Discover the exceptional leaders who will share their insights and expertise at the Young Professionals Leadership Summit 2025 in Toronto. Our carefully selected speakers represent diverse industries and leadership styles, bringing authentic stories of career challenges, pivotal moments, and breakthrough successes. From entrepreneurs and C-suite executives to thought leaders and coaches, these accomplished professionals will provide actionable strategies, innovative perspectives, and inspiration to help you elevate your leadership journey and maximize your career potential.
AI Panel
Bilal Jaffery
Senior Vice President at Blend360Bilal is a seasoned management consulting and digital & AI executive with over 25 years of experience in leading innovative, class-leading, end-to-end digital, cx, product, data and analytics led organizations
He draws his expertise from having worked at Silicon Valley scale ups and working for the world’s most innovative enterprise companies that have forever transformed the business and technology landscape across financial services, software, silicone hardware, technology, telecommunications and media.
With a diverse track record of transformation across Silicon Valley, top management consulting and digital firms (Deloitte, and Accenture), Fortune 500 (IBM, Bell, Siemens) and mid-sized enterprises, Bilal brings a balanced approach to strategy and execution with a measured entrepreneurship lens to the table.
At Accenture, Bilal led the foundation and development of North American Data, AI and Customer Platforms practice, where he advised and delivered integrated programs and technologies across financial services, products, TMT and retail.
Prior to joining Accenture, Bilal led the conception, development and accelerated growth of Deloitte’s top quadrant award winning Deloitte Digital and Omnia AI practices.
Bilal is the recipient of two Forrester awards in the areas of CRM, marketing automation, e-commerce, and loyalty. Some of his other work has been recognized as best practices by industry leaders including CRM News, Forbes, AOL, Fast Company, Mashable, SocialMediaToday, CIO Forum, and HBR, and has been featured in academic institutions such as the University of Toronto, Harvard University, and NYU.
He’s also an active board director of few organizations, across education enablement, industry standards, and AI startups
Ashwin Balu
Award-winning Leader and Keynote SpeakerAshwin Balu is an award-winning leader and keynote speaker with over a decade of experience in data analytics and AI. As Principal Manager for IBM Canada’s Client Success team, he helps clients solve complex business challenges at scale, focusing on technology modernization, generative AI, hybrid cloud, analytics, and sustainability. He has worked with countless Fortune 500 companies, guiding them on transformative technology journeys that drive industry leadership through innovation.
Ashwin has led IBM missions at both the worldwide and the market levels – in the business partner ecosystem, technical sales, product management, technical enablement, sales enablement, and client success arenas. A passionate lifelong learner with a growth mindset, Ashwin holds a Masters in Computer Science, an MBA, and management credentials from Harvard Business School. He has deep expertise in areas ranging from AI, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Strategic Execution.
Mariam Afshin
Head of Data Science, Int Ops, RBC15+ years of experience applying AI to real-world problems to generate actionable business insights that support product and business decisions across Finance, Insurance, Retail, Technology, and Biotechnology sectors.
Passionate about leading and implementing data-driven solutions using AI and Machine Learning techniques, with over 12 publications and 14 conference papers.
Education: Ph.D. in Machine Learning (UWO); MASc. & BEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering (IUST); Mini-MBA (UofT).
Energy and Infrastructure Panel
Joanna Osawe
President & CEO of WiRE – Women in Renewable EnergyPanel Moderator
Joanna Osawe is the President & CEO of WiRE – Women in Renewable Energy. Joanna attended Western University studying Languages, graduating with an Honours BA. Joanna has used her language skills in a focused, 15+ year management career at leading renewable and energy sector companies in Canada and the United States. By carrying complex projects through many stages she has seen firsthand the vital role renewable energy and emerging technologies serve in moving the Canadian, American and global energy mix forward.
Joanna has been appointed to the Federal Sustainable Development Advisory Council, led by Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault. She looks forward to continuing to engage and contribute to the Council’s success. The Council is made up of the Canadian public that represent the views of different provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, as well as environmental non-governmental organizations and business and labour organizations.
Andrew Thiele
Senior Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Energy Storage CanadaAndrew is Sr. Director of Policy and Government Affairs with Energy Storage Canada. Andrew joins ESC with over 10 years of experience working in the energy and environmental sectors having previously held roles with Bruce Power, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario Government. Andrew is also a graduate of the Munk school of Global Affairs the University of Toronto with a master’s degree in public policy and public affairs.
