Cocktail conference
Thursday, January 25, 2024 / 17:30 PM to 21:00 PMExplore Ontario's innovative economic future at our cocktail reception in the Aperture Room. Join the discussion on economic reinvention and Francophone horizons, with a fireside chat followed by a networking session with Francophone influencers.
Aperture Room
340 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 1R8
Unlike the well-established Chinese and Indian communities in Ontario, the Francophone community has not yet succeeded in forging a robust ecosystem capable of mobilizing capital, goods and services, and individuals around a shared linguistic connection. It is with this in mind that we wish to explore an innovative economic space centered on Francophone culture, without falling into Anglophone antagonism.
Our goal is to highlight the development potential of Francophone communities in Ontario, focusing on the implementation of entrepreneurial projects and access to financing. We firmly believe that building intergenerational bridges within the Francophone community can open doors to resources, whether financial, professional, or in terms of mentorship.
Date: January 25, 2024, 5:30pm – 9pm
Format: Cocktail conference
Sponsor
Presenters
Partner average
Biographies
Paula Cruickshank
First Vice President
Paula Cruickshank has served as BDC’s Senior Vice President for Ontario since June 2020. In this role, she oversees financing and advisory services across the province’s 33 business centres, drawing on over 25 years of banking experience. Prior to her current position in Ontario, Paula was Senior Vice President for British Columbia and Northern Ontario from 2017 to 2020, where she successfully expanded the Bank’s financing and advisory services throughout the region.
Recently, Paula also took on operational responsibilities as Head of Digital Transformation, building on her experience as Head of BDC’s Virtual Bank from 2019 to 2020. She ensured that digital investment decisions and omnichannel strategies continued to deliver value for BDC customers. Paula is recognized as one of Toronto’s 50 Most Powerful Women in 2023 by Women We Admire, and she has served on the Futurpreneur Board of Directors since 2020. She holds an MBA in International Business from the Schulich School of Business and a Master of Laws specializing in banking and finance from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Yannick Rose
Entrepreneur and Investor
Mr. Yannick Rose has over 25 years of experience in a wide range of industries, including real estate, financial services, insurance, automotive, non-profit organizations, disaster restoration, and construction. Mr. Rose is an accomplished investor and entrepreneur with a passion for giving back to his community.
Mr. Rose has served on several boards of directors and held various positions, including president, vice-president, and independent director. He currently serves on the board of directors as chair of the membership committee for the Toronto chapter of the Organization of Entrepreneurs, a global network of business leaders who are transforming the world through the power of human connection, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.
Carelle Lahouri
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur and motivator, Carelle is the owner of Restaurant Instant du Palais. Since arriving in Canada, Carelle has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to promoting the Francophonie, becoming an emblematic figure of entrepreneurship and a source of inspiration for young people of her generation.
His vision and commitment to promoting Francophone entrepreneurship have contributed to the flourishing of many innovative projects within the community.
In addition to her entrepreneurial achievements, Carelle Lahouri also aspires to be an influencer. Through her various social media platforms, she has built a community of over 200,000 Francophones, sharing her inspiring journey, the realities of entrepreneurship, and her unwavering determination. Her platforms are used to raise awareness, motivate, and inspire young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and actively contribute to the dynamism of the Francophone community.
Carelle Lahouri, as a panelist, will share her experience as well as her contagious passion for entrepreneurship.
Jean Bouchard
President of the White Trille Community
Mr. Bouchard has over 35 years of experience in education, training, and business. He holds a B.Sc. (UQAC) and a half-Master's degree in Education (OISE-Toronto). As a speaker, he has been invited to address numerous current issues in education and business, including at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mr. Bouchard has played a significant role in the growth of several organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. A seasoned businessman, he has also founded and managed several consulting firms (Giguère Linguistic Centre, Clip Communications, and Jean Bouchard Coaching Inc.).