for KidSport Calgary. has grown into a nine-figure company.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: The best career advice I’ve BEST CAREER ADVICE: The best career advice I have BEST CAREER ADVICE: Just keep going; we often
ever received is two-fold: always lead with character ever been given is confidence in the memory of past give up right before we succeed. It is the tenacious
and integrity and make decisions with your people success. There are going to be trials and tribulations that win.
in mind - you are not succeeding as a leader unless that you face in your career, it is important that you
each member of your team is succeeding, too. remember what got you to where you are. You must IF I HAD CHOSEN A DIFFERENT CAREER PATH:
have an unwavering belief in yourself. With my first job being in the non-profit world, it’s
definitely where I’d be — had I taken a different path.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
The key attributes that it takes to be Top 40 is the WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
ability to see what’s not in front of you in any situa- Hard work, grit, humour, and a bit of luck.
tion, resiliency, and a passionate curiosity to know
when to lean in.
DR. MAAYAN ZIV DR. JENNIFER
VIKRAMADITYA Founder, CEO ZWICKER
G. YADAV ACCESSNOW Associate Professor &
Associate Professor of Deputy Scientific Officer
Chemical, Biological & UNIVERSITY OF
Biomedical Engineering CALGARY, AND
THE UNIVERSITY OF KIDS BRAIN HEALTH
BRITISH COLUMBIA NETWORK
BIO: Vikramaditya G. Yadav is an associate profes- BIO: An entrepreneur and disability activist, Maayan BIO: Jennifer is the director of health policy at the
sor at the University of British Columbia, where he launched AccessNow, a social enterprise that shares School of Public Policy, associate professor in the
directs the country’s premier program in sustainable information about the accessibility of places world- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, and
process engineering. Vikram is one of Canada’s top wide. As CEO, she has created a powerful shift in the deputy scientific officer for Kids Brain Health
biotechnologists and has made notable contribu- thinking about the importance of accessibility, from Network. A Canada Research chair (II) in disability
tions to research, education, commercialization accessible technologies to infrastructure, public policy for children and youth, her research assesses
and regulation of synthetic biology. He also founded policy, media and more. An internationally acclaimed socioeconomic impact of interventions and informs
Metabolik Technologies Inc., which was acquired voice for the disability rights movement, Maayan’s policy to improve access to and integration of ser-
by Allonnia, a Bill Gates-backed company, and is leadership has been recognized with many awards vices for families (and care communities) of youth
currently the chief executive officer of Tersa Earth, including the Governor General Innovation Prize and with disability.
a mining biotechnology company. WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A TOP 40 HONOUREE?
BEST CAREER ADVICE: Charles Darwin was a genius. BEST CAREER ADVICE: Everything is temporary. Being comfortable with the uncomfortable and
However, I was instructed by my parents to never Whenever I’m facing a bump in the road, I like to embracing uncertainty — it opens a door to the
take him seriously when thinking about my career. remind myself that change will come. This advice unknown, and only by exploring the unknown can
Fine-tuning one’s self to do what everyone does, always helps me navigate difficult times and also you be constantly learning and growing in life.
just better, merely makes you a metronome. There is pushes me to really savour the wins that come
greater satisfaction in blazing new trails and solving along too.
problems unconventionally. Embrace originalism.
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