Cara Clairman
President and CEO PLUG’N DRIVECara Clairman is President and CEO of Plug’n Drive, a non-profit that is accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) to maximize their environmental and economic benefits.
Cara has taken Plug’n Drive from an idea to a thriving non-profit, recognized as a leader in the EV space. Focused on accelerating EV adoption through outreach and education for over 14 years, Plug’n Drive has developed a number of award-winning programs to encourage consumers and fleets to make the switch from gas to electric, including the EV Discovery Centre and the Mobile EV Education Trailer (MEET).
Cara has more than 30 years of experience working in the environmental and sustainability fields, including 12 years working at Ontario Power Generation, initially as OPG’s environmental lawyer and later in the role Vice-President, Sustainable Development. Prior to joining OPG, Cara spent five years practicing environmental law with the Torys law firm.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from York University, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University.
Cara is the 2017 recipient of the Women in Renewable Energy’s ‘Woman of the Year’ award and the 2021 winner of the Al Cormier EV leadership award from Electric Mobility Canada. She lives in a two EV household, including a Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai’s IONIC 5.
Keynote Speakers
Rob Kamranpoor
Founder, RK Leadership & YPLSummit OrganizerRob Kamranpoor is the visionary founder of RK Leadership and the driving force behind the Young Professionals Leadership Summit. Combining his technical expertise as a Professional Engineer with strategic business acumen from his MBA, Rob has built a reputation for helping professionals unlock their full potential.
As a dedicated life coach, Rob works with individuals at critical career junctures to identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and chart paths to meaningful success. His unique approach blends analytical problem-solving with human-centered coaching methodologies, creating transformative experiences for his clients.
Ahmad Jabbir
2x TEDx and international speakerAhmad Jabbir is a 2x TEDx and international speaker who has inspired audiences across the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
After struggling with burnout and self-doubt, he discovered Mental Fitness, the idea that we can train our minds like our bodies to build resilience before challenges hit. His journey led him to complete a 9-hour mountain race, go skydiving, and interview 100 people across 89 cities and 45 countries. He later joined Yes Theory, a YouTube channel with over 9 million subscribers, where he led the marketing for their clothing brand sold in over 160 countries.
Claudia Wyatt
The Confidence IgnitorKnown as “The Enthusiasm Ignitor” and “Self-Doubt Eraser,” is a powerhouse Confidence, Cognitive Behavior, Life Purpose, Empowerment and Leadership Coach, Consultant, International Speaker, Writer and Transformational leader with over 20 years of experience. She’s driven by her passion for helping people unleash their personal power, show up authentically, and live with unshakable confidence. As the founder of Claudia Wyatt Coaching LLC, Claudia has empowered countless high-performing teams and individuals to conquer self-doubt and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
Her magnetic presence on stage and contagious energy have captivated audiences at live & virtual events, podcasts, and radio shows. Recognized as one of the 10 Most Admired Women Leaders To Follow and a 2023 Rising High Women Leader Making a Difference, Claudia’s mission is to inspire others to believe in themselves through imagination, confidence, and self-care.
Claudia’s authentic approach, rooted in personal triumph over adversity, ignites enthusiasm in others, empowering them to rewrite their stories and become their own inspiration. With Claudia, it’s not just about confidence; it’s about changing lives!
Helping people Follow Your Inner Compass fueled by her mission to empower and inspire people to believe in themselves.
Sunjay Nath
Hall of Fame SpeakerSunjay Nath is an internationally renowned speaker who travels globally sharing insights on leadership and performance. As a speaker, in 2005, Sunjay became the youngest Canadian and third youngest in the world to earn his CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and in 2018 Sunjay was inducted in the Canadian Speakers Hall of Fame.
He started an international speaking business at 19 years of age; he wasn’t even old enough to rent a car. He is the author of several books including The 10-80-10 Principle. Sunjay holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematical Engineering an MBA and is currently completing his doctorate.
He is best known for his trademark, “The 10-80-10 Principle” which is a framework that helps individuals and teams improve performance. This methodology combines best practices with small wins to help empower audiences to reach their stretch goals.
